Kate Rowe

"Hovering between country and folk, sweet and twee, Blue Mountains singer-songwriter Kate Rowe is not quite sure where to go next. There's no rush as her charm carries her story-rich songs easily and there's enough here to suggest that with a more assertive vocal presence she might develop into something pretty good."
Bernard Zuel, The Sydney Morning Herald (December 07)

- The Sydney Morning Herald (2007)

"The people of the Blue Mountains should feel exceptionally lucky that we have an artist like Kate Rowe living amongst us. Kate is such an unassuming character that it is easy to forget what a great songwriter and musician she is. Kate has a way with words that is just delightful. It is as if she is actually a short story author, it just so happens she is a great muso as well. The Simplest of Things is an album of songs about the simple things in life, but while some of the themes are simple; frogs mating, dogs talking, pirates' children who hate boats and water, kitchen shops, there is nothing simple about any of it. Her lyrics are compelling, her delivery fantastic (especially her impeccable vocal metering) and all of the songs charming. Standouts that come to mind are Catacombs (with lyrics that are so real you might as well be hearing Kate tell you in person about her experience in Parisian catacombs), Kitchen Shop Romantic (who has ever sung about those forks shaped like ducks?), and the wonderful Fred the Dog. Makes you realise that your dog may be loyal but he probably doesn't have much to say. This is a fun, interesting and honest album that leaves me in real anticipation for her next release."
Robyn Jarman, The Stix (October 07) - The Stix (2007)

Cross MISSY HIGGINS with SARA STORER and you’ll get KATE ROWE. Admittedly well steeped in folk, Kate’s music also has a good dose of country added. Her newly released album The Simplest Of Things is deceptively light and airy, full of thought provoking self-written tracks – effortless light-hearted themes with heartfelt provocative cores. Very pictorial, tracks like Family Outing (where a pirate takes his kids on a trip) and Catacombs (which must be heard to be appreciated fully) take you to the places and people Kate describes musically. Fred The Dog is wildly funny – I’m never going to get it out of my mind! (Think Schnappi - Das Kleine Krokodil – Hey Kate, where is the YouTube clip?) Don’t Kiss Me is extremely catchy. Jindabyne, recently awarded the BluFM89.1 Award for Outstanding Contribution to Country Music, is sweet and lovely. Kate Rowe is fresh and delightful – certainly a much needed shot in ‘country’s arm.’
Deborah Minter, Capital News - Capital News, Rural Press (2007)

Support Act
The warm-up act, lovely singer/songwriter Kate Rowe, had the audience eating out of her hand from the first note from her guitar. Her own sweet melodies, lovely voice and chamring presence delighted the audience. I was particularly interested in the reaction from the little ones. Kate's magical stage presence doubtless helped her win the Children's Song Award for her composition 'Space Rabbits of Brocklevoons' in the John Lennon song contest. Her repertoire on Sunday was all too brief. Her compositions and observations on life, love and relationships were lovely. A special song about Fred the Dog had most of the audience laughing and crying: lovely gentle humour, from a lovely, talented young woman. Come back again, Kate! - Cygnet Classifieds (TAS) (July, 2010)

Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Spooky Men's Chorale: St George's

IT would be easier to explain the rules of cricket to an alien than to fully explain what the Spooky Men's Chorale is all about.

Here's a summary: 16 men, mostly from Australia, dressed in black, wearing various hats and performing stunning harmonies.

Virtually the entire show is made up of songs and chants about everyday, manly things such as Don't Stand Between a Man and His Tool which is (believe it or not) an ode to the contents of the tool shed. I'm Big a clever song about life through the eyes of a small child (I think) and We Like Concrete which needs no explanation (or does it)? The spookmeister Steve Taberner who combined conducting, singing and compering has all the hallmarks of genius. Often appearing to be on another thought plane to the rest of us non-spookies, his off the wall one liners were exquisite. He had the audience in the palm of his hand for the duration of the show whilst urging every last drop of lunacy out of the assembled Mastadon-loving Spookies.

Putting aside the wackiness for a moment, this is a choir of the highest quality, sharp and precise in their delivery, unaccompanied and enthralling to watch.

Despite the apparent manliness of the programme, it is a show for all ages as my 13-year-old son Matt proved when he was leading the clapping, cheering and singing at the end.

The support for the evening was Kate Rowe, playing acoustic guitar and singing her own songs without the need for a microphone, using the acoustics of the wonderful hall. The result was charming and her quirky songs about her love for coffee and the blind date she never met were in the same league as Victoria Wood at her best.

The last word must go to the Spookies who sang the most unusual version of Boogie Wonderland imaginable before giving Abba's Dancing Kveen the Spooky treatment complete with Swedish accents and Viking helmets. Spooktacular!

9/10

LES GILLAM
- Bristol Evening Post (July, 2011)