I am anticipating some unique live music moments in the week ahead… First up, I dive into the deep sonic waters of Rafael Anton Irisarri (aka The Sight Below).

Irisarri’s work has been described as, meditations on suspended momentum and the opacity of perception (Big Shot). His evocative soundscapes and ambient pop epics, encompass the big emotions… longing, sorrow, bliss, while drawing the listener below the surface to look up at the storm of sounds shimmering above. Composers like Irisarri don’t visit these parts too often, so I too, am shimmering with excitement at the prospect of seeing him cast his sonic spell this Thursday night (August 19) at The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts. This haunting composition - Watching As She Reels – is from the Limited Edition 7″ EP, Hopes and Past Desires.

Then I lay my head down on the soft downy sounds of The Stress of Leisure as they take over The Zoo this Friday evening (August 20). Their third album, Soft Approach, has been on high rotation this past month, so I am looking forward to hearing the band rip through some of my favourites – The Boy’s Got Issues, Somewhere in the Afternoon and In the Movie Where He Dies of a Mystery Illness at the End. While the gig is being touted as ‘Soft’, including free hand massages on the night, The Stress of Leisure can rock pretty hard. For proof, check out the clip for Death on the Magic Mile.

Ah yes, softly, softly, the week unfurls…