Sissos
11th January 2024
Poukawa Hall, Poukawa, New Zealand.
Review by Rob Harbers, photography by Andrew Caldwell.
Australian, but resident in Berlin, Stephanie and Georgie Fisher are, collectively, Sissos, and they’re bringing their special something to the Small Halls of Te-Matau-a-Maui.
There’s something truly magic that live music does, when all the disparate parts come together in an unmatched alchemical process to form a new expression. One that is greater than the sum of its parts, and only exists at that one point in time. And some of the greatest examples of that magic are the product of the most organic of musical instruments, the human voice. When two (or more) voices become as one, there is little that can match the result, in its power to convey the unity of purpose that lies at the heart of great music. Sissos, with their sororal harmonies in full effect, are a great example of this phenomenon.
On this, their second ever show in New Zealand (and among a handful of gigs ever played in any Antipodean settings), their strength as a duo was hugely evident. With beautiful songs whose subject matter covered the gamut from lost love through to dairy-based desserts, via household furnishings, accompanied by a healthy dose of humorous asides, these sisters clearly made many new fans.
Kicking off with the jazz-inflected “Breaking In”, a groove was laid down that was the perfect accompaniment to the sultry climatic conditions, leading to possibly the most languid version of “Dancing In the Dark” ever heard. “Leave My Dreams For Me” (aka “Lamp”), the tale of a relationship breakdown, similarly filled the spot of being the most interesting song to derive its inspiration from an electrical item since the Muttonbirds’ “The Heater”!
“Can’t Have Both” dealt with the cost, in terms of isolation, of the touring life. This segued nicely in to Stephanie’s modelling of her “Yeah, Nah” earrings (one on one ear, one on the other – a forgivable slice of cultural appropriation!
Speaking of cultural appropriation, the sisters’ retreat to the back of the stage for a ‘band meeting’ recalled the glory days of the Conchords (sans Murray to take notes!). The result of this meeting was a rendition of “Car Without a Driver” (the guitar part to which was composed by 3rd sibling Tom), complete with an organic click track.
After the obligatory intermission/meet the fans session, the 2nd segment led off with “Days Like This”, the Van Morrison song that was covered as a birthday present for their Mum, the video of which is their most-viewed, with 45k views and counting. And people say this life ain’t glamorous!!
More charming stories from the road ensued, revolving around life lessons gained from searching for a car park, through to the search for the origin of sensational catered cheesecake, one which took on a life of its own and even spawned a song – such is the creativity bursting from their very marrow.
“Song For Laura”, inspired by the troubles of a friend, drew in a way from the same lyrical well as U2’s “Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own”, sharing a similar theme of not always needing to be the strong one – sometimes you can just let go. The emotional load of “Someone Down the Road” recalling the death of their father, was lifted by “Internet Song”, a self-consciously cheesy (in the best way) plea for support, backed up by promotion of the merch, all lovingly hand-sewn by Mum! Guess she earned that birthday dedication…
The night closed out with “Winter In Berlin”, the next single from album number two, which is in the pipeline. Yes, they’ve managed to get four years worth of touring out of just one album, only eight songs long! Productivity plus!!
Having sprinkled their magic fairy dust over the gathering, the sisters slipped away in the night, to return tomorrow night at the Haumoana Hall – you know you want to be there! Just the ticket for these long languid and sultry summer nights…Do it!!
Were you there at the Poukawa Hall for this intimate gig? Or have you seen Sissos perform live sometime else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Serlist:
- Breakin’ In
- Somebody Told Me
- Dancing in the Dark [Bruce Springsteen cover]
- Leave My Dreams For Me
- Can’t Have Both
- Winter Jacket
- Car Without a Driver
- Leavin’ Town
- Days Like This [Van Morrison cover]
- I’ve Got Too Much Up To Get Me Down
- Everywhere I Go
- Wir Komt Er Kese Kuchen?
- Brandenburg Gate
- Song For Laura
- Someone Down the Road
- Internet Song
- Winter In Berlin
Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only.
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