‘This is not sold out’ I repeated to my trained monkey. I pointed out the fact that Soma Rasa tickets were reportedly sold out due to some diligent research, some poor guy in the buy and sell section of ITM had to ask if someone would sell him a ticket and the ticket girl asked me if I had a list of ITM members with pre-sold tickets which may explain the serious lack of a crowds at this event. I envision several hundred angry ITMers being denied entry. Never the less unsuccessful marketing ploy or not, most of Sydney missed out on a solid showing of Australian music talent.

I arrived just in time for Nubreed’s performance and was impressed with an energy and rawness in counterpoint to their ennui developing performance the last time I saw them at home. Aside from their usual animated ness behind their usual array of mixers, samplers, and effects units they mixed up a fine performance that provided a variety I haven’t seen from a live dance act. The addition of a live sweaty drummer  managing to keep up with the three boys as the BPM reached speeds no human should be able to imitate, added warmth and dynamism that is missing in the run of the mill live dance groups. They went through a list of styles ranging from drum and bass, breaks, house, a smattering of drum and bass and hip hop to end their night. Despite the lack of support in numbers there was more here in terms of pure excitement than the hundreds of people that showed up at home.

There is something about a sweaty, smelly drummer bashing a live kit that sends flying sweat and stinks up a room like nothing else, these are the two exceptional drummers, now add a laptop with a plethora of samples, mixers and one of the best DJ’s I have heard with fantastic improvised scratches blending so in so well yet surprising and you have Soma Rasa.

Soma Rasa with two hit singles being played with regularity in clubs “I Like It” and “Something Wicked” should have had problems keeping the crowds away. The first three sets (with pauses inbetween music like a real rock concert!) were filled with a driving relentless bass that kept the audience on the floor and what a clear sound the transit rooms allows, yes that driving bass sounds actually like a string bass, clear and recognisable.

I like DJ Chris or Kristian (maybe my bad hearing but I couldn’t make his name out) alot, with some fine improvised scratching almost over shadowing the laptop maestro. I really wished DJ Kristian did more for the entire show but alas the dissipated crowd towards the end ruined any chance he would do anything interesting for his solo. Unfortunately the ending sets were ordinary for Soma Rasa, the crowds were leaving and the MC repeating the same phrase for six minutes does not make a song.

Soma Rosa has the ability to create a group that can perform music like a well formed jazz group but with the possibility of some fantastical sounds that can’t be created by instruments. I eagerly await their new creations.

For a night that was made up mostly of guest list types (read family, friends and reviewers) it was better than an average night in Sydney. There is a niggling side of me that says this would translate very well to an outdoors or veranda type environment with people who want music that is danceable yet with an ounce of variety on a Sunday afternoon. The crowd just didn’t seem interested even with the help of a tasty blonde on the dance floor and that sassy gal in the green trying their best to revive a departing crowd. Very disappointed at the turn out, this isn’t some guy spinning tunes these guys have the energy, charm and spirit that should make any night or day they play a success, alas Sydney gave them the finger and they moved on.