Smith's is a great live music venue. It describes itself as having a 'boho vibe' which I guess means that it probably needs a bit of a lick of paint and the assorted bookshelves it has around the venue support a cluttered and eclectic range of tchotchke - from goldfish to manekin heads. I've seen numerous bands and comedy shows there. The owners are always welcoming and I like it's slightly grungy, yet welcoming feel.
The rain fell hard as we crossed the light-rail tracks of Northbourne Avenue to reach the place, and although it's got a covered walkway, I wasn't really sure how an outside gig was really viable. Fortunately the band had reached a similar conclusion and so the inside venue was quickly cleared - the seats that were stacked due to the covid lockdown were quickly re-distributed and a dustcover removed from the piano in the corner.
The venue however was restricted to 20 guests (I guess on a good/non-covid night it could probably hold four or five times that number).
Hashemoto are a three piece - Damo, Bec and Potsy who play the guitar, piano and double bass respectively. I've probably seen them at least half a dozen times I guess in and around Canberra. They make great harmonies and they're all clearly very accomplished musicians.
People who didn't make the 20 limit sat outside and the owner did his best to open up curtains and windows so they could enviously watch us and Hashemoto inside.
The kids surprisingly endured it. Eli enjoyed it more than Audrey (who is more accustomed to k-pop) but it's hard not to like their music to be honest.
After a couple of hilarious encores (one where Bec stood to sing with the others and then realised a few bars in that she was supposed to be playing the piano and ran back to take her place) we said our farewells and headed out.
On the way back, Audrey sated her k-pop desires with some BTS lemonade she bought from the excellently appointed emart Asian Supermarket which is only a short stroll away from Smith's and Eli bought himself a t-shirt from Target. All three of us therefore headed home after a successful Sunday afternoon out.
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| Hashemoto brightening up a rainy Sunday afternoon |
