Blitzen Trapper, hailing all the way from Portland, Oregon, started off their first tour to the Southern Hemisphere with an explosion of experimental folk-rock at Melbourne’s Hi-Fi Bar. The group who had received enormous levels of critical acclaim and subsequent exposure in 2007 after the release of their third album ‘Wild Mountain Nation’, have been creating waves ever since.

Following ‘Wild Mountain Nation’ with their 2008 release ‘Furr’, it became destined that Blitzen Trapper were going to not only be a defining band of this decade, but pioneers in the experimentation and exploration of what has been dubbed their own inimitable brand of ‘indie and alternative country’.

Within the opening minute, the crowd’s anticipation had been fulfilled as it became evident that they were in for a night of tantalizing musicianship from the fiery sextet. Blitzen Trapper’s unique appeals lies in their ability to be impossible to pin to any set genre. Within the first 20 minutes they had already showcased a smorgasbord of styles and varietal talent skipping from indie-country to progressive rock to freak-folk all within the matter of a few seconds.

The set list for the evening revolved predominately around ‘Wild Mountain Nation’ and ‘Furr’, featuring a very early performance of ‘God and Suicide’, a captivating recital of the haunting ‘Not Your Lover’ and of course the crowd favourite ‘Wild Mountain Nation’. Front man Eric Earley also showcased his talents as a lone performer delivering the groups acoustic tracks to the then dimly lit stage, creating a somber yet enthralling presence throughout the venue.

Blitzen Trapper no doubt left a deep impression on all that witnessed not only this performance, but in any of their powerful and hypnotizing shows in the past and future. The enchanting and alluring mixture of their blended genre style, charming banter and an observable care for the crowd’s enjoyment and participation created a immaculate experience by these self-proclaimed sweet talkin’ moon walkin’ cowboys.

Photo from the bands Myspace Page and taken by Jade Harris