Sally Seltmann interweaves melodramatic pop and Aussie charm in New York City

June 14, 2010, at Joe’s Pub

By Jobana Soto
Published: June 19th, 2010 | 1:00pm

In true NYC form, Joe’s Pub set the scene with its underground (and very dark) appearance and prepared the audience for an up-close and personal performance by singer-songwriter Sally Seltmann. As the stage lights shone bright, out walked Seltmann in black from head to toe. She was the only musician present, unless you count the Mac laptop conveniently hidden on the side.

First expectations were for a goth instrumental performance from the Aussie-born musician, but when her mouth opened, out came a high melody of melodramatic pop. At the end of her solo, Seltmann took off her Charlie Chaplin–like hat and took her place behind the piano with such a boost of energy you would have thought she snuck in a Red Bull shot somehow.

Her band stepped on stage, including cellist Jessica Venables and part-time drummer/full-time husband Darren Seltmann (the Avalanches). Together, they started with “Book Song,” off Seltmann’s latest album Heart That’s Pounding (Arts & Crafts). It was a beautiful, relaxed mix of piano and cello that soothed the martini-sipping Manhattan crowd. By the third song, the once nervous and fidgety Seltmann turned into a piano-smashing superwoman.

It’s common to think of female musicians as having shy personalities (see Fiona Apple and Meg White), but their onstage performance is a different story. Like her contemporaries, Seltmann wailed like a powerhouse indie queen—and even though she revealed her discomfort of playing without her electrical keyboard, she still performed like a professional.

Before the release of Heart That’s Pounding, Sally Seltmann was known as New Buffalo, who had produced two albums—2004’s The Last Beautiful Day and 2007’s Somewhere, Anywhere. “Emotional Champ,” from her New Buffalo days, was a generous blast from the past and proved that regardless of the name, good music is still good music.

Seltmann switched from piano to guitar throughout her set, and made obvious her hefty musical talent. As simple as her set was, Seltmann’s coy personality and instrumental skills peaked the audience’s attention.

As she struggled to take off her guitar, the chord caught on her dress, to which she responded “this dress is terrifying to wear on stage.” After the mini wardrobe malfunction, Seltmann continued with “On the Borderline,” an awkwardly uplifting song about borderline personality disorder—a personal favorite of the audience who was at once won over by the Aussie’s loving charm.

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Sally Seltmann official site

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Arts & Crafts