Weaves @ Nice N Sleazy, 17 July 2016

Weaves kick off their Sunday night show at Nice N Sleazy with the grunge/punk gripe Shithole – 'I'm living in a shithole,' frontwoman Jasmyn Burke intones cheerfully over the band's cacaphonous jumble of wriggling riffs and crashing drumbeats. It's a wry, confessional and kooky track that entwines art-punk with a touch of whimsy; this summation could further be applied to the Toronto-based outfit's self-titled debut album, which they're in town to promote.

Unfortunately, it appears that the indie rock quartet are yet to find a fanbase further from home. As the group soldier on with their second song (the twanging, fuzzy Buttercup), Sleazy's basement holds just a paltry handful of spectators, but despite playing to a near-empty room, Burke remains admirably upbeat throughout. Not even wrongfooted by a broken string, the singer replaces lyrics with a sung commentary on the guitarist's frantic efforts to restring his instrument and rejoin the group.

Weaves' songs are odd assemblages of licks, beats and riffs; thunderous and jarring but at the same time strangely melodic. Held together by Burke's commanding voice, the group power on through their performance with commendable verve, recalling the bluesy bent of Alabama Shakes and Karen O's pop-punk vivacity. It's an accomplished, impressive show, that could have been even bigger and better with the right atmosphere.