Being a duo opening for a big band such as Manchester Orchestra (big in number of members and success) can be a daunting challenge, but Brisbane’s An Horse was more than up for the challenge. 
The duo features Kate Cooper on vocals and guitar with Damon Cox on drums and backing vocals.
Cooper’s a small figure, so it’s a bit surprising when a ridiculously powerful voice comes booming out of her. At times she seemed like a female vocal version of tourmates Manchester Orchestra’s Andy Hull; and other times she seemed like Eisley‘s three singers, but with an Australian accent in place of the Texas one. Cooper packed a more powerful punch in her briefer lyrics than when she tried to stretch out vocals – one number in the middle seemed a little a grating, but she was otherwise a pleasant a surprise. She ran through songs about coping with separation and grief from life far from home, emulating the passion of the lyrics in both her vocals and her facial expressions.
Equally fascinating to watch was Cox. He basically had the duty of filling out a full band sound for Cooper’s vocals and was more than busy with drumming alone, but he also provided some great harmonies.
The band is listed as indie pop on the web – but their spunky beats and edgy vocals harkens them back to their punk roots.
Though you might debate their name (which does come from a grammar dispute about ‘a’ or ‘an’ before ‘horse’), you won’t found yourself debating their talent.
They just joined with Manchester Orchestra for a series of tour dates. Be sure to check them out here.
