Anna Log – Apocalips
Anna Log @ Austral Hotel – The Bunka
6:30pm, Sat 26 Feb 2011
I remember being extraordinarily keen to see one of Anna Log’s three performances… the thing is, I have no idea why. Maybe it was the promise of a “ride into the darkest dimensions of the human soul”, coupled with a quirky, cute-as-a-button photo in the Guide. It’s irrelevant now, but I sometimes like to muse on these things; before- and after-thoughts, or somesuch.
There’s only around ten people in the Bunka by the time Anna takes to the stage, and so I’ve taken my place in the front row… again, ostensibly to provide support to the artist. Unfortunately, the chap I was talking to prior to the show joined me, and would perforate moments of quiet in the performance – of which there were too many – with running commentary in my ear. Which would be fine, except that I was pretty sure it was audible to all and sundry – and my subtle shooshes were obviously not having the appropriate effect.
But as for Miss Anna Log herself… well, she’s quite confident on stage, with a wonderful physical presence and a very easygoing manner. And she loves to get rude, too – there was a wonderful short piece on the latest Jim’s franchise opportunity (Jim’s Abortions), and she picked up her guitar for a brilliant song covering AFL players, gang rape, and homo-eroticism.
The problem is that the big, healthy laughs were far too far apart… and, when there was a bit of dead air (and my friend next to me wasn’t talking), she’d pick up her guitar for a quick song… most of which weren’t really that great. Sure, when she’s explaining how Jesus came inside her, you’ll crack a smile and appreciate the balance of her language, and note how she straddles the line separating clean from risqué; but I wound up leaving The Bunka thinking there was a dearth of quality material ready for the show. A shame, really, because Anna Log’s delivery is really quite appealing.