... if looks could thrill
Be prepared for plenty of Costume drama in Adam Ouston’s new show, writes Penny McLeod
ADAM Ouston — aka Costume — had a clear vision for the kind of music he wanted to make when he decided to become a solo artist.
“I had been in a band [All Fires The Fire] for 10 years before Costume and that was great, but there was certainly no theatre to it,” says Ouston, who captivated audiences with his luscious blend of orchestral-electronic pop music and dramatic costumes at his debut show at Dark Mofo last year.
“It was more traditional, with four guys playing as loud as they can. I did it for 10 years and I needed something new.”
Ouston’s vision led him to Greenhouse Studios in Iceland last year to record and produce his debut album,
Pan, and make the first in a series of art-house film clips.
Starting in Hobart on Sunday, he will present his first shows in Tasmania following his acclaimed Dark Mofo performance. A preview show at Altar on Sunday will be followed by performances in Launceston and Hobart as part of his national Dream
Palace tour. “The Dark Mofo show was quite grand. These ones will be a little bit pared back, but there will still be the same intensity,” Ouston says.
“[The album] Pan comes from the idea of the Greek god, Pan, who is the god of desire and fertility and rebirth, so while it will still be a collection of pop songs, the performance will have a narrative of transformation. There will be an operatic element to it in the sense of a suite of songs that are telling a story.”
Brisbane-born Ouston, who moved to Tasmania 20 years ago, says his interest in narrative stems from his background in literature and writing (his award-winning prose has appeared in numerous literary journals).
“I guess I’m always wanting to weave a narrative into what it is I’m doing,” he says.
Ouston’s passion for costume and fashion blossomed during the 1980s.
“I grew up in an environment of fashion,’’ he says. “My family are involved in the fashion industry [in Brisbane] and have been for the last 40 years. I also grew up in the ’80s and we were listening to Duran Duran and Culture Club and all the great British New Wave bands.
“The aesthetic of that New Wave, New Romantic movement with the heavy make-up and the costumes has always stayed with me.”
Violinist Natalya Bing will perform alongside Ouston at the new shows.
“It’s homing in on the themes of the record in a more operatic way in terms of telling that story through music,” Ouston says.
Costume performs this Sunday in Hobart, supporting American dark synthpop duo Drab Majesty at Altar. Tickets at altarhobart.com.au. He also performs at the Earl Arts Centre in Launceston next Friday (February 28), and at the Peacock Theatre in Hobart on March 6. Tickets at theatrenorth.com.au and eventbrite.com.au