For over 10 years now, Australian singer-songwriter Greta Gertler has been a regular staple of the New York City downtown music scene–she has played pretty much every local venues past and present, from Manhattan’s Fez Under Time Cafe to Brooklyn’s Union Hall. Whether as a solo artist, a member of the bands Peccadillo and the Extroverts, or as one-half of the duo The Universal Thump with her husband, drummer Adam Gold, Gertler has always specialized in well-crafted, whimsical orchestral pop music that reflect influences include the Beatles, Billy Joel, Tin Pan Alley and the Brill Building.
Next month, The Universal Thump will be performing a residency at Barbes, one of Gertler’s frequent haunts, every Saturday that will draw on a different theme every week. From animals to relationships to musicals to journeys, the shows will also feature special guests. Following their 2012 self-titled double album, The Universal Thump will soon release an EP, Walking the Cat, which was recorded at London’s famed Abbey Road Studios, where the Beatles made their landmark albums–one of the songs off of it is “Sunset Park,” where the couple also resides. (You can also stream a demo of Walking the Cat below). I’ve seen Gertler a couple of times on stage in the past couple of years and the experience has always been warm and joyful, so this upcoming Barbes residency should be more of the wonderful same. Meanwhile, sample some of the Thump’s and Gertler’s music below, and you’ll see what I mean.
The Universal Thump will perform every Saturday during the month of November at Barbes, 376 9th St., Brooklyn. Suggested donation is $10.
Nov. 1 — The Universal Thump & Pete Galub
Nov. 8 — The Universal Thump & Joshua Douglas Camp
Nov. 15: — The Universal Thump & Rachel Taylor Brown
Nov. 22 — The Universal Thump & Oren Bloedow