Following The Paper Scissors at the Wolf Lane Sonicbids showcase were Perth band The Chemist, about whom I’d heard rave reviews following singer/guitarist Benjamin Witt’s solo showcase performance at Q Music’s Big Sound the previous month.

Soon after they began playing, the room was spellbound by their rocksound: retrospective enough to be familiar, yet fresh and effortless in its delivery. Beguiling frontman Witt exudes cool and calm, whether attacking his strings or crooning into the microphone. At the end of set, his band left the stage, while the singer looped vocal harmonies and layers. It was incredible. I wish I’d recorded it. I - we all - wanted more.

Footage of a song - whose name I’m unsure - is embedded below. Try not to be distracted by the two drunk dudes gypsy-dancing in front of stage. More of The Chemist on MySpace and Facebook.