NOTES FROM UNDERGROUND
Sydney’s live music scene is, of course, chock full of young and enthusiastic bands – which is both a blessing and a curse.
Sometimes the sheer competitive weight of numbers means it can be difficult to get a gig. With opportunities to play thus scarce, the chance to hone the all-important performance skills – the stagecraft, the chops, the chutzpah – is correspondingly remote.
It’s fortunate, then, when a young band emerges from the morass with it all under control – a band with a coherent vision, a disciplined approach to fun, and the performance skills to lift a crowd and dump it, wriggling, on the dancefloor.
In this case, the band is a mob called Five Coffees. A hefty septet, the Bondi Junction band seems tailor-made for The Basement, delivering a high-energy mix of jazz-inflected pop and hiphop vocal stylings. There is an echo of early Cat Empire to be heard, perhaps a whiff of rappers The Herd. Mostly, however, there is the band’s own sound: a happy amalgam of driving rhythm, honking horns and twin vocals.
On Friday, September 30, Five Coffees will launch their excellent debut EP, Flatline, at The Basement. The six song document was mastered by Steeve Body from revered US hiphop outfit De La Soul.
Five Coffees have done a couple of early week shows at the venue this year and had the mob up on its feet both times. This show will be the band’s first major show at The Basement. It should be huge.
We have four double passes to give away. To score one, simply bell our box office during office hours on 9251 2797.
And talking of matters jazz, on Thursday, September 29, Sydney’s Dave Halls Band returns to The Basement after a long absence.
Delivering a mixture of exciting contemporary piano-led compositions with a distinct world music tinge, a show by Mr Halls and his colleagues is always a sonic treat. His shows don’t happen all that often, so jazz fans should try awfully hard not to miss it.
We have four double passes to give away. Just ring Michelle, our friendly box office chick, during office hours to score one. Ring 9251 2797.
For a full list of shows at The Basement: www.thebasement.com.au
Contact the writer: amasterson@thebasement.net.au
BY ANDREW MASTERSON
