Bandleader Lance Ferguson and his nine piece Melbourne
outfit The Bamboos have come a long way since forming in 2001. Initially
inspired by the instrumental raw funk of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, they
made waves internationally and were quickly labelled as one of the greatest
funk and soul bands of our time. But while many would be happy to simply soak
up the praise and keep on keeping on, The Bamboos have proven that they are
more than meets the eye; over 8 acclaimed albums their evolution in sound and
style has consistently confounded and exceeded expectations, pulling the rug
from under the feet of those who like to pigeonhole.
The Bamboos signed to respected Brighton (UK) indie label
Tru Thoughts in 2005, becoming a real cornerstone of the roster. Across their
five albums on the label – debut “Step It Up” in 2006, follow-up “Rawville” in
2007, third opus “Side-Stepper” in 2008, the aptly-titled “4″ in 2010 and
“Medicine Man” in 2012 – the metamorphosis of The Bamboos has been full of
twists and turns, and it continues apace. A seasoned DJ, solo producer (aka
Lanu) and all-round insatiable music obsessive, Ferguson‘s myriad influences
and passion for pushing things forward ensure that each new release is a
discovery for devout fans and newcomers alike.
The band’s fifth long-player “Medicine Man” released in June
2012 was a watershed – a forward-looking record brimming with fresh ideas,
stellar turns, classic songwriting and a brand of multi–layered pop they can
truly call their own. Guest vocalists Aloe Blacc, Tim Rogers (You Am I), Megan
Washington, Daniel Merriweather, Bobby Flynn, alongside resident singers Kylie
Auldist and then newcomer Ella Thompson helped make the album their biggest
until then.
The Bamboos’ ridiculously enjoyable live shows have seen
them perform at pretty much every major festival in Australia. In Feb 2010 the
band played the prestigious headline set at The St Kilda Festival to over 7000
people. The Bamboos have also toured Europe and the U.K three times, performing
sell-out shows at esteemed venues including The Barbican and The Jazz Cafe in
London and in countries including France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Slovakia,
Belgium, Switzerland and Ireland. As the go-to band for tight and heavy vibes, they
have also performed as the backing band for international artists including
Eddie Bo (US), Syl Johnson (US), Joe Bataan (US), Eddie Floyd (US), Betty
Harris (US) and Alice Russell (UK).
Songs by The Bamboos have been regularly on playlists of
national radio stations in Australia, the UK, France, the US, Japan and beyond.
The unshakable charm of their songs has also seen them licensed to hit movies
including “Crazy Stupid Love”, the soon to be released “Adore” with Naomi Watts
& Robin Wright, and TV shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “CSI New York”, “One
Tree Hill”, “Ugly Betty” and more.
Like its predecessor, the band’s sixth album “Fever In The
Road” was co-produced by ARIA- nominated, multi-instrumentalist studio wizard
John Castle – ranked amongst the first-call producers in Australia. The new
record (the first on Ferguson‘s own Pacific Theatre label) sees Castle and
Ferguson venturing into sonic landscapes The Bamboos have previously touched on
but never fully inhabited. There is a sense that the music is leaner and more
muscular, yet upon closer inspection the tracks reveal themselves to be densely
multi-layered in a ‘Wall Of Sound’ style.
It’s this aural complexity and depth that allows darker moods to roam
through the album, taking their sound to a new place. Choosing this album to
reflect the band as it is on stage, the vocals are split between Kylie Auldist
and Ella Thompson. And each bring contrasting styles that complement each other
magically, but show The Bamboos to be utterly unique.
2015 saw The Bamboos team up with Tim Rogers for the release
of “The Rules Of Attraction”, with 12 meticulously crafted songs that strike a
balance between the band’s patent introverted groove and Rogers’ effervescent
rock’n’swagger. The result is something that sounds varied, fresh and brimming
with enthusiasm. With eighth album “Night Time People” released in 2018, The
Bamboos consolidated their relationship with Kylie Auldist, effectively
constructing and executing the full-length around her unmistakable voice. This
release provided a backbone twisting slab of pop colored funk that reaffirmed The
Bamboos in their rich and unique sound while keeping their hefty and rich
legacy intact.
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