You could throw a stick in Australia and chances are it’s going to land on some super talented muso or band. Despite their Middle-Eastern sounding name, SAFIA is Canberra’s latest offering to the ever-increasing Aussie electronic scene.
The band describe their sound as “Skrillex and James Blake making sweet, tender love.” Nice mental image, isn’t it? The music is all silky smooth vocals layered against thumping electronica, crafting a unique soul/trap vibe. Listen To Soul, Listen To Blues is a perfect example of this, with a scattering of vocal samples amongst the heavy synths and deep bass. The intricate melodies and chord progressions combined with Ben Woolner’s soulful vocals creates a rich and diverse depth.
I have a bit of a soft spot for the genre-spanning Sydney duo, which explains why SAFIA’s remix of Olympic Ayres’ River Song is one of my personal favourites. It stays true to Olympic Ayres’ breezy, indie pop sound, but the addition of decelerated beats and repetition of distorted vocals infuse a pinch of SAFIA’s inimitable flavour uncommon to most electronic music you hear today. The bass heavy, glitch hop (such a cool genre!) track is one of the standout remixes from the electronic outfit’s many reworks.
Completely self-produced, SAFIA’s music is one of a kind, using contrasting musical elements that build up in hypnotic waves of electronica and jazz-influenced indie pop. Check out another of their remixes – Pigeon’s Curtain Call – you’ll be hitting repeat for weeks.
Be prepared to hear much, much more from this talented electro-pop trio in the near future.
SAFIA will support Sydney producer Elizabeth Rose on her national tour for the release of her second EP. Dates are:
Saturday 8 March
Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
Saturday 15 March
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
Friday 21 March
Academy, Canberra
Saturday 22 March
Pirie Social Club, Adelaide
Friday 28 March
The Factory, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore
Friday 4 April
King Street Hotel Supperclub, Newcastle
Saturday 5 April
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Friday 11 April
Amplifier, Perth
Saturday 12 April
Mojo’s, Fremantle
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