Oozing with smooth, soulful vocals and upbeat rhythms that would put a groove in anyone’s step, Saskwatch are the nine-piece band that are taking Melbourne’s thriving soul scene by storm. Their tunes are a throwback to 70s soul clubs where listeners spin, flip and kick the night away to mellow Motown soul.
Saskwatch are Nkechi Anele, Sam Boon, Ed Crocker, Liam McGorry, Will Morrissey, Rob Muinos, Tom Pettit, Nic Ryan-Glenie and Olaf Scott. A bit of a mouthful isn’t it? It’s pretty rare to come across a band that defies the four-piece indie rock/pop/folk mould that populates the Aussie music scene these days.
There’s no doubt that the sweet sounds of Saskwatch will leave you with a feel-good, bouncy positivity. Their critically acclaimed 2012 debut album Leave It All Behind, (courtesy of Northside Records and Shock), produced three singles, Your Love, I Get Lonely and Hands. Lead single Your Love bounds along tenaciously, all sunny brass and incredibly smooth soulful vocals, while I Get Lonely ventures into 60s surf-rock territory. Latest release Hands showcases Saskwatch at their most spirited and vibrant, complete with hand-clapping, fast-paced percussion, an energetic horn section and of course Anele’s signature soulful voice. With each track, Saskwatch proves they only keep getting better.
The Melbourne band not only refuses to conform to musical conventions, but are also pioneers in the modern soul revival. Their fresh take on old-school Motown soul has solidified their growing reputation as one of Melbourne’s most electrifying live acts. Playing festivals across the nation (Bluesfest, Meredith, Golden Plains and Falls) and across the globe (Glastonbury – after an online crowdfunding campaign), Saskwatch have also supported the likes of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and Earth, Wind And Fire.
Despite having just completed their national 12-date album launch tour, it doesn’t look like Saskwatch will be slowing down anytime soon. Who knows, the local soul band may just become one of Australia’s biggest and best.
Saskwatch will support American soul singer Charles Bradley at the Melbourne Zoo Twilight Series on March 7 and will perform at Panama Festival in Lone Star Valley, Tasmania on March 8 and WOMADelaide in Adelaide on March 9 – 10.
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