12
PAGE
LIFTOUT!
Inside: a chat with
RAG’N’BONE MAN
THIS EASTER WEEKEND!
Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th April
Byron Events Farm, Tyagarah, Byron Bay
Melbourne Ska Orchestra is the BOMB! It wouldn’t be Bluefest if their wasn’t something totally fun on the menu and this year, the Melbourne Ska Orchestra is the delivery boy for that pizza – if you want more than your fare share of good times, head to the MSO end of town! Having turned 21 last year MSO is now a mature and responsible band, but it doesn’t look like they’re getting sensible any time soon. Formed in 2003, Melbourne Ska Orchestra is a musical force with a difference, with up to 26 members, and featuring some of Australia’s finest musicians. Led by the charismatic Nicky Bomba the orchestra is more than just a band – it’s an electrifying live experience.
I love playing. Even though it’s a big unit, everybody is on the same page as far as our energy and our connection with an audience. It’s really important for us to make that humanmusical connection. That really is why we do what wee do. we want to elevate the vibe. Make the moment a better moment, and for people to walk away with something t’s kind of a bit special. that’s Are MSO musicians working musicians outside of the orchestra?
Six I reckon. Our first real, proper one was in 2010 or 2009 or something.
Prettyy much everyone is either professional, playingg live in other bands, or teaching, or three of them actually run complete music programs in a couple of different schools. It’s a very, very active, ed and creative bunch of people. And then, energised he moment, we’re recording a new album, like at the and the hardest thing is what songs to say ‘no’ se there’s such to because a body off work that’s sented. been presented.
It must be a logistical mission to get you all up here on time and sober. How does that work?
ur current What’s your ear worm??
Lots of medication, meditation and frustration – haha. Actually, everybody in the band understands the beast that it is, and as a result, we all have a bit of a respect and understanding. It’s a bit like a soccer team that travels – you just have to be professional about it. We’ve got a really good team after all these years – still, things pop up, but it’s a bit like a family. We’ve been doing it for so long that when we get together it’s just like old friends catching up again
ong that There’s a song ith the I’m doing with lled orchestra called ‘Spring In Myy Step’.
The Echo caught up with Nicky Bomba very late at night and things got silly! How many Bluesfest have you guys done?
If it’s a beast, does that make you the beast master? The beast and beat master. It’s like I’m the master of ceremonies in a circus a lot of the time, but there’s a lot of beautiful spontaneity that happens in the band, which is why
l that Monte Loco. It’s a kind of fictional spaghetti western film r. So that’s how we’re just d we’re writing a soundtrack for. doing hat are kind of in that world. Being inspired by th things that the concept that we have of this album is a really good writin writing brief actually, it makes it easier. Are you having enough fun? I’m always having fun. I think I’ve tapped into th the wonder of life, and how beautiful it is. We all leave this mortal coil at some particular point. So, what do we do? Well, I just get as much joy in as I can. ▶ Get YOUR dose of joy with Melbourne Ska Orchestra who are playing on Saturday and Sunday.
What sort of things ing on are you drawing n at for inspiration the moment? Well, the new album is, it’s called The Ballad of
In this guide: Full playing schedule, performer highlights + MORE! ѼѾ ҂҂҄҃ ѽ҂Ѽҁ StF օS®h t'hÃå/ӿ rӿ à ҂Ѿ æ¦ t ®¼ӹ tG h à
ѼѾ ҂҂҄Ѽ ҅҂ѼѼ ¼¦S / օS®h t'hÃå/ӿ rӿ à ѽԅѽѽ r ¦ß/hh ®¼ӹ æ¦ t æ
, 6 / $ 1 ' / 8 ; ( % $ 1 * $ / 2 : DISCOVER EXCLUSIVE FASHION, HOMEWARES AND FURNITURE CRAFTED BY UNIQUE ARTISANS THAT INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND INDIVIDUAL STYLE.
àààӿS®h t'hÃå/ӿ
www.echo.net.au
rӿ Ã
, 6 / $ 1 ' / 8 ; ( 7 5 , % ( % < 5 2 1 % $ < DISCOVER EXCLUSIVE FASHION, HOMEWARES AND FURNITURE CRAFTED BY UNIQUE ARTISANS THAT INSPIRE CREATIVITY AND INDIVIDUAL STYLE.
àààӿS®h t'hÃå/ӿ
rӿ Ã
żſĶō Ǩǭǽ ǩǧǩǬ The Byron Shire Echo 23