SEEKING
Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar, Other Percussion, Trumpet, Saxophone, Keyboard, Piano, Flute, Clarinet.ABOUT
The idea
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Start a (mostly) originals instrumental “groove” band, made for dancing. Taking influence from classic 70s funk as well as African music / afrobeat, Latin music, reggae / dub and jazz / acid jazz.
The focus is to record an album or two and play some fun gigs. Not to start a commercially driven venture.
The group would consist of;
- Keyboard / piano (mostly using old classic electric piano tones, also perhaps using an Arp Odyssey to do some bass lines)
- Electric bass
- Electric guitar (wah wah or clean tone, rhythmic / repetitive lines)
- 2-4 piece horn section (saxophones, trumpet, flute, possibly other wind instruments)
- Drums
- Bongo / conga player
- Additional percussionist (shakers, cowbells, woodblocks, timbales, various traps)
Vocals are a possibility (backup singers or maybe we all sing?), but these are not critical.
About me
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My name’s Jamen. I’m a 29 year old audio engineer and drummer that has been playing for around 10 years.
Up until a few months ago, I was living in Brisbane and running a small music studio where I recorded, mixed and mastered albums for various groups.
I was also directing a 7 piece jazz(ish) originals band called Crooked Beak.
https://www.bandmix.com.au/crooked-beak/
I recorded and mixed two albums for this project (almost entirely in analogue using outboard rack gear), both of which were released as LPs.
We also performed a live score to footage in a vintage cinema (New Farm Cinemas). Specifically, we scored Man With A Movie Camera and various stop-motion films by Jan Švankmajer and Jiri Trnka.
I recently moved to Hobart and have just finished setting up a little studio here. It’s an acoustically treated space, suitable for both recording and rehearsing.
Additional stuff
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You will need your own transport (or be willing to take a bus from Hobart), as the studio is located in Claremont (not the best suburb, I know - but rentals are few and far between at the moment, haha).
Rehearsals will happen once a week (chosen day subject to everyone’s availability).
Rehearsals will be recorded and posted online (private link) so we can listen back to them. This is a great practise tool.
You are not required to read sheet music, but a good understanding of music theory is essential as we will use charts of some kind that contain structure, chords, and melodies if required.
Songs will feature some improvisation, especially during solos.
Songs are to be created as a group! Mostly by improvising, recording and listening back. You’re not being asked to play pre-written charts (until we have some written by the group, that is).
Wrapping up
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If you’re interested in putting a group like this together, or know somebody that might be a good fit for it, I’d love to talk with you further.
Contact details -
Name: Jamen Lyndon
Phone: 0438 474 681
- Screen name:
- grooveband
- Member since:
- May 01 2021
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Committed
- Years together:
- 10
- Tend to practice:
- 1 time per week
- Age:
- 32 years
Influences
“Groove” is a broad word, open to a large degree of interpretation. Here’s some relevant recordings:
Black Byrd - Donald Byrd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25EODTSeOxU
Witch Hunt - Donald Byrd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kp44ubIieg
50 Degrees - Skeletons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNjUTXobO7Y
Bazay - Akalé Wubé
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYW2cYkYywk
Water No Get Enemy - Fela Kuti
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kisTH3SFegc
Loud Minority - United Future Organisation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx0H1VsTbJw
N.W - Placebo (Belgin funk band, not the American group!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJRRfJRkwA
I Faram Gami I Faram - Mulatu Astatke
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5pHFQd88io
24 Carat - Gabor Szabo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uaN1bisQEE
Having A Party - Lee “Scratch” Perry
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0z4wOePbU0
As well as some more well known funk / soul artists such as; James Brown, The Meters, Al Green, etc.
The aim is not to re-create any of these examples specifically, but to create something new!
Members Of Band
None just yet ;)
EQUIPMENT
I have a large amount of professional studio equipment ready for this project. Contact me for more information.
