Australia’s largest and zaniest ska-reggae band, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, combines cabaret-style showmanship with snappy-dressing, sharp musicianship and joyful, exuberant humor. No strangers to touring at dwelling and overseas, I caught up with the band’s frontman and founder, Nicky Bomba, to debate the band’s travels, exploits and adventures.
The 2024 nationwide tour has seen the band journey 1000’s of kilometers throughout the large Australian continent and play over a dozen reveals, from the northeastern tropical vacationer mecca of Cairns to the western capital of Perth and again dwelling to their southern namesake, Melbourne.
Nicky expresses his love for connecting with followers and lighting up dance flooring throughout Australia and worldwide. With a band usually twenty members robust, that’s no simple feat. I requested him if it’s like herding cats generally.
“The band is a such a singular creation that it nonetheless baffles me how so many individuals travelling collectively really works…. nevertheless it does! About half of the band have been there from the get go however nobody ever actually leaves the orchestra. Profession adjustments or transferring nations is the principle motive however we now have over forty peeps on the books… to not point out all of our worldwide substitutes. Appears like a soccer staff!”
One of many many members of MSO through the years is a reputation well-known to the Australian and international reggae scene: Mista Savona. Identified for his polished collaborations with Jamaican and Cuban artists, Jake was there within the early days of the band, earlier than his solo profession blew up. It seems that Orchestra actually capabilities like one huge musical household of people that simply love performing dwell.
“We nonetheless catch up (with Jake) sometimes and the comradery is all the time there. The band shaped initially from all totally different ska, reggae, mento and dub bands that have been lively round 2003. The musicians within the band, very similar to the jazz cats from the 50’s and 60’s all play in quite a few bands and all the time have.”
Together with their debut eponymous album of 2013, Melbourne Ska Orchestra has launched 5 authentic albums, a “ska classics” album of covers together with a mixture of Jamaican and UK hits, and a themed album of covers of TV and film themes. The band’s authentic music is usually private, all the time playful and has a storytelling method. I requested how a band of MSO’s measurement goes about writing and arranging their music.
“Anybody can provide an concept in any type (on the again of a serviette, by way of cellphone memo for instance) and we take heed to all the things. A smaller committee often fleshes out the concepts and brainstorms lyrics, melodies and preparations. We then make decisions based mostly on what taste we’re in search of for the album at hand. Within the early days, we had communal jams which have been fruitful however exhausting to coordinate given the orchestra member depend.”
The MSO is brimming over with extremely expert musicians who’re additionally glad to play together with the cabaret fashion of efficiency, which incorporates some onstage skits and antics. The band additionally comprises gamers of all ages and cultural backgrounds; a becoming reflection of Melbourne metropolis.
“On this tour we welcomed a 16 yr previous Alto sax participant from Brisbane, Australia. It’s nice to see the youthful people getting moved by the style. Everybody who joins us will get what we do and is aware of the play from seeing us dwell. It’s important to have a sure stage of insanity to affix!”
The Melbourne Ska Orchestra cites Jamaican ska, UK two-tone and latin ska as core musical influences, and a well-recognized listener will choose these immediately. I requested Nicky which Jamaican artists have made an influence on the band’s sound.
“I imply you actually have to start out with the Skatalites as they outlined the horn skank sensibilities which set the scene for issues that adopted. Toots and the Maytals, Prince Buster and Stanger Cole influenced our sound however we all the time added the hybrid components as we’re from Melbourne which is a multicultural melting pot. The chances are countless once you put that part within the combine.”
Current MSO excursions have taken the band so far as Turkey and extra just lately, Mexico.
“We have been invited to play Mexico final yr and didn’t realise how enormous the scene was over there and the way effectively they knew our songs. It’s nice to know the worldwide attraction of ska is alive and kicking. We plan to tour much more within the coming years because the band connects with different nations. It’s been 21 years and they’re nonetheless discovering out about us for the primary time.”
Regardless of the band’s globe-trotting, it’s but to go to the unique supply of ska music: Jamaica. Nicky is hopeful that the day will come, and hints that the prospect could also be nearer than ever.
“We have now connections there with the Alpha Boys Faculty in Kingston which was dwelling to most of the greats. I’d like to play Jamaica in some unspecified time in the future however not on the expense of my mortgage… A few invites from festivals can be candy!”
Again dwelling in Australia, the MSO is far beloved and in addition extremely embellished. With two ARIA’s for Finest World Music Album and two Music Victoria Awards for greatest international or reggae act, the band has a trophy cupboard to be reckoned with. However Nicky, ever humble, reminds us that probably the most rewarding moments for the band come when the audiences faces are merely lit up with smiles.
“Worldwide performances are proper up there. For some members, touring is the primary time they’ve been abroad. We have now had some magical performances the place the planets have aligned and the group and the band have related on the next stage. All in all although, we nonetheless pinch ourselves that one thing so large may have any legs. There may be an inherent pleasure every time we hit the stage.”
Excellent news for Melbourne Ska Orchestra followers, previous and new, is that the group is displaying no indicators of slowing down or stopping.
“Removed from it. There was a motive our most up-to-date hits compilation was referred to as 20 Years Younger. We launched a single John Wayne earlier this yr to coincide with the Outlaws and Offbeats Tour and we’re within the means of writing for our new album. There may be a lot creativity throughout the band that I nonetheless imagine we’re nonetheless scratching the floor of the musical and efficiency potentialities. Bless!”
This yr’s lead single “John Wayne” has a traditional ska sound, with a 4-4 kick drum semblant of a steppers beat, laced with horns that may sound at dwelling performed by a mariachi band. With lyrical references to bullets and spurs, the tune units the temper completely for the ultimate present of their Outlaws and Offbeats tour in Adelaide on the Hindley Avenue Music Corridor on 19 October
2024. An official tour wrap occasion will comply with at Excessive Spirits, with DJ Sepia on the decks. You could find Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s music on streaming platforms, on the band’s website and to buy by way of Bandcamp and on vinyl.
