The SoundLounge

A French Butler Called Smith

Gold Coast based world music band A FRENCH BUTLER CALLED SMITH have been performing their high energy Latin, funk ,instrumental fusion over a 2 year period to ever increasing audiences on Australia's East Coast. The initial creators behind this all organic dance music sound were acoustic guitar aficionado (Scott French), bass maestro (Jake ‘the Butler’ Martin) and respected world percussion artist (Brennan Smith). These original members have now been joined by esteemed musicians Mark ‘Gibbo’ Gibson on saxophone and Liam ‘Rasta’ Dorney on trumpet and it has invariably lifted the energy of the band and their multi-layered sounds of Latin, gypsy, world-roots and funk to ecstatically captivating levels.They are all consuming to watch, and it is impossible to keep your feet still once you are within the energy realms of their music.

After recent festival performances such as Melbourne's High Vibes Festival, Snowy Mountains Music Festival, Utribe Festival, Caloundra Music Festival and Island Vibes Festival, Illawarra Folk Festival, Rainbow Serpent Festival (Vic) and the Woodford Folk Festival, the band has ventured into the studio to record their debut album 'the Milkdrop Circus' due to be released early 2010 with national touring to launch the release. A FRENCH BUTLER CALLED SMITH are ready to take their evolving sound to a world audience, inspiring music lovers in venues and on dance floors across the planet. Their musical intentions are to bring people together for an all organic, spirited experience for the sole purpose of celebrating the joy of living. And their live performances are a testament to that admirable vision.

Darky Roots

Darky roots (dR) Have up risen surprisingly quick according to lead singer songwriter HUA (JoshHUA Hillman). Formed in 2008 dR have been tirelessly playing shows around QLD and Northern NSW, from humble beginnings learning 10 songs hurriedly to be ready for a fundraiser for a young maori woman in a devastating situation, dR Sound is rich in harmony and is blended with heavy bass lines catchy melodies and always carry conscious lyrical meaning. Their shows promises to deliver a delight to the ear and food for the soul just try not to skank along to them live. The boys describe them selves as a tight unite committed to achieving sound quality, Most of the band are either family or close friends,” None of us are super flash on our instruments, the uniqueness of us is born when we all come together as one” Hua

dR have since supported and/or played alongside some of Brisbane’s finest bands such as the Upsteppers, Dubmarine, Ruby blue, Kingfisha, Paua, Georgia Potter, Fyah walk (Byron bay), As well as shared the stage with international acts from all around the globe such as… Tahuna Breaks (NZ), Nea combo diffusion (Noumea) , Salmonella dub sound,(NZ), Oshen (PNG) and the Original Wailers (JA), dR have embarked on a mini tour of FNQLD Headlining their own shows in cairns and Port Douglass, dR already have some exciting support spots lined up for 2010 including the RED-EYES (Melb) , Cornerstone Roots (NZ) , Kooii (Bris) and LION I (Byron) and being invited to play at iconic festivals such as Kuranda roots, west carnivale, Southern oracle, Byron bay reggae fest.

2009 saw dR sign to Rudekat records and record their debut EP “Wrong Place” which was officially released in Feb this year, the Wrong place EP has received local national and international airplay since its release, the tittle track was selected to appear on the “Island vibe” compilation as well as recently added to west end carnivale compilation. dR have commenced work on their debut full length due out August 2010 with producer Paulie B at the Tanuki lounge in Brisbane’s west end, with some exciting Calibrations with some of Australia’s finest Musicians. Enjoying every moment of this journey, their future plans include a tour of Melbourne and a tour of New Zealand in Jan 2011