‘We are two in the night’, Swingin’ Both Way’s debut album is ten years in the making. Kimba and Ryan fell in love over music and in the decade that followed they embarked on a musical journey best described as ‘haphazard’.
Ryan Griffith was described by one Japanese magazine reviewer as being ‘more music than human’. His dedication to his instrument and impressive simultaneous melody/bass line playing is complemented by his eloquent compositions and his commitment to teaching music to young people, focusing on improvisation and inspiration.
As a vocalist, Kimba Griffith literally grew up onstage. Blessed with a beautiful lonesome tone, but finding little natural aptitude for jazz mathematics, her study of the jazz form was by turns exhilarating and painfully slow.
Yet a passion for jazz and an incredible on-stage dynamic kept this sometimes unlikely pair playing together through some memorable musical fights, periods of cold war, and tentative truces...in the last year they’ve been able to break the tradition of the pre-gig spat, which, as frustrating as it was for Kimba and Ryan, often led audiences to describe their energy as ‘electric’.
Recording was a particularly difficult process. In fact, this album was scheduled to be recorded no less than three times, and each time was cancelled. But when Kimba was 36 weeks’ pregnant with their first child, one magic night they settled into the home studio with some great mics, some mood llghting, and a glass of red wine. ‘We are two in the night’ is the product of this marvellous night of music-making and captures all the things that make Swingin’ both ways special: Tenderness, rebellion, humour, and a whole lot of passion for life.
Both Kimba and Ryan are sometime fixtures in the Melbourne jazz scene, and with the support of some wonderful mentors, and the friendship and wisdom of Melbourne’s incredible jazz players, they have created an album that echoes what jazz is all about.
Influences
Oh so many...Primary influences include Anita O'day, Chris Connor, Mel Torme, Nat Cole, Helen Humes, Ella Mae Morse and especially Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and my own "Mr Miagi", Julie O'hara. Of course, Billie, Sarah, Ella, Carmen and the others continue to inspire, as do Bobby McFerrin, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Slim Guillard, Dexter Gordon, Tuvan throat singers, Lee Morgan, Nick Drake, Betty Carter, Eric Satie, Keith Jarrett, Kodaly, Debussy, Steve Reich, Joe Pass,
The next Friday Night Fire takes place on Friday July 31,
and features Major Chord, Lady Grey and Luke Sinclair of The Idle Hoes in a
special solo performance. Doors at 9pm, would be great to see you there.
Cheers.
Big gypsy tunes will echo around the centre of Melbourne on Friday 7
August when The Woohoo Revue head up a massive line up of bands and
DJs at the Forum Theatre as part of the Melbourne International Film
Festival’s Balkan Beatbox Night.
In addition to The Woohoo Revue, the show will also feature such
amazing acts as Vardos, BabaGanoush, 13 piece brass band Opa! as well
as DJ Gabriele Urban Gypsy (PBS Trans Europa Express).
The combined talents of these performers will make this a rampaging
Balkan carnival of oom-pah, gypsy swing and huge brass band sounds.
Dan Lethbridge continues his June residency at Wesley Anne this
Thursday with support from one Tim Cannon. Come warm yourself by the
open fire, have a drink and relax with some great music.
The Funknecks take on Deadly are the Naked in a double header at Bar Open 317 Brunswick st Fitzroy, both bands striving for domination of the "Fattness". Who will take out this prestigious prize?! Not to be missed.....Saturday February 28th 9pm free. Then,the very next day Sun March 1st The Funknecks make an appearance at the annual Sydney rd Street Party on the Youth Stage 4:30pm....Thumpin..!!
hey, thanks for the ad! it's going to be a wicked festival next year (31 Jan-8th Feb 09). Check out our myspace page for updates and more info. cheers!
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