Dormant with new music since late 2021, Sunshine Coast roots-reggae-dub collective Bearfoot have returned with the freshly minted single 'Fall'.
Forged by a dark, dubby groove melded to fat bass, spacey synths, and a horn line that floats into the ether, 'Fall' began life as soundcheck jam, a track that's been simmering in the background for a number of years."To be honest, I'd never really had a good idea of what it meant to me until recently," shares vocalist Asher Chapman, discussing 'Fall'.
"Looking back over the lyrics, I see the image of someone standing tall at the edge, awaiting a fall. "I hear hints of self-discovery and the pursuit of authenticity amidst a power struggle."
Another taste of the group's forthcoming debut album (due in September), 'Fall' is reminiscent of the choices we all face: to lead or follow, take leaps, seek truth and embrace growth.
With a trio of live shows upcoming, here the band share five live roots-reggae performances that blew their minds.
"Ever since Bearfoot started out, we've shared our collective influences, from old-school reggae legends, Hawaiian roots, and Australian/ New Zealand reggae dub flavours," shares Asher and fellow band member Rhys Fox.
"These have all melded into our sound, and whenever we get wind that any of these acts are playing, we need to be there just to soak it all in.
"We're also extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to play alongside some of our influences.
"We've seen so many shows, so it was hard to narrow it down, but here's our five favourite live roots/ reggae performances that blew our minds."
1: Steel Pulse (Currumbin RSL, 2016)
I remember waiting out the front and scoring some tickets off a random dude in the carpark (that later turned out to be Kimmy from Kimmy & Crew) that was guitar tech-ing for Steel Pulse's main singer.Such a sick gig, and one of the best nights I've ever had in an RSL – just a whole bunch of dreadlocks, mixed in with the smart casual/ black shoes and button-ups types. A rad gig, with Steel Pulse playing a massive set full of all the bangers. - Asher
2: Mike Love (The Hi-Fi Brisbane, 2015)
In the midst of recording our track, 'Impolite' (at the Tanuki Lounge in Brisbane's West End), I scored a free ticket from our friend and producer Paulie B, whose tour manager was taking Nahko and the Medicine For The People and Mike Love to do some extra side shows, including The Hi-Fi in West End.It was a rad performance – just Mike and the percussionist playing a duo set; simply amazing. They played a 45-50 minute set, to a whole bunch of Nahko fans that didn't know what was coming for them.
Mike Love pulled out an epic acoustic looper set, with mind-blowing skills stacking the vocals (check 'Permanent Holiday' on YouTube for that). I bailed just as everyone was coming in for Nahko. Probably one of the best gigs I've ever seen. - Asher
3: Katchafire (2019 Australian tour)
We've played with the NZ reggae legends a number of times, but when we did a five-date run with Katchafire and J'mere Morgan in late 2019, it was some of the best shows we played.Katchafire, who are always solid, were just freaking amazing. From the song transitions, to their set list choices, they're a slick reggae machine. Plus Asher and Roh getting up onstage with them at the Southport RSL gig was loose. - Rhys
4: Kingfisha (The Tivoli front bar, Woodford NYE)
Kingfisha played a New Year's set at the Grande (Woodford Folk Festival, 2019) and it was like, the most people I've ever seen in front of them, and it was banging. - AsherAlso, Kingfisha at The Tivoli (Front Bar, December 2019) – it was the last time we played with them, and it was a tightknit group of reggae fans packed into that front bar, getting blasted by the fattest dubs.
Main man Anthony has THE smoothest voice. Really miss that band – easily one of the best Australian roots acts I've witnessed. - Rhys
5: Havana Meets Kingston (The Tivoli, 2018)
One of the only a handful of full-band shows Havana Meets Kingston has done in Australia. A whole bunch of the Sunny Coast crew grabbed a van, and we all went down to Brisbane together.It was just a massive night. Sly and Robbie rhythm section, with the biggest bass sound I've ever heard in a gig. It was just rattling, and there was bass on top of everything. Just bass and drums – whole mix was just bonkers.
Full house, and a massive set of roots reggae, with Randy Valentine on vocals. - Asher
Bearfoot 2023 Tour Dates
Fri 23 Jun - Solbar (Sunshine Coast)Sat 8 Jul - The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
Fri 8 Sep - Kickass Festival (Sunshine Coast)
