Milton Man Gogh could be classified as a kind of slick, shapeshifting Brisbane fruit that may or may not contain traces of hops.
Not that this kind of fruit needs to be put in a box – although they are about to export.Finalists (jazz category) in this year’s Queensland Music Awards (QMAs), as well as Belgium’s B-Jazz International Contest - they’re taking their ‘avant-bogan sentiment’ straight from the QMAs to tour Europe in March/ April.
Just like a balanced diet (or any other GM food) how MMG was first concocted is a really wholesome story, as told by drummer Ben Shannon at a café in Stafford. “We were all playing at RBWH [Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital] for the Stairwell Project, where we would play for sick people, staff.
“I had known Zac for a while [they’re both from Nambour], and I’d met Andrew loosely. We started playing together at the hospital and I booked a Green Jam [at QPAC] under my own name, Ben Shannon Trio.
“Then we thought 'this is kinda cool, let’s make it a thing'. Andrew [saxophonist] was a bit apprehensive ‘cause Zac [bassist] and I are not ‘jazz jazz’, we do heaps of stuff, and he’s a pretty clean cut jazz boy.
"But nowadays he’s doing all kinds of stuff so we’re like: yes, our influence worked!"
In three years since sprouting, MMG have done two Aussie tours, two albums and an EP. “We’ve done it all DIY, booked all the tours over the last few years, we played at MONA; gigs at Sydney, Melbourne and Katoomba were great.”
During that time they’ve also been finalists in the 2018 International Songwriting Competition and were nominated for Best Young Jazz Artist at the Australian Jazz Awards (the BELLS).
When asked if they bring a specific Brisbane flavour to the project, Ben’s answer is more broadly patriotic. “I’m really passionate about the Australian contemporary jazz scene and experimental scene.
"Like the whole free improvisation and jazz that Australia has is different to the rest of the world. It’s hard to articulate, so we’re all really passionate about that.”
Though he’s still surprised they were included in the QMAs the way that they are. “With Milton Man Gogh trying to blur the lines between jazz, contemporary, metal, prog.
"It’s pretty cool that we’re in the jazz category – we’re not really jazz per se, I guess kinda modern jazz. Trying to appeal to a wider audience ‘cause jazz is a bit old school in its nature.”
Since making the finals at B-Jazz International Contest – a clear endorsement of that classification - now they’re taking their Australian experimental art jazz to the cultural hub that is Europe. “Weirdly, there’s people in Poland that really dig MMG.”
Ben’s also going to see Liverpool play while they’re over there. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, I’ve gotta go, I’ve supported the team since I was three.” A car drives past. “I am king potato.”
Yes, Australian contemporary jazz sure is hard to articulate.
