Zoe Lindsey’s nine-piece blues collective, Ladi Abundance Project, plays its fourth Earth Frequency Festival this month.
As if making your fourth appearance at Earth Frequency wasn't a milestone in itself, Ladi Abundance Project's upcoming spot at the music and arts event is also something of a birthday celebration. “The first gig that the band ever did was Earth Frequency,” explains lead singer and Ladi herself, Zoe. “It's actually going to be our birthday too!”
Looking back at Lindsey's debut appearance at the festival reveals just how much the Ladi Abundance Project has changed since its early manifestations as an electro-tinged four-piece. “At the first Earth Frequency, I had backing tracks, a Mac Book Pro and three girls on drums. It was a lot more hip hop based then, but now we've got those elements but with a more nu-soul vibe.”
Now a vibrant nine-piece band incorporating percussion, horns, guitar and three part vocal harmonies, Ladi Abundance Project evolved with Lindsey's own musical talents. “Back then, I didn't have the players or the real musical knowledge to achieve the sort of sound we have now.
“I've always listened to soul and R&B but I didn't yet know how to play stuff like that, so using electro and getting people to play the beats was the quickest way to get things off the ground. Now, I've actually got the sound that I wanted the whole time.”
Studying at Brisbane's Jazz Music Institute gave Lindsey the technical know-how to achieve a more ambitious sound and introduced her to new musicians. The group now features local jazz scene dons including His Merry Men trumpeter James Pendrith and saxophonist Lee Brackenborough of West End soul jazz group, Captain Dreamboat.
The result is a genre-bending mix of Latin grooves, huge jazz melodies and intricate calypso rhythms. Ladi Abundance Project may have doubled its original member count but Lindsey is still happy to take on the bulk of the writing responsibilities. “Generally, I'll sit down at the piano and come up with the lyrics and the melody and then I'll bring it to the band. I'll have an idea of the groove I want and the basslines but there's still freedom with the players. It's exciting when I've been playing stuff alone on the piano and I bring it to the band and they bring it to life.”
But Ladi Abundance Project isn't just about the music. The band's debut EP, ‘Slice You Up’, saw Lindsey sing about topics as varied as unrequited love and the pressure of writing for an audience — connecting with listeners is something the singer is particularly passionate about. “I'd like to go more down that road of connecting with the audience and maybe more audience participation so people can feel like they're a part of the live show.
“The last few years have been about shaping my sound and the message we're sending and making the audience feel connected is definitely where I want to be going now. Music for me has always been more of a healing tool and now that I'm in a position where I can stand onstage and people can listen, I feel like I have a certain responsibility. I'm 30 this year and I feel like I'm going into a different chapter; I want to make music with more of a purpose. I want to be able to inspire people and make the world a better place.”
True to her word, Lindsey hopes to take Ladi Abundance Project on a fundraising tour this year, donating the money to an environmental group. In the meantime, the band is juggling work on their upcoming album with a residency at much loved Fortitude Valley bar, Press Club. “I've also just come back from Bali. When I was over there, I recorded my first film clip with a German producer which was really exiting. Every year, little things happen so hopefully it'll keep getting better!”
Written by Phoebe Hurst
Ladi Abundance plays Earth Frequency Festival at Ivory’s Rock, February 14-17.
