Direct from Australia's deep south, Tasmania, The DK Effect is a soul-funk nine-piece ensemble built on storytelling, melody and harmony.
A group who have played MONA, The Clarence Jazz Festival, and The Taste of Tasmania, with the recording of their second album drifting, The DK Effect decided to come together at Frying Pan Studio (at MONA) to record new material.
With visitors able to view the band in action within the studio space, it almost felt like a live recording session admits the band. As work continues on the sophomore record, The DK Effect have taken the covers off a new single, 'The Right Time'.
A style that would be right at home in Treme, New Orleans, the rhythm section purrs to life, the squelchy, liquified guitar licks giving off seductive feels, igniting lustful Elvis hip sways and impassioned leg kicks (Elaine Benes style) as your arms find autonomy flowing to an imaginary breeze.
The smooth, buttery funk is laced with creamy R&B that caresses the soul, the sultry, intoxicating vocals drawing you in like a siren's call, the luscious harmonies a velvety coat of goodness. When the saxophone hits, it's a sensual overload, the searing electric guitar solo adding to the rhythm's arousing spirit. A fun, upbeat bop that's a dopamine hit of zealous devotion, 'The Right Time' is a delicious boogie best experienced with the volume set to 11.
"'The Right Time' was inspired by a chance viewing of a Blind Boys of Alabama concert, which was randomly broadcast on terrestrial TV early one Sunday morning," bassist David Johnstone says.
"It marked a songwriting turning point where 'call and response', vocal harmony and groove became dominant features of our material. It is a story about being tormented to breaking point and feeling an uncomfortable and unfamiliar urge for retribution (in a kind of fun way of course)."
With 'The Right Time' released today, scenestr is thrilled to premiere the song's music video. Enjoy.
"As usual, we like to inject a little humour and ambiguity into our lyrics, mainly for our own amusement. We recorded it at Frying Pan Studio in MONA (Museum of Old and New Art), which is an amazing place to record, and managed to nail the core track on the first take."
Filmed at Altar Bar (located in The Hanging Garden) in Hobart, the clip features vocalists Crystal Campbell, Ruby Austin-Lund and Belle Richardson as The Coven luring, then ganging up on drummer Jonathan Dieckfoss, who portrays The Fool.
"Ruby's nails kept flying off during the shoot and there was a real danger that the rouge, airborne claws would become scene stealers," shares David, who wrote the video clip treatment. "Also Jonathan was given a pretty hard time physically during the more animated scenes, which some of our band seemed to enjoy a little more than they should!"
The rest of The DK Effect consists of Aleks Folvig (guitar, vocals), Andrew Morrisby (keys), Mitch Ellis (sax), and Mitch Partridge (percussion). With Grace Chia the video's director, DOP and editor, Ruby Austin-Lund with Belle Richardson conceptualised the video's storyline.
"We were inspired by the lyrics of the song to dress up as a coven of powerful witches/ fortune tellers, while incorporating the tarot cards helped us come up with the somewhat morbid storyline and add a slightly sinister tone.
"It actually felt like a natural extension of our band rehearsals where we all share the same dark sense of humour."
