It’s not very often that a nine-piece soul band can go from busking the streets to gracing the stage at Glastonbury. Welcome to Saskwatch’s world.
“When we started it was just a few mates having a bit of a jam playing some soul songs and improvising,” the group’s chief songwriter, Liam McGory says. “Over time we started writing our own songs and taking things a little bit more seriously, doing a few gigs. I'd like to think that essence is still there — a bunch of mates playing music together.”
A collective “love” of soul music first brought the band together four years ago. “I guess it's partly due to the music we liked at the time. We all studied together at the College of the Arts in Melbourne, and everyone gravitates to the type of music they love and for us that's soul music. So we're just trying to replicate that — it calls for a bit of a bigger group, you obviously need a horn section. So we had to have that group of people. We aren't really one to try and trim back on people, it's not what we want to do, we love soul music and we want to make that.”
However, there are some drawbacks. “Financially it's a little bit crushing to tour with a nine-piece band but it allows you to get opportunities that a smaller band wouldn't get. I think for us, the best thing is everywhere you go you have eight other people you can negotiate with, it's not just yourself, which is refreshing.”
With the group’s second album, ‘Nose Dive’, due for release next month, Liam says the record showcases a “darker” side to Saskwatch’s music. “I guess with the album personally it explores the darker side of relationships, while the first album was a bit happier in general and maybe not as real. I tried to be a bit more real with this album, and [‘Born To Break Your Heart’] in particular is about feelings and losing control, which is something everyone can relate to. It's more about the darker aspects of relationships and falling in love with someone.”
Saskwatch play the Byron Bay Bluesfest, which takes place at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm April 17-21. ‘Nose Dive’ will be released on April 11.
