Melbourne is often referred to as Australia's cultural hub and musical hot bed.
For example, adding to the city’s reputation is pop/ jazz eight-piece The Royal Jellies (originally known as The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band before they skinned down their name). They’ve become known for their rambunctious, jazz-heavy, live sets that would be at home in a jazz club in downtown New Orleans.
Stephen Semmler-Farr is the band’s clarinet player. He explains how they came to be a brash, brassy, neo-vintage ensemble, known now for their sophisticated jazz and cabaret sounds. “All the members are originally from the Box Hill Institute. Raph who is kind of our ring leader, wanted to put together a band to perform a Dixieland cover for a university recital. We had such a good time we started playing more songs and began playing gigs around town.”
The band boasts a core of multi-instrumentalists who deliver a jaunty modern take on a sound reminiscent of The Roaring Twenties. They’re about to embark on their first headline tour, spreading their good vibes far and wide. This follows the release of their debut album, ‘Burrows St. Poolside’, recorded by Marty Brown (Clare Bowditch, Art Of Fighting). "We have had plenty of amazing highlights as a band, the biggest one for us was recording and touring with Claire Bowditch. We toured around Australia and were playing to full houses. The front line of our band, the clarinet, sax and trumpet got hired to play in Clare's band while on tour which was fantastic,” Stephen explains.
The band formed a close relationship with Clare and Marty during their time on the road and decided to continue their collaboration in the studio. “It was a great experience, after we recorded on Clare's album we approached Marty, Clare's husband and asked if he wanted to produce our album. We recorded it in their backyard studio that Marty built. He had some great ideas about capturing a sound that I wasn't really expecting."
Often likened to fellow Melbourne act The Cat Empire, The Royal Jellies share a strange curiosity and affinity for music that transcends genre and is powered by real musicians, deeply entrenched in their passion for a complete sound as a band working together in unison.
Nowhere can this be seen more than on their album, ‘Burrows St. Poolside’. The record showcases the band’s current state of mind with a pinch of influences from Clare and Marty. "The best song to play live is our encore number 'Flow On River', it gets people moving. The song that was great to compose and piece together was 'They Can't Help You Now'; it started out so differently to how it ended up and a hidden gem off the album would be 'Until I Fall', my favourite song as it is bitter-sweet in nature."
Written by Ted Tabet
The Royal Jellies head north to play the Noosa Jazz Festival, which runs 4-7th September. They also play Operations Green West, a fundraiser show for The Greens at The Pirate Tavern (Williamstown) on 14th September.
