In the famed US city of New Orleans, Louisiana, trumpeter Julian Gosin's Southern drawl is travelling down the phone after a Zoom meeting connection issue. "Technology, man," he laughs.
Connection plays an important part in Julian's life. The musician has just returned from Cuba, where he taught kids about New Orleans music and history while learning about their culture.The biggest connection of his life is with his bandmates The Soul Rebels, the beloved brass band bringing their party-starting live show to Australia as part of 2023 Bluesfest, alongside an exciting cast of guests – Talib Kweli, Wu-Tang Clan's GZA, New Orleans queen of bounce Big Freedia, and Texan jazz pianist and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Robert Glasper – who will make their set one not-to-miss.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Julian's love of brass music is a product of his environment. "The music down here, man, it's in the water we drink," he says.
"Every time you step outside, there's music all around you. The kids in school that are in the band are actually cooler than the kids that are on the sports team. It's the only city in the world where I'm sure that's true," Julian laughs.
It was at the age of 12 when Gosin first picked up the trumpet. It was the following year when he took the instrument very seriously after the arrival of a talented new student, his lifelong friend Troy Andrews, aka Trombone Shorty.
"At that time, I thought I was the best guy in the band," he laughs. "Just one day, this cat comes along and just started playing trombone, and he just happened to transfer to my school.
"I was there like, 'Man, who is this dude? He's really good.' Ever since then, we kind of clicked tight and it's been – sheesh – probably 23 years now."
Formed in 1991, The Soul Rebels are revered around the world for their exciting take on New Orleans brass music, incorporating influences from funk and soul to hip hop and jazz, and are a staple at the famed Magazine Street club, Le Bon Temps Roule.
Initially an auxiliary member, Julian has been an official member of the eight-piece collective for over a decade, and describes his membership as a dream come true, allowing him to mix his love of brass and hip hop, and sometimes even taking the mic to spit some rhymes.
"[Rap] was something I used to doodle with when I was a kid. They had a local radio programme that used to come on in New Orleans back in the day called 'The Nine O'Clock Props' on Q93FM.
"At the end of this programme there would always be a section where the DJ would allow a person to call in and do some raps over the phone. I was never able to call through and get in on the phone, so I would always do it in the confines of my bedroom," he laughs.
"Most of the other [brass] bands are more focussed on the tradition, which is great, and I use that as a foundation. But my personal dreams and desires and interests in music, The Soul Rebels spoke to me a little bit more from an artistic standpoint, and just trying different genres, different rhythms, different styles. I felt a little bit more at home with The Soul Rebels."
The Soul Rebels have impressed many big names with their sensational live performances, from Green Day to Metallica. A long-running staple is their live collaborations with legends from the world of hip hop. Their last visit to Bluesfest saw them backing Julian's rap hero, Nas.
For their 2023 return to the festival, The Soul Rebels will bring with them the blockbuster line-up of Talib Kweli, The Wu-Tang Clan's GZA, New Orleans queen of bounce Big Freedia, and Texan jazz pianist and Kendrick Lamar collaborator Robert Glasper.
Julian describes their talents as "super natural" and is impressed with their craft, but for their Australian shows they'll be put through their paces to keep up with The Soul Rebels extraordinary, loose live shows where anything can happen.
"A lot of times it's very organic. Usually that's when the best stuff happens – when you least expect it. You've just got to be prepared and get ready for some ass-shaking," he laughs.
The Soul Rebels, Talib Kweli, GZA, Big Freedia & Robert Glasper 2023 Tour Dates
Wed 5 Apr - The Fortitude Music Hall (Brisbane)Thu 6 Apr - Enmore Theatre (Sydney)
Sat 8 Apr - Bluesfest Melbourne
Sun 9 Apr - Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
Mon 10 Apr - Bluesfest (Byron Bay)
