The Bamboos Release New Track 'Broken' (Feat J-Live)

THE BAMBOOS RELEASE NEW VIDEO ‘BROKEN’ FEATURING J-LIVE

TAKEN FROM EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM ‘NIGHT TIME PEOPLE’

COMING JULY 6TH VIA PACIFIC THEATRE / BMG

“One mans vision of Soul music's evolving potential” ROLLING STONE

One of Australia’s finest soul-funk exports, The Bamboos, follow up their infectious single “Lit Up” with “Broken”, the second single released from their July 6 album, ‘Night Time People’. It will be released in three different versions and videos over successive weeks, each with a different guest MC telling stories of resilience in the face of mental illness.

“This is a message worth shouting loud”, Bamboos guitarist and bandleader Lance Ferguson said. “So we asked some friends from around the globe to jump on board with us”. Joining The Bamboos on the uplifting, gospel inspired track are Atlanta based J-Live, Australian MC Urthboy and contributing a German language version is Berlin’s Teesy. Vocalist Kylie Auldist’s powerful and rousing chorus is constant across all versions, supported by an unforgettable horn riff and emotive string arrangements.

In the first version released on June 1, J-Live rhymes from his own experience of personal struggle in his trademark direct and forthright style. But, importantly, he reminds us that we have the ability within us to emerge from those depths.

“Give yourself enough time to start to mentally heal

Enough space to feel the whole truth of your ordeal

Forgive yourself, make yourself a new deal

Learn from your mistakes

So you can do whatever it takes”

“It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help”  Ferguson says, when digging into what he asked the three MCs to address in their lyrics. “It’s a sign of STRENGTH.” Though the stories each MC tell are personal, Ferguson feels the theme touches so many. “If you or someone in your life has or is currently experiencing anxiety, depression, OCD, an eating-disorder, PTSD or any kind of personality disorder: our message with this song is that ASKING FOR HELP IS O.K. it should be applauded...In fact, it’s so worthwhile that it will most probably change your life for the better.”

“We’re just a band, simply a bunch of friends who love making music together”, Ferguson points out. “But we know that some of our own lives and the lives of those we love have been affected by this stuff – so if we can use whatever platform we have to raise awareness and help the cause then that’s gotta be a good thing.”

J-Live has released eight albums since 2001 and has collaborated with hip hop greats such as DJ Premier, Pete Rock and Prince Paul. Acclaimed Sydney MC Urthboy has managed to rhyme about the personal and political seamlessly across his solo albums and time in hip hop collective The Herd. Fast rising Berlin MC / singer / producer Teesy is becoming one of the freshest voices in German hip hop. Their personal and insightful rhymes are joined by a rousing, spirit-lifting chorus from Kylie Auldist.

As engagement with the themes and lyrics on all three versions are crucial to the project, the videos for each will be presented in a comic book inspired format. Put together by design team Cool Your Jets, each video will have its own look and aesthetic.

“Broken” feat. J-Live is released June 1

“Broken” feat. Urthboy is released June 8

“Broken” feat. Teesy is released June 15

The Bamboos album ‘Night Time People’ is released on Pacific Theatre / BMG on July 6.

1. Lit Up

2. Stranded

3. Golden Ticket

4. Salvage Rites

5. Pony Up

6. Night Time People

7. Backfired

8. War Story

9. You Should've Been Mine

10. San Junipero

11. Broken (feat. J-Live)

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The Bamboos Unleash New Track 'Lit Up'

ANNOUNCE EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM ‘NIGHT TIME PEOPLE’ 

COMING JUNE 8TH VIA PACIFIC THEATRE / BMG

“One mans vision of Soul music's evolving potential” ROLLING STONE

Melbourne nine-piece funk-soul powerhouse The Bamboos return with ‘Lit Up’, the new single taken from their forthcoming album ‘Night Time People’.

Having previously collaborated with the likes of Aloe Blacc and Alice Russell, their latest offering brings to mind the likes of Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones, combining the raw drive of their earliest LPs with their more recent subtly progressive experimentations in the studio. It’s a fresh approach that finds the band wholly reenergised.

‘Lit Up’ is built upon an insanely catchy piano riff and the best use of cowbell since ‘Honky Tonk Women’. In contrast to that, Bamboos vocalist Kylie Auldist sings of trying to hide away from her pain: “When the sun goes down, feel my heart fill up with regret” Accompanied by a stylish high contrast black and white video, the end result is a song with a unique balance of irresistible groove and raw emotion.

The Bamboos are one of the highest profile soul / funk acts in Australia, and have been recognised worldwide as masters of reinventing the genre with modern song writing within classic arrangements & production for over 15 years.

Millions of listeners globally are already familiar with the winning combination of The Bamboo’s guitarist / leader Lance Ferguson and Auldist, thanks to “This Girl” by Kung Vs. Cookin’ On 3 Burners. One of 2016’s biggest hits was a remix of a 2009 track co-written by Ferguson (including that infectious guitar riff) and went on to hit #2 in the UK, #1 in France and Germany, and made the top 30 in 35 countries. It's edging close to half a billion Spotify plays, 300 million Youtube hits, and is the 12th most Shazamed song of all time. All of which proved beyond a doubt that the world was craving pop music with genuine soul.

“Lit Up” was mixed by the legendary Bob Clearmountain, whose studio credits include ‘Born In The U.S.A' and Bowie’s ‘Let's Dance’ to The Cure and The Rolling Stones.

The Bamboos eighth studio album ‘Night Time People’ will be released on June 8th, and is shaping to be the record that capitalises on the runaway success of "This Girl" and brings their infectious and modern take on a timeless sound to a whole new world of listeners.