Adrian Sherwood has been around for a long time. He's the man behind the On-U Sound label, and eponymous sound system. The one that usually does the rounds at least once a year, and has done so for as long as you can remember. If you've ever been to an On-U gig you'll know it's loud, uncompromising, live dub sound, and you'd remember there's lots and lots of noise, as you recall the ringing that's left in your ears for hours after.
Tahuna Breaks are an uplifting reggae / funk / soul band based in Auckland. They formed following inspiring jams that stretched from a garage in Onehunga to the remoteness of Piha on Auckland’s west coast. With influences varying from the likes of Marvin Gaye, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, James Brown, UB40 and New Zealand’s very own dub and reggae movement, Tahuna Breaks are a fine tune roots blend of funk and reggae with that distinctive New Zealand summery sound.
Hailing from Brisbane, Australia, the 9 piece Reggae, Dancehall, Electronic/Acoustic mash up and sound blasting festival favourite have honed the deep down, high energy sound that has become instantly recognisable and slated as a must see act on the live music calendar. Combining fat electronic and acoustic drum rhythms, horns, synths, guitars and the completely unique vocal gynmastics of indigenous superstar D- Kazman, Dubmarine have vibe by the bucketload.
Chocolate Strings have been described as one of Brisbane’s finest purveyors of grooved out dub. Their soulful tracks and bangin' party tunes have captured the attention of people from many. A range of diverse backgrounds and influences give them a smorgasbord of sounds, a veritable buffet of fresh beats, bass and acoustic grooves to please the most discerning appetite. From the rich deep Polynesian vocal harmonies of female vocalists Ofa Fanaika...
L.U.S.T. = Lukie D, Trilla U, Singing Melody & Tony Curtis
I Blame Coco is headed by Coco Sumner (real name Eliot Pauline Styler Sumner), supported by Joy Joseph and Raphael Mann from Mr Hudson & The Library on drums and bass. According to the Caesar Songfacts, Sumner is the daughter of the musician Sting and actress Trudi Styler. In 2008 she signed with Island Records, and after sending time writing and recording in Sweden she released her debut single Caesar as I Blame Coco on February 1, 2010.
Marlon Porter aka. Elf Tranzporter is an eminent MC from Melbourne, Australia. Originally from Los Angeles CA, Elfs rhymes and unique unmissable sound have seen him tour the world. One of the founding members of seminal local hip hop group Meta Bass 'n' Breath, who's album cover was featured on DJ Shadows The Private Press artwork. A true all-rounder, Elf uses his skills as a hip hop performer to conduct workshops and tutor disadvantage and 'high-risk' kids at schools, community events and juvenile justice centres (from urban to outback).
Darky Roots (dR) have bubbled to the top of the Brisbane Roots scene with their tight Aotearoa reggae sound and immaculate harmonies. dR are a 6 piece roots reggae movement formed in mid 2008 based in Brisbane made up of cats from all around Aotearoa, Mataio Uri,Josh Hillman from Palmerston North city, Paul Hillman from Friendly Feilding,Clem Karauti from Tat nth Auckland, Bevan Savage from Tokoroa, and Ali Files from Marton. dR original sound stems from the foundations of heavy roots drum and bass mashed with sweet 3 piece harmonies catchy melodies and concious lyrics.
The professional part(y)... After sharing the stage in various punk bands; 2009 saw four friends with similar dreams come together to write and record some of the most fun, heartdriven and diverse songs in Australian punk rock. Drawing influence from the greater world of music, the band has managed to create a sound which clashes with many a genre; yet always carries the passion of its driving p...unk rock roots.