Flap!, a lively quintet that features the talents of Jess (vocals, banjo), Eamon McNelis (trumpet, vocals), Nick Pietsch (trombone), Mark Elton (bass) and Ben Hendry (drums), are skilled purveyors of lyrical roots music. Their enthusiastically eclectic approach sees them embracing everything from calypso and jazz to folk and pop, while their clever lyrics whisk the listener on colourful journeys rich in metaphor and symbolism. The band’s clever songs traverse a diverse array of subjects that include escaped convicts, funeral plans, the crazy line-racking joys of Tetris, the possibility of renewing lost love at the end of time and the shiver-inducing curvature of the Earth.
When explaining the band’s approach to writing lyrics, Guille says, “I guess it’s just quite honest really. I write the songs that I sing and Eamon writes the songs that he sings. Personally I struggle if it’s not honest to me. My parents are big musos [so] I grew up listening to a lot of really lyrical songwriters such as Leonard Cohen, Paul Kelly and Talking Heads… [These songwriters] are really beautiful at painting pictures and [have] different ways of interpreting stories.”
Flap!’s gleeful diversity of sound is characterised by a refreshing playfulness that perfectly complements their evocative lyrics. Explaining the origins of the band’s approach, Guille references some powerful influences. “Eamon and I grew up listening to the same Melbourne bands,” she says. “It was The Hoodangers and The Band Who Knew Too Much. They have just got a particular brand of Fitzroy something. Well, it used to be Fitzroy in the day but now Fitzroy is not what it used to be. I guess it’s that honesty. They were both bands that were using their own [Aussie] accents which wasn’t that common a few years ago… [both bands] resonated with Eamon and I.”
In 2013 Flap! supported The Cat Empire on their UK and European tour. According to Guille, “It was monstrous. Walking on stage at the Brixton Academy was pretty massive. One of my favourite albums growing up was Faith No More at the Brixton Academy…[the audiences] were there to see The Cat Empire so they were really excited. They were awesome. They were ready to go! Spain – absolutely mental. We couldn’t be heard because they were screaming… [They were] just so alive. German audiences were crazy and fun! The French audiences were really quiet and really listening but they were loving it. I wasn’t sure for a while [but] they were going nuts inside…every country had a different flavour of audience which was interesting.”
The positive reaction from international and local audiences is hardly surprising as the band prides itself on delivering a vibrant musical experience that is mutually uplifting. “[Playing music] makes me happy and it makes punters happy,” Guille explains. “A lot of people dance at our gigs. I used to go out dancing a lot to live bands and it’s that feeling of being just along for the ride with a band – it’s a wonderful feeling. I get to give that to people. People are sweaty and smiling and happy. It’s satisfying on so many different levels…it’s just exciting every time. We get feedback after gigs about how much fun we are having on stage…it seems [to the audience that] we actually really like each other and the thing is we do.”
If you are hungry for brand spankin’ new recorded output from Flap! stay tuned as the band is busily beavering away on their new album. “It’s ticking along. Our lovely drummer… has just left us to join Circus Oz so he is knee-deep in circus. [This] has extended the process a little. We’re ticking along and hoping to have something out by the end of the year.”
If you can’t wait for the album, it might be a good idea to check out the band live and loud at Stonnington Jazz 2014. To whet your appetite, here’s what Guille has to say about the live show: “It’s full of energy and it’s full of fun. Every gig is different as the guys are such incredible improvisers…It’s a good time.” Who knows, you may even get to rub shoulders with a breakdancing Viking.
BY GRAHAM BLACKLEY
