“We’re pretty comfortable as an instrumental band,” Sterling says. “Back in the early days, people would always say we should get a vocalist, but now we’ve been doing it for so long people accept us as an instrumental band. We’ve played gigs at venues that usually specify ‘no instrumental bands,’ so I think we get away with it.”
Sterling admits it does make it a little more difficult in a commercial sense, but The Seven Ups lose very little sleep over it.
“We never really set out to be a big commercial band,” he says. “We’re not expecting to get airplay on any commercial radio stations or sell out arenas, we’re quite happy playing club shows and festivals.
“[But] we get a lot of support from community radio,” Sterling continues. “I think people are looking for something less mainstream; we’re quite happy serving that niche.”
Their debut release had a rather lengthy evolution, from early writing sessions right through to what we can hear now on the final product, and according to Sterling, the band are proud of the result.
“We were nervous putting it out there, but we’re happy with how it came out,” he enthuses. While the band have been together for roughly three and a half years, Sterling explains they’ve only been playing about half of the tracks on the album for most of that time.
“There’s a few additions that are new songs from the last six months,” he says. “Our first recording was after the band had been together for about a year – we released a seven inch with just two tracks. So we decided to put the time and money into producing an album. People have always asked us for a CD as well as vinyl.”
Sterling feels the eclectic nature of The Seven Ups sound is the major element that will attract new listeners to the band, although they don’t take their varied sound to the point where it will become too obscure.
“There’s not a whole lot of other bands, at least in Melbourne, who are doing the same thing,” he muses. “Our stuff is a mix of Afro-beat and funk, and I grew up listening to rock, so there’s a lot of that in there too. Most of the guys in the band have studied jazz, so it’s a blend of those sounds.
“We don’t want to be doing a whole ton of different styles,” Sterling continues. “I think what we do is unique.”
On Saturday March 21, Ding Dong Lounge will play host to the band’s album launch, and Sterling promises a fantastic lineup of high energy Afro-funk.
“It’s going to be a big show,” he forecasts. “The supports are a band called Alárìíyá and Mya Wallace. We’ve got Miss Goldie from PBS as well, who’s supported the band for the last couple of years now. We’re looking forward to a big night; it’ll probably get pretty messy.”
“It’s six guys and one girl up onstage having a great time,” he describes. “There’s a lot of improvising going on, but at the same time we keep it really simple, and lay down the groove. There’s no pretension, just a good time.”
The Melbourne launch is just the beginning for The Seven Ups, who plan to embark on an extensive tour of the eastern seaboard straight after the launch.
“We’re going up as far as the Sunshine Coast, which I’ve just learnt is past Brisbane. We’re in for a lot of driving and mayhem on the road. There’s a few little festival appearances along the way, too.”
BY ROD WHITFIELD
