Sydney’s Five Coffees are looking to take the country by storm with their funky debut EP Flatline. I caught up by the band’s resident sax man, keyboardist, composer and all round nice guy Dean Adams to chat about his band’s unique sound, their EP, and what comes next.
I’ve heard people refer to so many genres when talking to about your music. How would you describe your sound?
Predominately its jazz inspired hip hop. We have always been inspired by funk like James Brown and the Cat Empire too. 70s keyboard legend Don Blackman (Earth Wind and Fire, Parliament) last week called us funky! It was the ultimate compliment.
You all come from such different musical backgrounds. How did you find one another and form Five Coffees?
I met Guy whilst studying at the Conservatorium of Music. We recruited the rest of the band members from all areas of their lives. I used to play in a covers band with singer Ay La Garde and play weddings with bass player Dave Groves!
You’re just about to release your debut EP Flatline. What can you tell me about it?
I wrote many of the tunes in 2008 after graduating from The Con. At the time, they were just eight-bar riffs. Now they are fully laid out, proper tunes with vocals and lyrics that amaze even me!
It’s got an unlikely title for music that’s supposed to engage and excite people. Why Flatline?
“Flatline” is the name of the final track on the EP. It best summarises what Five Coffees is all about: male and female disco/funk with sharp horn lines and a ripping sax solo.
You’re known for your electric live shows, so what was it like to ditch the crowds and sequester yourself away in a recording studio to make this EP?
We are a band that feeds off crowd reaction and in the studio, we had none. It was a challenge that we all enjoyed and really rose to the occasion. Having Steeve Body (De La Soul) produce the album was a great influence on us all. It was like a party in the studio every day.
You’ll be back on stage to launch the album in Sydney this Friday. Are you looking forward to that?
Absolutely. The Basement is our favourite venue to play in Sydney. It’s got so much great musical history about it. We’ve got a great night planned and support from one of our favourite bands, Alphamama.
What do you enjoy most about performing?
When the crowd gets up and dances! One of our tunes, “Johnnie Walker Gives Sounds Advice,” has a beat that you cannot help but dance to. It would be torturous to stand still.
When will the rest of Australia get the chance to experience your live shows?
In 2012 Five Coffees will be planning an east coast tour of Australia, then potentially SXSW festival and New York. Melbourne people should expect to see more of Five Coffees next year.
What’s your vision for this band in the future?
World domination, one coffee bean at a time.
Is there anything else in the works you can tell me about?
Next album in the works. We’re hooked! We can’t stop! Jump on the bandwagon.
Five Coffees will launch their new EP Flatline tomorrow night, Friday September 30, at Sydney’s The Basement. Tickets are $20 through Moshtix.
Image used with permission from Positive Feedback