The Bamboos are ‘Safe From Harm’ in new single with Reginald AK
Melbourne funk & soul heroes The Bamboos continue to play with preconceptions on “Safe From Harm”, a sweet and intimate piece of neo-soul featuring Reginald A.K., who also happens to be the son of the band’s long-time vocalist, Kylie Auldist. It follows on from the boogie-flavored “Ex-Files” as the second single released from their forthcoming 11th studio album, This Is How You Do It, released on November 3rd.
“Having been so close to the band for my entire music life, writing with Lance felt like home” Reginald said. “Safe From Harm is the kind of song that can only fall out of you when you’re comfortable enough to be that vulnerable, when you’re not being pushed into a corner”. The song’s stripped-back drum machine, bass and keys arrangement is very different to anything The Bamboos have done before, but that’s part of what attracted him to the track. “I remember hearing the demo being so different to everything else in the ‘potentials’ folder and feeling like it was yelling at me to sing on it.”
This collaboration felt so right that Bamboos leader Lance Ferguson asked Reginald to contribute to another track on the album. “The creative licence I’ve been afforded on “Safe From Harm” and “Bored”’ is testament to the vision that Lance and the Boos fam hold. It’s a pretty amazing thing to feel trusted to write for and work with The Bamboos. It’s validation that I don’t expect but am extremely grateful for.” Reginald A.K. joins an international roster of guests on the album alongside US rappers Ozay Moore and Ohmega Watts and New Zealand MC Kings.
The Bamboos have also announced a four-night residency across Thursdays in October at The Night Cat in Fitzroy, Melbourne. They’ll be playing a different set each night with an expanded 11-piece lineup. They’ll be kicking it off on the 5th with “The Breaks”, a night in honor of Hip Hop’s 50th birthday filled with the band’s trademark uptempo funk that’s proved so popular with breakdancers the world over. The themes of the other nights will be revealed on the Friday before. The Night Cat holds a special place in The Bamboos history, as they played our first ever shows there back in 2000. Lance recalls “I had the idea to put a band together that was inspired by a more stripped-back, raw approach to funk. At the same time (Melbourne Music legend) Henry Maas approached me for a season of gigs at his venue The Night Cat, and so The Bamboos were born…I always call it our spiritual home”.
The Bamboos’ November Europe / UK tour has had an amazing response to date with the London date at the legendary Jazz Café now sold-out. Anticipation has been high for the tour no doubt helped by the fact that they haven’t played shows over there since 2010.
“Safe From Harm” out digitally on Sep. 15th 2023 via BMG / Pacific Theatre
