Page 48 - Tropic Magazine Issue 10

Lifestyle
Music

DON’T MISS
Who: Global breakbeat and bass music
pioneer Freq Nasty, a producer who
has worked with Santigold, Fatboy Tegan goes post-pop
Slim, Roots Manuva and more.
What: One of the world’s biggest bass A sonic troubadour with lashings of avant
producers will be hitting the decks for garde attitude and post-pop stylings.
the launch of the 5Five record label, a That’s about as close as you’ll get to
Bungalow-based imprint and studio. defining Tegan Koster and her brand of
Plus: The launch party will feature the music. This Cairns singer’s latest release
Don Johnson Butlers, Tegan Koster
Project and support DJs including as the Tegan Koster Project combines the
Whichway, Madame Mañana, Daddy 1980s synth sounds with grunge-era
Long Legs and Mr Tarago. guitar lines and powerful vocals. Mashed
When: Saturday February 24 together, it’s something approaching
Where: Cairns Dinner Theatre at Reef post-pop synth-rock with silk harmonies
Hotel Casino thrown in for good measure. In short,
Tix: cairnsdinnertheatre.com/the5five definitely worth a listen. Her forthcoming
or (07) 4051 4410 album It’s A Fun Life is out soon. Seek out
her work on YouTube and Facebook.

Which is probably why, decades later, What are some of your earliest memories of
Chris still remembers the way his these classic tunes?
grandmother performed these classics I’ve loved this material for as long as I can
during his childhood. remember. One of the first songs I ever
In a huge coup for the Cairns singer, learnt was “Night And Day” by Cole
Chris will be joined by members of the Porter. My grandmother was an
Australian Symphony Orchestra to incredible pianist and signer, and she
perform songs by these musical legends played this material a lot. She had her
in a major one-off show at the own radio show and performed for
Queensland Performing Arts called “Hits royalty and the troops in India. That’s
of the Crooners” on March 3. where I get it all from. Even though I
Tropic caught up with Chris during his went off into the pop world, I’ve always
preparation for the big show. loved this material.
It’s not every day you get to perform at Some of the greatest singers of all time are
QPAC with the Australian Symphony featured in the show. Do you have a
Orchestra. How did the show come about? favourite?
For nearly two years I’d been talking Tony Bennett is the most wonderful
about the concept with promoter Ben inspiration for me. Here’s a man who is
Maiorana following his success with 91 years old, and not only does he get out
Crooning in to classics shows like the Beatles Orchestrated Show of bed each morning but he is still on
tour.
and the Roy Orbison Show. Finally, the
Cairns singer Chris Lloyds is idea and the dates lined up and we Is there potential to tour the show beyond
taking some classic tunes to a decided to go for it. the one-off performance in Brisbane?
very big stage in Brisbane. These songs live on decades after they were It’s a big show with two one-hour sets
written and performed. Why? and the 30-piece orchestra on stage so
Chris Lloyds loves to sing the type of The quality and the crafting of these we’d love to do more of them. We hope
songs they don’t really seem to make songs is second-to-none. The lyrics, the there will be more performances both in
anymore. From the suave black-tie arrangements, they are just sublime. Australia and overseas.
stylings of Rat Pack legends Frank They’re a pleasure to sing. Everybody’s
Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis blood pressure comes down when I sing MORE: chrislloyds.com
Jnr to the soulful charm of Tony Bennet them. These songs show just how
and Nat King Cole, the tunes are timeless. powerful music can be.