Melbourne Ska Orchestra, the largest aggregation of its kind ever gathered on one stage anywhere in the world, have unveiled their globe-trotting video for Third Time Lucky, the latest cut to be taken from their 2013 self-titled debut album.
As readers can see below, it’s been a busy year for the fun-loving, always-skanking, 30+ piece group, comprised of some of Melbourne’s most beloved musicians, including members of John Butler Trio a la the collective’s charismatic leader, Nicky Bomba.
All the footage featured in the clip is taken from the Orchestra’s June-July trip throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The trek included several appearances at world-renowned festivals, such as the UK’s beloved Glastonbury Festival, Northern Lights Festival Boreal in Canada, and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
The band are now gearing up to close out this year’s Australasian Worldwide Music Expo in Melbourne this November. The event’s incredible finale will feature a massive party made up of all the bands whose members belong to the Melbourne Ska Orchestra – something no true ska fan will want to miss.
The AWME closing party will also be the backdrop for Nicky Bomba’s relaunch of his and Joe Camilleri’s Transmitter Records label. The outlet was forged to provide a home for reggae, ska, calypso, and world music in Australia and to provide an avenue of release for Nicky and Joe’s own compositions.
“The last couple of years has seen a great enthusiasm for our style of music and it seemed like a natural progression to step everything up,” said Nicky in a statement. Transmitter Records’ re-launch will see the label moving into a brand-new era, with an ever-expanding family of like-minded musicians.
To celebrate, Transmitter will be re-releasing gems from the label’s back catalogue, including a Bomba box set and releases by Limestone, Banana Oil, and Drums & Lions. Meanwhile, the AWME closing party will provide a showcase for new releases by Bustamento, Ska Vendors, and Mighty Duke and the Lords.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra National Tour Dates
w/Bustamento, The Ska Vendors, Mighty Duke & The Lords
Sunday, 16th November 2014
AWME Closing Party, The Hi-Fi, Melbourne
Tickets: The Hi-Fi
MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA had an incredible year in 2013 with the release of their debut album taking things up a notch or ten.
MSO was nominated for an ARIA award for Blues and Roots album of the year and took out the Age EG World Music and the Reggae Steady Ska album of the year awards.
However, it is the stage where this 30-odd piece truly shine. MSO started selling out headline shows within a few months of their album release and have become a highlight of the National festival circuit with a sway of high profile International offers starting to land.
Fronted by Nicky Bomba (Bomba, John Butler Trio, Bustamento), MSO bring an 18 piece horn section, a mean rhythm section, percussionist, organist, keys and 4 singers. The “Get Smart” Tour demands you to get your body moving with the life force that is MELBOURNE SKA ORCHESTRA.
GET SMART TOUR PRESENTED BY THE MUSIC
FRI MARCH 14 – HQ – ADELAIDE W/EL MOTH – BUY TICKETS HERE
SAT MARCH 15 – HI FI BAR – MELBOURNE W/EL MOTH & DJ KILMARNOCK STEVE – BUY TICKETS HERE
FRI MARCH 21 – HI FI BAR – BRISBANE W/BELLYAS – BUY TICKETS HERE
FRI MARCH 28 – HI FI BAR – SYDNEY W/TBC – BUY TICKETS HERE