Q&A from Giorgio aka. “Papa G”
Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
The single and EP are both called “Smooth Lovinā”. The single is a throwback to 70ās sex-funk (i.e Marvin Gaye “Letās Get It On” era) that shows our cheeky and fun attitude to making music that we love. The EP has been our baby for almost a year, and is our debut release. Two of the songs have been a part of our live shows since late 2013, and the other two are relatively new. Itās our interpretation of funk and soul that takes influence from the current Melbourne and New York scenes, as well as mashing in the influence we get from studying jazz at university.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Itās like ice cream: smooth, creamy, and makes you feel real nice inside, while also being a little bit naughty..
Which song resonates most strongly and why?
Peace of Mind resonates strongest with me. It talks about love, happiness, being at peace with yourself and having a real connection with someone you love.
Any on the road anecdotes?
I guess the funniest story we have so far is how we formed. We all study music at Monash University, and as part of our course, we have to go on ājazz campā, where we go away for a weekend and get workshops with great musicians while jamming and drinking heftily. The Starcats began on a cold Saturday night, at dinner time. I was wandering around with a bottle of whiskey and a glass rounding up people to come and have a jam, and it so happened that 7/9 members of the band ended up in that room jamming old school soul tunes while also quite drunk. I canāt even think of a more stereotypical way to form a band. Iām sure weāll have some better anecdotes in future.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
As a band, we draw inspiration from some of the heavy-hitters of the Melbourne funk and soul scene: Saskwatch, The Cactus Channel and Hiatus Kaiyote, as well as Charles Bradley and The Menahan Street Band off the Daptone label based in New York City.
What’s next for you?
Weād love to get another EP, maybe even an album, out later in the year, and we have a few gigs coming up weāre eager to announce.
What’s your scene?
Cool venues with good beer on tap that donāt mind us getting loud and getting room grooving so hard you feel the floor shaking.
About the band
Papa G and The Starcats are the new funk & soul kids on the block. The group has been playing and selling out venues around Melbourne for the past year at iconic venues like Ding Dong Lounge, Bar Open, The Prince of Wales (with PBS radio show host DJ Manchild) and The Evelyn Hotel. Late in 2013, they wowed the crowds at Inca Roads Music Festival alongside Gold Fields, Barons of Tang and more!
In 2014, the band recorded their debut EP “Smooth Lovin'”, with mastering done in New York City. The EP will be released on the 16th of February , while their debut single of the same name was released as a free download a short time ago.
The 9-piece are gearing up for their massive EP launch at the Ding Dong lounge on February 21, with support from The Fabric as well as 30/70 and going down during White Night in Melbourne, it promises to be a huge event. They are influenced by heavy hitters Saskwatch and Hiatus Kaiyote, and their grooves delve into old-school funk, soul, neo-soul, latin and hip hop, so get ready: this 9-piece powerhouse is gonna get you on your feet and getting down!
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