22 Dec 2024
Kazia - Single Review: Seven Foot Wall
02 Apr 2023 // A review by Kev Rowland
Earlier this year I caught up with Kazia for the first time, a band which comprises people who are all involved in other
outfits, so we have singer Phoebe Walsh (Brown Sugar Factory), drummer Oliver
Prendergast (Strangely Arousing), bassist/flautist Michael Anderson (The
Vibes) and keyboard player Michael Ligani (Big Tasty). Musically this is a
group who are heavily into soul, jazz, pop and groove, and having seen both Strangely
Arousing and Big Tasty in concert I can see how well those bands align with
this one. Their new song Seven Foot Wall is packed full of lush arrangements, but there are also
staccato elements which provide a nice amount of bite.
At the front is Phoebe, who has a wonderfully controlled vocal style, which has more than a little in common with Amy Winehouse, bring that pop elements to sit over the top. She provides cut through, and the structure of the chorus and its change in attack reminded me that when I saw these guys play, they covered Toto’s Georgy Porgy, as the chorus has far more in common with that style than the lush music we get the rest of the time. With a bass taking on a melodic role, and the keyboards being wonderfully layered, there is no room here for a guitar and it is never missed. The result is a wonderfully commercial, highly polished, single packed full of soul and I look forward to hearing more.
Rating:
( 4 / 5 )
About Kazia
Combining the energy & experience of 4 musicians from widely different backgrounds Kazia is the long lost love child of their influences Bey, Amy Winehouse and Michael McDonald. Showcasing the powerful lead vocal of Phoebe Walsh, Kazia is driven by their delivery of emotional ballads and slick pop hooks over a modernized jazz feel.
Kazia’s namesake is in reference to the golden tree that blooms in late Spring throughout Southeast Asia. It’s flowers are said to bring joy and good fortune to all who are gifted them. Like the flowers, Kazia’s debut self titled EP captures their good fortune in studio working with talented producer Scott Seabright spanning a range of tracks from supercharged soulful ballads to mature pop sensibilities.
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