All Funked Up

This is a cover of Betty Mabry's second single, later known as the funk goddess Betty Davis. Costa's dad, Don Costa, produced the original track, and Betty's funk influence has been felt throughout Nikka's musical career.

Anti Love Song

Magnetic Premiere: Nikka Costa - Anti Love Song

Justice!!!

Only the victim remains the victim while the truth slips thru the system, yet the goodness never sees the light of day.

So we fight for what is right, against injustice day and night, to achieve this goal that’s the only way.

Somebody’s colorful, someone is faceless, someone is powerful, somebody’s tasteless, this one that one the other one, we all are beautiful let’s face it.

If you ask me my name I’ll tell you the same, Justice.
we’re looking for truth to save all the youth, Justice.

To stop the radical way of strife, which matters to every life.
then we’ll see the end of all that is wrong.

Change your mindset change the laws, change your concept eve the flaws, so together we can all stand tall.

Somebody’s colorful, someone is faceless, someone is powerful, somebody’s tasteless, this one that one the other one, 
we all are beautiful let’s face it
we can change it.

If you ask me my name I’ll tell you the same, Justice.
we’re looking for truth to save all the youth, Justice.
let’s make up our mind we don’t have much time, Justice.
there’s no one to blame we all are the same, Justice.

Single

Justice ft. Trombone Shorty

The Universal Want

Universal Want

Connection

The Truth (feat. Kelly Finnigan)

Power Without Greed

Mother Funkin' Robots

'This Is How You Do It' album out now on 2LP / CD / DIG


Bandleader Lance Ferguson and his nine piece Melbourne outfit The Bamboos have come a long way since forming in 2001. Initially inspired by the instrumental raw funk of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s, they made waves internationally and were quickly labelled as one of the greatest funk and soul bands of our time. But while many would be happy to simply soak up the praise and keep on keeping on, The Bamboos have proven that they are more than meets the eye; over five acclaimed albums, their evolution in sound and style has consistently confounded and exceeded expectations, pulling the rug from under the feet of those who like to pigeonhole. 

The band signed to respected Brighton (UK) indie label Tru Thoughts in 2005, where they remain a cornerstone of the roster. Across their five studio albums to date - ‘Step It Up’ (2006), ‘Rawville’ (2007), ‘Side-Stepper’ (2008), ‘4’ (2010) and 'Medicine Man' (2012) – the metamorphosis of The Bamboos has been full of twists and turns, and it continues apace. A seasoned DJ, solo producer (aka Lanu) and all-round insatiable music obsessive, Ferguson's myriad influences and passion for pushing things forward ensure that each new release is a discovery for devout fans and newcomers alike.

Their fifth long-player ‘Medicine Man’, released in June 2012 was a watershed - a forward-looking record brimming with fresh ideas, stellar turns, classic songwriting and a brand of multi–layered pop they can truly call their own. Guest vocalists Aloe Blacc, Tim Rogers (You Am I), Megan Washington, Daniel Merriweather, Bobby Flynn, alongside resident singers Kylie Auldist and then newcomer Ella Thompson helped make the album their biggest at home to date. Lead single "I Got Burned" feat. Rogers was a sizeable radio hit, made it to #54 on radio station Triple J's Hottest 100 listeners poll (the biggest publicly voted song poll in the world) of the top songs of that year.

Like its predecessor, the band's sixth album 'Fever In The Road' was co-produced by ARIA- nominated, multi-instrumentalist studio wizard John Castle – whose work with the likes of Washington, Josh Pyke, Gossling, Pez and Kate Miller-Heidke has ranked him amongst the first-call producers in Australia. The new record (the first on Ferguson's own Pacific Theatre label) sees Castle and Ferguson venturing into sonic landscapes The Bamboos have previously touched on but never fully inhabited. There is a sense that the music is leaner and more muscular, yet upon closer inspection the tracks reveal themselves to be densely multi-layered in a 'Wall Of Sound' style. And it's this aural complexity and depth that allows darker moods to roam through the album, taking their sound to a new place. The songs career from the wondrously anthemic ('Avenger', The Truth', 'Rats', 'Jump My Train'), to the dreamy and psychedelic ('Looking West', 'Harbinger') and the darkly fragile ('Killing Jar', 'Before I Go'). Choosing this album to reflect the band as it is on stage, the vocals are split between Kylie Auldist and Ella Thompson. And each bring contrasting styles that complement each other magically, but show The Bamboos to be utterly unique.

Their songs have been regularly on playlists of national radio stations in Australia, the UK, France, the US, Japan and beyond. The unshakable charm of their songs has also seen them licensed to hit movies including Crazy Stupid Love, the soon to be released  Adore - Naomi Watts & Robin Wright. and TV shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, CSI New York, One Tree Hill, Ugly Betty and Australian shows such as Underbelly, House Husbands, Offspring, Packed To The Rafters.

Power Without Greed

The Bamboos

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