After years of drawing crowds on the festival circuit, Byron Bay roots-reggae group Blue King Brown have finally released an album and are touring in support of it. Singer and guitarist Natalie Pa’apa’a is relieved to have the debut, Stand Up, out.
"The album was a huge undertaking, but it was definitely something we had to do," says Natalie. "We can feel that we have a recording that we’re really happy with, that really represents the band and the vibe and the message. The most exciting bit is getting it out there and pushing it and trying to spread it as far and wide as we can, and that’s what we’re doing now."
Following their current tour, Blue King Brown are once again on the bill for the Woodford Folk Festival in December. "The festivals are awesome. We love festivals, and we’re quite a festival band. The thing about festivals is you only get a certain amount of time, whereas when you’re touring and you’re playing in bigger venues, you really can put in the extra care to put on the show because it’s your thing. We love both really. The festivals are always a buzz though because everyone’s there and you get all the wicked collaborations that happen with all the other bands."
The band was formed three years ago by Natalie and Carlo Santone, both of whom played festivals in the percussion group, Skin. "I’ve always written songs and played guitar, so it had always been my vision I guess, something I had always wanted to do," explains Natalie. "Percussion wise, it was funny because the whole percussion thing just happened out of nowhere. Guitar was totally my first love, and then drumming just took over for about five or six years. We had the opportunity to start Skin and do all the festivals and really get a foot in the door that way, with contacts and connections and meeting people. It was a turning point when I said, ‘Now I want to get serious about the band thing, after all these years of percussion’. So I went and studied guitar for the first time, which was cool, and started singing, and getting it together. So the time came and we moved to Melbourne and recruited some players and started the ball rolling, and haven’t looked back since."
Behind the music of Blue King Brown lies a message of politics and activism. "I guess one of the main things for me is that all people realise that they really do have the power to make change in the world, and to make positive change. The sooner people can start realising that, then the closer we are to having change."
"The album was a huge undertaking, but it was definitely something we had to do," says Natalie. "We can feel that we have a recording that we’re really happy with, that really represents the band and the vibe and the message. The most exciting bit is getting it out there and pushing it and trying to spread it as far and wide as we can, and that’s what we’re doing now."Following their current tour, Blue King Brown are once again on the bill for the Woodford Folk Festival in December. "The festivals are awesome. We love festivals, and we’re quite a festival band. The thing about festivals is you only get a certain amount of time, whereas when you’re touring and you’re playing in bigger venues, you really can put in the extra care to put on the show because it’s your thing. We love both really. The festivals are always a buzz though because everyone’s there and you get all the wicked collaborations that happen with all the other bands."
The band was formed three years ago by Natalie and Carlo Santone, both of whom played festivals in the percussion group, Skin. "I’ve always written songs and played guitar, so it had always been my vision I guess, something I had always wanted to do," explains Natalie. "Percussion wise, it was funny because the whole percussion thing just happened out of nowhere. Guitar was totally my first love, and then drumming just took over for about five or six years. We had the opportunity to start Skin and do all the festivals and really get a foot in the door that way, with contacts and connections and meeting people. It was a turning point when I said, ‘Now I want to get serious about the band thing, after all these years of percussion’. So I went and studied guitar for the first time, which was cool, and started singing, and getting it together. So the time came and we moved to Melbourne and recruited some players and started the ball rolling, and haven’t looked back since."
Behind the music of Blue King Brown lies a message of politics and activism. "I guess one of the main things for me is that all people realise that they really do have the power to make change in the world, and to make positive change. The sooner people can start realising that, then the closer we are to having change."
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