Upsteppers

THE UPSTEPPERS ARE:

JAMES DOUGLAS: Vocals / Guitar

PAUL WATSON: Bass

JOEL ALEXANDER: Drums / Cymbals / B.V.

ANTHONY MCILWAIN: Guitars / B.V.

M. SANJAY JUDE: Keys

JOSHUA HATCHER: Saxophone

CRYSTAL HILDRED: Trombone

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"The Upsteppers are a vibrant emergent band that activate audiences and shake dance-floors with compelling roots rhythms and conscious message. Consequently, the Upsteppers uplift."

In early 2008, after a fortune-filled 6 months of staging their own packed shows, playing on grand festival stages, & touring to support Oz-Reggae masters Kingtide (Sydney), The Upsteppers bunkered down in local studios to record their debut CD release.

Now in May, The Upsteppers have launched their debut EP, Ready That Stony Ground to a burning hot hometown reception, and the single Stones has been getting regular spins on Triple J’s Roots’n’All program. The bands foundation release presents six fresh and diverse songs that illustrate the fundamental worth of Brisbane’s newest roots massive.

What sets this release apart from other releases worldwide is that funding was generated through an innovative new funding model, created by The Upsteppers. The Neighborhood Recording Deal (NRD) is grassroots funding in action, whereby listeners get involved in the recording process by lending small loans to the band which are used to pay recording costs. Many of these ‘micro-loans’ were as small as $15 and The Upsteppers rewarded their supporters by paying them back their loan with 20% interest.

The intake of these ‘micro-loans’ has allowed The Upsteppers to pay for the entire recording process. It is an example of grassroots arts funding designed and carried out by innovative independent Brisbane musicians.

This expressive live act delivers finely crafted songs with sharp arrangements and a polished 7 member big-band sound: (composed of) skanking guitars, a vintage 3 piece horn section, and a workhorse rhythm section. The sound is authentic and modern, moving beyond the distinctive Brisbane skank to pay respect and homage to the old time greats that kept Jamaican grooves proud and prominent.

The Upsteppers vocalist James Douglas weaves his melody with message, honest in delivery and direct to the point. Lyrically, The Upsteppers bring the social, political and the personal together to the one stage and challenge universally accepted truths. They promote community driven grassroots action, and call for us to look for our own new ways of being.

As The Upsteppers take to the stage, fans of live music from Cairns to Byron are recognizing familiar faces of musicians long associated with the Brisbane music community. Because of their up-standing reputation and anticipated live show, The Upsteppers have already stepped up to play alongside The Black Seeds (New Zealand), and Kingtide (Sydney) as well as appearing at the three-day national reggae convergence Island Time Festival.

They come representing the new signature sound of Brisbane conscious music, and you will know The Upsteppers by the quality of their following.

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