‘sorta rootsy, sorta country, sorta funky soul’
Based on the Central Coast of NSW Australia, The Evolvrs are Brent Murphy (guitar & vocals), Robert Patey-Downes (drums, percussion & vocals) and Kerrie Garside (guitar & vocals) with extra spice in the gumbo from other muso’s and friends.
In Oct ’09 Brent invited Robert to jam on a few songs and musical ideas with other friends at a mad party up on Mangrove Mountain. Much fun was had and the boys went over so well they decided to make it an ongoing project and evolve the ideas as a band…….a name was found!
Their first ‘gig’ was a few weeks later to a full house at Jack’s Bar, Erina, supporting and backing Kerry Garside for her CD launch in early November. Brent had always wanted a female vocal in the mix and Kerrie’s guitar and voice blended effortlessly… soon after, they invited her to join in the fun.
Early ’10 saw them play shows at Brackets & Jam on Kincumba, The Rhythm Hut and Lizotte’s. In July they started work on their 1st recording, a self-produced 8 song CD recorded and mixed by Brent at Robert’s house and ‘Mac’s Shed’…Brent’s own house of fun, that was released on Oct 17th to a full house at Jack’s Bar.
2011 has come around with a swag of new songs and the gang itching to hit the record button again. Brent’s ‘house of fun’ has been relocated to the ‘funky bunker’ … the speakers are plugged in and the mics are set-up … so there’ll be new tracks alive n kickin mid ’11
Brent: “My fondness is not really for a particular style, it’s always been about the singer and the song for me. Having said that, although T-Rex, The Stones, Joe Cocker, Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart were hugely influential, I’m drawn to American music…..…country, soul, funk, jazz and of course reggae. I grew up in NZ and where I really learnt to play was at parties with Maori musos…I loved it! They were jammin’ on Bob Marley & Jimi (of course!), Stevie Wonder, Santana, Marvin Gaye, Sly etc. and that blended with my love of Americana, from The Allman Brothers, Little Feat, Leon Russell and Linda Rondstat in my teens to Springsteen & Mellencamp..…with Amy Winehouse, Lucinda Williams and Ryan Adams being current faves. Top of my list?……would have to be Prince.
Robert plays a relaxed, but sharp, old school funky style that reminded me of old motown and stax records, with some real cool jazz sensibilities, Kerrie plays acoustic with a great sense of rhythm and groove, and their voices are just a joy to sing with. I can’t help but bring my country and reggae spices to the party, and on the count of 4 we start playing and see what evolvs.
Our music is roots based….not in the sense of John Butler or The Soggy Bottom Boys….but in the sense that it’s organic (guitars, not turntables) and inspired by the songs and styles of American heritage.
We really feed off the energy from the audience and want everyone to feel part of the music. Music is for bringing people together and sharing. We may count to 4 and play the instruments, but dancing and singing is all ages and all in.“