Elvis has left the San Lazaro “We always look forward to playing Adelaide,” confides Nasrine The founding members met while studying music in Melbourne. Rahmani, percussionist and one ninth of Melbourne based Salsa act Drawn together by a desire to play Latin music, the group began San Lazaro. It’s no wonder they feel this way. Last time the group was gigging as a four piece. Nasrine was working at a music store in building here it was part of WOMADelaide 2007, where the crowd lapped up Melbourne which sold lots of Latin American percussion instruments their energetic brand of Latin beats which combines ‘South American, and studying at the VCA. It was during this time that she met the Afro-Cuban and Caribbean folkloric rhythms’ with ‘funk, rock, reggae members of the group and they started jamming. For Nasrine, though, Being what could be termed as a ‘music fanatic’ (although I loathe to and hip-hop.’ The result is refreshingly unique, as demonstrated by joining San Lazaro was only the most recent step in her musical use that word, I’m just choosy and excitable) there are some things their latest release Mestizos Urbanos. But for San Lazaro, playing live development. From an early age she had a love of music, learning to that just push me over the edge. True music fans are quite particular is what it’s all about. “It’s difficult to capture the vibe of a big band play the drums and guitar at school. An early infatuation with dance and like their music done a certain way, on record and in a live show. like us in the studio.” music led to an appreciation of salsa and particularly its percussive Call me a misanthrope, but more than not having my music done in elements. Although I initially struggled to make the connection, the way I like it, it is the nature of people at gigs—musicians and Being in a group with nine members also presents other challenges. Nasrine assured me that making the move from the infatuation with punters alike—that really boils my blood. Every decision the group makes is put to a vote. Nasrine admits South American beats to playing the timbale was no quantum leap. it would be easier to have one person calling all the shots but at ‘You can’t really dissociate the timbale from Latin American music. It Firstly, I cannot stand girls in bands who sing with thin girly voices. the end of the day “it’s better this way.” In contrast to the South was just a natural progression.’ News flash ladies, you can be a chick in a band and not sing like American nations from which the group draws some of its members, a stereotypical girl, with a voice that sounds like you’d get a nice the democratic process appears alive and well in San Lazaro. Political I asked Nasrine if there had been any career highlights or moments hollow whistling sound if someone blew into one of your ears. You’re and social commentary actually does form a large part of the band’s which made her stop and realise if things were really starting to not doing your gender any favours. lyrical subject matter. Nasrine tells me that through the lyrics of happen. “WOMAD was almost like the end of the beginning. It was Chilean vocalist Franshesco Viran, the group try to be a “voice for amazing but probably not the best show we’ve played.” Nasrine Secondly, drunken bogan men at gigs who yell randomly moronic people who don’t have one right now.” Heavy within the group’s lyrics highlights the band’s set at the Woodford folk festival as particularly catchphrases and then push through the crowd with their sweaty, are references to Chilean history and politics while even the title of memorable. “We got there the day before the show and saw so meaty arms to stand in front of everyone. Yes, I’m referring to you, the group’s latest refers to the urban mixed races of South America’s many bands, that by the time we hit the stage we were pumped.” arsehole. Have a little respect, will you? No one wants your sweat larger cities who often the subject of discrimination. Playing after Paul Kelly at Queenscliff also makes the grade as a on them (unless you ask nicely) and of course they are going to be career highlight. Nasrine tells me that the band is still trying to annoyed when you stand in front of them. So don’t act like you’ve Apart from the lyrical content, the song writing process within the find “the secret recipe that makes a great show.” According to the been unfairly dealt with when you get a swift and pointy elbow to group is generally more spontaneous and organic, with instrumental percussionist “the size of the crowd is not important. As long as we’re the kidney. sections created almost entirely in the practice space. The success all working together that’s the main thing.” It’s something I look of the group can also be attributed to the stability of the line-up. forward to seeing for myself. Then there’s the girl who gets on some guy’s shoulders. That was Since the group became a nine piece in 2005 the line-up has remained only acceptable when your bra-less mum did it at Woodstock, where constant. The story of the group, howevere, stretches back a little Mitch Waters there were 400 000 people and she had pretty much no chance of further. seeing Jimi’s fingers skim the frets of his Stratocaster. The band are influenced by David Bowie, Talking Heads and The Rolling Stones, not to mention more contemporary artists, such as And finally (I could go on but I’ll spare you) premeditated encores. hip hop acts Mad Lib and J Diller and rock acts like the Strokes and Something in the Beer Now, I appreciate that encores are premeditated to an extent. A Vampire Weekend. Jai talks enthusiastically about Arcade Fire being one of his favourites, mentioning that he saw them in January. band can’t very well be called back on to stage and then engage in a discussion as to whether they’re going to play their hit single or an This tour has been the result of lots of hard work and persistence. obscure B-side. And I appreciate that it is in a band’s best interests While the Sydney music scene is very supportive, it also is a lot of to do an encore, because they need to make the audience feel like they’re getting more value for their money, even if the band has The Eels know how it is to be done. It’s unlikely that anyone who hard work. Several pieces of advice that Jai can give to up and coming was there is reading this, since only about 30 people showed up The 11th of April saw the beginnings of the Papers Scissors/Bluejuice hated every minute of playing on some shitty little stage in some musicians who are looking for a starting point are: (another thing that pisses me off, FOR SHAME!), but let me tell you national tour. The ‘Less Talk, More Problems’ tour began in Adelaide two-bit town. 1. You are going to have to play for free for a while… but not when they played at Thebarton Theatre it was special. After several at the Jive Bar. As I spoke to Jai Payne from the Paper Scissors, he had for too long know your value. (possibly planned) encores, E ran back out onstage after the house nothing but good things to say about Adelaide. Apparently, their last What irks me the most is the amount of time some bands make you 2. Hound people. You have to be out there meeting people lights were back on and after about half the patrons had left, and gig in Adelaide was one of their best, whether it was the water, beer or wait. You know they’re coming back because (a) you’ve seen it on and other bands. If there’s a band that’s a bit bigger then banged out a few more tunes. And then again. Then, he invited us atmosphere, Adelaide was awesome for the Paper Scissors. The ‘Less their set list, (b) their roadies are re-tuning guitars and (c) the house you, hassle them and make them listen to your music. to the car park for a post-gig gig. I didn’t stick around to see if that Talk, More Problems’ tour is their first lengthy tour they’ve done, with lights have not yet come back up. No one is surprised when they 3. Have fun and make sure that you have decent PR. happened. I doubt it did. That night, it was like he was throwing out previous tours only being along the East Coast, with Adelaide thrown finally do come out. Honestly, how long does it really take to snort little perfectly wrapped Willy Wonka parcels of love to the crowd. in. However when I spoke to Jai just before they started their tour he some coke and get back out on stage? Sorry, I do generalise…for the When asked, Jai admitted that he did actually go out and hassle That was special. It made me smile. was really enthusiastic and excited, raring to begin. bands. He went on to say that while it’s a bit of an annoying thing, straight-edge bands out there, how long does it take to sip a Coke? it is important to do as you can’t get your music out to people if you And that is what bands should do: reward the crowd for being For those of you who have no idea who the Paper Scissors are, I’ll And then there’s the generally stupid audience behaviour.