Ska band takes out live battle

TEEN musicians put on a show at Smythesdale during last month’s Battle of the Bands, staged alongside the town’s country market.

The overall winner of the competition was secondary school ensemble, Phoenix SKA band.

“Our band is culmination of funk, rock and jazz all in one, not only due to wide variety of instruments utilised, but also because of the styles these instruments allow us to explore,” said member Sebastian Allen.

“At battle of the bands, we performed three of our original songs Friday Night, Anything, and Big Door, Small House. All of these songs have lyrics by Lachlan Olsen, with the music developed by the band as a whole.

“It felt incredible to perform our pieces to a live audience again, after having done so at school concerts and at a fundraiser for the Lions Club.”

Allen said the band was thrilled to be named the winners of our first Smythesdale Battle of the Bands, and they are eagerly awaiting their half-day recording session prize.

“As a newly formed band in 2022, it’s been amazing to write music with other incredible young musicians from our school, and to perform with and win against other bands was a great way to celebrate our achievements this year as a group,” he said.

“We are extremely proud of each other, and although some of our founding members will move on next year as they head to university or work, we will continue to create music together and will forever cherish our first victory as one of our proudest achievements.”

The Phoenix students had three competitors, and Smythedale Country Market’s marketing manager Jaymee Ellis said the day had a celebratory and energetic vibe.

“The runner-up was 12-year-old Ryan Cook who crooned Flame Trees and You’re the Voice like a pro,” she said.

“Third and fourth prize winners were rock bands What the Fuzz… and Volt Jolt. All four acts were awarded prizes in the form of a paid music performance or recording time at Homestead Studios.”