Meet Mr Bruce and Chucks
The UK-based swing/hip-hop duo The Correspondents are a headline act at WOMADelaide 2013. Peter Burdon spoke to Mr Bruce and Chucks.
“We’d just finished University and were trying to figure out what to do with ourselves, and we sort of fell in together,” say Mr Bruce and Chucks, talking over each other the whole time. “We did clubs and that sort of gig, then we got into the Festivals, which are really great gigs, and back in 2010 we got a lot of good publicity at the Glastonbury Festival which is huge, and now we’re coming to WOMADelaide, which is incredibly exciting.”
Neither have visited Australia before, but the reputation of our own world music festival preceded us. “We were really pleased to be invited to WOMADelaide, because there’s actually not many UK bands out there doing our kind of music, and it’s fantastic to hear so many other kinds of music from all over the world. And the line-up in Adelaide is amazing.” A pause, with the distinct sound of bottle clinking on glass, “And of course you’ve got cricket,” chimes in one, “He’s a huge cricket fan,” says the other. “And wineries!” they cry together, admitting that as we speak, they’re sampling some Aussie red, procured from the local off-license!
A quick flit on YouTube gives an idea of just how versatile, and just how entertaining, The Correspondents are. “It’s hard to describe it,” says Mr Bruce, “but I suppose if we say ‘60s / swing / electro’ then you might be getting close!” Fantastic tracks like ‘Whatever happened to Soho?’ and ‘Washington Square’ are simply impossible not to dance to. “And it’s a feeling like no other,” Chucks admits, “when you see 20,000 people pumping up and down. And we’ll be keeping it very upbeat in Adelaide.”
Another of their trademarks is Mr Bruce’s remarkable wardrobe. Collar and tie, the odd bowler hat, or possibly tails, paired with tights and skinny jeans. “What’s wrong with that,” says Mr Bruce incredulously. “He’s got white legs!” begins Chucks, before Mr Bruce firmly shuts him down. “I think it’s important to be prepared for every occasion, and if that means all-weather clothing, then Mr Bruce is up for the challenge!”
The Correspondents are on at WOMAD on Saturday and Sunday night, as part of line-ups of twenty or more acts in every half day on seven stages around Botanic Park. Visit the website www.womadelaide.com.au to see the variety of day and festival passes.
- Tags: Adelaide, Blaze, Chucks, Mr Bruce, Music, The Correspondents, WOMADelaide, World Music
About the Author
Peter Burdon
Peter grew up in country SA and moved to the city to go to uni. On his second day in Adelaide he discovered the Duke of York Hotel and the Mars Bar, and the rest is history! He has a long involvement in the arts, and in 1997 began writing for Adelaide GT little knowing what was in store. He has since contributed to all but three issues of GT and subsequently blaze, even filing an article from a hotel in Valencia. He works extensively as a freelance critic, and is Chair of the Adelaide Critics Circle.
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