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We caught up with Nicky Bomba all the way from his sunny Mediterranean homeland of Malta.
Nicky and The Melbourne Ska Orchestra are headed to Cairns to Play Tanks Arts Centre as part of the Ballad of Monte Loco Tour on Saturday the 9th of August.

 

The Melbourne Ska Orchestra features such a large and diverse ensemble — how do you approach composing or arranging music for such a massive group?

It's quite an exciting and challenging adventure really. It's like having lots of ingredients to cook with but you want all the flavours to be appreciated. As far as composition goes there is a valid theory that a good song can work in any format so a well written tune is usually the first port of call. You should be able to play it on an acoustic guitar and still be moved. We have an incredible brain trust of creatives within the band so when it comes to album time there are lots of good ideas to sift through. Once we compile the shortlist, usually around 15-20,we start the recording and arranging process. Our music is groove driven so the rhythm section foundation HAS to be solid and inspiring. We give this the respect it deserves and then add horns, vocals and other bits of ear candy! Mixing is an adventure with so many components but we have a smaller team that fine tunes the balance. It's an intense process but creativity entwined with passion energises the soul. 18 hr days was kinda the norm!

Ska has such a rich global history. How do you balance honouring its roots while infusing your own unique Australian and contemporary flavour?

Yes, it has a beautiful history spawned from the fresh energies of an newly Independent Jamaica in the early 60's. We always try and capture some of that essence in our songs and there are lots of amazing references especially when the genre was new. Prince Buster, Skatalites, Stranger Cole, Duke Reid, Coxsonne Dodd, etc. along with the Sound System culture, were pioneers that led the charge providing the seed that created the 2 Tone scene in the UK, The U.S. led Third wave and now, in my opinion, the fourth wave where the hybrids draw form multicultural influences. International Ska if you will. Over the years we have tried to present something different with each new album, lately with the Afro Cuban and Latin Vibes - even singing songs in Spanish. Hybrid rhythms and melodies created Ska in the first place but it was also the lyrical voice of the people in social comment. With all that in mind, our new album is an exploration into the Spaghetti Western genre - (Skaghetti Western !) An essay in melding all the components and synthesizing that into a unique sound. Lyrically we are addressing current social issues , anti -war songs, Personal empowerment, calling out injustice and celebrating quiet wisdoms. Musically we have definitely infused the music with the  feeling of an old western movie. kind of  -The Good, The Bad and the Ugly meets Django Unchained in a Carlton Coffee house!

As the bandleader, how do you keep the energy and cohesion alive among so many musicians on stage and in the studio?

The band has existed for over 20 years because of a genuine love for this genre and what it does to us when we listen to all the heritage recordings. There really is a sense of belonging and unity. The fact that we were signed early on and were able to record all originals gave us a spring in our step. The reaction to our first album was huge so we knew we had something sweet happening. So in the studio there is always a sense of creating something special and new and flying the flag for Ska in Australia. We owe it to ourselves not to get complacent and record the same old which would be easy to do. On stage I am forever grateful that all members of the band are on the same page. We give 100% to making all our performances special with a concerted effort to connect with the crowd. The fact that a band like this exists is crazy in the first place. On paper it's a non-viable venture HOWEVER we have somehow managed to move enough people consistently that our vibe is a welcome energy at many events, especially big festivals

What’s the biggest challenge — and the biggest reward — of leading an orchestra that’s often 20+ members strong?

Easily the biggest challenge is the logistical and financial investment in maintaining this wonderful ramshackle train of a band ! We get offered to play overseas regularly but often have to say no due to flight prices of late and having to rely on grants to at least break even. We applied for 3 grants this year for overseas touring including Mexico, Spain and Malta but had to decline when we missed out on those grants. Dipping into mortgage funds to bankroll a tour runs thin pretty quick ! We have built an amazing team around us and are capable of implementing any adventure so the finance is really the main issue. The Biggest reward is really when we perform and the audience and band become one entity for those Magical gigs. It's kind of an ancient feeling of unity. Very powerful and uplifting.

 

You've had a dynamic career across different genres. What drew you to ska in particular, and what keeps you passionate about it?

My first exposure to the genre was the UK 2Tone wave of the early 80's but then I realised they were mainly playing covers of tunes from early 60's Jamaica. Understanding the energy and also the inevitable diaspora of the melding of Black and White cultures in the UK, and celebrating that, really cemented the unifying, inclusive, fun based energy that propelled the music  - yet with a social commentary that was relevant and called out injustices. The feeling for me was harmonic and emotional and definitely had a sense of community. Lots of people onstage sounding great, having a party and sharing wisdoms.

How has your multicultural background influenced your approach to music and rhythm?

I was lucky enough to be born in a culture that celebrates music and musicians. The Maltese love having a get together to celebrate and our family dance band was the default entertainment on most occasions. We were the Jackson 5 of the Maltese Community! There is a tradition in Malta that also happens in Jamaica in regards to making things up on the spot. Making up lyrics about anything but usually to make fun of a situation or person . Always joyful and tongue in cheek. This sense of celebration has influenced the unity I like to create when we perform live. Rhythmically there is no real connection, but musically the folk songs had the same raw essence of unifying through shared stories. I recorded an album of Maltese songs with my Father before he passed and am forever grateful of capturing those folk tales.

 

Your live shows are incredibly high-energy and theatrical. What do you hope audiences take away from a Melbourne Ska Orchestra performance?

I could just say 'read above' ha !    But essentially its raised vibrations, that real endorphin boost when you sing and dance together in a unified way. We take you on a journey through the roadmap of Ska with a performance spectacle that's pretty spesh!

Is there a particular performance or tour that stands out as especially meaningful or unforgettable?

One of our first overseas tours we played the Montreal Jazz Festival to over 50,000 people. We proved our worth in the international arena and brought the magic. I had to keep focused on being the leader and not get overwhelmed by the audience size and energy.

After so many years of innovation, what’s next for the Melbourne Ska Orchestra? Any new directions or collaborations on the horizon?

Yes, our new album is called 'The Ballad Of Monte Loco' and we are exploring the Spaghetti (Skaghetti) Western music and soundscapes. This is a new exciting genre to explore and mix with the ska creating another hybrid for us. We imagined we were writing the soundtrack for an unreleased film with the title of the album as the name of the film. The plot thickens!

 If you could collaborate with any artist — past or present — who would it be and why?

Hmmmmm.... a full day in the studio with Lee Perry, Quincy Jones or Toots and the Maytals would be a sweet thing. I'm sure some kind of creative madness genius would kick in!

Melbourne Ska Orchestra’s new album The Ballad Of Monte Loco will be released on June 27th you can preorder a copy today from the link HERE