True Live - Not What You Expect

True Live know their music. Most of the band have studied music for years at various colleges. They hail from different backgrounds to create a new sound, a new vibe. Hip Hop with a difference, lyrics that are true.

True Live are currently touring Australia hitting most of the capital cities. When the Dwarf spoke to Ryan ‘RhyNO ‘ Ritchie the lead singer, they “had just done Tasmania and loved it. There was a great turnout and they were looking forward to the rest of the Australian tour”.

So how did this ‘orchestral hip-hop band’ get together, this symbiosis of modern, hip-hop, orchestral, jazz and soul talents. It was unplanned, Ryan simply “went out one night, at a running jam night on the way to college. I knew the drummer, ‘Choi’, hanging out we got introduced to Thai on the keyboards. The music was more early fusion, ‘Bitches Brew’ old school stuff. Again jamming another night, we went through the DJ’s (Tom) bag, he owned all the same records”. It was mad. “He had also studied at VCA and was a double bass player. Then they came across Tamil, a talented violin player. We had something.” All they needed was a Cello player. Along came Tim, and True Live was born.

The music stands out, but the lyrics stand out also. It is an extremely difficult task to pull of orchestral magic and strong lyrics. Many bands have tried it from The Scorpions, Kiss and through to Metallica. However their main influences were otherwise “Musicians like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, ‘New Seattle’, The Hendrix’s and soul music. What kicked me on is that whole Bristol scene, Portishead, Massive Attack. I loved it.” The Dwarf asked Ryan how they came up with their music. The assumption would be that they would simply jam, play around with all the different styles bringing in even the African drumming sounds, mixing traditional and world and soul sounds. That gets the big “no” from Ryan. “You can’t just mess around. There is a lot of rules to writing it and counterpoint, a whole literary museum.” Ryan does most of the arrangements. However, the whole band is also quite talented and are respected musicians in their own right. Though young, they have traveled the musical journey for years, written film scores, performed concerts.

With all that know how, talent and experience behind them, True Live are as experimental as they are original. At first it takes you by surprise, but with this blend of music you keep getting more out of it. On asking Ryan how they come up with the music “We wanted to speak true to you’ (the audience, and hence the name of the band) “ We wanted to be true in performance, and love jamming with the crowd. We don’t use backing tracks. We don’t mime. The music needs to be true. Things that are more real to us”.

Along with the Australian tour they are releasing a CD The Shape Of It. Definitely recommended whether you are a hip hop fan or not. Actual for lovers of real music. The popular and raved tracks are “TV” and “Question this”. These are music gems. Ryan’s favourite track is “Evolution” , “It shows my growth as an artist. It was recorded at college, it came about when we’d have fun times on the verandah, it holds a lot of fond memories about a special girl, it captures that special time.

This Dwarf recommends seeing True Live and checking out their CD. There is a showcase of talent, and something different from the normal pop songs hitting the airwaves. You have hip-hop, but also a dynamic mix of Cello, Violin, double bass and keyboard, and lyrics that ring true.

True Live's 'The Shape of It' is out now!

Check them out at the following venues:
December 7th - The Basement - Sydney
December 15th - The Prince Of Wales - Melbourne
December 31st - Beach Hotel - Byron Bay

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