The Cactus Channel are a 10 piece instrumental funk/soul outfit straight outta Melbourne, Australia.

They’ve been busting funk grooves since 2009 yet they sound as though they’ve been doing it since ’69. With a large blasting horn section backed up by a heavy, solid rhythm section, The Cactus Channel bring you massive, dark, afro-inspired funk songs that are guaranteed to get your hips jiggling.

The international release of their debut album Haptics on HopeStreet Recordings has been received with positive response (including Tone Deaf).

Haptics is a fast-paced, groovy album with complex horn arrangements backed with soulful rhythm. From 1980s arcade game inspired tracks like ‘Level Up’ to car-chase funk such as ‘Polka-dot Chase’, The Cactus Channel consistently deliver rump-shaking tracks with a musical maturity beyond there years.

Who inspired this unique taste of funk you guys so fluently pull off?

We’ve got inspiration going way back to Eddie Bo, James Brown, The Meters, Fela Kuti, Mulatu Astatke, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding; as well as newer artists such as The Menahan Street Band, The Dap-Kings, The Budos Band, The Bamboos, El Michels Affair, and local friends Saskwatch. Although we predominantly play our own mix of funk and soul, we also get off to afro-beat, surf, hip-hop, electronic, folk and jazz too.

As big band, do you have any specific team rules?

Have fun, be nice and play fair. 

A group of 10 musicians must have some bad habits, who has the worst habit in the group?

Darvid. He never does enough business with the boys.

What would the mascot of The Cactus Channel look like?

A little bit like Campbell and a lot like Channing Tatum: Inflatable.

You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?

Back in the beginning of 2009 we all went to see The Bamboos perform a free show in Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne City. This was the first real funk/soul show we all saw live and probably the show that got us really digging the genre. It was a real hot and sweaty (Black Saturday) but that didn’t stop us dancing with all our might.

No doubt you have a stack of favourite albums; now, you can’t choose more than one, but if you all had to choose one album as your all time favourite – what would it be?

Make The Road By Walking – The Menahan Street Band. On frequent repeat amongst the band members, this album has a really unique sound and feel to it, and it grooves like crazy but with a subtle intensity. A staple for our learnings. If we had to choose one album to be isolated with, it would be this one.

You’re stuck on a deserted island: You get to choose one person to go with you, who do you choose? Why?

Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He was breathtaking in The Big Lebowski.

How do you track down new music?

Talk to the man – that is Chris Gill from Northside Records.

What song(s) are stuck in your head right now? (Please don’t say Gangnam Style…)

Two songs are on high rotation at the mo, both by Tim & Eric: ‘Petite Feet’ and ‘I Wanna Meet That Dad’.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why? 

Kimbra. Babe.

When you’re Rolling Stones big, and MTV asks what do you want backstage in the greenroom, what do you request?

Stanleys and Alasya’s kebabs for all. Nothing will change.

Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them? 

Depends what city your in… We’re in the middle of our Haptics Album Tour right now… just sitting in a hostel room in Sydney.

The Cactus Channel’s debut LP/CD Haptics is out now (You can read the Tone Deaf verdict here) on HopeStreet Recordings/Fuse Music Group or buy it online at: http://www.hopestreetrecordings.com/releases/haptics

TOUR DATES:

BULLI, NSW: Thursday 27th September – The Heritage Hotel w/ Rocking Horse & The Baby Dolls. $12 at the door.

SYDNEY: Friday 28th September – GOODGOD Small Club w/ DJs Obliveous, Frenzie, JC (Funkdafied) + Thomas Crown.

Tickets $15 on sale now from Moshtix. Presented by Funkdafied.

CANBERRA: Saturday 29th September – Transit Bar w/ The Brass Knuckle Brass Band. $10 at the door.

MELBOURNE: Friday 12th October – Ding Dong Lounge w/ DJs + supports TBC. Tickets $15 on sale now from Oztix or online at www.dingdong.oztix.com.au or $20 at the door if still available.

ADELAIDE: Saturday 13th October – Rocket Bar w/ The Transatlantics + local DJs.Website: www.thecactuschannel.com