Gig Review: Seasta Chani & The Twilight Heist + friends at Mojos Bar Freo |
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Photo by Kelly Jane.
Considering everything that is happening across Australia, WA and Perth is very fortunate to be free of lockdown and us punters are able to enjoy live shows. Mojos Bar Fremantle was one of many venues in Western Australia that risked closure due to the lockdown laws but fortunately thanks to local lovers of the venue, $66k was crowdfunded and Mojos was able to stay open.
After being overseas myself for two years, it was exciting to be back at Mojos to enjoy some live music. Regulars giggers know that Mojos is a staple on the Perth music scene and the venue always guarantees good music and good times. It was even more exciting to be able to support women in Hip Hop. Seasta Chani is a OG in the Perth Hip Hop scene having been a solo emcee for a number of years. Now collaborating with the diverse Twilight Heist band, her talent and the music was being heightened to another level.
Opening the night was relative newcomer singer Skyuka (pronounced Sky-u-kha if you were wondering). Skyuka is a talented singer and producer with a voice of an angel who also creates her own music. Her set was a nice low key kick off to the evening. Singing through a voice synthesiser, Skyuka also played her tracks live through a beatpad. Personal favourite Gold Within My Heart was a stripped back version, due to her guitarist brother not performing with her on the night, but was still a beautiful rendition that allowed her voice to shine through. Despite being small in stature, Skyuka has a strong and powerful voice, reminiscent of Mariah Carey. She seemed natural and comfortable on stage often interacting and calling out to the audience during her set. I am excited to see more from this new Perth artist.
After being overseas myself for two years, it was exciting to be back at Mojos to enjoy some live music. Regulars giggers know that Mojos is a staple on the Perth music scene and the venue always guarantees good music and good times. It was even more exciting to be able to support women in Hip Hop. Seasta Chani is a OG in the Perth Hip Hop scene having been a solo emcee for a number of years. Now collaborating with the diverse Twilight Heist band, her talent and the music was being heightened to another level.
Opening the night was relative newcomer singer Skyuka (pronounced Sky-u-kha if you were wondering). Skyuka is a talented singer and producer with a voice of an angel who also creates her own music. Her set was a nice low key kick off to the evening. Singing through a voice synthesiser, Skyuka also played her tracks live through a beatpad. Personal favourite Gold Within My Heart was a stripped back version, due to her guitarist brother not performing with her on the night, but was still a beautiful rendition that allowed her voice to shine through. Despite being small in stature, Skyuka has a strong and powerful voice, reminiscent of Mariah Carey. She seemed natural and comfortable on stage often interacting and calling out to the audience during her set. I am excited to see more from this new Perth artist.
Photo from Seasta Chani & the Twilight Heist Facebook page.
Next on the bill was the headline act, Seasta Chani and the Twilight Heist. The band are a homogeneous group of 5 people, all multi-talented instrumentalists. It was (as this is isn’t common with other bands) and also wasn’t unusual to see the band switch up positions and instruments throughout the set. This dynamic, coupled with the poignant messages of their music, brought an interesting yet exhilarating energy to their performance. Live instruments were supported by electronic elements such as a turntable and Maschine. Chani held it down as the main emcee and singer but was intermittently joined by Hoodwynk for some rhymes, creating a nice duality on stage. Hoodwynk, Sister Blister (who provided many humours anecdotes throughout the set) and DJ Tremellow rotated instruments throughout the set showing the breadth of their skills. The band played a slew of their original tracks plus some dope covers including Portishead and Ready or Not The Fugees. It was humbling to be entertained a live Hip Hop performance from a, though slightly older than some, group of exceptional talented people.
Throughout the night and closing the night were DJ sets from DJ Tremellow and DJ Leggy. It was refreshing to see the use of turntables, as we all know it is often CDJS that are used now, and even more so the use of 45s. The DJs spun funk and soul throwbacks even throwing in some songs that have been sampled by classic Hip Hop tracks, tricking punters and myself included as the sampled sounds came in. Another example of the technique and authenticity of the night.
Mojos Bar Fremantle is a venue that provides a platform and outlet for local artistry and this night was no different. Covid aside, it is important that Westralians continue to support our local artists and community, no matter what size and scale, and with border closures and so much uncertainty, now is no better time!
Follow Seasta Chani and the Twilight Heist on Facebook
Follow Skyuka on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify
Throughout the night and closing the night were DJ sets from DJ Tremellow and DJ Leggy. It was refreshing to see the use of turntables, as we all know it is often CDJS that are used now, and even more so the use of 45s. The DJs spun funk and soul throwbacks even throwing in some songs that have been sampled by classic Hip Hop tracks, tricking punters and myself included as the sampled sounds came in. Another example of the technique and authenticity of the night.
Mojos Bar Fremantle is a venue that provides a platform and outlet for local artistry and this night was no different. Covid aside, it is important that Westralians continue to support our local artists and community, no matter what size and scale, and with border closures and so much uncertainty, now is no better time!
Follow Seasta Chani and the Twilight Heist on Facebook
Follow Skyuka on Facebook | Instagram | Spotify