By John Redmond
Australian all-male a cappella group Suade, a quintet renown for a comedic and versatile approach to popular music, will return to Seoul on Jan. 26 as part of the Australia Day celebrations to mark the launch of the Australia/Korea Year of Friendship at the Grand Hyatt.
This launch is part of a year of events in Korea and Australia as organized by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) together with its Korean counterpart.
Suade last performed in Seoul at the AustCham Business Awards on Oct. 10 of last year and delighted the audience with an original and highly entertaining show combining classics from the likes of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” to a hilarious medley parodying popular K pop tunes (complete with girl group dance moves).
With an amazing ability for creating intricate harmonies the group covers many genres including pop, jazz, soul, R&B, swing, blues, classical, comedy (including Monty Python’s “Bright Side of Life”), musical theater, party songs as well as a complete selection of original material.
Looking less like a singing group and more resembling the venue’s security, the individual members join to form a cohesive and tight, theatrical, fun and energetic musical performance.
A cappella music is solo or group vocals or singing without instrumental backing, and is gaining huge popularity in Asia, particularly South Asia.
The members from Melbourne, Australia, comprise of Laurence Blain singing baritone, Chris Blain on tenor, Robert Latham who covers all ranges, Roy Osman singing bass and Ian Nisbet who specializes in the higher register.
The group has released one EP, 2003’s “Cuddles for Christmas” and two full length CD’s, “All Singing, No Dancing” (2006) and “Homebrew” (2009).
Combined with a no-holds-barred sense of comedy meeting new-school beatboxing, Saude promises to give Seoulites a unique and memorable show.
For more information contact www.suade.net