You could say that something has been cooking in an inconspicuous building in the southern suburbs of Wellington. Above the ground floor tyre shop the dub-soul-jazz outfit Fat Freddy's Drop have been working away on their fourth studio album, the eponymously titled, Bays.
A fitting name for their latest offering, as most of the album's nine tracks have not been played live outside their Bays studio. It's quite a departure from the way Freddy's are known to hone their songs through their improvised live sets, which are firm fixture of the local summer music scene.
A decade on from their debut, Based on a True Story, which subsequently made New Zealand music history for having the longest number 1 reign for a locally-released album, the band continue to craft their sound. And by choosing to forgo their usual touring, and remain in-studio, the seven-piece have had the opportunity to experiment and expand on thieir signature groove.
Ahead of the album’s live debut at their sold-out Auckland Town Hall gig, Yadana Saw heads up to FFD’s HQ to check on the band’s preparations for the big reveal.
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Fat Freddys Drop -Dr Boondigga and The Big BW
Music details
Artist: Fat Freddys Drop
Songs: Wairunga Blues, Slings and Arrows, 4 Wheels, Novak, Cortina Motors, Makkan, Fish in the Sea
Composer: Fat Freddys Drop
Album: Bays
Label: The Drop