Blues in 5-4 timing?
Presenting ‘Woolamai’, the weird and wacky belter from Smoke Stack Rhino
‘Woolamai’ is a mesmerising piece of hard-hitting psychedelic blues-rock from the Australian trio Smoke Stack Rhino. Conjuring the wild rolling waves of one of Australia’s best-known surf beaches, Woolamai is full of mantra-like vocals, hypnotising drums and huge slide guitar riffs.
Fresh off the back of running Rock The Valley Music Festival, singer-guitarist Ash King, bassist Shane Andison and drummer Jeremy Berg has brought together a range of modern and vintage influences, sounding like a mix of King Gizzard, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Led Zeppelin and The Black Keys.
Inspired by Cape Woolamai & Woolamai Surf Beach at Phillip Island, the song is a tribute to the ocean and all of its amazing life. Ash directly channels the ocean spirit in becoming “The Woolamai Weedman” for the song’s video and photos. And yeah, that’s real seaweed.
Building on momentum from previous singles ‘Ultraviolet’ and ‘Grunge Groove’ which received triple J and community airplay around Australia, ‘Woolamai’ is headed on the road. The question is, with the song in 5-4 timing, how do you dance to it?
“You can pogo along. Stand in a yoga pose. Or fling yourself over a rainbow!” Ash suggests.
“Whenever we play it live, we always love to ask everyone to create their own dance moves. We’re keen to see what new shapes people come up with!”
