WITH many years working in the music industry, and a pedigree including WA rock heroes Eskimo Joe, new WA band The Sun Orchestra promises to deliver some quality original sounds.
Comprising three core members in Shaun Sibbes, of Balcatta, Lee Jones, of Wattle Grove, and Marc Earley, of Maylands, The Sun Orchestra grows in size for live performances with local musicians including Ben Witt (from rock band The Chemist), Bec Litton and Steve Hensby.
Sibbes said he and Jones grew up in the Southwest town of Collie before moving to Perth and forming the band Spencer Tracy, which they played in for seven years before splitting to bands Astronaut and The Avenues.
“Then we started getting into session work and Lee and I both landed the session gig for Eskimo Joe for a couple of years,” Sibbes said.
“I played drums and he played piano and guitar and then I left Eskimo Joe to join Sneaky Sound System from Sydney.”
Sibbes said the two old friends soon rediscovered their mutual loves of classic sounds and melodies.
“We found we worked really well together and we had gotten over our differences from the Spencer Tracy days,” he said.
“Eskys and Sneakys have been quiet, so we have been in the studio.”
Sibbes said a love of Tom Petty and Neil Young helped shape the country-tinged sound of The Sun Orchestra.
“We love our harmonies and (Harmonies-loving US neo-folk band) Fleet Foxes are a big inspiration of ours, though we didn't know about that band until about last year, but that's kind of where we were heading anyway.
“We obviously love Fleetwood Mac, with those type of harmonies and sing-along sing along choruses.”
Together with bass and slide guitar player Earley, the three have cut their first release in their Malaga Bang Bang Studio, where they also do production and session work for other musicians.
Sibbes said the band's first five-track EP showcased the different sides of the band.
“It goes from everything from an acoustic solo song with some minor percussion right up to a full-on pumping rock song, so it crosses a lot of genres,” he said.
“We've just been finding our feet and making sure we're happy where we're going, and it's coming along nicely!”
The Sun Orchestra play The Bird, Northbridge, on September 3, Fremantle Arts Centre on September 4 and Mojo's , North Fremantle, on September 5.