Melbourne Ska Orchestra's multi-instrumentalist/band leader Nicky Bomba admits touring a 25-piece outfit around the country may not seem overly practical.
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"We've got it down to a fine art at the moment, but it's like touring with a soccer team," he said.
"You're moving a classroom of people on a regular basis, with everything from flights, ground transport, catering, accommodation.
"Thank God for emails and a band that understands the mechanics of how this works... We're all pretty efficient with responding when it comes to rehearsals, songs and everything else."
The band was formed in 2003, and was only originally intended to play a one-off gig celebrating the 40th anniversary of the birth of the ska genre.
This eventually led to more gigs, and offers for high-profile festival appearances and record deals.
"Now we're seven albums in, and we've toured the world," Bomba said.
"There's a lot of people who actually want to join the band too.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm, and respect for the fact that a band of this size has any legs in the first place, and has won ARIA Awards, is touring the country and putting on a really good show.
"Everyone realises it's a rare beauty."
The band is touring in support of single Good Days Bad Days, lifted from their One Year Of Ska album.
The box set album saw them take out the 2019 ARIA Award for 'Best World Music Album'.
"We love the fact that we are flagbearers for the international ska sound here in Australia, and hailing from Melbourne, the multicultural diversity is inspiring," Bomba said.
The group are making their first trip to the Illawarra, and the main-man described the group's live shows as a "community experience" with plenty of energy.
"We hold the live performance in high esteem, as it's an ancient ritual where humans come together celebrating life through the wonder of music. It's a bit of a spectacle to behold."
-They'll perform on Saturday, March 14 at Anita's Theatre, Thirroul.
The show is All Ages, although under-18s must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
Tickets from Ticketmaster.
Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
