Let’s swing into action

IF it ain’t got that swing it don’t mean a thing to Canberra band Key Grip, who will show why they’ve earned a reputation as one of Australian blues music’s best-kept secrets when they visit Tasmania next week.

Drawing on an array of influences — from old-school stalwarts such as Percy Mayfield and BB King through to Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Earl King — Key Grip explore many shades of blues at their shows, ranging from up-tempo toe-tappers to slower tunes with deep lyrics.

Adelaide-born pianist Leo Joseph first started performing under the name Key Grip back in 1992, when he was living in Brisbane. He then formed a US version of Key Grip while he was living in Philadelphia between 1997 and 2005, before bestowing the name upon his current Canberra-based outfit.

The Canberra version of Key Grip, which released the debut album Cuts and Takes in 2011 and the live record Live at Last in 2015, sees Joseph team up with skilled veteran musicians Dave Blanken (guitar), Mitch Preston (drums) and James Luke (bass) and soulful singer Angela Lount, otherwise known for her work with groups such as Big Boss Groove, the Darkside Divas and the Funky Fedoras.

Joseph and Lount performed in Hobart as a duo in March, and are returning next week with the rest of the band.

Key Grip play at the Republic Bar in North Hobart from 8.30pm next Thursday (October 4), before Lount and Joseph perform as a duo at Cygnet’s Red Velvet Lounge from 6.30pm next Friday (October 5). The whole band then plays at Providore Place in Devonport next Saturday (October 6).