BOOMLA is designed to encapsulate the audiological musings of Ben & Syrene. It’s oiled with the surreal aspects of existence, a world in between the conscious and the subconscious. This all set against a landscape of sound and color, drawn from many corners of musical influence, historical oddities and human emotion. The very private Syrene has a deep musical tradition resounding from past generations. Her effortless vocal ability is merely a dividend that sits beside her gift for eloquent writing and with her artistic depth we can see her as the new musical vanguard. The ever wild Ben hails from an extensive music education through the Victorian College of the Arts. There he learnt the beauty of composition and the brutism of conditioning. Since then Ben’s musical innateness has morphed into a deep love of producing music soon becoming the king of yielding opportunities at every beat. Both based in Melbourne Australia, Ben and Syrene naturally challenge the norm, so Boomla expectedly stands out. As a 100% independent act everything produced by this team is a statement of individuality. Thus proving that in this homogenized world, a glimmer of ingeniousness and musical innovation can be sought. Combine the basics of rhythm and melody with piquancy and you will find the upcoming album ‘From Brasil to Cyrene’ sitting comfortably on your lap. Utilising a 12 piece band, the album was recorded at Sing Sing Studio’s Melbourne and produced by Boomla with studio support from Clif Norrell (Jeff Buckley, R.E.M, U2 to name but a few) and engineered and Co-Produced by Chris Corby. After releasing their first EP independently in the lead single ‘Lone Rider’ was welcomed by commercial radio across the country. Boomla was added into the national NOVA Unsigned Initiative with the 2nd single ’Mozart Would’ following suit. The album ‘From Brasil to Cyrene’ is an introduction to the musical possibilities that lie ahead. The album release will take place alongside the Boomla live show. The songs will be taken to the stage with an 11 piece band, as well as dancers and costume which paints the Boomla experience of mystery, art and enchantment.


Melbourne-based band LABJACD (pronounced “lab-jacked”) is a dynamic nine-piece outfit that’s been making a big splash lately, both in their hometown and beyond. Since their formation in 2004, they’ve quickly built up an impressive reputation for their exhilarating mix of old school hip-hop, Cuban salsa, jazz and even Andean folk music. Singing and MCing in both English and Spanish, the group’s three vocalists all share a Chilean heritage, and like the band’s other members, have all previously performed in a number of well-known Latin big bands and a variety of funk/jazz configurations.

LABJACD have performed at major festivals both nationally and internationally, including WOMADelaide, the Falls Festival, the Woodford Folk Festival, Live en Août (New Caledonia), and the Queenscliff Music Festival. They have staged their own shows at popular Australian music venues such as the Corner, the Zoo, the Espy, Hamer Hall and the Evelyn, and graced the same stage as MC Eternia (Canada), Los Van Van, The Herd and True Live. Evidently, the band has a diverse appeal – they are equally at home alongside Australia’s premier hiphop groups as amongst some of the best world music artists from around the globe. LABJACD has been featured on JTV, a music programme on ABC TV produced by Triple J Radio as well as on a television broadcast of WOMADelaide on ABC2.

LABJACD have two independent releases: their album Vote With Your Feet released (2006) and a self-titled EP (2005). Both are available through stores, on iTunes or from www.labjacd.com.

DIAFRIX have established themselves over five solid years as one of Melbourne and Australia’s most exciting and original live Hip-Hop acts. There’s no crate-dug samples here - it’s all 100% original funk, soul and reggae-infused hip hop, fronted by African-born MCs Azmarino and Momo, and backed up by singer Nadee, Wax Vandal on cuts, and production by Ptero_Stylus. With Triple J’s Next Crop Award and The Noise SOYA finalist behind them and appearances at Meredith, The Big Day Out, The Falls, St Kilda Festival, High Vibes and Earthcore testifies that Diafrix are one mighty fresh Hip-Hop crew.