Attitude: Clairy Browne brings her band, The Bangin’ Rackettes, to Queenscliff this weekend.
By Cherie Donnellan
VOCALIST Clairy Browne wants to be “today’s answer” to Tina Turner, wigs and all.
“I’m into a bit of a wig. I could wear different colour hair every day,” Browne told the Independent.
But the singer and her band, The Bangin’ Rackettes, “aren’t wearing costumes”, she declared.
“We just dig this style. It’s like ‘Maybe I’ll wear a sequined f…king beaded gown today’,” Browne laughed.
“We’re people who express ourselves through fashion and aesthetics and we have fun with it.”
Browne’s strong, soulful vocals have just as much attitude as her fashion style.
“I like being aesthetically and musically big.”
Browne said her band focussed on giving strong live performances.
“Having musicians who really know how to play their instruments is important. It makes such a difference to the sound.
“When (bassist) Jules and I were forming the band we specifically searched for talented musicians.
“A good drummer means everything. I didn’t realise that until I’d played with a few shitty drummers.
“It’s a total gift as a singer to work with my band.”
Browne joked that the band members were a “happy family of jazz vagrants”.
They also had an eclectic fan base.
“We get all sorts at our gigs. I think we attract people who dig musicality, dig the vibe of old rhythm and blues.
Browne said the band had started working on music for its next album but the release date was uncertain.
“We’re writing and recording, writing and recording.”
Browne said the band’s gig at Queenscliff Music Festival’s Winter Warm Up this Saturday would feature old and new material, particularly tracks from debut album Baby Caught the Bus.
“We’ll give that stuff a spin and a bit of new material, too. We’ll cook up something, I’m sure.”
Browne said she attended the Queenscliff festival “in her youth” but had yet to play the event.
“There’s a number of different, cool people on the line-up.
“There’s a great vibe and excellent music choices, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
