Duck Wax’s music is difficult to explain through the lenses of genre: it sits somewhere in between rock and funk, with hints of alternative pop/rock and jazz. However, their refusal to fit into any boxes takes on its own uniquely clear image, which shifts and warps with each song, from ethereal saxophone solos to ironic songs about Steve Jobs. Each track shows a different facet of their identity: there is no formula, yet their music cohesively paints a recognizable picture of who they are and where they stand as musicians.
As soon as the band started playing, the audience was seamlessly thrust into a dimension of sounds and colours. Visualizing their music is easy: rich jewel tones, lush greens and gold accents – a lively rainforest that the listeners experience while being swept up at full speed by the frenetic rhythms of the drums, almost as if looking out the window of a train zooming at full speed on a roller coaster that goes through the heart of the jungle. This atmosphere was perfectly matched both by the colourful lighting in the venue and by the band members, with their patterned shirts and linen trousers.
It’s impossible to talk about Duck Wax without talking about the saxophonist: he’s the one that initially brings the audience in. Saxophone riffs bring the listener in and out of the imaginary world the music creates, almost like a gong the way it’s used in meditation, gently nudging you towards focus and introspection.
However, once the audience’s attention is effortlessly grabbed, one quickly starts to notice that each band member is a frontman of his own, both in terms of stage presence and musical talent: the vocals provide the smooth narration that accompanies the listener in their voyage, the two guitars work in perfect symbiosis, the bass and drums provide an always interesting but never out of place backbone to the music. Needless to say, the audience’s attention was split more or less equally throughout all band members.
Watching Duck Wax play was truly a pleasure: the band engaged the audience through games of whisper played during their songs and by splitting the crowd into groups and inviting them to sing the chorus of ‘Blue Tiles, White Tiles’. They made everyone feel immediately welcome and at ease thanks to their relaxed yet confident performance.
Looking forward to their next gig!
