AUG
3
3
University of Melbourne- North Court, VIC
One of the country\'s most explosive and eclectic live acts have finally completed their immensely anticipated debut album. Following on from their hugely successful EP in 2006, Concrete Jungle has taken Diafrix\'s iconic concoction of hip-hop, funk and African roots and developed it into a truly world-class product while still maintaining the same raw energy they\'ve carried since they formed in 2001.
The group – which was born in the sketchy Melbourne suburb of Footscray - comprises of two frontmen, Momo and Azmarino, both of whom are African refugees but have lived through struggles which are worlds apart. Momo arrived in Australia with his family at the age of three after fleeing their homeland of the Comoros islands. His background and culture left him feeling isolated in a community which was not yet accustomed to African migration. Azmarino, on the other hand, originally hails from Eritrea but didn\'t arrive in Australia until earlier this decade – after a life of citizenship hunting throughout countries like Jordan, Italy and Switzerland. He lived and worked illegally in the country for six years until he was made Australian citizen in 2007. Definitely not the typical story of an Aussie band, but one that reflects an underrepresented and growing community of first generation Australians.
Throughout their extensive career in the live circuit, the boys have made their stamp at festivals like Big Day Out, Meredith, Good Vibrations and Falls Festival to name but a few, and held down infamous residencies at Melbourne haunts like The Evelyn. In early \'09, Diafrix undertook their first European tour, playing in packed-out intimate venues in cities like Paris, London and Amsterdam.
The duo are joined by Ptero Stylus, a young producer from the Blue Mountains who has helped shape their worldly signature sound. This trademark style transcends any specific genre and combines international influences including soul, dancehall, African rhythms, funk, Australian hip-hop, rock and reggae to create a totally unique, but entirely harmonious sound.
From the album\'s more intense partystarters (Let\'s Go, In The Place, Crazy) to its more downbeat, mellow moments (Mama Africa, Dangerous, So Upset), and everything in-between, it is near impossible to find stand-out tracks, but rather a cohesive hour long journey which is the sonic equivalent of a round-the-world plane ticket.
Diafrix come with a one-in-a-million story which has shaped them into a one-in-a-million act, and Concrete Jungle is the gripping first chapter in what promises to be an incredible saga.
The group – which was born in the sketchy Melbourne suburb of Footscray - comprises of two frontmen, Momo and Azmarino, both of whom are African refugees but have lived through struggles which are worlds apart. Momo arrived in Australia with his family at the age of three after fleeing their homeland of the Comoros islands. His background and culture left him feeling isolated in a community which was not yet accustomed to African migration. Azmarino, on the other hand, originally hails from Eritrea but didn\'t arrive in Australia until earlier this decade – after a life of citizenship hunting throughout countries like Jordan, Italy and Switzerland. He lived and worked illegally in the country for six years until he was made Australian citizen in 2007. Definitely not the typical story of an Aussie band, but one that reflects an underrepresented and growing community of first generation Australians.
Throughout their extensive career in the live circuit, the boys have made their stamp at festivals like Big Day Out, Meredith, Good Vibrations and Falls Festival to name but a few, and held down infamous residencies at Melbourne haunts like The Evelyn. In early \'09, Diafrix undertook their first European tour, playing in packed-out intimate venues in cities like Paris, London and Amsterdam.
The duo are joined by Ptero Stylus, a young producer from the Blue Mountains who has helped shape their worldly signature sound. This trademark style transcends any specific genre and combines international influences including soul, dancehall, African rhythms, funk, Australian hip-hop, rock and reggae to create a totally unique, but entirely harmonious sound.
From the album\'s more intense partystarters (Let\'s Go, In The Place, Crazy) to its more downbeat, mellow moments (Mama Africa, Dangerous, So Upset), and everything in-between, it is near impossible to find stand-out tracks, but rather a cohesive hour long journey which is the sonic equivalent of a round-the-world plane ticket.
Diafrix come with a one-in-a-million story which has shaped them into a one-in-a-million act, and Concrete Jungle is the gripping first chapter in what promises to be an incredible saga.
