The Bamboos’ first new song since 2018’s Nighttime People is a classic quarantine release. “Hard Up” was written by band leader, guitarist, and composer Lance Ferguson alongside vocalist Kylie Auldist prior to the rapid onset of the pandemic in March of 2020, although the band finds that its release during lockdown feels even more timely. Accompanied by a music video shot under strict covid restrictions, the group’s first single in their twentieth year as a band serves as a perfect time capsule. The Bamboos’ “Hard Up” is Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week!
The Melbourne nine-piece is known for its prolific and innovative funk and soul, and after two decades and six studio albums the band is still going strong. “Hard Up” was 2020’s first single, released with the promise of more music to come— even under the challenging circumstances. The Bamboos delivered on their word, and “While You Sleep” and “Power Without Greed” came out in August and October, respectively.
“Hard Up” is sonically stripped down and reminiscent of the group’s earlier releases. Nonetheless, the song certainly doesn’t sacrifice any entertainment value. Produced by ARIA-nominated longtime collaborator John Castle, “Hard Up” is about “the struggle and the fight to hold your own in life, and never ever backing down,” explains Ferguson. The Bamboos are known for their fun and engaging live sets, and this energy comes through in the track’s creative at-home music video. “We filmed the video clip during full lockdown, so the only option if we were to keep to the government restrictions was to shoot it at our own houses, from a distance or through windows, with a one person crew,” they told Good Call Live. Director Nick Rieve of Studio Kilogram manages to artfully capture the isolation we all were experiencing at the time of its recording.
Be sure to tune into 100.1 FM or lightning100.com to hear “Hard Up” by The Bamboos featured as Dan’s DJ Pick of the Week. Be sure to let us know your thoughts! Tweet at us with #L100DJPick and share your take on the track.
