Teskey Brothers to play live and kicking at WOMADelaide

Bass player Brendon Love says that playing at WOMADelaide has long been on the Teskey Brothers’ bucket list.

Melbourne blues-rock band The Teskey Brothers – Liam Gough, Brendon Love, Sam Teskey and Josh Teskey – will play at WOMADelaide. Picture: Dara Munnis

The past few years have been good to the Teskey Brothers.

The Victorian soul band, pictured, collected critical acclaim and ARIA awards for their records, played huge festivals around the globe and became the first band to go to No 1 with a live record since AC/DC achieved the feat almost 30 years ago.

Then COVID-19 struck.

“Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, something new would come along,” bass player Brendon Love says.

“And then just when you think you’re about to reach your apex, a little pandemic comes along and reminds you just who’s boss.”

Like most of us, the Teskey Brothers found themselves somewhat discombobulated by the virus and its accompanying lockdowns. So much so that they had second thoughts about unleashing Live at the Forum onto the world.

“Right in the middle of last year, we had an album ready to put out and we were in two minds about whether to release it,” Brendon says.

“I guess we weren’t sure if it was appropriate or not, but then we came to the conclusion that a lot of people are stuck at home and probably craving new music. The response after we put it out validated that decision.

“People were yearning for live music, and obviously it’s not the same as being there but it’s the next best thing.”

Recorded over four nights at the popular Melbourne venue, Live at the Forum is, according to Brendon, a very honest recording.

“We discussed the crazy idea of recording it analog, and before you knew it we were shipping in 400kg tape machines and desks,” he laughs. “When you record like that you can’t fix anything in post. What you hear is what you get.”

Brendon says the band is over the moon about being in this year’s WOMADelaide line-up, saying that the festival had long been on the Teskey Brothers’ bucket list.

“It’s one of my favourite festivals in Australia because of that variety and the fact that you’re exposed to things you might not normally hear,” he says.

“It’s just a great vibe.”

SEE; The Teskey Brothers play WOMADelaide on Monday, March 8, with Midnight Oil (Makarrata Live) and Siberian Tiger. Womadelaide.com.au