The Tonalists

Hammond organ, lap steel and a low, swampy groove. The Tonalists are a Melbourne trio whose soul and blues borrow from Memphis soul and swamp boogie in equal parts. Mick Coll plays keys and sings, Jason Kain plays guitars and Nigel Wright drums and sings, while Mick and Jason split the bass parts between them. Piano turns up in the mix as well. The set draws on Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Gil Scott-Heron and Lou Donaldson, alongside a growing number of their own songs written in that style. It's music for a bar, a late dinner or a party where people like a groove they can lean into. They're based in Brunswick.