MOTIF is a Brisbane based collective of musicians who take to the streets of Fortitude Valley on nights when they are not playing gigs elsewhere. On these occasions, they will often play improvised music for 5 hours straight. MOTIF have been doing this for a couple of years now, and have found it to be a rewarding and ever interesting experience.

On the street corner there is no security or ‘stage’ to separate them from the audience, and so they tend to experience the full spectrum of humanity within the alcohol driven nightlife of Brisbane’s Entertainment Precinct. From violent threats to lap dances, there is no insurance of income or outcome and yet they go back again and again. It is one of the most honest experiences a performer can have, and what is amazing is how the power of the groove actually functions as a form of crowd control.

“Generally speaking, there is a sort of respect afforded to us when the music is grooving; and sometimes it’s the smiles and dancing that’s the biggest pay off. As musicians, we enjoy the ability to play music we wouldn’t necessarily be booked to play, usually a groove based fusion of jazz and funk. We find that there is a compromise made between the music we want to play and the kind of music that gets people dancing and donating. These natural constraints have determined the kind of repertoire that we improvise over, and therefore the flavour and experience of our music.”

For BEAF, MOTIF will be premiering an improvisational music game designed by bassist, Costas Constantinou. This game is designed so that anyone can roll the dice to select the how the music will sound. The way the game works is that there is a structure of jazz harmony, and within that structure an interactive element of chance will determine which chords that make up the harmony. For the first time with MOTIF, visual artist and musician, Hannaka will be projecting live images behind the band, using all pre-digital technology to respond and collaborate with what is happening sonically.

MOTIF is:
Hannaka Johnson – Visual Projections
Lee Brackenborough – Sax / Keyboard
Lachy Collopy - Keyboard, Mobile operations officer
Costas Constantinou – Bass Guitar / Facilitator
Nathan MacGregor – Drums
Alex Brindell – Percussion

MOTIF accept bookings for hire.
Contact Costas for more information: 0403 223 060, constant.costa@gmail.com

MOTIF will be jamming at the front of the Judith Wright Centre on the night of the festival.