To say that a lot has happened since Brotherhood of the Blues last took the stage at Bluesfest in 2019 would be a pretty massive understatement.
The Lismore foursome and their bandmates have lived through a global pandemic, the worst floods in the region’s living memory, and numerous other challenges, both small and large.
Suffice to say, getting all 11 members together for regular rehearsals has been a challenge for large chunks of that time.
But when Bluesfest’s organisers invited them to step back onto the stage at this year’s event, the answer was a resounding ‘Yes!’.
‘I don’t think the guys could quite believe it at first,’ the band’s bass player and manager, Matt Cassells said.
‘We haven’t been able to play together that much recently, because of everything that’s happened, and while we were always talking about playing together again, we didn’t think this was how it would go down.’
Not only did Covid throw a major spanner in the works for the Brotherhood, but the floods then destroyed the band’s headquarters at the Red Inc disability service in Lismore.
Flood-affected
‘After the flood, we had a year of rebuilding,’ Mr Cassells says.
‘Red Inc was put out of business. That was our home base, so we didn’t really have anywhere to rehearse.
‘We still communicated over the phone, and made plans but then there would be another setback. We’ve always had music going in the background.’
The band is now back in full rehearsal mode, and is clicking back into their old groove like a well-oiled machine.
‘I thought there’s no way we’ll be able to get everyone together, but everyone was available and super keen,’ Cassells says.
‘The guys are pretty solid, and the songs are really strong. I can say that everyone likes everyone. Music gives us an excuse to come together so it’s been really awesome to get together again.’
Brotherhood of the Blues will play five shows at Bluesfest over the course of the festival at a range of locations.
For more information visit www.bluesfest.com.au.
