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<\/a>\u201cWe all started playing together at McGill [University, in Montreal] in the jazz program; that\u2019s how we all met,\u201d he says. \u201cSo we were just jamming jazz standards, and then some funk, and then eventually covers of Motown tunes and more funk songs. We started writing our own music a bit more, and then it kind of evolved into wanting to do something a little bit more modern and more relevant.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the main goals, says Crofton, has been \u201cnot recreating a 1970s funk band.\u201d Crofton says that the band\u2019s unique sound comes from its nine members having such a versatile background in music.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do a lot of rapping and provide hip-hop influence to the band in a number of ways,\u201d he says. \u201cIn terms of the clubbing aspect, our drummer, Julian, has a pretty big influence on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crofton says that playing overseas, where the band is not as well known, can be a little bit harder, especially if the venue empties out as they are doing a soundcheck, which he says has happened to them before.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to make a name for ourselves overseas, and that requires a bit more grinding,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not as luxurious. You can\u2019t depend on people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crofton takes it as a compliment that the audience usually doesn\u2019t walk out once the band starts playing, but the trick for the band now is to do that \u201cgrinding,\u201d that grunt work, to get themselves an overseas audience. And it\u2019s starting to pay off.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe play a London show, and it\u2019s sold out, and everybody\u2019s there to see us because they know who we are,\u201d says Crofton. \u201cIt\u2019s a treat to be able to do that. It\u2019s a treat to get new fans. It\u2019s not a constant struggle. I could say that two years ago it was a lot worse then, but now the shows just keep getting better, and we managed to sell out venues that we never thought we were going to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the growing success elsewhere, Crofton says there is still nothing like coming home.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just love the west coast,\u201d he says. \u201cGoing back there is a treat every time we get to play there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Crofton credits hard work and perseverance for the band\u2019s recent success, but he also isn\u2019t shy about giving some kudos to their own creativity.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur music is so unique,\u201d he says. \u201cIt speaks for itself. If we have any self-doubt, we listen to the album that we\u2019re making, and it\u2019s like, \u2018Wow, nobody is really doing this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n