The Candidates – Paid my Dues

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In their own words….

Dublin’s hardest working band, The Candidates, leading Ireland’s funk/soul revival with the launch of their EP entitled “If You Got It”.

Warning: the funky music of The Candidates is regulated by the Funknancial Regulator, terms and conditions apply. The position of your ass may go up as well as down!

After two busy years, gigging and touring the country, eight piece soul/funk collective, The Candidates released their EP, entitled “If You Got It”, on 23rd December 2009. The EP reflects the band’s energetic live performances with addictive rhythms and melodies heavily influenced by the funk/soul sounds of the 60’s and 70’s.

The Candidates are an eight piece band consisting of guitar, bass, keys, drums and percussion with a 3 piece raging horn section. Whilst collectively penning their own, home grown, Funk instrummentals, dancefloor busters and lyrical nuggets, The Candidates also sprinkle their live shows with some classic tunes and rare B-sides from 60’s and 70’s acts ranging from the likes of James Brown and Aretha Franklin to The Meters and Funkadelic.

Their debut EP consists of 4 originals, plus an extended mix of the title track, “If You Got It”, which is a perfect example of the group’s use of infectious chants, and is always a crowd favourite at the live shows. Another example of the band’s use of multiple vocals is evident on “Pass The Brack”, one of the first songs written when The Candidates formed just over two years ago.

“Hot And Heavy”, the only instrumental on the EP, features some of the band’s ability to create very atmospheric Funk, and produce some fine soloing.

Another example of The Candidates’ ability to write heavyweight Funk is evident on the track “Paid My Dues”, with its percussive vocals, pulsating rhythm and percolating horn lines, harking back to the style of Funk legends, Sly & The Family Stone.

Tim Higgins, drummer for The Candidates explains , ” We wanted to get into the recording studio for a while now but we have just been too busy gigging.” He explains how there is a revival in demand for funk/soul music amongst young audiences in Ireland. ” Look at the success of Republic of Loose for instance” he says, “our sound is more reflective of the pure soul/funk sounds of the 60’s and 70’s but we are definitely attracting more fans at gigs and on-line.”

Over the past year The Candidates have supported established international acts such as The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Breakestra and The Soul Jazz Orchestra. They have received rapturous receptions and attract a loyal following of fans up and down the country from the Cork Jazz Festival to the Life Festival, Co. Meath.

The EP costs €6.99 And is available from Road Records, Tower Records and is also available from the band at their live shows.

‘Solid heartfelt music combining traditional on-the-one funk sensibilities with an original modern approach.  The Candidates go down a storm at all of our gigs and never leave the floor empty’ – ChoiceCuts