As soon as lead singer Pedro da Silva Pinto bellows that infamous lyric “Friday night and I’m all alone....” the crowds cheer and begin that sensual, cadenced sway, in sync with the guitar rift that completes the phrase - enchanted. With two SAMAs won and six nominations under their belt, (and that’s only a South African snapshot of their acclaim), the Maputo foursome have come a long way from the ‘Midnight drive in.’
Pedro Pinto (lead vocalist), Tiago Paulo (guitar), Paulo Chibanga (drums) and Rui Soeiro (bass) were practically neighbours growing up and although their Mozambican upbringing was infused in music, they all pursued degrees in alternative fields. It wasn’t until they bumped into each other in Jozi in 2000, that 340ml was formed. 340ml – simply put, is a common liquid quantity in a beer can. Lead guitarist and fan-favourite Tiago, admits the band name is perhaps as random as they are as a music group. But over a decade later, with countless performances, tours to Europe and America, and two successful albums – Moving (2004, Jazzworks Studio) and Sorry for the Delay (2008, Jazzworks Studio) - a title that literally apologises to their fans for taking so long - their status as a music group is hardly ‘random’. Try, solidified and revered!
Truthfully, their music is difficult to define. It is however fluid, musical and eclectic with each member contributing personality and rhythm to the style. Drawing on influences from Jazz, Dub, Ska, Afro-jazz, Latin and Reggae, the emerging sound is soul-consuming and complimented with playful, lyrical genius. The main lyricist and vocalist Pinto, who is especially critical of his song-writing skills, has pushed the boundaries of creativity. He has given their songs vibrancy through the words - Cue... “You knock me over with your Kung Fu smile.”
Tiago says “Music must be art. It must be active... It’s about being creative, pushing it all the time.”
There is more to it than just creative music and lyrics – 340ml have a multicultural look and appeal. Signed with both a French Independent label, Bi-Pole and locally with Sheer Sound, they have taken force globally, releasing albums in Africa and Europe. Through collaborations with the likes of Levi Pon the Mic and Thandiswa Mazwai, 340ml successfully promote other styles and artists, while Tiago and Paulo, double up their talents and form part of Tumi and the Volume band too. Paulo also recently finished producing an EP with grassroots soul artist Bongeziwe Manbandla while Tiago co-scored a local film Otelo Burning (Becher, 2011) which opened at the 2011 Durban International Film Festival.
It is rumoured, that a third album Sorry for the Remix is to be released digitally in Africa soon but rather than waiting, this is the band to catch live! If you haven’t seen them yet - 340ml is participating at the Johannesburg Arts Alive festival this September! Follow them on twitter: @340ml or on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/340ml/24865149517
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