AMPED – KHAKI FEVER | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

London based synth duo Khaki Fever bring feel good summer vibes with their hook filled funky sound. Made up of Sam and Gio, these two are music covid babies. Having got together back in 2020, the duo released their upbeat I Got a Feeling in April 2021. Fairly new to the live music circuit, these guys have huge potential to be bringing their infectiously feel good anthems to bigger crowds soon.

Khaki Fever made it all the way down the top 25 artists in the Lakefest Amped Stage Competition semi-final (which will see the winning act prized £5K and a place on Lakefest’s main stage line up) and last month played Liverpool’s infamous Cavern Club. Up against eventual finalists The Chase, Barstaff and Walls, Khaki Fever didn’t quite make grand finale, however the two will play the Lakefest Amped Stage this summer. We caught up with Khaki Fever to hear their thought on the completion so far.

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Funky, Ecstatic, Groovy

Shortlisted from 543 artists down to just 25 – how did that feel?

Pretty damn amazing puts it lightly. It’s just great to feel like all our hard work over the last couple of years has really paid off. Khaki Fever is all about making people feel good and forgetting about their troubles, to get to the last 25 makes us feel like we’re really starting to nail that goal. When we found out we got this far in the competition I (Sam) Facetimed Gio and just started screaming down the phone, this is actually a daily occurrence, so he didn’t bat an eye… But then I told him the news and the screaming escalated on Facetime – so yeah, pretty god damn good I’d say.

Most competitions have only one winner, were you shocked to find out there was also an opportunity to play the Amped stage?

I have to say yes we were shocked, but then we were also excited. Not just at the opportunity to get a main stage slot, but to see a collective of amazing bands all in one place where we could learn off each other. We’re so grateful for the opportunity and can’t wait for the event!

You are playing the Amped stage – what can festival goers expect from your set?

You’re at the festival, the sun is shining, you’ve got a nice cold pint in one hand and your mate’s bucket hat in the other. You’ve got some time to kill before one of your fave bands is about to play and like the little adventurer you are, you go wondering about the place soaking in the vibes. Then a wave of Ecstatic colours of blue and orange start emanating from the amped stage, you hear the chatter of your buddy saying “yo, my legs feel funny, maybe it’s something in the water?”. Head’s start turning, jaws start churning, and your body starts yearning more of that sweet, sweet groove. And then a moment of realisation hits you… You turn to your buddy… “The water’s fine mate, it’s the Fever that’s got your legs doin that stanky thing” The stage erupts and what follows can only be described as a set of pure groove and energy. Accompanied by our nine-piece band including a three piece horn section we will deliver the sound of the Summer! Our groove-based rhythm draws from bands such as Jungle and Parcels. Part of our epic sound comes from the use of orchestral instrumentation, similar to bands such as Florence and the Machine, Foals and Kasabian. While we are fairly synth-heavy, we maintain a very live feel and atmosphere about us drawing from various genres such as funk, pop, indie and rock.

Who is one band/artist you want to catch at Lakefest?

For us, Johnny Marr is probably the most exciting. I’m sure we’re not the only set of musicians who spent their early years listening to his music and taking massive influence. He’s a true great, someone who helped shape the landscape we are currently fortunate enough to be in. Also, he’s a Manc and a City fan. Most of our band are Manchester based so it would be blasphemous to not say him really – get on that bucket hat son.

Who stood out for you at the semi final?

The Chase were amazing. We didn’t realise when we first met them, but we’d actually seen them before at a gig in North London about a year ago. As soon as their set started, memories from that gig came flooding back. They do a fantastic job at getting the crowd involved, their interaction with the audience is something to admire. They make you feel like the band are there to see you rather than the other way around and we love that about them. We also really love FloodHounds, their set was incredible, especially their drummer. Jesus Christ the energy coming off that kit was insane, we’re really looking forward to sharing the Amped stage with you guys in August!

Of all the bands competing who would you like to see win the prize?

I think answering this question would do an injustice to all the bands we’ve seen play and that bands that we haven’t seen play in this competition. We’re in possibly one of the most difficult times to be a musician, and the fact that these bands are not just doing it, but doing it well is an absolute credit to them. We know the work that goes into being a band first hand, and it’s not as easy as just rocking up, smashing a gig, and hoping that someone sees you and wants to take a chance on you. There’s so much more that comes with it now. There is no luck to the bands that “make it”, it is all hard work. Whoever wins, we’ll raise a glass to them and celebrate like it was us.

What else have you got planned as a band this year?

The Fever Factory never sleeps, and neither do Sam and I. We have three collaborations with three amazing artists/bands. They should be coming out in the coming months. We also have an EP that we are currently mixing which we are very excited about. We feel that we have really found our groove and sound now, and we’re looking forward to learning more on the journey ahead! Along side all this music, you’ll find us on our socials every day being unapologetically our goofy selves. Sorry, not sorry

One track of yours that everybody should listen to?

Quarter After Midnight really encompasses what Khaki Fever is all about. Sonically, our records moves along the spectrum between live and organic music to more digital and synthesised sound but Quarter After Midnight does a great job of drawing the best from both. If there’s one thing you can take from Khaki Fever, it should be letting the music taking your troubles away. Sentimentally, Quarter After Midnight delivers that message perfectly – the simplicity of the harmony, the dynamic changes throughout and the lyrics all point towards what Khaki Fever represents as a whole. That and it’s just an absolute banger of course.