Jinja Safari
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Marcus Azon, Pepa Knight |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Central Coast, New South Wales , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
| Website | https://myspace.com/jinjasafari |
Jinja Safari was an indie rock ensemble originating from Australia's Central Coast in New South Wales, known for merging afropop beats with island-style guitar to produce a unique African-influenced "dreamy folk pop" sound. Their music drew comparisons to artists such as Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective, and Sigur Rós. The band was particularly noted for their vibrant and dynamic live shows.
History
The group was established in 2010 by Marcus Azon and Pepa Knight, who first connected at a beach gathering on the Central Coast. They crafted their musical identity through remote teamwork and home-based studio recordings, coining their genre as 'Forest Rock'.
Following a private debut performance in May 2010, Jinja Safari swiftly moved into public gigs, including opening for Miami Horror in Sydney. By mid-2010, their presence expanded nationally with frequent airplay on Australia's Triple J as well as on BBC Radio 6 Music in the United Kingdom. Triumphing in the Triple J Unearthed competition earned them a slot at Splendour in the Grass 2010. Subsequently, they embarked on their inaugural national tour supporting Art vs. Science.
Throughout 2011, the band toured extensively across Australia to promote their second EP, Mermaids & Other Sirens, which was released as a complimentary five-track collection. They supported notable groups like Boy & Bear and Menomena, while also appearing at prominent festivals such as Big Day Out and Falls Festival. Their live performances garnered nominations for "Best Live Music Act" at the Sydney Music, Arts & Culture Awards in both 2010 and 2011.
Their label, Cooperative Music Australia, released Locked By Land, a compilation combining their first two EPs and featuring the single "Sunken House," which received airplay on Triple J. This phase culminated with a sold-out show at Sydney's Metro Theatre, which accommodates 1,200 attendees.
Jinja Safari broadened their reach internationally with their UK debut at The Great Escape Festival in May 2012. BBC Radio 1’s Rob Da Bank described their music as "cosmic pop safari," highlighting their song "Mermaids" on his program and inviting them to perform at Bestival 2012.
Name
The band's name, Jinja Safari, is derived from the East African town of Jinja located in Uganda:
I grew up in Tasmania and my grandmother lives in Uganda, in the town of Jinja - so for some reason I always felt the connection to the music of Africa, and how, despite the oppressions of countless dictatorships, genocide and apartheid, the people of Africa always found a way to smash a drum, yelling with a giant smile, dancing barefoot in the dirt. - Marcus Azon (Jinja Safari)
Albums
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Locked By Land |
|
| Jinja Safari |
|
| Crescent Sun |
|
| Crescent Moon |
|
EPs
| Name | Information | Highest chart ranking |
|---|---|---|
| AUS Physical | ||
| Jinja Safari |
|
4 |