Melbourne’s Surprise Chef are cinematic soul journeymen, pushing moody shades of instrumental jazz-funk with a DIY mentality. With a sound that pulls from 70s film scores, the funkier side of jazz, and the samples that form the foundation of hip hop their ‘output reflects a meticulous education of 1970’s soul, touching on the legacies of composer/producers David Axelrod & Isaac Hayes, with cues also taken from the catalogues of Daptone and Truth & Soul’ - garnering praise from the likes of Questlove and Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark as well as collaborations between 88 Rising’s Rich Brian and Wu Tang’s legendary Ghostface Killah. ‘Adventurous, funky, experimental and free’ - the band is swinging through town courtesy of promoters SATORI - whose track record is rock solid - with support from Shanghai’s own funk smiths Pu Poo Platter.

Surprise Chef: A Rising Force in the Australian Music Scene

Surprise Chef, hailing from Melbourne, has become a significant force in the Australian music landscape. They masterfully blend retro funk, soul, hip-hop, and electronic elements, captivating global audiences with their textured grooves and psychedelic atmospheres. Today, Surprise Chef has toured extensively across the Americas, Europe, and Australia, steadily growing their influence.

Whether on stage or on vinyl, Surprise Chef’s exceptional musical storytelling immerses listeners in their world. From infectious rhythms to layered retro keyboards and guitar sounds, each track radiates a unique musical aesthetic and intricate craftsmanship.

01. Understated Yet Explosive
Small sparks, monumental instrumental energy

Surprise Chef’s journey began in 2017. Initially, the band members casually recorded some funk improvisations onto tape, intending to create a series of 45 rpm vinyl singles purely for personal collection. Unexpectedly, these recordings not only resulted in vinyl releases but also sparked a chemistry and cohesion that altered the course of their lives.

02. Away from the Mainstream
A love for funk, soul, and classic film scores shapes the band’s distinctive sound.

After releasing three albums and countless international tours, Surprise Chef has earned global acclaim for their emotionally rich, cinematic soul style. Their geographical isolation from mainstream music hubs, combined with their passion for funk, soul, and classic film scores, has forged their unique sound. Starting with their debut album, All News Is Good News, each new release has expanded their musical boundaries. Along the way, they’ve garnered praise from hip-hop legends like Questlove and Jurassic 5’s DJ Nu-Mark, collaborated with 88 Rising’s Rich Brian and Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, and even contributed to a Pepsi Super Bowl halftime commercial.

03. Their Global Appeal
Why they continue to surprise audiences worldwide

Surprise Chef’s upcoming album, Superb, showcases the kind of creative spark that only emerges when band members are in perfect sync. It blends David Axelrod-style cinematic soul with the rhythmic aesthetics of Timbaland and The Neptunes. Tracks like “Sleep Dreams” exude a psychedelic vibe, building intensity before abruptly ending, while the lead single “Bully Ball” delivers their most impactful sound yet with driving drums, dark chimes, and piano. Songs like “Body Slam” transition from sweet soul to dark, abstract territories with wild synths and stunning bass tones, while “Fare Evader” intersperses tight rhythms with 70s sci-fi sound effects, creating unexpected funk-driven sparks. Tracks like “Consulate Case” and “Tag Dag” pay homage to dance and jazz-funk traditions, while “Dreamers Disease” and the electronic-tinged “Websites” represent the band’s most dreamy and tender compositions to date.

Superb embodies the band’s unity and collective spirit. Through this album, Surprise Chef demonstrates their versatility, musical talent, and exploratory creativity—key reasons why they continue to surprise audiences on global stages.

LINEUP

• Jazz & Concerts
• Live Music