THE O'S : Live shows are an all-out party - Just two dudes playing a banjo, a guitar, a lowebro, kick drums, harmonicas, beautiful harmonies, and a tambourine. It's always wheels-off.

"Yeah, but what kind of music do you two dudes play?"

Well, we sweat too much for a folk band, drink too much for a pop band, and rock too much for a country band. Our music lies somewhere in between. Like the feeling of standing on a rooftop and singing an old Louvin Brothers tune at 4AM... Or shifting from buzz to beep.



WOODENBOX: Downer and his bandmates Nick Dudman (drums/ukelele), Fraser McKirdy (bass/organ), Phil Cardwell (trumpet), Jordan Croan (electric guitar) and Sam Evans (sax) have gone from strength to strength and have built up a reputation for their raucous live shows since getting together at the beginning of 2008.

The band's two-piece brass section is among the many things that set them apart from many bands in the local scene. "Ultimately we want to create something different," Downer explains.

The band count themselves as big fans of experimental folk and blues acts such as Captain Beefheart and Dr Dog; and closer to home The Phantom Band. "They're an inspiring, phenomenal force," says Downer .