The Beatnik Preachers
Band from South Melbourne, Australia
Musically exquisite, lyrically explicit, artistically evocative, and socially provocative…
Think the social commentary of Spearhead and Midnight Oil, meets Brand New Heavies, with maybe even a touch of the original 1953 Casino Royale soundtrack and you’ll get an idea of what the Beatnik Preachers are about.
The Beatnik Preachers are a unique Australian Jazz/Hip-Hop ensemble led by Anthony ‘ToK’ Norris. With horn-infused grooves, wry spoken word musings, cool keys, hypnotic drum and bass; together with sublime vocals from Katrina B (reminiscent of Angela Ricci and Carleen Anderson). The husband and wife team truly capture the Australian zeitgeist of 2025.
On Indigenous issues – not since Midnight Oil’s 1987 Beds are Burning has there been such a callout in song as the Preachers’ Great Australian Silence.
Current dilemmas that impact us as a nation and as a people are central to the Preachers’ repertoire – although they are not exclusive to Australia. Environmental concerns (Red Sun, Black Rain), sexual equality (Nasty Man) and global politics (Insane in the Ukraine), are all constructs that are investigated by the Beatnik Preachers. As well as the good old funky fun of Fad House and He No Scoot.
With Norris’ modern beat poetry and Katrina B’s consummate vocal prowess, supported by deep grooves, hip-hop drumming, funky horns and soul piano, the sextet creates a highly danceable listening experience that simultaneously presents an inspiring message of hope.
Think the social commentary of Spearhead and Midnight Oil, meets Brand New Heavies, with maybe even a touch of the original 1953 Casino Royale soundtrack and you’ll get an idea of what the Beatnik Preachers are about.
The Beatnik Preachers are a unique Australian Jazz/Hip-Hop ensemble led by Anthony ‘ToK’ Norris. With horn-infused grooves, wry spoken word musings, cool keys, hypnotic drum and bass; together with sublime vocals from Katrina B (reminiscent of Angela Ricci and Carleen Anderson). The husband and wife team truly capture the Australian zeitgeist of 2025.
On Indigenous issues – not since Midnight Oil’s 1987 Beds are Burning has there been such a callout in song as the Preachers’ Great Australian Silence.
Current dilemmas that impact us as a nation and as a people are central to the Preachers’ repertoire – although they are not exclusive to Australia. Environmental concerns (Red Sun, Black Rain), sexual equality (Nasty Man) and global politics (Insane in the Ukraine), are all constructs that are investigated by the Beatnik Preachers. As well as the good old funky fun of Fad House and He No Scoot.
With Norris’ modern beat poetry and Katrina B’s consummate vocal prowess, supported by deep grooves, hip-hop drumming, funky horns and soul piano, the sextet creates a highly danceable listening experience that simultaneously presents an inspiring message of hope.
the Beatnik Preachers LIVE at FAD Gallery & Bar, Melbourne AU 2024
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