CB3 Bunny Hop

Blending class-act musicianship with a rare gift of both conviction and restraint, the creative prowess of Melbourne guitar, bass and drum outfit The CB3 returns in full swing on the trio's new EP Bunny Hop. Redefining the boundless intersections of contemporary funk, jazz, soul and RnB, the record sees bandmates Cristian Barbieri, Caleb Shand and Chris Farace harnessing an unequivocal camaraderie and deploying it with play, joy and finesse. In celebration of the release, The CB3 will be playing a hometown launch alongside fellow funk royalty Billy Davis & The Good Lords on Friday 4 March at The Night Cat.

Released independently, Bunny Hop is a meandering journey of scintillating grooves, beats, bass and melodies at its impeccable, hook-soaked best. Drawing comparisons with the likes of fusion revolutionists Snarky Puppy, Horatio Luna, Vulfpeck, and The Roots, The CB3's broad influences bind an offering that is equal parts unbridled and deliciously refined. 2020's debut offering 'October' introduced listeners to the EP's infectious charisma with punctuated rhythms and static energy, while follow up single and live favourite '40/40 Home' presented a shift in pace with a meandering warble no-less danceable. Final single 'Teacups & Candy' is a slow burning fuse that twists and turns along a vast landscape of uncanny beauty before gently crackling into a full blown explosion of fantasy funk, featuring an epic string solo from acclaimed violinist and Music Victoria Award nominee, XANI.

"The three of us have played together so much over the years, with different bands and artists, and all types of gigs. I hear that all come to fruition on this EP. I feel like we found our feet. Choi, our producer, nailed the engineering/production side too. Every instrument sounds exactly as we wanted. That doesn't always happen." – Cristian Barbieri, The CB3

Collectively, international tours, festival headlines (Melbourne International Jazz Festival), sold-out launches (Howler, Melbourne) and head-turning collaborations (Leikeli47, Jessica Mauboy, Harts and Remi) are all business as usual for members of The CB3. Guitarist, frontman and leader of the pack, Cristian Barbieri is a credited member of acts including Billy Davis & The Good Lords, Thando and Benny Walker, and has featured onstage with the likes of GoldLink, Masta Ace, and more. Together as the conglomerate of Barbieri (guitar), Shand (bass) and Farace (drums), The CB3 have in each other found the one thing that others still kill for: a knack for not only the tune, but the feeling: one that permeates, captures and transforms.

The spellbinding outfit are thrilled to be heading back to the stage to launch their long-awaited EP with a hometown show in the round at acclaimed Fitzroy venue, The Night Cat alongside Billy Davis & The Good Lords with support from DJ Spell. Tickets are running hot, so hop to it!