Serious Funk

The Optimen have never been a prolific outfit. Responsible for some of Brisbane hip hop's most remarkable productions and performances, their output has nevertheless been fairly limited over the years. The past decade, for example, has seen only two albums from the crew. With that in mind, it's perhaps unsurprising to learn that it took two members of the group nearly four years to properly unveil their side project Bankrupt Billionaires.

“Yeah, we've technically been together for around four years. It's just we only really played our first gig about a year ago,” vocalist Kel Timmons says with a laugh. “The guys kind of started working on stuff back in 2007/2008 and were auditioning vocalists. I put my hand up and we seemed to have a real chemistry. We spent the next couple of years just working on our material and our live show. We didn't want to rush it, I don't think.”

What may surprise is what's happened since. Bankrupt Billionaires have had a bumper year and it looks only set to continue. They released their self-titled debut EP in January, have performed multiple high-profile sets throughout Brisbane (including acting as support for Chali 2na) and, having released lead single Shut Yo Face in June, are currently putting the finishing touches on their debut album.

“I think those four years were important, in a way. You know, we spent a lot of that time writing material and developing our sound. We wrote something like thirty songs before our first gig,” Timmons explains. “I mean, we're all doing something a little bit different with this band. [Producers] Sammsonite and DATS are writing for soul, not hip hop. I'm a singer in this band, not a rapper.

“I don't want to speak for the guys but I don't think of Bankrupt Billionaires as a side-project for The Optimen anymore. I'm not sure it ever has been,” the vocalist reflects. “We're all taking it quite seriously and we want to see just how far we can go with it. That's why we spent so long working on our sound, really. When we released our EP, we knew those were the best songs we had in us, you know?”

The group's next show is indicative of their ambition. Helping launch new Brisbane music platform THEpitch at Old Museum with local legends Dubmarine, Bankrupt Billionaires will have their standard seven-piece soul-funk line-up augmented by world-class lighting, production and Brisbane's first ever 3D LED performance. In light of such theatrics, it seems almost stubborn to continue to think of Bankrupt Billionaires as a part-time concern.

“It's going to be so amazing. We're absolutely stoked to be a part of it,” Timmons gushes. “The idea of it is to build an online music series of live performances and interviews – but very professionally. Kind of like Jools Holland or something like that. All of the people involved are heavyweight lighting and sound guys. You know, the people they get for Riverstage or Brisbane Entertainment Centre. This is like their passion project.

“We always try to make our live shows special. I think that's always been a very important part of Bankrupt Billionaires. Brisbane is a small town, so whenever we play a gig we try and make it something unique to make it worth it for people to come,” the vocalist says. “But this will really be something else. Even if we weren't playing, I'd beg people to turn up because it's such a great initiative. It's going to be so amazing.”