International success came early for Kachina Lewis during her Ministry of Sound UK days.
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But the Wollongong musician is now looking to share the international spotlight with her band Sound of KoKo.
The five-piece band’s immediate shot at international glory depends on how they perform at the Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney on Thursday, June 2.
Sound of KoKo is one of four acts from over 7000 participants, chosen to compete at the venue for a shot to win $50,000 and a performance at Ibiza, Spain.
Lewis feels her band has what it takes to win the competition.
“I’m hoping we can win. We have been rehearsing very hard and have left nothing to chance,’’ she said.
“We will be performing three original songs which I wrote.
“The judges are looking for originality and I think we’ve got that in spades.
‘‘My own heritage is Blackfoot American Indian, which is very significant in my music. I’ve certainly found my own signature unique sound which is tribal, soul-funk fusion.
“We have a unique sound which hopefully is what the judges are looking for. I know our music is of a high quality. Hopefully it’s what the judges are looking for and we win, because that will open a lot of doors for us.’’
Lewis, whose song I keep Movin’/Poison 2 My Mind, charted at No 6 on the world dance DMC music chart in the UK, took some time off after having two little boys.
She returned to the music scene three years ago and created Sound of KoKo.
Lewis writes songs with her talented guitarist Guy Munro and bass guitarist and best friend Sofia Pila.
Gino Vellonio (keys) and John D’angelo (drums) make up the five-piece band.
Yani Socratous will perform in place of an absent D’angelo at the Hard Rock Cafe.
‘’We are very lucky that the amazing and talented drummer, musician and percussionist Yani Socratous is stepping in,’’ Lewis said.
‘’He just understands all the musicians in the band and has taken us to another level.
‘’This is huge for us. We want to get as many of our Illawarra supporters to come down to the Hard Roack Cafe on Thursday night.’’ The competition starts at 7.30pm.