THE NAKED CITY – LACHY’S HAMMOND FIX

Many musicians develop a strong emotional attachment to the instrument that they play, be it a million dollar Stradivarius or a beat up old Fender. Yet there is one instrument that inspires and demands a unique commitment from its owner as it takes on a virtual life of its own – the mighty analogue Hammond Organ. Just try lifting one for starters!

First manufactured back in the mid 1930s it was initially marketed to churches as a low cost alternative to the traditional large pipe organ. It was jazz musicians who first picked up on its remarkable ‘organic’ tone and vocabulary of dynamic groovy sounds. The classic organ trio became a staple at small bars and clubs, and artists like Jimmy Smith pioneered a whole new genre known as ‘organ groove’.

It wasn’t long before r’n’b, soul and rock artists were also seduced by the engaging Hammond sound and it’s since become an essential requirement for many combos, not to mention recording studios throughout the world. Whilst Hammond now produce digital versions of classics such as the iconic B3, it’s the old valve and transistor models that really ignite the passion of Hammond buffs all over the globe.

One such aficionado is Sydney based organist Lachy Doley, who first caught the Hammond bug when he was only fifteen years old. The younger brother of another Hammond devotee, Clayton Doley, Lachy remembers:

“At fifteen I was already playing gigs on piano with various musicians around Adelaide. So I’ve always had musicians playing me new music that I hadn’t heard. One of which was Booker T and the MG’s. I instantly fell in love with the warmth and tone of the Hammond. But it was really the moment I first got to play one that I knew it was for me. Just the power and fatness behind the sound had me hooked.”

After moving to Sydney Lachy soon became a valued sideman as well as forming the very popular dual keyboard combo The Hands with brother Clayton. After touring both nationally and internationally with artists such as Powderfinger, Jimmy Barnes and The Beautiful Girls, he formed his own group in 2010 and unleashed a soulful and highly energetic version of the modern organ trio – the Lachy Doley Group.

After hunting down his first C3 Hammond, Lachy now boasts a veritable collection of these classic instruments including three other similar organs and the holy grail of Hammonds, the legendary B3.  He’s also a huge fan of other analogue keyboards, owning a minimoog, a modified Whammy Clavinet and a piano. When asked what is the real appeal of these instruments, he explains:

“It’s more the way it feels than necessary the sound. Especially now the new keyboards do a good job copying those classic sounds. But the originals feel like living instruments that respond and react to the way you play, with all their imperfections and characters they are all unique, which I love.”

Last year Lachy and his group toured Europe, leaving all but the Whammy Clavinet at home, but supplied with a C3 by some enthusiastic Euro-Hammond lovers.

“Europe was the most amazing experience for me. To go all that way, perform under my own name and be so welcomed was thrilling. The European audiences appreciate live music like no other. It was such a successful tour and the amount of fans and opportunities that have opened up from touring there is amazing. I can’t wait to get back there later this year.”

In the meantime you can catch The Lachy Doley Group at the very funky Django Bar underneath Marrickville’s Camelot Lounge for a night of total Hammond veneration.

Friday April 22 (doors 7.30pm, show 9pm). Django Bar, cnr 103 Railway Pde & 19 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville. $17.50-$25. Tickets & info: lachydoley.com/django