Are a group from the UK that combine soul with elements of rock, hip hop, and modern bass culture. Fronted by Thabo, the group also features a live horn section, electric guitar, bass, and drums. Formed from an exclusive after-hours jam club, Extra Curricular have been pushing their unique brand of soul-driven music on the UK underground live circuit since early 2009. The EC live show is something to be witnessed; Thabo's captivating voice and presence guides the listener through a sound that can one minute be full of raging horns, fuzzed out guitar, and bouncing bass and then, in the next, be electronica-tinged soul music to pull the heartstrings. Fittingly, in February 2011 Extra Curricular began working with the genre-defying DJ superstar Doorly, and in March 2012 the band will put out a collaborative EP on his label Pigeonhole This!

One of the most interesting things about Extra Curricular is that they never intentionally set out to be a ‘band’. The group of six were brought together through a mutual respect of their work in other bands and an after hours ‘extra curricular’ jam club started up. These behind-closed-doors sessions allowed for music making in its purest sense to take place without the trappings of genre, sales, or marketing strategies diluting the heady mix of music the group now found themselves creating. The lure of some free studio time eventually saw some of this music recorded for the outside world to hear and, after an incredible initial response, some exclusive club shows booked. Any thoughts of leaving it at that soon faded when the curtains came down for the first time; an evolution had occurred and the ‘extra curricular’ of before became ‘Extra Curricular’. It’s these roots that make Extra Curricular such a unique proposition.

These days, manufactured acts in every genre and no money for artist development are the running themes of the music industry. A group of genuinely talented individuals allowed to develop into a band like Extra Curricular is a rare thing, and that’s what the group are. The EC mantra goes beyond the novelties of instrumentation; this is real music without limits – anyone who has listened to their music or been to a show will testify to this effect.

In their time together Extra Curricular have played alongside Example, Zane Lowe, Doorly, Artwork, Youngblood Brass Band, and Craig Charles. They have received airplay from BBC 1EXTRA, Rinse FM, BBC6 Music, BBC Leeds, LSRadio (Leeds), and ICRadio (London). Extra Curricular have also played at many great venues and festivals up and down the country including: Manchester Academy, The Afterparty Warehouse, Brixton Mass, Greenman Festival, Limetree Festival, and Greenbelt Festival.

Extra Curricular are:

Thabo Mkwananzi (Vocals)
Martin Chung (Guitar)
Jack Button (Bass Guitar/Bass Synth)
Noah Burton (Drums/Programming)
John Waugh (Saxes)
Greg Nicholas (Trumpet)