Local band The Amani Consort are ready for the Pride celebrations and excited to be headlining the Pride Garden Party on Saturday night following the parade.

2015 has been a hectic time for the local funk/soul collective who released their debut album ‘Dawn After Dark’ .

Lead singer Aysha Amani said the band had certainly been keeping busy.

“We’ released our album this year, which was a lot of fun, we’ve been getting some great press and just playing heaps of shows.” Amani told OUTinPerth.

The band is excited to be playing  the Pride party.

“It’s going to be good,” Amani said, “We were hoping to play last year but the dates didn’t work out, and we were away in Melbourne. We missed out – but now it’s great to be playing, it’s going to be great!”

Amani said the essential ingredients for a good Pride party were a little bit of funk and soul, and a whole bunch of people who are proud of who they are and are not afraid to shout it from the rooftops.

“It’s Pride WA’s 25th anniversary so we’re stoked to be playing.”

Amani said that LGBT rights shouldn’t be taken for granted.

“I was watching a documentary on TV the other night about Russia, where people are not even allowed to congregate and though what a stark contrast to how it is here in Australia. We’re all able to be who we are… we don;t need to feel intimidated or afraid.” Amani said.

Amani said the band will probably have a new single or EP out in the next six months. Noting that the band have had a few line-up changes which have brought some new sounds the bands tunes, including the use of flute for the first time.

“It mixes it up a little and keeps us fresh” Amani said of the line up changes and new sounds.

Catch Amani Consort at the Pride Garden Party in the Urban Orchard on Saturday night.

Graeme Watson