Bowden venue Oddio will come alive this weekend with performances from Ausecuma’s Beats and SO.Crates, presented by not-for-profit record label Music in Exile.

Nestled within the inner western suburb of Bowden stands an old church. When summer cranks up the heat, the church transforms with music, laughter, and good vibes.

Inside lies years of hard work by Greg Grigoriou from Delinquente Wine Co and Steve Crawford, owner of South Australian wine labels Frederick Stevenson and Giovanni Armani Giorgio. Steve and Greg transformed the church into Oddio, formally opening its doors as a winery and cellar door in 2018.

Although a winery first, Oddio was destined for performances.

“I was in a few bands when I was younger and so once Oddio came to be with Greg we decided to have more of an operation where we could do sporadic events and incorporate good food and good music with it as well,” Steve says, sitting under a tree in his vineyard.

“We found an old heritage-listed church and so we feel like there’s been at least sermons and potentially some music there in its previous incarnation. We feel like we’re breathing life back into the place.”

Last time Steve spoke with CityMag, he told us that Oddio is the Italian expression for “oh Jesus/my God”, without being blasphemous. The name is a nod to the Methodist church and the reverends involved in constructing the building in 1876, recognised for their alcohol abstinence – a cheeky acknowledgment of the winemaker’s love for working with Italian varietals.

“That sort of a building like that in the area of Bowden has some community involvement so we’re trying to involve the community in something that’s unique and interesting,” Steve says.

Entry to Oddio. This picture: Josie Withers

Steve fondly recalls the first event that started inside the historic walls, likening it to a house party where speakers were scattered, blaring tunes from an iPod. Over the next few years, Oddio solidified its status as the trendy spot for locals and artists.

That first gig was a three-day celebration showcasing wine and food from Sunny’s Pizza, where Joe Alexander worked at the time.

Fast forward a few years and Joe is now the CEO of Music in Exile, a not-for-profit record label dedicated to assisting musicians in Australia from migrant backgrounds.

Joe and Oddio’s relationship started with Sunny’s Pizza, molto bene! This picture: Josie Withers

Joe is passionate about providing support to artists in their journey to establish themselves in the music scene.

“We work with a range of different artists who all have a range of different experiences. They may have arrived in Australia seeking asylum or as refugees or migrants,” Joe says.

“Since starting Music in Exile, I’ve come across so many amazing musicians from places like Ethiopia or South Sudan. I just like total legends making amazing music.”

Neo-soul-inspired hip-hop outfit SO.Crates take the stage. This picture: Jack Fenby

Steve says through Oddio they try and raise awareness of Music in Exile.

This weekend, Afro-funk Ausecuma Beats is making their return to Oddio courtesy of the support from Music in Exile. With special guests SO.Crates and DJ sets from DJ Sharni (Porch Records/Summertown Studio), this event will celebrate the diversity Australian music has to offer.

“Our demographic in Adelaide is forever changing. It’s amazing that you see various different food cultures sort of being displayed all throughout Adelaide and being commonly accepted. Musically there’s starting to be more and more music that people listen to abroad,” Steve says.

“Particularly for Ausecume Beats, I think it’s just a good fun party atmosphere. The energy they bring makes for a good time.

“Ausecuma Beats played last year on a really sweaty night in January and hopefully trying to recreate that. Maybe not as sweaty.

“But everyone was moving and dancing and we had a great night. So hoping to do it all again.”

Ausecuma Beats grooving at WOMAD in 2022. This picture: Jack Fenby

The nine-member ensemble featuring members from Australia, Senegal, Cuba, Mali, Guinea, and Gambia had previously rocked the stage at WOMAD in 2022 and Oddio in 2023, seamlessly blending their cultural heritage into the fabric of Adelaide through sound.

“We just have more hope we can go a lot of places and have a chance to explain about what we’re doing in Australia. We tried to bring the two continents [Australia and Africa] closer together. Music doesn’t have any barriers,” says creator of Ausecuma Beats and percussionist Boubacar Gaye.

“We can always travel and learn something different from other places and bring it in a positive way and share it with the community.”

When asked to describe the band’s musical style, Boubacar compared Ausecuma Beats to cooking.

“When you’re cooking food, you just have ideas. You want to cook something spicy and people will like it. So you don’t give the name of that, but you just say, ‘this is the food’.

“And everybody keeps asking, ‘what’s the recipe?’ I say, ‘it’s a secret!’ As long as it’s tasty, it’s good.”

Ausecuma Beats will perform at Oddio on Saturday 3rd February at 6pm. Tickets are available through Humantix for $35 presale or $40 at the door via Music in Exile and Oddio.

There’ll be food by Yellow Matter with wines available from Oddio’s own Frederick Stevenson, Delinquente and Giovanni Armani Giorgio.

It’s all good food and good moods at Oddio. This picture: Josie Withers