Drawing from a deep well of influences, The Seven Ups weave funk, psych-rock, spiritual jazz, and synth-heavy rhythms into a swirling blend they’ve dubbed 'cosmic heavy groove.'

Led by multi-instrumentalist Trent Sterling, the group has carved out its own space over five studio albums — deep, exploratory records that move from locked-in rhythm sections to ambient soul textures and long-form psychedelic jams. Their latest release, Fight Night (2024), pushes further into synth territory, layering lush pads and rolling arpeggiators over the band’s trademark brass and percussion.

The band has appeared at festivals including Meredith Music Festival (VIC), Womadelaide (SA), Blues on Broadbeach (QLD), Riverboats (VIC) Queenscliff Music Festival (VIC), Strawberry Fields (NSW), Luminate Festival (NZ) Rainbow Serpent (VIC), Falls Festival (VIC), Bleach Festival (QLD), Global Beats (WA), White Night (VIC), Moomba (VIC), Subsonic (NSW), St Kilda Festival (VIC) and more.

The Seven Ups music has been featured in Wax Poetics (USA), album of the week (thrice!) on PBS fm, Eastside fm and Beat magazine, top 10 on RRR, top 10 on KEXP (USA) and continues to receive airplay on BBC Radio, KEXP, KCRW, Triple J, and community radio around the country.

"I've been playing this little monster to death on my (BBC) 6 music show. It's raw, it's gritty, it's tough as nails." - Craig Charles, BBC Radio 2 & 6

“Makes us remember how much we can love instrumental music.” - Wax Poetics USA

"As tight as they need to be, and as loose as you want them to be." - DJ Miss Goldie, PBS fm

"Hugggeeee big band sound!!" - Rosie Beaton, Triple J

“The septet lay down super tight but silky instrumental funk that's rich in narrative and momentum.” - Juno Records, UK

“The Seven Ups are damn near one of the most mesmerising acts playing around Melbourne at the moment.” - Alex Callan Forte Magazine

“The diversity in their sound was downright impressive, moving from the horn driven funk of last year’s Drinking Water LP to the newer, overdriven psych rock guitar sounds. Though they set the stage up for the more famous psychedelic rock of Pond that followed, in my opinion The Seven Ups stole the show from the Perth four piece.” - Beat Magazine (on Meredith Music Festival 2018)