I'm talking about the South African bands who are quoting other South African bands as their musical influences. Hoorah! Our industry is at that stage, where people are being inspired by 'made in SA' talent! And more so, that they are stating this 'proudly SA' association too!
Now Johnny Clegg is one such SA band who has been mentioned a good few times, his world music style has earned a reputation in a category all of its own that inspires other SA bands!
But I am most excited about the young up and coming bands who are looking to other young SA bands for inspiration!
On Top Billing last week, The Graeme Watkins Project (the band formed from the runner up from Idols 5) featured the making of their latest video which includes Madame Zingara's gorgeous circus-style cabaret and an array of quirky costumed characters (a glimpse on the right)! Graeme cited The Springbok Nude Girls and Boo! as influences, as well as The Killers, much more akin to their sound I thought, but it made my ears prick up none the less.
Then there was the Henry Ate cover of Just I mentioned from a gig last week when Franki Black did her version of it, thus reliving its legacy. And a legacy it does have. It was voted 5FM's song of all time in 2001, or something like that. I forget the exact award, but the stuff legacies and influences are all about - music that makes an impact!
And most recently, while browsing the female-fronted, London-based, SA band Neon Choir's recently refreshed and sparkly Facebook page, they list fellow SA band aKing as one of their influences, alongside K's Choice, Radiohead and Elbow! And today they find themselves playing their first show of the season, a Sunday tsunami relief gig for Japan, in Camden at The Enterprise.
Rock on the self-inspiring circles of SA music,
x
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