Pink is the new colour of rock 'n roll...

It would be the kinda place you'd expect to find Elvis hanging out. Tucked away, living the simple life at the seaside, taking afternoon strolls on the promenade. Or perhaps Nick Cave is a more likely potential Pelirocco patron... He already lives in Brighton after all!

On arrival we originally overlooked the subtle Pelirocco sign on the front of the very plain terraced building in the square opposite the long since burnt down, and well known, West Pier in Brighton...

But once we spotted it, we were quick to dash inside and out of the rain. Being indoors was a welcome relief from the diagonal sheet rain that had pelted us all the way from the rail station about 15 minutes walk away. But in the spirit of it being summer, we'd decided that a bit of water couldn't harm us!

The warmth of the all pink Hotel Pelirocco reception put instant big fat smiles on our faces! We were given our key and shown to the staircase, where we ascended and made our way past all the paraphenalia and photos and artworks on the wall and down a tiny corridor until we found our door...

This might be a rock 'n roll hotel, but it felt somewhat like an Alice in Wonderland or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory adventure lay ahead! 

And then the grand moment! As we wiggled the key in the lock of room no 9, we had an idea of what to expect, but as we swung the door open, what awaited us was bolder and more brilliant in real life!

Also boasting bright pink walls, a giant orange-tinged sunset with a palm tree silhouetted against it formed the centre point, and soul, of our room.

Each of the rooms at this boutique hotel have unique names, though I shall let you find out for yourself just what our little bright pink sweets-from-heaven style boudoir was called...

It was perfect! We even had a sideways view of the sea if we stuck our heads out the window! Plus there were some cool chairs and a cosy flourescent pink quilt, perfect for people who have just been walking in the rain and need to warm up!

And in case you forget where you are, the canvas artwork on the walls (all of which is for sale I believe), is of candy coloured beach inspired signage specific to the Brighton seaside tourist town feel, from fish 'n chip shops to ice cream sellers, beach huts to deck chairs and carousels!

The next morning we wound our way down the quaint cluttered spiral staircase to the breakfast room, back in the pink interior of the reception. An ala carte menu offered us all sorts of delicious favourites, including a healthy eggs royale on a wholewheat muffin and a good full English with Portabello mushrooms too!

Pelirocco will put back the twinkle back in your smile and it will open your eyes to the smaller details that surround us in every moment! Its amazing what one night away from London can do for the soul!

And why am I not surprised to know that this rock 'n roll hotel even has a radio station of its own!


Or perhaps you wish to indulge your own inner rockstar with some Singstar karaoke! There is so much to discover and explore at Pelirocco - including the story behind its namesake! So check out the coolest rock 'n roll hotel an hour south of London and get booking for that boutique beach weekend escape!

Rock on little rock 'n roll discoveries,
x

PS. And on 19 October, Pelirocco is launching a new room - Do Knit Disturb - bringing the total of unique rooms to 20! Keep up to date on the Peli on Facebook!

Counting the daisies down...

One festival, two festivals, three festivals, four... That is one festival for each of the months left of the year, starting today as September, then October, November and December! 

And what more does one need to start preparing for summer holiday mode than a festival to truly get that let go feeling, to kick back and kick off the shoes and just learn to be at one with nature and live meal-to-meal, enjoying the sunshine and mostly concerned with which epic band to see next!

Starting with White Mountain Festival from today in KZN, to Rocking the Daisies next weekend for the Capies and those along the west coast, followed by Synergy at the end of November (also for those in Western Cape), and the new one day Drake Festival in KZN on 17 December!




Rocking the Daisies has a stellar line up on Saturday in particular! I think I'll find myself a permanent viewing possie from 2pm onwards:

• SATURDAY
• 10:00 The Brother Moves On
• 11:00 The Rescu
• 12:00 Peachy Keen
• 13:00 IScreamStix
• 14:00 Jeremy Loops
• 15:05 Yoav
• 16:10 Belleruche
• 17:15 Tumi & the Volume
• 18:20 aKING
• 19:45 Prime Circle
• 21:10 Civil Twilight
• 22:55 Band of Skulls
• 00:30 Lark

And yes, that's two UK bands on the Saturday line-up - electronic / soul band Belleruche for the post-lunch chill and then the main alternative rock headliner Band of Skulls who will take us over the midnight threshold!

Even the Sunday line up is worth sticking around for! I recall last year how we stayed til Nibs van der Spuy at the very end, and despite it pissing it down with rain, we were so pleased we stuck it out!


SUNDAY

• 10:00 Hot Water
• 11:00 Jon Savage and the Nomads
• 12:00 Shadowclub
• 13:05 Graeme Watkins Project
• 14:10 Just Jinjer

Rock on counting down the days til Daisies,
x

1x SA singer songwriter pizza please...

When I first heard the name Malory Torr, my mind jumped to images of Natural Born Killers and odd rock formations. You see, it is not common to hear of a girl named Malory these days... (and I randomly recall the word 'tor' from school geography)

But Malory is neither a serial killer side-kick nor a rock, she is a talented seventeen year old UK-based South African singer songwriter, who like many other overseas South Africans, lives in Wimbledon!

And she is in the running for an exciting UK Jamie Callum inspired Pizza Express 'Big Audition' competition! From something like 10,000 entrants, Mal has made it into the top 50! And she needs your vote to get her into the top 10! With voting closing today, 28 September 2011, have a listen and vote for her here!

Now this young girl sure must be talented, as she also made it into the grand finals of the Live and Unsigned competition two months ago, performing at the O2, also out of a massive 10,000 entrants!

And talent runs in the family it seems, as Malory is the cousin of the uber talented SA-based singer songwriter Josie Field!

Mal may only have just finished her GCSEs, but she has already performed at venues across London, including the Trouboudour and Halfmoon.

As for her influences, she says, "My music is indie folk with a twist of humour and influenced by Regina Spektor, Laura Marling, Lilly Allen, Josie Field and Joni Mitchell. I also love Jack Johnson and Bob Dylan!"

Now go watch her audition video, hear about why Malory wants to be a celebrity and a slut! And may I also make a suggestion, that when next The Brothers Streep are in England, or Malory in SA, that they do a little male/ female challenge in the form of a comedy-sing-off!

Rock on young SA talent making the Pizza Express top 10,

x

Super bok...

I learnt a new word a few weeks ago, and while it was a rather under-stated explanation related to the event, it has never-the-less stuck in my brain!

The word is 'bok', to be used as an expression of something which is super cool. As in, "Ja, that's bok!" 

'Bok' is also the name of a group of guys who put on the pop-up music event on Spin Street in Cape Town a few weeks ago. In a non-music venue, there was a second-hand clothing sale and a small balcony, a selection of basic beers, plus rum and coke. In line with the stripped back set up, they'd even made a budget sign out of brown paper!

A bunch of guys having fun by creating an afternoon gig, in an unusual setting, with good bands, just because! Now that's bok in my books!

Other variations that come to mind are 'bok befok' and 'super bok'. And besides being a Portuguese beer sold at Nandos in the UK, I think super bok could have some traction in our local is lekker lingo!

Then there's the rugby world cup. South Africa's Boks are super bok for having won all their games to date! And much like the comraderie in rugby and sport, Cape Town band The Rescu recently spoke about their desire for a similar music culture of support and allegiance to develop in SA! Patriotism in SA music, supporting SA music regardless... hell yeah!

To me this would be going to gigs where you don't know what to expect (much like watching Japan v Canada, as unfolded yday in an interesting 23 all draw) or trying out new mixes of bands (like going to watch SA v Namibia even though you'd usually support a SA v Wales game) and also viewing each performance as a 'match' in that players have good days and bad days, perhaps even recognising a certain muso as the MVP of the gig!

So this concept of a developing a music culture is an easy one to start... It begins with a shift in mindset. Are you up for the shift to encourage national support and appreciation of SA music?

And on that note, if you spot a band called Supercancer, make the effort to see them soon! They were one of the bok event bands. Whooooaaa! Bok befok! Super bok!

(And while we're on about what's musically hot, later that same bok night we got to see Desmond & the Tutus at Assembly (and I just love their Facebook logo - their name in toast).

Now these Joburg guys are no newbies and are already well liked (I was their most recent 3,770th fan today!) But if you haven't seen them yet, add it to your bok bucket list!

In comparison, I was Supercancer's 370th fan - so a band with 10% of the fans of Desmond - for now! (And FYI - Bok van Blerk has 10 times the fan base of Desmond, with 37,323 fans!)

• Supercancer: 370 fans (Super bok!)
• Desmond & the Tututs: 3,770 (Jozi bok befok!)
• Bok van Blerk: 37,323 (100% bok hahaha)

ZAmmm! shall return with more Facebook fan counts and other such useful facts in the near future!

Rock on all things super bok!
x

A decade since *that* date...

Fast approaching 9/11 and this year 11/9/11, this is the topic of many documentaries and news briefs. Ten years on from the Twin Towers attack that shocked the world! 

Its one of those days where you remember exactly where you were and what you were doing...

I was watching Blade, with Wesley Snipes, a slightly gruesome blood 'n guts type film, and with lots of action. We paused the film so I could top us up on supplies of coffee and popcorn. I came back to a building billowing with smoke, and remember saying to my friend "why did you continue the movie without waiting..." If only it was just a movie!

But here at ZAmmm! headquarters, we are not celebrating 10 years of heartache, but rather ten years of happiness! And so it is with delight, that this September it is 10 years since Madame Zingara first released their magic on the mother city! And now they're back with shows from September to January 2012!

Also boasting 10 years of wonderful life, is Vida e Caffe - roasting fabulous coffee, and singing joyously while doing so! Yip, its been 10 years this week since the first Vida opened its doors on Kloof Street in Cape Town!

And as if by magic coincidence of synergetic decade-ness - both of these local SA brands that I love so much - each have a separate, but connected side project on the go. And both of which, ironically, have used the concept of 'hood'. As in neighbourhood.

Because in this week of all things Creative Week Cape Town, and with a name like the mother city, how can it not be the nurturer of all creative talent!

• Madame Zingara's latest project - "I (heart) my hood Available at "This is not a post office". Who knows what you might find inside the latest MZ venture - both at the physical venue and on the holding page of the site (go see if you remember the theme tune being played ;) So yes, you will just have to make sure you visit when next you're on Kloof Street (next to Cafe Paradiso). But one thing you will find for sure, are hoodies, t-shirts and stickers with this simple, yet super "I (heart) my hood" brand!

• Vida e Caffe's latest staff t-shirts - "Name your hood" Check it out online. Join in. Get creative. Or get voting! Its your city, contribute!

And in keeping with all things ZAmmm! let's also send some love out to London-based Joburg-born rockers, Starseed. This being their 10th year since the band began. Same goes for self-named drunk punkers Half Price, as well as the well travelled piano-ballad bunch of Watershed!

Rock on 10 years of celebrations and innovations,

x

Flex the creative box of your brain...

I feel like a kid who has woken up on Christmas morning before my parents. I have all the excitement in me of something cool about to happen, and yet with no one to share it with, it feels kinda like its not even actually Christmas at all!

Except of course its not Christmas! Its Creative Week Cape Town that is getting me all exciteable! Oh how times have changes from the single digit ages of three to ten, now in my early thirties I am absolutely thrilled by the idea of an entire week that celebrates creativity in the mother city!

Starting today, from 9-18 September, Creative Week Cape Town creates a platform, or a magnifying glass-effect perhaps, to profile all the cool creative stuff going on in Cape Town. A chance to get creatives talking and interacting and even a little bit of boasting.

Because there is lots of cool stuff going on! Be sure to check out the calendar tabs at the top of the Creative Week site to see what is happening around Cape Town each and ever day of Creative Week, including the Loeries weekend 16-18 Sept. And all this follows perfectly in the wake of the World Design Capital bid for which we are still awaiting an announcement - and which I am hoping the judges are waiting too for this very week in which to announce the awesomeness that is our city will be the ambassador in 2014 for how a city uses design for social, cultural and economic development.


As with creative things, often we don't immediately get what they're about. As with art.  And often music too. Creativity is what you envisage it to be! And as with one of the many aspects of the Creative Week Cape Town, these F_ _ _ the box posters are a great idea...

Flex the box I say. Feel the box. Find the box. Fill the box. Fool the box. But whatever you do, be part of it. Stretch those creative mind muscles and keep an eye open around the city of Cape Town, or online, for what else pops up this week ahead!

And if you're in London, you too can celebrate and support African-inspired culturalness at the 9th London African Music Festival!

Rock on inspired creativeness!
x

The Cousin you want to know...

I still remember the first time I saw Barry Hilton live. It was the year 2000 and the venue was the River Club in Cape Town. I soon learnt about Barry's 'crowd-engaging style' as I was personally picked on, at the tender age of 20 when I blushed when made to be the centre of attention...

I chatted to Barry after the show. I remember even being bolshy enough to say to his manager slash marketing guy that one day I would be doing Barry's publicity! (I was studying public relations at the time!) Ever since then, Barry and I have been buddies. 

A year later, in 2001, I moved to the UK and took with me my travellers cheques at an exorbitant exchange rate of R16.75. Soon after, Barry brought his show to the UK too. The cost to his show was £20 (and ten year's later, the price is still the same!). At my rands rate, I ended up paying R335 to see The Cousin on that cold March day in the UK, compared to R80 from my first experience a year before! And worth every penny!

I have since seen Barry Hilton every time he's come over to the UK. I go just for the facial expressions. He has one of those classic malleable faces that morphs and mutates into all manner of hilarious expressions. And its classic Barry Hilton every time. Not to mention the apt and accurate observations on life with the humourous and light-hearted twist. If only more people saw the world with less-seriousness!

Plus you feel like you know his family as he has spoken about his kids over the years, growing up from small boys to absolute adults now. (Though Bazza does have a new addition in the form of another little one... maybe he needed more comedy inspiration to keep the stories flowing!)

This 'Serial Comic Tour' to the UK for Barry is a milestone for me - it is a decade since I've been supporting his shows in the UK. Alas, I am not there to enjoy that very specific South African feeling of being at a Barry Hilton gig amidst other South Africans who just get it! But since I now live back in the land that Barry himself calls the best country in the world, I know I will get to see him more than most!

Although he has been a busy man of late as he is currently on his world tour (which he should have called The Cousin World Cup) having just completed 20 shows in 25 days in New Zealand, warming up South African spirits ahead of The Other World Cup. After this he heads to Doha and Dubai and beyond!

So its two weeks to go until The Cousin rocks the Clapham Grand in London town on 22 September, and Friday 23 September in Bournemouth ahead of Heritage Day on 24th!

Whether London is closer for you, I would also suggest a little road trip to Bournemouth. Its cheap on a coach, and quick on a train - only just over an hour away! And it has beaches, yes - real sandy beaches! So why not combine a little bit of comedy with a Heritage Day beach day!

You've been warned. The Cousin will be in town. The perfect way to kickstart a weekend / a winter / a way of life!

With 29 years of comedy under his belt, I say long live the Serial Comic / The Cousin / The Savanna Ad Guy (making Savanna ads cool since 1999)!

Rock on Barry Hilton and cheers to a decade of trips to the UK in my time,
x

Its good to be home...

It may be rainy in Cape Town today (although still with a dash of monkey's wedding sunshine!), and it still feels like the best place to be right now!

Yes, I am one of those recently returned South Africans who is beaming with happiness at my decision of returning to the place I grew up!

And with pride, fondness and utter delight at some of my recent Cape Town discoveries (or introductions to be grateful to those who have shared their special places) - I wish to share 8 things that are making me excited about being in Cape Town right now...

1) A perfect panoramic birdseye view of the Western Cape on arrival - I flew into Cape Town on a 1Time flight from Joburg. And without prior thought upon boarding, I asked the air hostess if passengers were ever allowed in the cockpit. 'If you don't ask, you'll never know' my mom always says! Much to my amazement, the response was positive! And so I was invited into the cockpit a whole half hour before landing, complete with personal commentary and pointing out towns and mountain ranges, courtesy of pilot Ian Bruce and his co-pilot Rudi van der Merwe! Many thanks to you both!

2) All the Madame Zingara magic floating around Kloof Street and beyond - I'm talking about the exotic outdoor tented theatre dining experience which started in the mother city many moons ago! And is now celebrating 10 days of Madame Zingara magic. Plus all their hippy / trendy / comfy / zooty restaurant creations of wonder! But more on this soon - it deserves magic mention of its own...

3) The increasing number of discount sites and bargain deals - One of the things I distinctively recall when the UK braced itself for recession mode, was that the restaurants and bars stayed just as busy! And not just because people were drowning their sorrows or living in  false sense of all-will-be-fine. But because the restaurants and bars got smart! And I am thrilled to see Cape Town intertwined in this trend.

Monday half price, Tuesday 20%, Wednesday mid-week-wonder-deal, Thursday stay-and-drink-your-body-fluid-in-booze and so on! Between Groupon, UCit, CityMob and more - there are also daily deals to suit every pocket, palette and preference!

4) Cape Town Magazine's 100 days to summer vibe - not only can you win a prize every day, but its the countdown to summer part that I love! In a city that had warmer days scattered throughout its winter patch than some of London's potential summer days, I just love the anticipation of an entire city waiting for the epic summer ahead! And as a now permanent Capetonian, I can confirm that this feeling is tangible... I already feel it too! Excitement is in the air, come on summer, come on!

(Now the last few will be brief, because its Friday and you've read this far... so another four reasons why CT is rocking my world, stimulating my grey matter and inspiring my creative node!)

5) It wouldn't be ZAmmm! without mentioning the music - Oodles of it. And all SA music of course! The Assembly. Zula Bar. Mercury. The list is endless. Each weekend - and week day - brings a smorgasbord of indulgent aural selection!

6) The Hub. The Fringe. The place to be - its as simple as that really. Cape Town is the ka-shizz-nik of places to be right now if you're in / on / under / at the creative scene. Coolness and innovation is unfolding all around. And anyone can be part of it!

7) The World Design Capital 2014 - ok, so we're shortlisted. One of three. And I thought that we'd be celebrating come this weekend. But it seems the people at Selection Headquarters are holding out on us still. Either way, we deserve it most. Cos Cape Town most certainly is just awesome in so many ways like that!

8) Creative Week Cape Town - if no 6 and 7 weren't enough to peak your intrigue in Cape Town's creative buzz... then how about this week long series of awesomeness. Actual people putting on actual events to show just how creative and awesome and collaborative they can be! All over Cape Town from 9-18 September, including the famous advertising awards weekend of the Loeries from 16-18th!

Rock on Cape Town inspiring my world,
x

Taking over the world, creatively...

Would you believe me if I told you I could fill nearly every day of the coming month with some sort of creative South African event or occasion around the world!?

Well, you better believe it - because as spring hits SA and the Indian summer days delight those in the northern hemisphere, South Africans on the creative and cultural scene are active the world over this heritage month!

ZAmmm! brings you a bunch of cool things which South Africans all over the world are involved in this September - ZA music, movies and more!

• 1 Sept: Goldfish (Ibiza) - the electro duo play the famous Blue Marlin as part of the summer residence. And FORR 2011 'Fellowship of Rock 'n Roll' (Mozambique) where many SA bands will be playing at  at a long weekend festival in Ponte Malongane!

• 2 Sept: Casual day (SA) - in aid of those with disabilities, come to work dressed like a rockstar or a musician from your favourite musical era!

• 3 Sept: Dream Mapping Workshop (SA) - a creative outlet to explore the potential and passions inside you, lead by the fabulous Fairy Godmother in Cape Town!

• 4 Sept: Sam Horwill (UK) - this Brighton-based SA singer songwriter does a Sunday solo show at the Horsham Folk Club!

• 5 Sept: National Book Week (SA) - 5-10 Sept, promoting the joy of reading with a theme of "The book that changed my life"...  Which book changed your life?

• 6 Sept: Mashasha & Sam (UK) - two Zim musos will be showcased in Chiswick for those in London wanting to experience this unique African drum 'n bass duo!

• 7 Sept: The last day of Arbour Week (SA) - Hug, or plant, a tree today for the last day of Arbour Week, 1-7 September.

• 8 Sept: Ryan Koriya (Zimbabwe) - the talented bassist, albeit technically a Zimbabwean, he originally hails  from SA/Zim band Mann Friday, and he will be sharing his own songs as a solo act on home ground in Harare!

• 9 Sept: Creative Week Cape Town (SA) - a city-wide initiative from 9-18 Sept to encourage and promote work of CT's creative practitioners!

• 10 Sept: SA v Wales (NZ) - the first South African game for the 2011 World Cup!

• 11 Sept: London to Brighton Cycle Challenge (UK) - in aid of the SA charity Starfish Greathearts Foundation, raising funds and awareness for HIV and Aids.

• 12 Sept: Private Practice (SA) - an episode airs on Mnet at 21:30 in which Durban singer songwriter Farryl Purkiss has a track featured on the show, 'Pennies in the snow'.

• 13 Sept: (hmmm... a day of rest from all things South Africa :)

• 14 Sept: (consider it a weekend off for South Africans entertaining around the world!)

• 15 Sept: TEDx Mfuleni (SA) - based on the spirit of TED's 'Ideas worth sharing', this independently organised event will be held in Mfuleni, 40km from Cape Town, providing a platform for phenomenal locals to share ideas, stories and skills.

• 16 Sept: Cancer Vive (SA) - a group of cancer survivors are driving through South Africa on motorcycles. Join them or support them!

• 17 Sept: SA v Fiji (NZ)

• 18 Sept: (any South African Sundayness or just a day of post-rugby rest?)

• 19 Sept: International talk like a pirate day (the world) - Aaaaaaar, ok, so its not entirely South African - but any good South African worth their salt will join in this ship shape date to celebrate all things shiver me timbers and ahoy matey!

• 20 Sept: (any mid week Saffa stuff going down on this Wednesday?)

• 21 Sept: Nibs van der Spuy (UK) - the acoustic KZN legend performs at the intimate Greennote in Camden!

• 22 Sept: Barry Hilton in London (UK) - catch the Cousin live in London at the Clapham Grand as part of his Serial Comic world tour! And SA v Namibia. And the Golden Rhino Film Festival in London (UK) - the inaugural Mapungubwe Golden Rhino Film Festival

• 23 Sept: Barry Hilton in Bournemouth (UK) - if you missed him in London, or live a little further south along coastal UK, then this is your second chance to catch the cousin!

• 24 Sept: Heritage Day (SA) - also known as National Braai Day, this is a public holiday in SA and a reason to fire up that braai and celebrate with friends and family!

• 25 Sept: Breakfast run and picnic (UK) - a Starfish Greathearts Foundation fundraising event for their 10th anniversary, join them for a 5km or 10km run followed by a breakfast picnic on Clapham Common!

• 26 Sept: (know of anything happening this day?)

• 27 Sept: Full moon (the world)

• 28 Sept: (watch this space...)

• 29 Sept: White Mountain Festival (SA) - the first of a four day acoustic music festival in the picturesque Drakensberg mountains in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

• 30 Sept: Lake of Stars (Malawi) - the start of the annual volunteer-run festival held on Lake Malawi, featuring SA's Freshlyground! And SA v Samoa.

Rock on creative SA September,
x

ps.  In my excitement of spring arriving this morn, I texted and bb'ed loads of friends - including some in London - wishing them a happy spring day! ...only to get a sweet reply from one of my dearest saying 'Autumn here, spring there ;)" So here's wishing an inspired and awesome September to all!