Who else does it...

I've been listening to - and enjoying - the country music trio from Nashville of 'Need you now' fame. None other than, Lady Antebellum. And it got me to thinking...

Does South Africa have many, or any, duo male and female mixed bands where both genders sing?

Internationally there have been many bands over the years who have done the shared vocal contrast - from The Mamas and the Papas to ABBA, Australian brother and sister duo Angus and Julia Stone, the UK Mercury 2010 prize winning The XX and of course the Lady Antebellums of the country world, as well as many artists from the folk world who have existed in such duos over the years. But in South Africa, who has done this or is doing this?

I really battled to think of any South African examples. I considered Cassette, but quickly realised it is only Jon Savage who sings. Then I thought of two bands I saw recently at Synergy - Fire Through The Window and No One's Arc.

Fire Through The Window, the only Durban based band at Synergy, reminded me of a sort of pop rock outfit who's energy reminded me a bit of Blink 182 in their later years. Sinead Dennis and Marc de La Querra both sing, often bantering as they go. It works!

Then No One's Arc, while more what I would call a male-fronted group, do have a fabulous backing vocals female who adds a Zolani-esque feel to their sound.

Then I thought of Goldfish who have featured the incredible vocals of Monique Hellenberg. But guest appearances and collaborations are slightly different from groups like Lady Antebellum who are using both the male and female voice as instruments...

While collaborations don't quite count, I'd still be keen to see more collaborations or male/female duos existing in SA. Anyone know of any good ones, or any suggestions of which artists should get together and create gender combination tracks?

Rock on new creations,
x

The right to spread the word about SA music...

Today was voting day for the South Africans living in the UK - and Trafalgar Square was the hot spot - queues of excited people, all very proud and pleased to have their chance to vote - their RIGHT to vote!

This reminded me that its my right to tell you about more up and coming SA bands... and after my annual pilgrimage to South Africa in March (yes, for an entire amazing amazing month!), I feel much more adept and inspired to speak about SA music and what is going down, who's hot... and what to listen to!

On this side of the world, we see a fair few SA artists - but usually the ones who achieve success of radio play, record label signings etc and hence are lucky enough to be sponsored or supported on UK tours...

But those artists who live in SA, or are on indie labels or self-funded, produced, managed - combined with high exchange rates - means that they dont get to come to the UK! And more so, that means that we in Londono miss out on a lot of those fabulous bands back at home that don't have a presence in the UK!

I'm talking about the new up and coming bands who are still gigging the SA festival circuits who are huge at home, but have not cracked any attention overseas! Or the eight piece ska bands with a sweet-shop selection of sounds and instruments that would cost a small sweet shop business to finance to physically get them over to the UK - let alone costs when here for a small tour!

Of course there is the world of online - and that is where I come in... more new bands to follow! Here to update you on what's happening at home... to suggest some of the bands on the rock, indie, pop and singer songwriter scene anyway. (Loads of stuff going on in so many other genres too - but these are the ones for which my musical arm is twisted when it comes to CD buying and gig attendance!)

Ok, so first up, get listening to The Plastics and The Pretty Blue Guns

I do think you will very much like. More Hot New Stuff to follow!

Rock on new amazing bands,
x

PS. Cassette and Blk Jks - two hot bands of the 'lucky enough to be international already' are playing tomorrow night... (see gig guide on the right) Get down to a gig as the summer weather kicks in! Its time to start exploring London again!

6 degrees of Cassette separation...

1. Joburg pop rockers Cassette have just launched a new album called Who Do You Trust (and will be playing in London in 10 days time)

2. Mann Friday will be kicking off their SA 'Waiting for the flash' tour on Good Friday, 9 April, with a gig in Joburg at Tanz Cafe, supporting Cassette

3. Two months later - on 9 July - Mann Friday will play the iconic Shepherds Bush Empire for the official UK album launch of 'Waiting for the flash'

4. Supporting Mann Friday's album launch at Shebu, will be LA based SA artist - Karma - who was previously known as 'Henry Ate'

5. Also previously known as something else, now Dear Reader (previously Harris Tweed), have just released an album called 'Replace why with funny' (and lead singer Cherilyn MacNeil has such a glorious Lamb-like angelic voice to give you goose bumps!)

6. And then... the other half of Dear Reader is Darryl Torr - who is also a producer - who worked on Cassette's latest album!

Rock on Cassette,
x

And the winners are...

Last week saw the MTV Europe Music Awards unfold right here in the UK, Liverpool to be exact. 

With Paul McCartney honoured for a lifetime achievement, it was all quite fitting as the home of where music as many know it, began! We’re talking The Beatles of course! But the British music wasn’t as evident as I expected, or the European music more to the point... Besides one category of best European artist, all the categories leaned heavily towards the American style. Even the production itself was largely dominated by Americans! I guess for an American brand, MTV is merely targeting its main audience!

The host of the evening, one ‘I kissed a girl’ all-American Katy Perry, was like a little kids kit of fun on the stage. Between her incredulous costume changes and funky set props, she was uber seductive and coy in a lollipop and short skirt kitch kinda way.

Yet, instead of annoying me with her cheezie squeezie lines, I found myself to be looking fwd to the next little in-between act – her very own cute and cuddly Katy show!

Then there was another all-American boy - Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars - up on the red couch, interviewing all the winning artists, and while I adore the music of the band (and those epic eye candy videos for which they were recognised with Best video for Beautiful Lie) – I somehow found Jared to be weak and wimpy, and in parts annoying.

Hmmm. Well, awards galore was the theme of the evening – along with many of the 2008 hot tracks and acts being performed live on stage in Liverpool, we were treated to The Killers new track ‘Human’, Pink's ‘So What’ (awarded for most addictive track of the year) – including a pillow fight, finishing with a stage full of white feathers… and even Take That, who bless them, had performed at the first ever MTV Europe Music Awards 15 years ago!

And talking of first ones – while the Europe one was not very pan-European in reflection, one wonders if the first MTV Africa Music Awards in a couple of weeks – or the MAMAs – will hold out on true African influence – or end up satisfying a more American market?

I guess I could start to answer my own question on that one… as it is not then too surprising that Seether, one of SA’s best rock exports based now in LA, are up for a few nominations. Indeed these boys are no less patriotic or proud of their home land – and like most of us South Africans in the UK – Seether merely took the opportunity to move abroad to enhance their opportunities in a global market! And deserving of being recognised they indeed are! (Watch this space too as Seether will be in the UK early next year!)

Also up from SA are our amazing Goldfish boys, the ever-fabulous Parlotones, Freshlyground (who seem to never miss a single award nomination) and the ‘we-like-them-a-lot’ Cassette crew! On top of all the SA nominations, there are mostly Nigerian nominations – and in a wider context, many hip hop artists up for the awards on 22 Noember!

The hip hop link makes me think America immediately… and from SA there are a few key SA artists I need to explore, mostly of the hip hop Kwaito style I believe. So expect to hear more about HHP, DJ Cleo and Jozi soon!

And on closing, it was with much interest that the ‘Artist choice of the year award’ at the MTV Europe awards – went to one Lil Wayne… a US rapper, most famous in my mind (since I don’t listen much to the hip hop scene)… for the fact that he decided to sample a little piece of a track from South Africa’s beloved Karma Swanepoel (ex-Henry Ate), now well established in the States, living in LA and an up-and-coming force to reckon with on the singer songwriter scene.

Somehow I don’t think Lil Wayne knew quite what he was messing with when he nicked her chorus and twisted it into a sample! I assume the lawsuit still continues. But for Lil Wayne winning the artists choice award, and seeing him speaking as he thanked everyone and received his award, well – he looked like just a darn lovely little lad!

And so – my thinking is that Lil Wayne should get Karma involved in his fast-track to fame and share the love as freely as he felt to share the sampling!

Rock on for receiving recognition, yeah!
X

PS. And a quick mention to Miriam Makeba who is all over the news as Mama Africa, the voice of Africa who inspired many, a woman who died on Sunday at the age of 76 whilst performing in Italy!

Seems the most fitting opportunity then to acknowledge her lifetime contribution of music of the continent, at the upcoming MAMAs. Its headline stuff already! "Mama Africa celebrated with a lifetime achievement award at the MAMAs!" Rest in peace Mama Africa!

Gig Giveback: Chris Letcher & Cassette

A Monday at the Halfmoon and some super quality stuff on stage. Makes me think I should get out more, even on Mondays!

Finally at last I got to see the creative Chris Letcher who I have interviewed a few times and listened to his music many! But to see someone in the throes of creating while in their zone is something quite different. Its like the emotion forms a whole new instrument, a whole new sound expressing a new understanding!

And so Chris Letcher gets my vote! Not that he didn't before. But now its confirmed! Plus seeing his whole band, with Victoria Hume on keyboards... and a nice little link to the next band as both have females on keys...

Leading onto Cassette who as when they were last in London seriously kicked some stage butt and did so again this time! Always a treat to see them live. Jon Savage performs perfectly!

Rock on live gigs,
x

7 weeks til 2008?

I heard something scary today... a wake-up call really! Most of us will take it in different ways, but at the realisation of 7 WEEKS 'TIL 2008, one is left to wonder how one will best spend this time, and what one still has to tick off the '2007 To Do' before we can launch fully into 2008!

I for one am excited by the thought of 2008. Partly cos it has a good ring to it (and 8 is my lucky number), but also cos I was once told by a palm reader in Thailand years ago that 2004-2008 would be dark years for me, and that 2008 would see a new phase. Hmmmm... funny how something so irrelevant stuck in my brain.

But pressing pause on looking forward, lets make the most of what's left. And when it comes to SA music in and around London, there is loads of it!

First up is Just Jinjer who feature in this weeks South African paper with a few Q&A's and 3 things you probably didn't know about Just Jinjer! They will be rocking their usual venue at the Shepherds Bush Walkabout next week Wednesday and Thursday!

Also coming soon are the SAMA Best Rock Album 2007 winners, Cassette, who will be playing a Monday gig at the Halfmoon on the 26 November! Having reviewed their album in the South African only last week, I am very much amped to get some of their groove live and in my ears. Their debut album is a fabulous one for sure! Check it out!

And in light of new years ahead and old ones past, it was with much interest that I read a message from Rory Eliot and the Reason (ex-Plush), stating that their Evolution is complete and that they will, from now on, be officially called Plush, again. Sometimes its good to stick with what works!

And sometimes its good to try something new! If it is new you're after, then head on down to the Aardvark this Sunday for a SA charity music event called "I Can Move", in aid of a quadriplegic charity in South Africa! The day kicks off at 10am and goes on through to 2030, with Dorp headlining and closing this SA day! But even Dorp is a common name around here on the gig blog! Lots of other artists to check out - Feral Sun, User2beSyris, Nadia Walsh and Dave Diss... should be a good day with many a Savanna and Castle on hand too!

So check out the gig blog listings, and most importantly- watch this space!

Rock on Movember,
x

ps. Anyone out there growing a mo (aka a 'tash) for the charity who renamed this month in aid of charity?

SA Music in October

A new month, a new week and a fresh start on a Monday. So, a pinch and a punch for the first of the month! 

Today is a good day to start a healthy lifestyle plan with three months left in the lead up to Christmas, for those who are heading home to see their family over the festive season, or for those in SA who want to get onto the beach...

And what better than music to get you on your way! So many great bands are coming out of SA right now, and with the two SA festivals (Rocking the Daisies & Aardklop) just past this weekend Im sure many new CDs have been bought and are being listened to...

Reading TNT's Ear to the Ground this morning I saw mention of Taxi Violence and Cassette, two very hot bands at the moment! Cassette in fact release their SAMA award-winning album in the UK today. And they most recently opened for Pink on the SA leg of her world tour. Get yourself a copy of their CD to hear what they're all about!

More on Taxi Violence to follow since they have a few songs on the soundtrack to new SA movie Footskater, created by some of the same Crazy Monkey guys!

October up ahead sees some more Afrikaans bands heading over for first time, both of which get much airplay on MK89. Watch out for 'Kyk SAAM met my' on Klopjag and Beeskraal!

Rock on October,
x

Much music in September

In South Africa spring has sprung, and this means that in the northern hemisphere we are headed to autumn already!? Am I the only one left wondering how we skipped summer completely?

The mornings are definitely getting more grey making getting out of bed that little bit harder, reminding us of that winter awaiting us up ahead.

But, grey and gloom aside, there is much to look forward to in September with regards to South African music. I am currently reviewing some great CDs and doing some interesting interviews.

London audiences are being spoilt with two great SA-based bands this September, both quite new, and touring the UK for their first time. The first up is Fevertree, a Joburg-based rock band. They're hot in many ways, from their stylised looks and band images, to their slick sound and passionate online presence.


Also Joburg-based & currently on European tour, is Harris Tweed, with their quirky & playful music fronted by a female vocalist with quite a vivacious voice!



Also currently on a European tour, though not stopping in London for some strange reason, are SAMA 'Best Rock Album' winning band, Cassette, whose CD I have been killing lately! Its damn good!


Somewhere between Smashing Pumpkins and Kasabian, their stuff is truly international and will watch with much anticipation as to how they get on. Their album will be released in the UK on 1 October. Review to follow soon.

Then there's London-based music veteran Chris Letcher whose experience oozes into his music in the most creative ways. All concoctions of sounds are created, coaxed and consolidated in his songs. With his calm Damien Rice controlled voice, its good stuff worth a def good few listens.

This weekend coming, Farryl Purkiss will be in London for one night only as he does a two city hop to London and Paris. Read more on Farryl in this week's South African paper, out tomorrow.

So, get those earplugs in and head on down to MySpace to meet some of these bands:
- Fevertree
- Harris Tweed
- Letcher
- Cassette
- Farryl Purkiss

And then needing not much introduction, is the lovely Karma (ex-Henry Ate) who will be heading from Florida to London for a couple of gigs in early October.

So even if the sun doesnt make an appearance this month, we are spoilt for choice with the South African music on offer!

Rock on September,
x