Acoustic life affirmations...

Life seems to make sense when sitting in a slightly dark room, preferably with friends and loves ones, lulled into a silence by the enhanced acoustic sounds of singing and guitar, and if you're lucky - some piano or chilled drums. 

Live music takes me to my happy place every time. Without fail.

It was a special occasion on Thursday 17 March - not because it was St Patrick's Day - nor just because the lead singer of Mann Friday was in town and playing at the Half Moon in Putney. But more so, because we were there. Kellz, Haz and Sooz - the three Living it Live girls - as Kellz and I had decided spur of the afternoon to head on down to join Haz and do one last Mann Friday gig while we were all in London.

As we sat outside before the gig, it dawned on us - not only our last MF gig together, (nor the fact that it was warm enough to sit outside), but the fact that we have all come so far since our days of managing, media-ing and helping to market the gigs of Mann Friday. We were now there as guests, merely there to reminisce in the songs that have made so many memories richer and more rounded, songs that have been soundtracks to stories, heartbreaks, sing-a-long road trips and our London lives.

We sat on the carpet for the whole gig, a rare and extremely intimate live gig pleasure - one only to be topped by being in one's own bed or tucked under a duvet - listening to tunes as comforting and familiar as one's favourite childhood toy.

Classics abounded. All acoustic and introduced with snippets of stories. They played Heal, with a line that rang home, 'You can't blame London for the rain... ".  It was fitting. And it was final in the most gentle of ways. And then a new song touched all. Pulse was its name. The chorus along the lines of 'I feel alive, some times'. It was good. It was classic Rob Burrell, but current decade Burrell. I can't wait to hear it again.

By Friday, I created a Susi Northam quote - a mantra to live by if you might - "Sometimes we must create space to inspire ourselves before we pressure ourselves to output!"

So it was on midday on Friday that I decided to watch a recently recommended film. 'Once', the story about an Irish singer songwriter busking on the streets of Dublin, was an ideal for Friday afternoon inspiration - the kind of film that had me scribbling notes the whole way through, much the same was as the Half Moon has inspired me over the years - especially when sitting at  a table at open mic night Mondays. The Half Moon has been the setting for so many amazing memories over the years. I salute you Half Moon, south west London's best little venue, and to Carrie Davies for all the love she's put into that place over the years!

But back to the movie. 'Once' was my toast to St Patrick's Day, a storyline with a built-in soundtrack of original acoustic tracks by the Damien Rice-esque Glen Hansard. And the song that stuck in my head the most was 'When your mind's made up' - a song name of the repetitive chorus which I found myself singing repeatedly for the rest of the day. It was this combined acoustic affirmation of not blaming London for the rain and realising that my mind is made up that I was left with on Friday. Yes, I am going home. And I don't blame London for anything. I will miss her dearly, but for now, my mind is made up.

Rock on acoustic message affirmation,
x

A man like me...

This is the title of his album that I got to know so well... A man like me - one of the honey-sweet voices of the SA industry. Plus he is a piano-playing muso, writing beautiful songs of romance, love and appreciation...

James Stewart at Backsberg

He is none other than James Stewart - the brush-cut blonde guy from the 90's band The Usual. These days, his usual hang-outs include wine farms and fire-side restaurants in the Franschoek region which he calls home.

And so, beneath a breezey tree, James entertained us beautifully last Sunday on the gorgeous green lawns of Backsberg wine estate as part of the kykNet Backsberg Picnic Concerts.

"So I thank my lucky stars each night... because they're the only reason I can see, why a woman like her could ever love a man like me..."

Without fail, James dedicates this 'A man like me' song to his lovely wife Lauren, serenading her every time! And as their two blonde TV ad-perfect kids ran around the lawn that afternoon, you can see why James Stewart thanks his lucky stars. He is both talented and blessed with an amazing family, living in the fabulous surrounds of Franschoek and with a dedicated fan following of his piano ballads.

He also does a cover show of The Police on occasion, so we were treated to some such tracks, as well as a few Bob Marley interpretations! James did a few more of his classics, including Gravity, Beautiful Lies, Shine and The Usual's big track, The shape that I'm in.

It was a very chilled picnic vibe and perfect for a Sunday afternoon. It even came complete with imaginary percussion. Alas, Barry van Zyl - James' drummer as well as the dummer for Johnny Clegg - had come through to play the gig, only to find out that the drums had not arrived. Oh well, its always interesting knowing the behind the scenes happenings, but the audience would never have known otherwise!

Chris Tait and I chilling summer picnic style (and Gill's foot!)

I was also told by my fellow picnic'ers (who have worked with James over the years), that not only did James Stewart open for Ronan Keating in South Africa (of which I course remembered the date and location of the gig - 2 January 2005, Kirstenbosch, sad sad sad I know). So I was told by Gill Strawberry, that she had in fact met my Ronan (read 'Some of my favourite boys' to get the full story). And she too confirmed that Ronan wasn't very tall, but again, I've been so close and yet so far...!

I'd also chatted to Mr Backs himself (the man of Backsberg that is) - and asked about the Jax Panik, Goldfish, Locnville, Die Antwoord Sonic Summer Tour that took place at Backsberg on 18 December that I'd missed (and yes, am still kicking myself for!) Apparently it pulled a two and a half thousand crowd and was a fabulous show! Locnville even arrived, and left, in a helicopter one of the waitresses told me!

Now that's how to rock the winelands, perhaps there is a market in helicopter rides to these wine farm summer picnic concerts. Then we could truly enjoy the full wine farm experience and actually indulge in decent amounts of wine, and not just of the quaffing kind!

For more wineland picnic concerts, you can catch Laudo of aKING this Sunday 16 January, followed by Albert Frost, Robin Auld and more in weeks to come! (Karen Zoid, Koos Kombuis and Hot Water have already played!) Alas, I shall be leaving the warm and open surrounds of our Western Cape next week and heading back to London's buzz to see what SA music I can blog about there...

Rock on wine farm summer concerts, and James Stewart's piano ballads,
x

Worth the wait...

With a giggle I discovered that the very Julia whose 'Julia plus one' had gotten us into Civil Twilight weeks before, was in fact the same Julia Jakobsen who would be playing at The Waiting Room on Tuesday night in town...

Introduced to her by Chris Tait - both on that amazing night at The Assembly and now knowing that she was playing a little acoustic set before The Brothers Streep - and I was delighted to see someone new!

Julia is in fact Danish by birth, and has lived the world over - and most recently in mid 2010, was building popularity in her birth home with her band The Fireflies as they did superbly well on Denmark's X Factor! But cue Cape Town, where Jules has lived from 14 to age 22 - and where she considers home she says! We are totally digging that!

Beneath a thick fringe, she morphs her pouty red lips into many shapes as she babbles on between songs with stories and jokes that make you want to take her home and put her in a jar, and label it 'Fabulous friend - open when in need of laughs, giggles and good times!' She's natural and cute, and there's something a little awkward and hugely endearing about her. Oh, and the girl can sing. Boy, can she sing. And as she babbles on about too, she can also sing a lot about boys. Good stories in her songs. Good times.

One song with the line, 'You had me at hello and goodbye...' a heavy heart comes through in her creations, yet beautiful acoustic expression sets these lyrical bombs to light.

Then there are The Brothers Streep - of which Dylan with the dark hair and pink swoosh of a fringe had played money collector moments earlier. My friend Drew requested more than a dot on his hand - he wanted a zebra. Next up, I felt an Octopus was what I needed. To which our money collector drew an arrow to the octopus and wrote 'Paul'. I thought maybe he was tagging his work, much like any graffiti artist would, so when I asked him if his name was Paul, he just looked at me funny and said, 'I thought you'd get it...'

So I thought about it a second or three longer, and it dawned on me - oh yes, Paul the Octopus. Of course. To which I lifted my hand to my mouth and asked Paul who was to be the best band of the night. I listened, and waited... (we were in The Waiting Room afterall)

And Paul say, 'Something Streep'. So I told the dark-haired guy with the pink fringe, and at first he didn't get it. So I looked at him strangely, saying, 'I thought you'd get that...' He thought for a second or three and he got it.

So that was how the night began with interactions of The Brothers Streep. And it didn't get any less weird. 

If you come expecting music, you will get so much more from a Brothers Streep experience. And the fact that The Waiting Room have couches, instantly turned it into some sort of comedy show at best, or perhaps just like a live lounge act - in the comfort of a friend's really large living room, and with a serviced bar and good lighting.

I can't recall the first song. But they had me at the second song. Any band who can immortalise Steri Stumpie - or a song about 'flavoured milk' as they call it - gets my vote. 

In fact, I think I did a slightly over-zealous 'Yeah', when they announced that they had a song about flavoured milk. As a Nesquick chocolate milk girl of note, I just understand the passion. Plus Steri Stumpie in all its rainbow of flavours is just so incredible - I mean where else can you get bubblegum, creme soda, toffee caramel or banana milk at such convenience. Its not like you want to keep a permanent stash of creme soda Nesquick - but for that odd occasional craving, what better than a creme soda Steri Stumpie. (In fact, my new year's day 2011 started that way - firstly with a much-needed chocolate one, and topped with creme soda! I was creating a new version of the much needed 'groen ambulans'... the 'groen melk ambulans'!)

But back to their song. With lines like, 'How can we feel down when strawberry milk is still around?' and 'How can we feel glum when banana milk is filled with so much fun!' and the chorus which just captures the essence of any true flavoured milk lover... 'When the road is bumpy, drink a Steri Stumpie!'

Besides milk-inspired outputs, there was an Afrikaans song, a cover of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (hey Brad... Yes Janet...), a pirate song, a song about Disney princesses (why not?) and the immortalising of another South African institution... They did an ode to Joshua Doore (your uncle in the furniture business and all). Singing 'Joshua Doore, supplier of bathmats and hope for us all!'

Simon van Wyk and Dylan Hichens of The Brothers Streep

I think my favourite must have been the shopping song, a song about logic and arithmetic as they explain. '10 means 10 and less means less. 11 or 12 just wont do. So take your 27 items and get out of the express queue!'

I want to bottle them too and label them 'Fun times, laugh a minute. Good for road trips and around braai fires.' I mean really, who thinks of this stuff..?

Well, Simon van Wyk and Dylan Hichens I guess. And since taking their show to the Edinburgh Fringe last year its definitely got an international flair to it despite all the fab localisms. And then there was when they were live (on Skype) on the Graham Norton show last year some time too I think. Graham's team was interviewing Anna Pacquin on the show - and in their remit of bizarre research, they came across a little band in Cape Town who had done a song in honour of Anna. And 'APS' was its name - Anna Pacquin Syndrome. So their moment of bizarre international TV fame began that day. But it won't end at 15 minutes for these chaps. And if you wanna find out what APS is all about, you'll just have to get down to a live show yourself. 

As we drove home from town last night, curving down Hospital Bend - of which Julia had a song by that very name - I was sipping on my Steri Stumpie from the Orange Street Engen, an institution for late night stops on the way home (except as Drew pointed out, it was exceedingly quiet at midnight in comparison to 3am!) So, I was sipping my Steri Stumpie with a sense of ownership and pride in honour of the flavoured milk song that inspired my purchase. (Subliminal marketing perhaps? Do The Brothers Streep own shares in Steri Stumpie I wondered..?) 

And I was most chuffed to have discovered a new flavour on the Engen fridge shelf last night. Coffee my friends. Yes, Coffee. I'm surprised Steri Stumpie hadn't latched onto this clever flavour before!  Well, I do feel that The Brothers Streep need to add a new verse to their song in honour of Coffee (And I think its only fitting that they dedicate it to me, and especially since 'coffeee' rhymes so effortlessly with 'Sooosi' - I'll be following up on this!)

(Although I did ask Paul when I got home, and he says that Chocolate is always the ultimate winner!)

Its soon time to part with Paul as I wash away Dylan's delightful drawings and with it, the memories of the fabulous night before. (Oh, and I forgot to mention that I went back and requested a jellyfish too!) So both Paul and my elongated jellyfish will soon be at one with the water of life again.

This was my first full Brothers Streep show since seeing them play a few songs before Roland Albertson in London last year. And worth the wait! But apparently their full set is much longer. So I can't wait to experience more whacky wonderfulness in the future. And I def want to see Julia Jakobsen again - delightful!

Rock on weird and wonderful musical creations combined with comedy and flavoured milk,

x

The secret is out...

The heat stuck to my skin like a thin film of syrup...

There was no wiping it off or escaping its clingy closeness. But it felt good. It slowed me down to a pace proportionate to purposeful interaction and thinking...

Sitting very still was one very clever option, or alternately, walking at a medium speed to muster enough of a freeflow to cool the skin. And if someone touched you, you really felt it - as if a merging, momentary adhesion of sweaty palm to sweaty skin, an Avatar-esque acknowledgement of 'I see you'.

What started as a 'mini pub crawl' on one side of Long Street, ended on a side street called Hout, off the bottom of the famous one-way entertainment street of Cape Town... And into a little blues establishment we did go. Boo Radleys was its name. A long backlit whisky bar greeted us with soft light, away from the garish heat of the town centre which held the memory of Cape Town's 38 degrees in its cement, its tar and its grid of constructedness.

A long cool colonial drink seemed most fitting, yet after a song or two from the little songstress we'd been tipped to come see, I felt transported in time and place. As if sitting somewhere in the US, New Orleans maybe - but definitely not in South Africa...

'Gimme one reason to stay here...' a Tracey Champman cover was the song of choice which our dark-haired blues guitarist chose to croon as her opening track that sticky Wednesday night as she sat on a bar stool, all legs and arms around her electric guitar, and a voice which emanated from her tumble of dark hair. How she stayed cool under there I don't know, and where such a big voice came from in such a tiny package of a person, I'm not sure either.

As Your LMG stated on its January cover, 'Natasha Meister - no longer a secret' - having now seen her for myself, she sure is one of those rare gems. Yet at a tender 20 years old, the secret herself doesn't even seem to quite realise her secret power.

And herein lies one of the most beautiful aspects of discovering up and coming artists - they themselves often don't know just how good they are yet, so what you get in these performances is completely different to the polished shows when you will pay a whole whack more to watch them in years to come!



Thanks to Mike Smith of Your LMG for letting me know that Natasha was playing last night, Boo Radleys for putting on such quality music for free, Natasha for playing - and to everyone who shared the Meister secret last night in that sticky heat: Brendon Rowen (music vid director amongst many other things), Donna McCallum (aka The Fairy Godmother), Peter Lacey (of Musketeer / Seether fame) and Graham Lowndes (guitarist for The Rescu)! Was an awesome bunch of people to have in one room!

So now my secret is also out... get out and see as many up and coming SA bands while they are still in their secret stage - and support our local musicians - cos that's where the real treasure lies! And then you too can say, 'I once saw Natasha Meister at a free gig at a blues bar called Boo Radleys...'

Rock on secret discoveries,
x

More live music to start the new year... (part 2)

Once we'd rested a bit on the 1st - attaining enough strength to do it all again - we hopped in the car and headed towards Wellington for the second day of the first ever Rock the River festival...

On the banks of the Berg River, at a place called Buffalo Drift (complete with a buffalo skull at the entrance), it was a funky location with two distinct stages.

The main stage area was a bit muddied from the morning's rain and so the rock 'n reggae ska line up had to be remixed and some band stage times were shortened. Alas, the much-awaited Mccree also suffered technical stage delays at the hands of the sound guys, so by the time they played they only got about five songs in!

But what a fab five songs they were. I'm still itching to hear a full pure Mccree show, but I guess one appreciates more what is delayed in gratification. Or not. More Mccree I say!

Following Mccree were the Hogs - Cape Town's ska kings or the only band in the 'pork rock' category. Other bands worth a mention were in the hard rock category. Starting with Stone Collar - strong in name and voice of lead singer Leshem Petersen - and also a female-fronted Cranberries style group called Silent Side. Its always nice to hear new bands at festivals and get the full effect of the live energy delivering their lyrical creations!

And then to the MuthaFM guys - Nick E Louder and Lilian - for putting on an electronic stage amidst the blue gum trees, with fab tunes flowing from the little dance area next to the river! I don't profess to know too much about one DJ or the next, just that if the music makes you feel something, or connects you - then it has done its job. And as Lilian said, "This is some of the best dance music I've heard in ages, a line up hand-picked by Nick E!" Nice one Mutha!

The best band this 1 Jan 2011 - without a doubt - was Mccree (did you expect otherwise? ;) ...So get used to the name, cos they have fast become one of my favourite rock sounds of the future - and you will be hearing more about them right here!

So besides rain and mud, insect bites and a few sound problems and line up re-scheduling, Rock the River went down well for a first time and was a perfect way to spend the first day of a new year.

Rock on 2011,
x

Did you feel the magic?

If you were at The Assembly last night, you certainly did. We were all part of it, surrounded by it.

aKING opened with a spell-binding acoustic set - the stage was certainly set for awesomeness. But what followed was a three-piece band of beautious melodic rock music that took us on a journey much like Carl Cox would create an aural pathway on which to float, taking us towards turns and twists, keeping us in a steady state of awareness until the next subliminal crescendo capped the moment! Enter Civil Twilight!

Lead singer Steven McKellar played a piano in parts, adding a timeless quality to their incredible sound. And with Steven looking strangely similar to the one and only Edward - it seems fitting that they chose a name so aptly aligned to the zeitgiest and the google antics of their demographic!

The sound behind the name is a fusion somewhere between Snow Patrol, Muse and Kings of Leon - and yet it was completely their own Civil Twilight creation - and most definitely of international stadium standards!

In fact, I count myself very lucky to have seen this show - and especially lucky for scoring last minute tickets (hugest thanks to Ant Martin and Julia!) since this gig was super sold out (with a queue of about 150 still trying to get in!)! I put my words firmly in digital ink that - although already based in the States and obviously doing well for themselves - 'Civil Twilight will soon be the global SA rock music flagship band, doing sold-out stadium tours of the States, followed by a sizeable world tour to share the Civil Twilight sound with the world!' They are just that good. But more than good, their music makes you feel something! Its music to listen to in so many situations and circumstances, and with lyrics that can be interpreted and analysed a thousand times over in different life phases.

Steven's brother, Andrew McKellar, also added something incredibly special by playing his guitar with a violin bow - the ethereal effect touched everyone in The Assembly last night!

Their own songs stand seven feet above the ground, each one as head-high, chest-out proud as the next... so when the Massive Attack cover of Teardrop kicked in, I wasn't sure what to expect of a song not their own...! Well, I don't know how long the version went on for - it certainly felt like forever as they stretched it out, slowed it down and isolated each of the instruments before adding them back in one at a time, Civil Twilight style - but I do know that I didn't want the song to stop! As Simon Cowell would say if this was X Factor - 'Civil Twilight made that song 1000% their own!'

WOW! WOW! WOW! I want to go back and do last night all over again! The Assembly was also a marvellous venue, so I shall be back for more of that. And as soon as Civil Twilight play again - London or SA - I certainly won't have to be asked twice! 

Rock on Civil Twilight,
x

PS. And who ever was responsible for the video visuals - a massive well done to you! Those were outstanding!

Boxing Day bash with a twist...

Its a personal conundrum I face every time I wanna blog about a SA-based band who perform in South Africa. Hmmm, 'SA music in London', how can I post it here I ask myself...?

Well, besides the internal argument that its my blog and I can post what I want, I figure that most things these days are inter-linked in some way - and when I wanna write, 'I mos find the konneksie ek se!'

Sunday 26 December was simple. A gig of top class SA bands went down. Bands who should all be performing in London! Boom! (And the fact that Ross Learmonth of Prime Circle and Ard Matthews of Just Jinjer were there just to watch says a lot for the quality of the music!)

I especially enjoyed Evolver One, headliners of the very humid Boxing Day bash at the badly ventilated Purple Turtle in Cape Town. It was the first time Id seen and met these Joburg-based boys. I discovered that the drummer, Tulsa by name, was previously with Watershed - and a pile of smiles on drums! Lead singer Peter Pote - always slick and quite serious in his press shots - was warm, professional and very normal 'n nice when we met. He seems like the kind of guy you'd easily want to be friends with!

When I saw they had a keyboard (Sean Murphy), I was super keen to hear their vibe...

...but as they kicked off the opening track, I was not prepared for such quality as Peter Pote stepped on stage as a true rock star with effortless flair! His on-stage energy and playful vocal ability moves between Arno Carstens and Chris Chameleon. Nice one Evolver One!


Prior to Evolver One, I finally got to see a long awaited band on my list - touted as 'one of SA's best live acts' - Van Coke Kartel! I now understand the much-hyped Van Coke live experience! Epic comes to mind. As does crazy. If you haven't seen them in 2010, add them to the list in 2011! Afrikaans and awesome!

Then there was Merseystate before the Van Coke boys. With a recent return to stage following a year and a half hiatus of studio building and song writing, Merseystate are back as a threesome and with a rockier sound. They are slick, they are cool and they have always been rocking. The songs are still sounding super radio friendly just with the dash of rock edge, much like their current radio single 'Say, say, say' - of which my favourite line is: 'I could imagine everyone so free if we all dissolve right now and let our egos drift away!' Carry on Merseystate - can't wait to hear more!

So... three quality SA bands who should be performing in London, though I've always though that Merseystate's sound suits the US rock style too!

But besides the awesome bands, what impressed me more on the sticky sweaty Sunday of Boxing Day 2010, was a girl called Tracy Cohen. Sitting at the door together with her friend Michel Joffe (pictured right), together they spoke to and invited all who entered to contribute a charitable R10 towards the Chaeli Campaign - an initiative to raise funds for disabled kids who have cerebral palsy and other muscular diseases... Now thats a good idea that takes guts to go out and do!

Chaeli is a young girl who at age 12, needed R20,000 for a motorised wheelchair, came up with various ideas to raise money, and within just seven weeks had enough for her wheelchair. But she did not stop there! Now 15, the Chaeli Campaign has gone on to raise funds to make other children with disabilities more comfortable and independent. (Chaeli even does ballroom dancing in her wheelchair, together with an able-bodied partner - and in 2008, they represented SA at the Wheelchair Dancing World Cup!)

But back to Tracy, who also has cerebral palsy, and is taking part in the 2011 Argus Cycle Tour - completing 10km on a hand cycle, raising funds for and as part of the Chaeli Campaign relay team! Wow! What a great idea - and what a clever audience to get involved and aware of those who probably don't get to go to enjoy gigs and live music much!

So the next time you're dancing or moshing, or doing whatever tapping, bopping or bouncing movements you do... think about the Chaeli's of the world who are restricted in movement! And if you're asked to contribute R10 at the door of the next gig you go to, just imagine the lives you could be mobilising! Check out more: www.chaelicampaign.co.za

Herewith a photoshoot of Tracy with the various people who helped bring her dream to life that Boxing Day night:

Tracy with Ross Learmonth of Prime Circle

Tracy with Peter Pote (left) and Tulsa Pittaway.

(L to R: Wayne Joshua - Merseystate lead singer, with friend Michel Joffe and Peter Pote of Evolver One!)

Rock on SA music being world class - and South Africans making a difference!
x

Synergy... all over too soon!!

It was already a week ago that I was gathering my festival gear and heading to the Franschoek mountains for a weekend of live outdoor SA music at Synergy Live!

I somehow managed to forget a few key things - toothpaste, handwipes, pocket tissues, a mirror etc - so I just embraced the true festival vibe of not caring! With a little stream to cool down, and the overall festival area being a cosy and ve walkable distance, it was an ideal homely spot for a weekend of music.

Unlike UK festivals where you walk for miles between stages, I was thrilled that the main stage was only a short hop from the electro stage (and only just out of aural reach) - and then another hop and a jump from the Your LMG stage - a first time stage from the free Cape Town music magazine - bringing up and coming bands to new ears!

I love Your LMG's tagline -'Passed out in a bar near you'. Hmmm... ponder that... (It took me two reads :)

I spotted some interesting talent there - Jinx were my LMG discovery of the weekend. A 'circus electro mix' the guys explained as I chatted to them before they went on stage. Id stopped to ask them who they were, cos they were the only ones dressed in theatrical circus flair at 5pm in the afternoon! Turns out their quirky singing style woo'ed the audience no end! And with the Johnny Depp-esque moves of Willy Wonka crossed with the Mad Hatter, the lead singer was uber entertaining! His female vocal counterpart also added some much needed beauty. Mesmerising - check them out!

Also on Your LMG - I checked out Ree-burth, the exciting rock band from Soweto - an amazing sound that doesnt match the stereotyped visual you're expecting! Ve cool! Such a striking combination of onstage energy! I also saw the Red Huxleys - a band I've heard lots about but not seen live - and their style of rock also impressed! I kind of wish I'd checked out more on that stage, but as with all festivals - the choice is just too much!

Meanwhile, on main stage - things were happening from early hours... too many amazing bands to list! But in chronological order - it would be Friday night's headlining slot of Jax Panik and his first ever live performance that blew both me and the listeners away! They had the crowd eating out of their hands and everyone was singing along! It was like a 30 Seconds to Mars rock show. Except Jared Leto was in a larger-than-life LED illuminated mask  - and there were five of these Jax Panik characters glowing against the bold digitised screens! Hard to believe it was their first time live! What a show!

Other discoveries of the weekend included Mccree and The Rescu - both before lunchtime on Saturday morning, proving that its always worth checking out all band slots and not just waiting for the Prime Circles and Hogs of the SA music world who most people know!

This was also Mccree's first ever festival - and to be on the main stage - oh wow! It took me a while to work it out, but when I did I was grinning like a school girl! It was the lead singer's voice which grabbed me - so similar it is to one of my all time favourite bands, a band who started out as small fry on the London scene (and consisting of two South Africans in their mix, including Beukes Willemse as lead singer), and who have now been living and performing in Berlin for the past two years, and blowing away local audiences with German precision! They are of course, Livingston! I was honoured enough to interview them and write their first ever article - back in 2004 - and then ended up following them at near every gig for about two years until they left London! All my friends and family got to hear about Livingston :) So watch out peeps, Mccree is the next one you will be listening to at a braai with me soon!

Mccree have what I call a 'big sky' sound - ideal for outdoor vibes, music that makes you breathe a little deeper and stand a little straighter, your heart feeling like everything will be ok.. it makes you wanna drive all day with the window rolled down and a big open blue sky leading you forwards!

Saturday night's line-up consisted of Prime Circle knocking out a good set, plus UK band Feeder who headlined - and I was surprised and thrilled to hear that their drummer now, is in fact a SA boy - an ex-Amersham drummer. You see, us South Africans infilrate everywhere! SA music is making its way into every nook and cranny - its just a matter of time before it explodes and is as acceptable the world over as Aussie music has become! No more 'special SA sections' at festivals cos 2010 is World Cup year, or the novelty Die Antwoord's, but many more Livingstons, Parlotones, Soweto Gospels, Johnny Cleggs, Nibs van der Spuys and all those other SA bands who tour abroad regularly!

Closing Saturday was an epic Goldfish set - say no more, who better to keep a crowd very much alive and awake til 330am! Plus the animated video to their latest track 'Get busy living' - a tale of two suitcases, in love. Too clever! I will never look at my luggage the same again when travelling! :)

Synergy sure was the sum of all the parts - from once dance party to now rock fest - and just the right size vibe at that. So much great SA music is out there! We just gotta get busy living and supporting all the small bands. Cos who knows who will be the next Prime Circle or Goldfish. Then you can say you saw them first. Not to mention become a groupie and get to watch every gig while you can afford it!

Rock on SA music and fabulous SA festivals!
x

A weekend in Hyde Park... Hyde Park Calling!

Wow, what a weekend it was - Friday night's 46664 concert I only heard the stories of, and some amazing stories they were! With every artist playing 2 songs and most of them being focused on Mandela in some way!

Johnny Clegg was hugely fitting with their hit Asimbonanga which means 'we cannot see him' - a song which was written about releasing Mandela.

If you missed this chance to see Johnny Clegg, you will be pleased to know that they have just announced 2 London shows at the end of August! Only two months to wait to see the fabulously live and energetic Clegg experience! Its been well over two years since Johnny Clegg brought their uniquely African sound to the UK!

Saturday was Hard Rock Calling - we had the cheap seats on the grass and listened to the amazing John Mayer from outside under a lovely shady tree! And on the Sunday, also Hard Rock Calling, we had tickets and wer inside the very well organised Hard Rock event!

Doing us South Africans most proud was Arno Carstens up on that stage - belting out the tracks that have come off his two albums to date!

He sure did look like a super star - with his mirror-style glasses, cool white shirt and acoustic guitar, he looked almost Ken-doll-like as he stood statuesque and sung on stage! Surely with such a prime spot on stage he will only grow and grow in audience awareness from here! 

Following him we had The Bangles and all the fun hits of 'Walk like an Egyptian', 'Just another manic Monday' and of course - 'Eternal Flame'. Quite the hot bunch of 40 something females they were on that stage.

Starsailor had some wonderful piano style ballads and KT Tunstall spoke about crazy things inbetween all her cherry-tree and top of the world hits!

But it was definitely the closing act of the evening - and the final gig of their world tour for The Police which won the crowd. And my oh my, I didnt realise that Sting was quite so sexy either. Hmmm, with all that stubble and a mischevious little smile the whole way through - he was making the most of every moment, every song as if recording it all onto the memory film in his mind!

My favourite song of all time was phenomenal - and where better to get to hear it than at their last ever UK performance. 'Every breath you take...' Aaaah!

Rock on Hyde Park,
x

Gig Giveback: a whole bunch...

Its been a week, but I figure I still have the grace of it not being two weeks since I did the 'Gig Giveback' - a bit of a reflective thank you to the awesome SA artists who entertain us so excellently. 

The crazy thing is that Ive seen so many diff SA bands in the last week, that I dont know where to begin... and I find myself comparing them and getting a bit fussy about who I need to listen to again in the near future...

And I dont think I am alone. You see, the SA music scene in London is getting a wee little bit umm, saturated. A-hmmm. Didnt think Id ever feel like this being the ultimate intimate-gig music lover - of which most SA gigs are - but I feel a bit oversubscribed between work, life, having a social life and then seeing gigs - the ones you actually want to listen to that is - not just the ones you talk your whole way through as background music!

On the intimate level - I am now gutted that I made the call to miss out on seeing Seether. Currently in the UK for 2 shows - one was last night at the small hall style venue of ULU - or less cooly, the University of London Union! It was apparently brilliant - and they only played about 4 songs off the new album that just won them a SAMA for best rock album. Not bad for a band on tour post an album release. Normally bands kill audience desire and plug the new album so baldy that people walk away wondering if they ever knew the band they just listened to!

Well done Seether for playing all the faves! Alas, come back soon - cos I wont miss you again!

Then onto bands as background music - well, sad to say that the Sunday night event of 'Simply South African' as organised by Southern Fire events - well, it just didnt fit together very well. The place was empty for a start, maybe due to the glorious day outside of about 28 degrees - but the empty Clapham Grand dancefloor just looked a bit miserable with only a few scattered bodies.

We arrived to Faryll Purkiss - who was great. I do love his title track 'Better Days' - though he was growing some sort of a beard and wearing a hat, and he looked much older than his usual fresh faced boy with a guitar vibe!

Then there was Guy Buttery and Nibs van der Spuy - playing separately bar a few together - and at first I wasnt sure how a potentially rock-expectant audience (Arno was headlining) would take to these two guitar geniuses... but the applause over-did any of the other artists in the noise-o-meter!

Guy Buttery just keeps getting better every time I see him - such a guitar and sitar and saw playing wonder - he makes sounds that I have neevr seen before float off a guitar! I also had the delight of seeing him and Nibs at the Troubadour last week Wednesday! Troubadour is a truly intimate venue, steeped in history and so tiny that you almost want to reach out and touch the artists!

It was something indeed special for Nibs van der Spuy and his whisper-wonder voice as he touched many souls with his songs!

But back to Simply South African... following Guy and Nibs we saw Chris Letcher - def a talent waiting to be spotted. Something of an enigma in his lyrics and depth - Letcher is an awkward kind of wonderful - nothing commercial stamped on them - just real music being made!!

And following Chris Letcher was the SA rock god, ex-Nude Girls - one and only: Arno Carstens. But after only two songs, he was already onto a Nude Girls number and playing Blue Eyes. To which the audience responded fabulously. But quite dis-heartening for Arno to look out onto a near empty dance floor - and a few homesick South Africans singing along to a hit he has probably sung more times than he's driven a car!!

I am left wondering why a South African 'festival' didnt work.. and I fear it is for the reasons of a) we have so much choice between SA artists in London already... b) when an artist does come - they dont play a festival exclusively - in fact they play as many times as humanly possible... and c) a lot of the artists were ones either permanently or temporarily based in London where they are available often...

Added to that - it was a Sunday night - and well, as much as we want to think we're all still wild at heart, well we cant seem to cut three nights out a weekend - energy or money wise. Plus a little bit of outdoor sunshine never hurts to truly make a festival feel like a festival!

Hopefully the Toast Festival in Sept will capture some of these elements - and with a smaller select band line up - both of which are flying in exclusively for the event - we should have a good day out! All we can hope for there is a little bit of sunshine! Lets hope Freshlyground can bring a bit from SA - and Just Jinjer can def organise some Californian rays!

And then the last gig to talk about - one last week Thurs - and always a fab gig at the venue of the Halfmoon: A Mann Friday sell-out as usual!

Supported by the up-and-coming angelic/devilish little delight of US Terra Naomi, and followed by Lightning Type (another SA band sounding sometimes Scissot Sisters and sometimes Pearl Jam - hmmmm!?) - the MF gig was a grand affair of fabulous favourites and some new wonders too!

Rock on all things SA music! And big up to all the super talented guys out there!
x

Gig Giveback: Henry Ate...

Yip, you read that right - a Henry Ate gig! A reunion tour comprising Karma and Julian - together on stage. Friday 2 May 2008. Cape Town, South Africa!

And not just any venue - but thee venue that started my love of SA music all those many moons ago. The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay. A divine drinking spot, in the sunshine, by the sea!

And so it came to be that when Karma was planning the Henry Ate Reunion Tour in South Africa that I suggested that she just had to play the Brass Bell. So her people spoke to their people, a music license was obtained for an afternoon show - and Henry Ate was set to go!

To make the day even more memorable for me - I was super blessed to have my best friend also in Cape Town on holiday - down from Dubai.

And so we relived the moments together, over 10 years later and singing at the top of our lungs, not missing a line!

Sitting on the other side of the Bell from the first concerts many years before, in an area now known as the Bikini Deck - Karma and Jules filled the space with the immense memories of our youth! And it was at the Bell that while singing 'Waves of Salt' that a giant wave had crashed over the wall of the restaurant and sprayed the unsuspecting concert goers who were all eyes on the band! Karma spoke fondly of such Henry Ate memories - and allowed the audience to request the songs they really craved...

I shouted out for 'So he says' - no 11 on Henry Ate's SAMA-winning debut album Slap in the Face for those who knew it well... And so with Julian's harmonies hugging up to Karma as though not a day had gone by between them playing together, 'So he says' was sung - perfectly!

All the hits were pulled out the bag... Hey Mister, Pandora's Child, Eudaimomia, Henry and of course the classic 'castles in the sky' song - Just!

Plus everyone sung along to "You're so damn fat, tell me how the hell you get like that? loset munchies, all of you. Have you got nothing else.. to do? So eat yourself to death before Sunday afternoon!"

It was the most ecstatic afternoon of reminiscing, singing along and watching Karma smile the whole way through. She even apologised to those who grew up on the songs and stewed in their melancholy whilst she sat there and sang them all with the biggest smile slapped across her face. It was for her as memorable as it was for us. The sweetest slap in the face, reliving memories of pure Brass Bell bliss!

Rock on reliving our youth,
x

Gig Giveback: Nibs van der Spuy

A Sunday night and some chilled guitar sounds floated around the Aardvark. Poor Nibs had picked up a winter throat bug since arriving, but this didn't stop him putting his all into his songs!

With emotive instrumental pieces as well as stuff from his latest album Beautiful Feet, it was a treat to spend a Sunday evening in the presence of his sound!

Rock on Nibs,
x

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

Gig Giveback: Just Jinjer

Last week Thursday rocked! Walking into the Walkabout to the already onstage acoustic sounds of Ard is the way it should always be. Good quality live music which compliments a venue! And the Shepherds Bush Walkabout is a venue which the Just Jinjer guys have made their London live music home.

As a two-trip stop-over on their way to South Africa, the JJ guys played a special set this November compared to their August show. Somehow it felt as though they were playing for the audience with sincere appreciation as opposed to playing for an audience as if the audience should feel grateful!

This was a good gig! A good blend of old and new, and some good old songs were done just with Ard and the new guy Sandy Chilas on keyboard, which added a great touch!

The guys will be playing next at Nelson Mandela's 46664 concert on 1 December for Aids Day. And then they will be in Cape Town just before new years to play their honourary gig at Dunes for anyone who will be heading home over Christmas!

Rock on Just Jinjer!
x

Gig Giveback: Karma

What a special gig last night was! Karma has definately improved with age! And that is saying a lot as a self-declared Henry Ate hugest fan as a teenager!

Karma was amazing on the small stage of the Halfmoon, Putney. Bathed in blue light with her jagged blonde long trendy fringe hanging in her face as she mesmerised the audience with a mix of old and new!

  Performing all the favourites from her Henry Ate Days, she sung the classic 'Just' TWICE, much to everyone's delight when she ended the show with it as a final special touch! In fact the entire show was a gift of memories and special moments... from Karma's quirky stories inbetween songs proving her to be quite the comedian, to an on stage rendition of 'Hey Mister' with her London-based sister, Tanya!

And after a good few Henry Ate tracks, Karma confessed that her second album 'One Day Soon' is her favourite of the lot, and of the songs on it, she went on to sing 'Indian Giver', another self-confessed favourite!

She also covered tracks off her last album 'Don't Walk Fly' with hits such as slow and meaningful 'Countless Occasions' which she confessed was written about a stalker, and that stalker being a heartbroken her... lightly humourous and bonding to Karma the human behind the music!

She also sung her '0 miles' song, a link to the longings of her home of South Africa "15,000 miles of sky separates this life from one I knew. Cos I'm too close to Cape Town's coast..." and so she was in London town for two fabulous nights before heading back to her now home of Florida. But Karma did promise to be back sooner than her last two year turnaround for a UK visit!

And with her Henry Ate catalogue being re-released in SA this month, maybe she will need to head home to do a reunion tour there, and what better place to stop along the way than London! Plus she is soon to release her new Karma album. So we a good chance for a return between the two! Let's hope we see her back here soon!

Rock On Karma,
x

PS: And how can I forget fellow South African singer songwriter Samantha Horwill on support... adorably animated on stage, Miss Horwill is a little package full of Oooomph, and with a fabulous voice on top of it, she will take many a stage by storm as she continues to build her career having only recently launched her debut album as a solo artist!

Gig Giveback: OppiAarde 2007

Potch, soon to be known as Tlokwe, is where Aardklop went down for its 10th year last week!

It was a whole week of art, boerekos and shows across the town from cabarets to dramas and comedies! OppiAarde is an OppiKoppi music production and ended the week of festivities!

Salome Kern was there to witness the madness, giving SA Music in London her take on it:

OppiAarde rocked to the sounds of Love Jones and Southern Gypsy Girls in the afternoon hours. The crowd nervously looked at the threatening clouds and the Brutal Fruit ran out by the early evening, but the event proceeded on a rock-ably roomy stage with great sound and lighting. By the time Bed on Bricks appeared the crowd was warmed up, ready for the raise in vibe and energy.

Although Aardklop was saturated by oldies, schoolies and rain, the only mud at OppiAarde was on Maxnormal.tv's faces. Waterbottles and plastic pint glasses started flying as this very obviously not their target audience, the mildly-sado-erotic-homosexual images, made a few boere turn away in disgust.

Karen Zoid rocked as usual, bringing a bunch of generations together. If you're a Parlotones fan, I don't have to tell you that they sound great live, just as they are recorded! The Nude Girls were huge as expected and put on what was probably the show of the night.

True to the alternative Afrikaner roots of the festival, the Parlotones pulled in Valient Swart to perform a Koos Kombuis classic. But unfortunately the crowd got impatient, as shouting 'fokof' between songs became the mantra. Finally getting their wish, Fokofpolisiekar appeared out of the smoke and killed the show! The was ground literally shaking as the crowd chanted every word religiously along with lead singer Francois van Coke! The grand finale - an Arno Carstens home grown concoction performed by Karen and Valient - left everyone ready for more fun, 'die Bult', watch out here we come!

Apparently 'die Bult' is the main going out area of Potchestroom… and so we learn something new about our own country everday!

Rock On Potch,
x

Gig Giveback: Rory Eliot & The Reason

Friday was fabulous! Sorry it took so long to tell you that! Im in Italy and its raining, so Im substituting the outside world of beach beauty for the online world today!

For a first night, Rory Eliot & The Reason resonated all the energy and passion I anticipated for their first time UK tour, and debut show to kick it off! But WOW did he over-deliver exceptionally. Sweat, love and amazingness came off that stage!

And the audience resonated the reason, the music and the meaning. Most interesting to me was how many male 'groupies' there were! Much singing along and a fabulous atmosphere! Rory was every bit as lovely when I met him afterwards!

The tour is being run by Monk Management who have scheduled a fast and furious turnaround of shows across London. And I think they will be as electric at all of them! We even talked about going to see them again before they leave! So, go see them while you can!

And don't forget bout Barry Hilton - tonight and tomorrow at Wimbledon Walkabout - and Thursday and Sunday at Zulus!

Not to mention that its time to start planning your long weekend if you havent already. From SouthWest4 on Clapham Common to Notting Hill Carnival on Monday's bank holiday and many a SA gig inbetween! Make it a bank holiday weekend to remember!

Ari Verderchi! Rock on Italia (minus the rain!) I'm off to eat more gorgeous Italian food!
x

Gig Giveback: Just Jinjer

Yes Denholm, your time is up in London already! That was a quick visit indeed!

And so Just Jinjer came and went with their mid-week gig at the Savanna-selling Shepherd's Bush Walkabout.

They played a fair bit of new stuff, had the crowd at the front enthralled and ended with Ard acoustically delivering the oldies single-handedly. Starting with Farther & Father and moving onto Shallow Waters, he looked fab as usual with his California sun-kissed skin and ever-cool, ever-Ard dreads!


And yes, we still like Just Jinjer madly.

But from speaking to people at this gig, I was amazed at just how many people didn't actually know all their stuff. Six albums on, and many great JJ classics, and still we have egte South Africans who know exactly who JJ are, but not quite what songs they will expect to know on the night. 

Luckily JJ have that ear-seepage-style music that sinks into your brain matter and sends little light bulbs of recognition a-flickering when a known song is sung!

I have nearly all their stuff over the years, and loved the rendition they did of Table Talk, a song I've been spoilt one too many times with in its place of inspiration... at their annual post-Christmas pre-NY gig at Dunes in Hout Bay, Cape Town! The words go a little something like this...

"If Table Mountain could talk... What would she whisper in the Lion's ears? What kind of Signal would she give to the Hill? And if she spoke loud enough would she perhaps get through to Chapman? Or did he lose his Peak years ago?
If Table Mountain could sing, would she perhaps be into Elvis? I have a feeling she's always been into rock of some sort! And if our mountain could think... would she perhaps be into Plato? Or did she give up long ago and let the Cape win her Point?
This is Table Talk... If Table Mountain could say anything, what would she say?"

So there you have it! Watch this space where we intend to keep you up-to-date on what the guys are doing until their next visit!

Rock on JJ,
x

Gig Giveback: Mann Friday finale

Its been a month since this SA Music in London gig blog was launched, and it has already sparked so many conversations, connections and cool ideas! South African Music has a lot of passionate supporters and endorsers out there, and each in our own small way, we can contribute to building the awareness of SA music that it deserves!

Ever thought about what you could do? Buying a CD or supporting a SA gig is great, but maybe you have something unique to offer to South African music?

But, time for some reflection and for those who didnt make it down to the Mann Friday Gone Fishing gig... all I can say is WOW! A Sunday night definitely well spent!

And some super footage for those who wish to reminisce the now defunct Friday boys, or to check out what you could have been doing instead of slouching on the Sunday couch, then check out this MF video footage!

Mann Friday's gig was everything I expected and then some! And all this for just £6? Cheap cheap for such a special occasion! It's been a while since I was up for a good party on a Sunday (school) night!

Arriving at The Clapham Grand in bright warm sunshine was the first good sign of the night ahead. Inside was a buzz of anticipation... Just Jinjer flyers being handed out, a feeling of Mann Fridayness in knowing that all the people there had been touched by MF's music at some point in their 4 year London leg... and a darkness inside The Grand that signalled night time / party time, and by no means was there a lulled Sunday-mode atmosphere!

Flyers and freebies littered the counter tops as people scrambled to collect funky Dorp EPs (actual records!) seemingly left lying around. Dorp did their thing, great as usual, tho one suspects that they downplayed their image for the occassion with none of their usual loud visuals. They performed well to a composed, sober and small crowd, with the most of the gig goers probably still lazing somewhere in the last of the afternoon sun!

By 740pm the buzz was building and Mann Friday came on stage, kicked ass, intertwined cover songs (a very good Robert Miles' Children rendition) and put on a hugely impressive performance! Clearly I wasn't the only fan with goosebumps that night!

Their monumental track-with-a-message "15 minutes of shame" came across with all the vigour, passion and implied political angst against the state of Zimbabwe with which one assumes it was first written! It was intertwined with the chorus of Michael Jackson's "It doesn't matter if you're black or white!" as well as the famous line (but by who completely elludes me) "We're not gonna take it, No! We're not gonna take it... We're not gonna take it.. anymore!"

Powerful stuff music.

A few emotional moments and personal mentions, closing with the gorgeous Gin & Tonic Sky (one of my faves)! Join the "SA Music in London" Facebook group and add to the Discussion Board on your fave Mann Friday song and lyrics!

Enough nostalgia now. The MF guys will return...! And until they do, there is a whole whack of other great SA music talent to support and discover!

Just Jinjer are next, so buy tickets fast! And following them is afro-jazz ensemble Freshlyground! Or if new singer/songwriters are more your thing, then head to Hammersmith on 11 Aug to listen to Samantha Horwill, the ex-lead singer of ex-SA band Jane Doe! Samantha is living in Brighton now, but will be launching her new smokey CD next Saturday! Check out this week's Live Music SA section in the South African for a review on her debut CD or follow this link http://www.southafrican.co.uk/living.aspx?ID=376

Sad stuff. Exciting stuff. New stuff!!

Rock on SA stuff!
x

Time flies when you have music!

Last week was an earful of heaven, starting with the soothing sounds of graceful guitar in the hands of two masters. Guy Buttery and Nibs van der Spuy played the acoustic haven of the Halfmoon...

Guy Buttery bewildered an entire audience with his magical fingers fulfilling sounds never before self-witnessed possible from a straight-forward guitar. Wow, goosebumps and new appreciation for the gift of guitar playing. They say nearly everyone can play. (Myself excluded 'cos I've owned one for nearly 2 years and never progressed from my Std 2 teachings of 'Hush Little Baby...'), but to see the guru of Guy elicit and elaborate sounds from the guitar that could be a multitude of instruments if your eyes were closed, was amazing!

Following Guy's set, we were blown away by the subtle power and presence of Nibs van der Spuy who is currently promoting his new album Beautiful Feet. Combining delicate and detailed guitar with soulful and intense song lyrics, the resulting package was immensely powerful and I found myself feeling lighter and in tune with each song.

I love it when an artist gives the background of how a song came to be, and with each of Nibs songs, it seemed almost a beautiful story woven by the songs, a story of special souls, souls who have left this world, and simple love.

Nibs spoke and sang of Gito Baloi, a musician from the 80s SA band Tananas. Not knowing of them myself, and not knowing of Gito before.. it was with a strange soul connection that when Nibs sang a song about Gito and told us the preamble of its sad birth... that a larger picture of Southern African music started to piece together.

We come from such a rich country, diverse in nature, people and music. Gito Baloi, who is from Mozambique and has sung in Shangaan on Nibs' latest album, was murdered one night after Nibs had played a gig with him. The story is a sad one, and further to know of interest that Gito is now forever honoured at OppiKoppi with a stage named after him!

Amazing to hear how music touches and teaches on so many levels! Dont miss the chance to see Nibs live next in October!

Following Tuesday's magic, Thursday was a night of fun with Joburg rockers Prime Circle hitting the good ol' Shepherds Bush Walkabout. Between outside smoke breaks since the new law, people sang along to PC favourites - My Inspiration, Hello! and Live This Life - at the top of their voices! Songs of anthemic altitudes! A great night out!

And cleverly displayed on the bar counters, between Savannas and beers being bought were the flyers for the next big SA band to hit London earwaves... JUST JINJER! 

(It wasnt long before the flyers became human advertising too!)

Hopping the pond in early August, Just Jinjer will be here for one show only at the Walkabout on 8 August! For me, its my birthday night and so celebrations have been pre-decided! Its a Wednesday, so consider taking Thursday off! Its gonna be huge!

Watch out for an interview of what life is like in LA for the Just Jinjer boys! Also in next week's Live Music SA section of the South African paper will be the story behind Mann Friday and their "Gone Fishing" going ons! More of that to follow soon. It will be sad to let the MF guys take a break, especially since London-based South Africans and Zimbos have grown so used to a regular hit of the good menn! But more on Mann Friday to follow.

Rock on,
x