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

Nude Girls back on a stage near you...

With the summer of SA music love in London this June, what would the SA music in London scene be without the original SA 'super' bands from back in the day...

Yes, we're talking the Just Jinjers and Springbok Nude Girls of the SA music scene! And they're both making appearances in London imminently!

We caught up with Arno Carstens of Springbok Nude Girls ahead of their London show on Saturday 4 June at the Shepherd's Bush Empire! Arno, who has been based between the UK and SA for the last three years, is currently on tour with SNG's around the UK...

1. When were Springbok Nude Girls last in London?
I cannot remember exactly when that was, but it was awesome. Prime Circle were with us. This tour started on 31 May up in Scotland, and we've played Glasgow, Newcastle and Sheffield so far!

2. What can we expect from the London show?
We will be doing songs that made us popular and also some stuff from Peace Breaker, the last album we made together!

The Empire is our favourite venue in London, we had awesome shows there! We are sharing the stage with Van Coke Kartel who are in peak condition, and amazing live! Velvetines will also be inspiring to watch - really looking forward to it!

3. So what is going on with SNG?
SNG is slowly starting to work on another body of work. We start next week, so let's see how it goes! We have done a lot of work together and now recognise a certain magic as a whole, something you take for granted when you are busy having too much fun. We are in a good place now, we do SNG for the love of music on our own time when it suits us.

4. And as Arno Carstens?
I am half way through putting a new album together, which I feel good about. Then there is also talk of a solo DVD that might be recorded end of July.

5. What was SNG's last gig, and the next one after the UK tour ends on 7 June?
We played in February with U2's 360 Tour in South Africa! And we are looking forward to the Isle of Wight festival next weekend where SNG will be playing Big Top next Saturday (11 June) and adds Arno, "I'll be watching Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon, can't wait!"

Rock on SA music rock shows at the Shebu Empire,
x

6 degrees of SAMA 2011 separation...

Its been a while since we did a good 6 degrees of separation, and in the spirit of the recent South African Music Awards, we bring you some SA music trivia in this fun format...

Are you ready to read all about it...?

1. I really should write more about Yoav, the Israeli-born, Cape Town-based, world travelling musician who won 'Best Alternative Album English' at this year's SAMAs.

I once met Yoav (right) at Zebra & Giraffe's album launch in Stellenbosch at the end of 2010 - he was the support artist - and a very lovely guy!

We also met Z&G's lead singer Greg Carlin (below), a very friendly guy and possibly the tallest SA muso I've met (ok, so maybe just shy of Kurt Darren's 6.4)

2. Zebra & Giraffe, who I adore, performed 'The end of the road' at the SAMAs, a track off their latest album 'The Inside' (which was nominated for Best English Rock Album, but which was won by Prime Circle).

3. Amongst the other live acts at the SAMAs, was a SAMA special combo act - two artists who both had one of their songs nominated for Record of the Year. One part was the Durban girl group The Arrows with their successful radio single 'Lovesick' combined with SA's R&B crooner, Loyiso Bala and his popular radio hit 'Wrong for you'!

4. Next up, what would the 2011 SAMAs be without acknowledging the band who dominated the interweb in 2010. And if their name was in English, it would sound similar to the 'Lovesick ladies' (The Answer / The Arrows - geddit?). With Ninja singing on stage and Yo-landi floating above the audience much like a ninja-styled butterfly, it was apt as she sung 'Ai-i-ya-i-ai.. I am your butterfly!'

5. Ninja, the main man from Die Antwoord, on accepting the 'International Achievement Award', said (and I paraphrase) "I'd like to thank all the people in the overseas who helped Die Antwoord with their first SAMA!" When collecting the award, Ninja was wearing a very unique patterned suit, and with no shirt underneath, you could see his washboard stomach and the array of seemingly homemade tattoos for which he has become famous. (And Yo-landi, for what its worth, was dressed in an orange, over-sized fluffy bear outfit thing!)

6. And talking about 'the people in the overseas', just to say that to everyone reading ZAmmm! - there will be more plenty more insights on artists like Israeli-born, Cape Town bred (and according to some sites, London-based), or at least 'world-based' Yoav. I know he was abroad for a while, maybe he too is home now. But as with all great SA musicians - have SAMA, will travel :)


Rock on SA artists coming to London, and being recognised for their work,
x

Look who made the list...

I always find this a fun litmus test for how much of the industry I actually know! From my love of rock and singer songwriters in South Africa - the SAMA nominations always remind me just how much more there is out there in our rainbow nation! From Maskandi to Venda, Afrikaans to jazz, gospel and Kwaito - oh, and not forgetting the overwhelming following of dance music in SA!

Here are a selection of SAMA categories and nominations that got me excited and crossing digits and congratulating artists (with little stars to show extra love):

Album of the year

Flash Republic – Killer Moves *

Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart *

Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde *

Professor – University Of Kalawa Jazmee

Zakes Bantwini – Love, Light & Music

Duo/Group of the year

Flash Republic – Killer Moves *

Kwela Tebza – Gauteng Made In South Africa/Mzansi

Liquideep – Fabrics Of The Heart *

Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde *

Tumi & The Volume – Pick a Dream *

Best Music Video of the year
Freshlyground – Chicken To Change *

Nomfusi – Nontsokolo

Teargas – Goodfellaz

The Parlotones – The Stars Fall Down *

The Parlotones – Life Design

Best Rock Album: English
John Ellis – My Own Way Home

Prime Circle – Jekyll & Hyde

The Narrow – You Don’t Get To Quit *

The Parlotones – Live Design

Zebra & Giraffe – The Inside *

Best Pop Album: English
Danny K – Across The Line

Jax Panik – I Am Jax Panik *

Locnville – Sun In My Pocket

Louise Day – Swallowed By The City 

The Arrows – Make Believe *

Record of the year (the only category voted for by the public - my thoughts below!)

Alone – Liquideep

Breathing – Prime Circle Good song, but not a winner in this category.

Bum Bum – Zakes Bantwini

Dreamer – Arno Carstens * 

Fire Is Low – Freshlyground

Get Busy Living – Goldfish

Hobie Beach – Kinky Robot

Imoto – Professor

It's A Party – Jozi

Lovesick – The Arrows * It's stuck in my head and I don't mind

Love You Better (w/ Rue-Groove) – Crazy White Boy * Addictive. Like.

Mama (w/ Ringo) – Black Coffee

Ngisemthanda (w/ Joocy, DJ Tira & Dr Duda) – DJ CNDO

Potoko (w/ Juice Matute) – DJ Mahoota

Show Dem (w/ HHP) – JR I'm sure this was on the same list last year!?

Turn Up The Volume – Auriol Hays

Twisted – Crash Car Burn * Impressed every time I hear it on radio!

Warrior – Louise Carver Great track, great collaboration!

Woza – Jaziel Brothers

Wrong For You – Loyiso


Click here for the full list of 2011 SAMA nominations.

Almost as good as live music for me, is the chance to buy a really good SA music DVD - something which not many artists in this country have done well yet - so some other nominations I'm excited for include Nibs van der Spuy's amazing 'Live at the Vagabond Cafe' DVD  for 'Best Jazz/ Instrumental/ Popular Classical DVD' and both Locnville and The Parlotones in 'Best Global Chart DVD'!

Coming up tops as SA artists who have been abroad a fair bit with most nominations from a quick glance, we have Prime Circle leading with 6 (ahead of Parlotones with 4), Liquideep with 5 and then a few more with 4, namely Flash Republic, Freshlyground, Zakes Bantwini (must google), Professor (need to find out more about this Durban Kwaito artist), Louise Carver and Goldfish, followed by Locnville with 3 - and a couple of nods for Karen Zoid, Nianell, the Arrows, Jax Panik and Loyiso Bala too!

Rock on to all those celebrating the night away at the SAMA nomination party,

x

Yes, I'm guilty...

As a true original, rock-loving, leaning-towards-acoustic singer songwriter lyrical loving music type girl, I feel I've commited some sort of music sin...

I've got Musica partly to blame for making such music so accessible and reasonably priced at R99.95. And for a double CD - score! Now, it is time to admit my little secret and tell you just what it is that I bought... Any guesses thus far? Any particular CDs you would consider as a shocking purchase?

Well, the moment of truth is that the album I bought isn't even an original album. Its a compilation. Ok, so that's the second hint. Double CD compilation. Ok... so, I have just become the owner (by choice of course) - of Now 56! Does that make me a bad music person?

I have this thing about not supporting big international commercial artists unless they are true musicians and passionately into their art. Especially since this is where most record labels tend to spend their marketing budgets, because they know that these are easy artists to sell. So instead of investing in local talent, they'd rather spread the next J'Lo or Justin Bieber - of which neither probably writes their own songs, music or gets involved with much more than photo shoots, press events and live performances.

But what did ease my conscience was just how many SA artists are actually on the album. And also, the reason I bought it - as is often the case with music - is for purposes of nostalgia...

You see, this trip to SA has been just shy of four fabulous months - and I've been loving my driving time, while listening back and forth between 5FM and KFM. And with many awesome SA tracks on the radio a lot more than I've recalled in the past, its been delightful to hear some great SA songs on radio.

While the SA artists on Now 56 are the more well known SA ones, at least they are on there. And at 9 tracks out of a total 41 on the two CDs, that is nearly 25% which is akin to the local radio station local radio play. I hope that by Now 58 we are at 50% of local stuff versus international commercial overkill.

SA artists on Now 56:
- The Arrows: Lovestruck
- Goldfish: Get busy living
- The Parlotones: The stars fall down
- Locnville: Love rush
- Prime Circle: Breathing
- Civil Twilight: Next to me
- Arno Carstens: Heartbreak Monday
- Freshlyground: Fire is low
- Jax Panik: Get up (if you're hot)




Other SA songs on local radio that I'm totally digging right now:
- Evolver One: Move along (wow, incredible when really loud and in a private driving space)
- What now: Toy soldiers
- Mccree: What is it
- Jax Panik: Rockstar (how can you not be in a good driving mood when this comes on! And the crazy cool video for this fabulous track is being released today - keep an eye out)
- Dirty Skirts:  Strike the match
- Civil Twilight: Love letters to the sky
- Good Luck: Taking it easy

Rock on local music getting out there,
x

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

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