Do as I say, not as I do...

I am currently easing myself back into the blog world after a near month and a half hiatus of part holiday and other part hectic work stint abroad. Half written posts of inspired brilliance are just waiting to be ZAmmm!ed! So watch this space... 

While I know that inconsistency is the ultimate faux paux in blogging life... and that large gaps of time between posts are also not PC, it is still our human-ness which drives us to write. And oh, the self-applied pressure to deliver quirky, fresh insightfulness!

But, that said - I do believe that flow is the best way of living one's life. And by this, I mean that we should live to our natural pace and follow our intuition and 'cake crumbs' as we spot them, so that we can move forward at the perfect pace for the path we're travelling on!

So this is in fact the perfectly timed - and themed - blog post for me right now! (And not just cos its loosley, and deliberately centred, around the new film 'Bad Teacher' - which is, yes, a direct attempt at scoring two free tickets to see the latest Cameron Diaz movie!)

I said it at the start, do as I say and not as I do. Although, I actually believe in acting in accordance with one's own in-built GPS system. Because if we all take responsibility for our beings and listen to our innate intuitive guidance and live our lives at their optimum flow - we will be our healthiest and harm-free fullest, able to see and appreciate every day with gratitude and joy and living in alignment with ourselves, and others!

If we each listen, and act on, what our inner sat nav intuitively guides us to do (aligned to our awesomeness and openness), we'll all live our most fabulous lives!

So back to the movie. Bad Teacher. As with all Hollywood films these days, especially one with the smokin' sultry blonde lead actress such as Cameron Diaz - even the most random of storylines always has a a message, plus a dash of humour and normally a love story for good measure too!

Watch it to find out - its on at Ster Kinekor - 'your happy place'! (I just love the new SK slogan!) And place your bets here - 'cos most often its the worst experiences that teach us the most! And I predict a positive outcome in Bad Teacher...

Rock on life long learning,
x

Rocking London the Munkin way...

Wearing nail polish, interviewing world famous drummers, playing at London’s largest indoor festival and why music rocks his world – Travis Marc du Plooy chats to ZAmmm! about this and more!

A brother duo of South African blood, combined with British guitarist James Mattocks, makes up the London-based indie rock, skater punk 'munkin rock' outfit known as Munkinpure! And performing in London this weekend at Live Fest they will be!

Says Travis ahead of this big gig, “My brother Darryl and I are the Saffers in the band and our British guitarist James has been a dear friend for years, and one of the best guitarists on the scene at the moment!”

After battling it out in live heats across the UK and beating 10,000 acts, Munkinpure are to play Live and Unsigned National Final at The O2 on Saturday 23 July at Indigo2, one of the main stages of Live Fest Festival. 

Q1. I’ve seen you wearing nail polish, what else makes your style unique and quirky?

Yeah sometimes I wear nail polish, I also wear some strange pants which most people wouldn't be caught dead wearing, haha. However, the part that makes Munkinpure unique or quirky is that I am the drummer and lead vocalist, which is something you don't really see that often anymore. We combine indie and rock and make a pretty cool mixture of music!

Q2. As a drummer yourself, how has it been to interview other drummers?

I've interviewed quite a few famous, and not so famous drummers for a website called UKDrummer.com and a magazine in South Africa called 'SA Drums and Percussion'. I love the drums and feel very fortunate about that I've been able to meet and talk with some of my drumming heroes. To date I've interviewed Jonathan Moffet (Micheal Jackson), Karl Brazil (Robbie Williams), Johnny Rabb (Bio Diesel) and even Ian Paice (Deep Purple) to name just a few. I find it really inspiring and love how drummers in particular always seem so willing to share their knowledge and ideas.

Q3. Why do you love what you do?

I love music because it makes me feel everything that I think one should feel in order to feel alive - love, hate, anger, happiness, compassion, jealousy - everything. I think music is the greatest gift you can give someone. It's like a religion to me and I couldn't live without it.

Q4. Where did your love of drumming begin?

I started drumming when I was in my teens, I was a huge Dave Grohl fan (still am) and loved the programmed beats on most of Michael Jackson’s records so basically started trying to imitate those grooves while using as much energy as I could to emulate Dave's drumming, before realising that other drummers actually existed. Now I'm really into Keith Moon, Tommy Lee, Barker and Danny Seraphine. According to my parents (who are super supportive) I would apparently hit anything and everything while growing up. Eventually I won some money off of a radio station, bought some drums and the rest is history.

Q5. How did you end up in London?

We felt that we had explored a lot of the possible avenues that our genre could explore back in SA and decided that we should try and expand our horizons. We love SA and we feel that it will always be home, we want to try and take our music internationally and are happy knowing that our fellow Saffers are proud of what we seem to be achieving thus far, we'll never forget our roots! 

We wish Munkinpure all the best tomorrow night - as well as another South African singer songwriter known as Malory Torr - the cousin of SA-based singer songwriter Josie Field. To book a ticket for Live Fest at The O2 visit www.livefest.co.uk

Rock on Munkinpure and Malory Torr,

x

Spread the Madiba magic...

On this day, Mandela Day, as Madiba celebrates his 93rd birthday, one of his last few on this earth, we have to start thinking of his legacy while he's alive!

And thinking too, about how each of us can embody the gracious empathy and gentle encouragement for others which he has lived over the years!

A wonderful example, from Nelson Mandela Bay itself (aka Port Elizabeth), is a little video we came across recently! This is a classic example of how doing some amazing for others (and combined with music of course), can make such a difference to those around us!

From the very African opening of Shosoloza which is sure to inspire a bit of nostalgia and homesickness, it rolls into so many more little pop-up acts unfolding around the shopping centre, distinctly South African with the Steers and Wimpy logos blazing in the background! The little medley includes a cool re-creation of Katy Perry's Firework set against a Glee-esque beat, as well as a funky version of  Grease's 'You're the one I want'!

At first I wasn't sure who's behind this little impromptu burst of shopping centre inspiration, perhaps a drama school, a local church group or maybe just a bunch of friends? But then all is revealed at the end - and what a clever approach to attract attention for their cause and service! But what I do know is that the reactions on the unsuspecting faces as this little acapella performance unfolds is worth the watch more than finding out who put the video together!

How can you spread the Madiba magic, today and everyday!?

Do something for someone, hell - do something without anyone knowing - something that will make someone smile! Cos afterall, what's life about if not to share the magic!

Rock on Madiba magic,

x

Abra-ca-da-bra-ZAmmm!...

There is great power in writing things down. We all know it, have been told it a trillion times, and yet, how often do we actually write down what we want, or write about - and talk about - what we truly believe in! 

I've been writing a lot more things down recently. Lists, blog posts, letters. And even The List. Cos writing matters, and makes a difference! Both for ourselves, and to those we share our writings with. And with the online reach to all corners of the world, never has it been more powerful to write about things that matter right here on ZAmmm!

And that's why I keep on writing about SA music. Because it really matters, and bit by bit, it reaches new ears as musicians continue creating and sharing their magic, and we all do what we can to spread the word, and amazing sounds, that come out of South Africa! So South Africa proud am I!

So yes, there is great power in writing things down. There is great power in dreaming, and believing too! Magic happens when you believe it can!

I've also recently been a runner up in the Amarula cocktail competition, with my cocktail - as described here on ZAmmm! - being photographed today and soon to be published on Amarula's website! Other exciting news received a few weeks ago - also written about here on ZAmmm! - is that Cape Town has been shortlisted, from 56 cities, to be in the top three for the World Design Capital 2014. And I believe that it is ours!

I am very Cape Town proud too, as you can tell from reading ZAmmm! From the Mr Testicles trip to the Mother City in May and our incredible stay at The Grand Daddy Hotel on Long Street (complete with photo essay of his visit with a Page 3 girl), to the buzz that is everywhere in the city, from music to design!

So, as a shortlisted city for World Design Capital 2014 alongside Dublin and Bilbao, it is now down to us to spread the word even more! No matter how many friends I tell, it is delightful news to them all! So please do share the exciting news! And with this as one reason alone, I am so excited to be back living in the Mother City, albeit that I am currently enjoying the London summer for a few weeks!

But back to all things creative in Cape Town - two months from now, Creative Week Cape Town 2011, kicks off! Do you have anything to add? I have been plotting some ideas for my return to the Mother City...

There sure is great power in writing things down. Amazing things come our way when we know what we want, combined with a little bit of faith and a whole lotta love!

Rock on writing things down,

x

Celebrating Mama Africa...

In following the graceful style of Mama Africa, four South African musicians play tribute, in London, to the soulful jazz legend who introduced African music to America and the world!

Its been two years and eight months since the death of Miriam Makeba... but her music lives on!

As part of the Barbican's Blaze festival, two special shows take place on 10 and 11 July at Hackney Empire in London! The legendary SA trumpeter - and former husband to Makeba - Hugh Masekela heads up the group consisting of Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswe and Lira.

Masekela was always younger than Makeba, at 71 now, compared to Miriam's 76 years when she passed away in 2008. Both Masekela and Makeba were outspoken activists for civil rights in South Africa.

While Masekela has just shy of 14,000 Facebook fans, Makeba - known for her famous song 'Pata Pata' - has close on 12,000. Thandiswa, previously of Bongo Maffin, has about half of each of them, with 7,600 fans, whereas in stark comparison, the young soulful songbird Lira has 315,000 Facebook fans!

A fabulous line up indeed and well worth the trip to honour Mama Africa! Tickets from £15!

Rock on remembering legacies and legends,
x

A- for Ashtray, A++ for aKING...

One of the benefits of living in South Africa is that I get to see SA music nearly every weekend, and sometimes twice in a weekend and even during the week if I'm up to it!

So it was with disappointment that since being back in Cape Town for two and a half months (and going to quite a few gigs), I have had my first 'bad' SA band experience...

But maybe its a good thing. If everything shone brightly, we wouldn't really notice - or appreciate - those who truly stand out! For this reason I give Ashtray Electric's album launch this weekend past an A- and aKING's video launch the weekend before, an A++!

Ashtray Electric have all the elements to be amazing, yet for an album launch it was a massive let down... On opening, Ashtray filled The Assembly with an incredible intro of lights and sound that surrounded you with synthed pre-recorded keyboard sounds. We were in for something good. Or so we thought. And then the opening track lost my interest not even half way through. Followed by a second track which didn't hold my attention at all. They then bantered between themselves a bit, after which they played an old track off their debut album titled Bonjour.

Well, hello and goodbye it is for me and Ashtray alas. We spent more of the night in the bar area, and in fact left the venue earlier than normal because the atmosphere was flat. The Assembly's heightened magic of my past three gigs there had been deflated. And it wasn't only us. The crowds were scarce and scattered, and standing very still. No one was rocking out. Well, besides the one guy behind me, but there is always one! I feel for Ashtray Electric, as part of the recent Bellville scene, its like they are the once-removed second cousins who didn't quite make it to the party.

I couldn't help but feel that their second album name might just be a self-fulfilling prophecy too - 'Measured in Falls'. Hmmm.

As we stopped at the obligatory 'Party Engen' on Orange Street on the way home, we spotted an advert for their album launch. It had been painted onto a wall just opposite the Engen. Painted. How much does one pay for such an advert? Hmmm.

In contrast, the weekend before had blown me away as I've come to expect from gigs at The Assembly. It was aKING's video launch for 'Catch Alight' off their recent third album release, The Red Blooded Years! Watching the video felt like history in the making as a bunch of band members literally just f*cked each other up - punches, hair pulling, proper caught-on-camera-up-close nose breaking as it skewed in slow motion into a shape that noses shouldn't ever experience. It was kind of like Jackass SA style, but made for MK!

It was an excellent gig all round, and the crowds and hands-in-the-air were testament to that!

The only other thing I can say for Saturday past was that luckily I didn't actually pay the steep R60 entry. I had entered a competition on a really cool site called Social Contract and had won a pair of tickets! Social Contract collates all the gig posters for shows going down in that particular week.

And it reminded me just how many different aspects of the music industry there are, including these talented designers who output all manner of artwork for the gig posters we too often only see in postage stamp size on a Facebook event page! 

And this reminded me too of Cape Town's World Design Capital 2014 bid (of which the three shortlisted cities will be announced in the next week or so) - and the fact that design is so very alive in the Mother City!

Social Contract is doing a great service in collating such designs, and creating a platform to increase awareness for SA's talented designers, in an area of art that is way too under-appreciated in SA! I think gig posters might just be the next big collector's item in fact, especially after speaking to Stephan who started the site! People just need to open their eyes to this incredible artwork right in front of them! And who doesn't love a poster eh! This is just the more grown up version of those Pulp Fiction and YOU posters you had on your walls as a kid! Social Contract is a site worth bookmarking...

From the SA music poster emergence to A++ for aKING, SA music was also proudly flying the flag in London this weekend - from DJ Fresh at Egg on Friday to Just Jinjer and Goldfish kicking it on Clapham Common alongside INXS at Southern Sounds!

Rock on SA music that really shines above the rest,
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

Like flies to the Fokof dancefloor...

Anyone's who's been to an Afrikaans South African concert in London knows that whether you speak the language or not, the second you walk through that door and get stamped, you become Afrikaans!

Paul Walsh, UK-based South African music lover, sound engineer and guitar player, headed down to the Clapham Grand on Friday 27 May to catch Fokofpolisiekar live in London...

It seems only fitting tonight for the first time in five years, that the band responsible for making Afrikaans 'cool' again, as well as opening the door to a storm of fresh Afrikaans talent, Fokofpolisiekar is back in London! But this time round they've brought friends.

First to hit the stage is London-based cross-over band, The Spindle Sect. They came on a bit earlier than expected, so the venue hadn't quite filled up, but they managed to keep the crowd entertained whilst warming everyone up for the night ahead!

Since Fokof's last outing to London, they've been on a hiatus, formed a couple of side projects, reformed again, released an EP and also released a documentary. One of the more successful of the side projects, Francois Van Coke and Wynand Myburgh's Van Coke Kartel, have accompanied Fokof on their London / Amsterdam leg. Whilst the remaining members of Fokof are flying home after the Amsterdam show, VCK will be staying for an additional week and supporting the Springbok Nude Girls on their 'last tour ever'! If you missed them, be sure to catch them and witness a piece of history (see gig guide for London SNG dates!)

Van Coke jumped onto the stage with enough energy to make you think "How the hell is he going to be able to pull this off for the next two hours!?" But he and the rest of the Kartel managed to keep it consistent! They opened their set with a brilliant rendition of 'Ondier kom', whizzed through old classics such as 'Verdoof vergiftig verskoon my' and 'Voor ons stof word' and generally rocked the house.

Ironically, the song that turned the crowd into one voice was the English cover that they did of Michael Sembello's 'Maniac'. Unfortunately the set went past very quickly, but that could only mean one thing: It was time for the main event!

Fokofpolisiekar took to the stage, and the crowd took to the floor like flies to the light! Francois substituted his guitar for a simple mic that allowed him to explore every inch of the stage, and boy, did him and Wynand make the most of that stage! 

Opening with 'Prioritiseer', not one of their most well known songs, it seemed to be the right song to get the evening started. Very surprisingly, they threw out their most well known song, 'Hemel op die platteland', way too early. Nevertheless, these guys know what they're doing and played hit after hit, making it clear that the Clapham Grand belonged to them!

Generally, Fokofpolisiekar isn't a band that I would associate with moshpits, but with the atmosphere that was emanating from the middle of the pit, even I couldn't resist throwing myself into the action, and it wasn't long until Francois followed suit, microphone and all! The band played a very successful set, and after they left the stage, there were chants for an encore, but unfortunately that was all for the evening! They came to entertain, and they did a damn good job of it!

On behalf of ZAmmm!, many thanks to Paul Walsh for the photos and great review!

Rock on SA music showing London how its done,
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

SAMAs for SA artists who've rocked London...

By nature of a lot of the SAMA award winners having been to London - and hence being written about on these blog pages - it makes me wonder if maybe there is a correlation to the international success of an artist with their local success...

Here are some of the 17th SAMA category winners for artists who have been on ZAmmm! and performed in London. In no particular order, they are...

• Van Coke Kartel: 'Best Afrikaans Rock Album' - playing in London this Friday, 27 May, at the Clapham Grand. Still time to get your tickets and experience Afrikaans rock at its best!

• Kurt Darren: 'Best Sokkie Dans Album' - wearing a shiny black silk shirt under his black suit on the night, Kurt looked all set for success. (ever so slight swoon) Yes, I wrote about my Kurt crush right here ahead of his UK show, also at the Clapham Grand, in April 2010.

• Locnville: 'Best Newcomer' and 'Bestselling Album' - mentioned many times on this blog, and I got to meet them and do the twin-tastic interview in London for SA PROMO Magazine! Though they have not performed in London as such quite yet!

• The Parlotones: 'Best Music Video', 'Best Global Chart DVD' and 'Best Selling DVD' - mentioned endless times on ZAmm! and written about loads in SA PROMO Magazine as well, about as many as they've played in London! They've also just announced new UK dates for November 2011, with a London date on 9 November!

• Prime Circle: 'Best Rock Album English' - they've played the Walkabout in Wimbledon in years past, and been mentioned many times on ZAmmm! too!

• Die Antwoord: 'International Achievement Award' - they played in London at Scala in November last year!

• Jax Panik: 'Best Pop Album English' - he's hot and all over ZAmmm!'s cyber space like a catchy pop chorus! Yet to play in London though - but as an 'internet-based' artist, its all about the viral and videos! Of which their third album, Sex Me Slowly, has just been released!

• Steve Hofmeyr: 'Best Adult Contemporary Album' - he performed in London in February this year!

• Freshlyground: 'Best Adult Contemporary Album' - having visited London a few times with a great gig at Shepherd's Bush Empire a few years back, as well as extensive overseas touring! Also wrote about them yesterday as they will be performing at Malawi's Lake of Stars festival in October!

• Goldfish: 'Best Global Dance Album' - having played in London at the end of April, they are also playing in Cape Town this weekend before heading off for their summer in Europe, including their slot at Southern Sounds, the new one day southern hemisphere festival on Clapham Common on 11 June!

Rock on awards and reading all about it here on ZAmmm!

x

A sprinkle of 'Freshly' sparkle to Lake of Stars...

The dates and initial line up has just been announced for the Lake of Stars, Malawi's annual music festival! Taking place from 30 September to 2 October 2011, a UK band will be headlining alongside other local Malawian and African acts...

And proudly so, South African music will be there to add sparkle and celebrate under the stars on the shores of Lake Malawi! Freshlyground will be Waka Waka'ering at Nkopola Lodge this year in Mangochi, Malawi!

Three hours by bus from the airport city of Lilongwe, Nkopola Lodge has been home to the Lake of Stars music festival for the last few years! The festival is now in its 8th year!


Freshlyground are a busy bunch this year, with exactly a month to go til their mid year tour to the USA and Canada, of which a stop at the famous Montreal Jazz Festival on 28 June is on the schedule. They will also be visiting Massachusettes, New York, Illinois, Washington and Vermonth - plus Old Quebec and Toronto as well as Montreal in Canada!


Follow them on Facebook for tour details...


Freshlyground have also just posted a video on their Facebook group a few hours ago in which they sing a song with the caption 'Happy 70th birthday to Bob!'  At first wonder, I thought it might be a tongue in cheek wish to Robert 'Bob' Mugabe (following their recent SAMA nominated 'Chicken to change' video aimed at Zimbabwe, but he is well into his 80s)... or perhaps referencing the reggae legend Bob Marley (but May 2011 is 30 years since the month of his death, not 70 since his birth)... So I racked my brain a little bit more, and soon realised that they must be talking about the poet of the 60s - the one and only Bob Dylan!


Rock on Freshlyground world tour and happy birthday Bob!
x

Roots, reggae and waiting rooms...

While sitting in Hudsons on Somerset Road last night, listening to a Bob Marley track in the background, I suddenly felt the urge for some full-on reggae. And more so, a SA reggae resurgence!

But then if I think about it, we already have our very own active SA bands contributing beautifully - from Cape Town's Little Kings and 7th Son to Joburg-based Tidal Waves!

Tidal Waves played last night at Purple Turtle in fact and will be at The Waiting Room on Long Street in Cape Town tomorrow night!

Having met Ziggy Marley last year (so says their bio), and touring the US a couple of months ago, including at the famous SXSW - Tidal Waves are living up to their namesake in building seismic momentum! Their sound is original roots reggae with traditional African influences like Maskandi and Mbaqanga, plus a bit of the blues, ska and rock influence adding its flair! They also mix languages, performing in English, Afrikaans, Setswana and Tshivhenda.

Listen to some chilled Tidal Waves' tunes...

As for tonight, The Waiting Room it is, time to check out Andrew James! Described as 'roots music', it sounds like we're in for a creative exploratory treat tonight. Report back to follow!

Rock on SA-infused reggae,
x

Photo essay: Mr Testicles in SA (And Jax Panik meets our page 3 girl)...

Over a week ago, a giant pair of testicles and a beautiful girl blessed with a bountiful pair of breasts flew into SA from the UK. They were here as part of the 'Rhian's Got Balls' challenge... 

We're talking Mr Testicles and the gorgeous blonde glamour model, Rhian Sugden of course - and yes, you do need to see it to believe it!

Who's the Daddy!?

Rhian Sugden, with her mostly male target audience (and over 16,000 Twitter followers @Rhianmarie), is working with the Male Cancer Awareness Campaign in the fight against male cancer.

'Rhian's Got Balls' is a series of extreme adventure challenges which Rhian is taking part in, to raise awareness for testicular cancer. Early detection is key as testicular cancer is one of the most treatable cancers.

From diving with Great White Sharks in Gansbaai, to ziplining across a gorge in Ceres, as well as skipping through the vineywards at Steenberg Wine Estate, Mr Testicles and Rhian had the best of times in South Africa!

(Videos of each of her challenges will be released, one-per-month, to raise awareness for testicular cancer and promote the new Mr Testicles website, due out in July - watch this space)

Rhian and Mr Testicles even met and mingled with some local Cape Town whos' who...

Michael Rutzen, The Shark Man

Liezel van der Westhuizen of Expresso

Ricky & Sean from MyCityByNight

Michael Mol at Hello Doctor

Seth Rotherham & the 2OV crew

And Jax 'Get up if you're hot' Panik!
(and hot hot hot he is, having just won
the SAMA for Best English Pop Album!)

And as a thank you to the people of Cape Town, Mr Testicles and Rhian hosted a little braai with some beats on the rooftop of the Grand Daddy Hotel on Monday 9 May...

Rhian's first boerewors roll!

You too can get involved in Male Cancer Awareness Campaign's next project, the BBQ World Championships!

Now show me a South African male who could resist a challenge with that title (and yes, we did tell them its called a BRAAI!), check out the BBQ World Championships Facebook group for how to sign up... and for more on Mr Testicles and his charity champion friends, check out the Male Cancer website!

Rock on awesome awareness raising initiatives,

x

PS. And don't say I didn't mention SA music... our very own Jax Panik got to meet the world's one and only Mr Testicles as well as Rhian Sugden! Congrats again to Jax Panik for the SAMA win last night - and all other SA artists!

PPS. More to follow on the SA artists who've graced ZAmmm! cyber space in the last year and who won SAMAs last night (sneak peak mentions: Locnville, Prime Circle, Parlotones, Die Antwoord)

Where for art thou dear Lize...

Starting her solo career in 1997, she has released five solo albums as well as a lullaby CD and a DVD. And she will be returning to London following a sold out show in 2008 at her first ever overseas performance!

She is of course Lize Beekman, the blue eyed, blonde curly haired Afrikaans singer songwriter, who will be live at Aardvark in London on 2 & 3 June.

As today is SAMA Saturday, the 17th annual South African Music Awards, we asked Lize a bit about her SAMA history, the SA artists who she listens to, what inspires her songs and what we can expect for the rest of the year!

Q1. How many times has your work been nominated for a SAMA?

All my solo albums, with the exception of one, were nominated for a SAMA.The lullaby CD was also nominated and the DVD is nominated for this year's SAMAs! So that is a total of six!

Q2. How many SAMAs have you won?

I won a SAMA together with Amanda Strydom for the soundtrack 'n Vuur gevang in a glas.

Q3. Who are your favourite SA artists?

Though I'm not necessarily fond of all their music, there are several artists that I respect. Artists like Karen Zoid, Freshlyground, Nataniel, David Kramer, Laurika Rauch and Amanda Strydom to name a few.

Q4. What inspires your songs?

Life inspires my songs, for life is full of love, people and stories.

Q5. What is on the cards for the rest of 2011?

There's a lot more to be done in 2011. I'm working on a new solo album and hope to release it later this year. I also hope to release another Lize Beekman lullabies CD in aid of the Red Cross Children's Hospital. I'm also working on two other projects, but that will have to remain a secret for now and a surprise for later!

Rock on return visits to London for SA artists,

x

All things yellow...

Today is the day the SAMAs start! All the music glitterati are gathered in Jozi as the annual SA Music Awards take place at Montecasino for the first time this weekend (instead of Sun City!) The yellow carpets are at the ready for SA music royalty...

But while Jozi celebrates our country's musical talent, I'd like to share a little story about something exciting which Cape Town creatives have been getting up to...

At the end of March, Cape Town submitted their 'World Design Capital' bid to be considered to be the World Design Capital 2014!

But what does all this mean? Well, its basically a prestigious status afforded to one city every two years, awarded by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), and it is about recognising cities that are dedicated to using design for social, cultural and economic development!

Previous title holders include Turin in Italy in 2008, the first year of this ICSID World Design Capital status, and Seoul in South Korea in 2010! Astounding case studies abound on how Seoul used the WDC 2010 platform to transform their city! Helsinki, Finland is up next in 2012!

Ok, so what does this mean for Cape Town you ask! Well, for Cape Town this is a very exciting opportunity of highlighting the importance of creative industries to the city. Of which there are apparently over 1,000 in the Mother City said Lianne Burton of Cape Town Tourism at a talk on the bid last night! Plus it positions Cape Town as a globally significant 'design city' for the future!

The Mother City of creativity ek se - nurturing talent and ideas - the birth place of creative brilliance!

Now what excites me most is that within this broad banner of 'design' we can of course consider so much more than our initial thoughts of graphic, industrial and whatever else you first conjured. Design is way more than just making things pretty...

Consider systems design and information design, and 'design thinking' - and once you start to expand your mental concept of design, you realise that design is in everything! And part of the year long status of being spotlighted for using design for social, cultural and economic change means that the arts and music fall in there too!

So while the World Cup has passed, the energy of what people can do collectively is more alive than ever in South Africa! And Cape Town has recognised this opportunity and grabbed it with both hands!

So what next? Well, the bid books of 56 cities have been sent in (including Dublin, Beijing and Bilbao) and from these eager applicants, the ICSID will select three shortlist cities by July 2011. And as the only African entrant - we now need to do whatever we can to raise the profile of this bid for Cape Town. So...

 Wear the badge. Put it on your website.
 Join 'Cape Town for World Design Capital'.
 Get friends to join the Facebook group.
 Check out the website.
 Tell people.
 Be Cape Town proud. Be South Africa proud!

Never mind Design Indaba or Design Week, WDC 2014 will be Design Year! An entire year in which to create a programme of events under the spotlight of World Design Capital!

And Lianne also said, "Even if we don't win, we can't lose!" The bid is a catalyst to embed design thinking in city development. And judging by the speakers last night - including design lecturers and systems designers of the new IRT (Integrated Rapid Transfer) public transport system, as well as some guy speaking about the rise of electric cars - well, this shows the scope of how design improves city life!

And following all the recent local elections, 2014 is of course also a very important year for South Africa - the 20th anniversary of democracy, or '20 years of designing democracy' as they put it last night!

You see, design is in everything!

Rock on yellow carpets and yellow badges,
x

I have a dream that one day...

...what would you want to add to complete that sentence...?

"I have a dream that one day...' is the idea of artist and photographer Ant Martin as part of 'Street. An Exhibition'!

Ant was one of the artists who shared the streets of Cape Town between them, and tasked themselves with capturing the essence of the streets of Cape Town and its culture!

Ant had the area of Harrington Street, part of newly named The Fringe district in Cape Town, and also home to The Assembly, one of the most popular music venues! It was there that Ant, armed with camera and 'I have a dream' chalkboard asked partygoers to complete the slogan and pose for a pic with their dream a few weeks ago! Listening to Jeremy Loops and Machineri, I happened to be there...

...it isn't hard to imagine what I wished for...

The exhibition is hosted by Commonground Innercity at St Stephens, above &Union on Bree Street in Cape Town! It opens tonight and runs for the rest of the week!

Rock on awesome ideas and inspired beings,
x

I *had* my eye on you...

So as Blogger would have it, in all the years I've been trustingly posting, it was last week after a late night of triple posts that Blogger decided to crash on me - and erase all three late night creations! Luckily as technology would have it, two of the posts must have made it into the server twilight zone somewhere, cos those two posts bounced back to life right here on ZAmmm!

Alas, we had one fatality - forever lost to cyberspace and blog heaven. This was the follow-up post to 'I have my eye on you...' - and hence was called 'I STILL have my eye on you...'

Since capturing Facebook fan counts of various SA bands back in January 2011, I was keen to follow up now that we're a third into the year to see how their fan followings have expanded. All the artists on the little fan count list are ones I have particular interest in - and all are working hard on current projects, either about to release or have just released albums! Exciting times for SA music!

Alas, as the blog post is well and truly gone, I still wish to capture an overview of Facebook fan growth as follows:

• Jax Panik - top of the list for earning a whopping 10,000 fans in four months. They have released their third single, Sex me slowly as well as a fab video for the second single, Dinosaur. This has over 65,000 YouTube hits, which together with their over 55,000 Facebook fans makes them one hell of an online movement! They will be playing their first ever club gig tomorrow night at the Purple Turtle in Cape Town - get there if you're hot! (or not in London, or elsewhere in the world!)

• Jack Mantis Band - having earned about 250 fans from memory recall, I was surprised they didn't have more followers skipping down the Pied Pier path that is the Jack Mantis magic.  Their debut album is being worked on, cellos just added!

• Shen Winberg - still performing live as much as before, recently performed in Dubai and also with an album waiting for launch!

• Mccree - finishing touches being applied to an album I already can't wait to hear. A video was filmed at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town recently, in which local fans took part! Nice touch!

• The Rescu - with an album that has just been completed, they're starting the media play and interview circuit and were on 2OceansVibe radio last night!

• David Beretta Owens - he launched his album on 1 April at an arty venue in the middle of roughest Jozi. Dressed in a two-tone outfit (right), the concept of 'The order of things' was expressed!

• The Truth - The Truth is ultimately Chris Tait, of Tait. This is his latest project. And rumour has it the second half of this project is due to be released in the next few months! Plus some live gigging. We hope so!

Facebook fan race from Jan 2011 to now:

• Jax Panik: over 10,000 new fans (from 44,500 to 55,117)
• Jack Mantis Band: 229 new (from 1,195 to 1,424)
• Shen Winberg: 127 e-Shen converts (from 482 to 609)
• The Rescu: 115 new Rescu fans (from 540 to 655)
• Mccree: 106 new (from 1,086 to 1,192)
• David Beretta Owens: 26 new fans (from 426 to 452)
• The Truth: up 23 fans (from 133 to 156)

Next time I check in on your I hope to see a bunch of released albums being well marketed and loads of new online Facebook fans!

Rock on re-hashed posts written from memory and SA bands with online followings,
x

The all new Zing Amarula mint music muddle...

Introducing ZAmmm! - the Zing Amarula mint music muddle! We thought it was about time to create a truly South African cocktail in the spirit of South African music! 

And of course, what better ingredient to use than South Africa's very own 'Spirit of Africa' - Amarula!

Also, since it is currently World Cocktail week (6-13 May), we decided to indulge you on this Friday with a little homegrown creation to add to your weekend celebrations! Why not try this at home...

You will need:

• A glass (whisky tumbler size or any other favourite short or stemmed glass)
• Crushed ice
• Mint leaves
• Sugar
• Amarula

Created with the mojito in mind as our zing of inspiration, we took a few mint leaves and a teaspoon or two of sugar (as many mint leaves as the music moves you to add), and we then muddled them a bit with a dash of water.

(Before we did this we dipped the rim of the glass into water and then dipped this into some gorgeous granules of sugar for that edgy-crystal effect! Use any glass you like, in fact, use your favourite glass! Just like selecting your favourite SA artist to complete the moment, the glass for the ZAmmm cocktial is all about you!)

Once all dipped and muddled, add the crushed ice... and then, add the Amarula - as much of this creamy goodness as you'd like in ratio to the muddled mint - and of course, the last ingredient, just add music. Well, South African music to be precise!

And there you have it, the perfect concoction for the perfect South African cocktail, the Amarula inspired ZAmmm! = Zing Amarula mint music muddle!

Tips for ultimate ZAmmm! enjoyment:

• The ZAmmm! is best enjoyed while soaking up the ambience of some chilled live music, preferably inclined towards the spirit of African music.
• A perfect spot in Cape Town would be Polana in Kalk Bay, while a band plays on a Sunday afternoon as you gaze out the window onto the sea, sipping your refreshingly chilled, mint inspired Amarula ZAmmm! 
• Allow the smooth flow of ZAmmm!'s flavours to rest on your tongue, with the revitalising kiss of the minty zing of ZAmmm in the mint leaves! Let the marula berry's magic mix with the sounds of African-inspired expression!
• If you are enjoying this cocktail at home, put on your favourite SA artist - a little bit of Parlotones, maybe some Nibs van der Spuy or whatever local music makes you smile!
• A sprig of mint atop this cocktail will top off this crushed ice, mint muddled music-to-your-tastebuds cocktail!

Rock on ZAmmm! cocktail and music combo,

x

Mr Testicles meets Michael Mol...

Today Mr Testicles met the well known SA TV personality - Michael Mol - and the rest of the crew at the 'Expresso Show' in the studio building in Sea Point (including Leizel van der Westhuizen below to the left)! 

We were invited to chat with the good doctor himself, once a Mr South Africa, a long standing Top Billing presenter and now host of his own show, 'Hello Doctor', airing on a Sunday on SABC3 at 5pm!  "Well, Hellooooo Doctor," as Mr Testicles said a few times before we arrived!

Raising awareness for male cancer, Mr Testicles was in South Africa for a fast paced week together with gorgeous long blonde maned beauty Rhian Sugden (above right) - a British glamour model and page 3 girl for The Sun, one of only 12 page 3 girls for this UK-based newspaper! Rhian has been with The Sun for five years now!

It was in the Sea Point production studio that Rhian and Patrick Cox (aka Mr Testicles) were interviewed by Michael on the importance of early detection of testicular cancer and that it is nearly 100% curable if caught early. It was a pleasure to watch Micheal introduce the segment, interview Mr Testicles and deliver his lines perfectly, and with that effortless Michael grin as if his work is nothing but pure delight!

Now I may have had a little Michael crush over the years. Back in the days when he was a regular Top Billing presenter, my mom and I used to watch and admire his professionalism, his smile. Such charm! Those dimples! And a lifestyle to be super envious of!

Although after the week I've had with Mr Testicles and Rhian, I've felt what it must be like to be Michael Mol! The five days in Cape Town were all about extreme adventure challenges, filming 'Rhian's Got Balls' - a series of challenges to raise awareness for testicular cancer...

From zip lining to shark diving and paragliding! We also went wine tasting, did photo shoots on the beach as well as with pyrotechnic flame throwers!

And what a week with them it was! From meeting Michael Mol himself to driving around Cape Town, from Ceres to Gansbaai, up to mountains and down to beaches. Standing on Signal Hill in near gale force winds trying to take videos of a giant ballbag about to paraglide, to capturing the special moments as Mr Testicles and Rhian skipped through a vineyard at Steenberg wine estate, hand in hand!

(For more on what these videos will be used for, keep an eye on this 'seemingly-bog-standard-at-surface-level-but-in-your-face-when-you-look-up-close-website')

Rock on life defining moments and amazing memories,
x

ps. And as always, my desire to satisfy the music element of this blog kicks in, so I give you this little fact from 'Hello Doctor'... the music was written and produced especially for the show by a local guy called Colin Vincent of Orangutan Music.

So Seether right now...

Only a few days ago we wrote about SA's very own eyeliner boy and how much he looked like Pete Wentz or Adam Lambert as he says he sometimes gets called. 

But then he went and dyed his hair red. And now, all I can see is an angelic (and gorgeous) version of Seether's Shaun Morgan!

'He' of course being Ryan Morris (left), guitarist for SA band What Now who are based in London and currently touring the UK!

Ok, so there's the post box red hair. And there's the red and white stripes which add to the equation. Yet Ryan's white stripes look somehow wholesome next to Shaun's red and black long sleeve grungey gear!

    Its like 'Where's Wally' in the rock world!

Below to the right we have Shaun Morgan - postbox red hair and his right arm tattoo'ed too - just like Ryan's!



















Above we have the iconic Shaun Morgan shot - the angsty image that came out around their 2007 London tour and the launch of 'Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces' - the SAMA nominated album that came out after the death of Shaun's brother, Eugene. The track 'Rise above this' was in honour of him!

Then while browsing online to prove another point, I found this site who put this pic together for us to show the Nirvana-ness of Kurt Cobain in Shaun Morgan's style...

As 'they' say anyway... copying is a form of flattery, and since no idea is ever a new idea, plus the fact that fashion is cyclical - and since stripes are stripes - well, maybe we are just picking at straws.

I do have a desire to dye my hair red now. But more like Fire, that gorgeous Gladiator from about 10 years back. Hmm, I wonder what happened to her.

But back to Seether while we're on the topic - they are releasing a new album very very soon! 'Holding On To Strings Better Left To Fray' is released next week, 17 May 2011!

Rock on red hair, new albums and iconic images,
x

Free coffee in London, like music to my ears...

While 'May the 4th be with you' jokes abound today, it is also reason for celebration for South African coffee chain, Vida e Caffe, who are celebrating their first birthday for their Soho store in London! And what would a birthday be without tea and cake? 

Well, in the case of Vida e - how about a free coffee?

Head down to their Golden Square store in central London today and grab a free coffee in the name of first birthdays and May the 4th be with you! And may the coffee be with you too!

(And you've got to love the inspiration behind the name Vida e Caffe = its Portuguese for life + coffee. Simple. 'Making life better one espresso-based caffe at a time!')

Check out their Facebook group for more...

Rock on free coffee... like music to my ears,
x

Putting SA music in the Oxjam mix...

A great idea popped into my inbox this morn. A simple concept of claiming an entire month as a 'music festival', stating it in the name of charity - and then putting it out there as an opportunity for anyone to step up to the challenge and create their own event as part of this festival...

The event is the Oxjam October music festival, taking place in the UK, but seemingly anywhere in the world would suffice...

Stats from last year's Oxjam claim that over 700 events took place across the UK, from Inverness in Scotland, to Brighton on the south coast. And over 200,000 people attended an Oxjam event - thus making it the UK's biggest music festival they say.

Now I don't know my Glasto facts and figures, but I'm guessing they don't hit the 200,000 mark although I' always assumed it would be about that many thousand muddy people gathered in the fields of Somerset!

But back to Oxjam - Oxfam's month-long music festival... so they're on the lookout for people who've got what it takes to organise their own music events in October in the UK (or elsewhere, why not?)!

Yes, that's right - hundreds of events, in dozens of towns and cities, involving thousands of artists, all run by volunteers and all raising money for Oxfam!

Find out more about Oxjam and how you could get involved... much like the famed South African Ox braais, I think SA music and culture can add much to the Oxjam festival! Perhaps the likes of UK-based SA artists What Now, Starseed, Feral Sun, Steve Peralta, Samantha Horwill and more will want to do their bit for humankind?

People who wanna put on an event need to register an event by end of May and they will then be invited to attend an Oxjam training day run in partnership with LiveNation and the Academy Music Group!

Rock on music events to be created by the masses,
x