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I spent my lazy Saturday night studying Mandarin while the SAMA’s were presented on SABC1. I didn’t get much too study though, because I was soon turned into a sponge to soak up the “real” South African Music Industry. Here I was thinking I “knew” the industry and its artists, but boy was I surprised.

I keep forgetting that I’m a minority in this country and my general market or music knowledge of South African music only stretches to rock and alternative music. A brilliant example of the shock I experienced was with the Best English Pop Album. I only knew about Jody, last year’s Idols winner. The rest was totally unknown: and yes, that’s the “POP” album, the one’s everyone’s supposed know about and despise in public and guiltily listen to in private.

The presenter, who did a great job, Trevor Noah, spoke in an African language that I didn’t know of, and I strangely felt disconnected from my own country. The crowd were laughing their asses off, and I was just bluntly staring at the screen, perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of physical comedy so I can join in on the laughs.

I’m very much happy that Foto na Dans won Best Alternative Album: Afrikaans, Zebra and Giraffe won Best Rock Album: English and Goldfish won Best Dance Album as well as Best Producer. I was hoping for Goldfish to bag more awards though, especially Best Album of the Year.

Despite my sheer shock at the vast music industry that I’ve never even heard of, also made me excited. I really like music and I’m definitely going to go through those nominee lists now and try to listen to most of them. This country is diverse in its music, but I’ve only even began to scratch the surface. I feel like a kid in a candy store.

Ok, I’m going to slightly biased. I love Foto na Dans. Their live act is insane. Tight, epic and passionate. Le-Roi has an amazing voice.

Now Tollies is really random venue. Very unlike Foto na Dans, but I guess they were invited to play. The stage was very small, but they managed. The sound however wasn’t that great. Le-Roi’s vocals was a bit muddy.

They played a really random set: two new songs and Vergeet van My was not the set closer, rather 4th from last. Usually that’s the clincher, but Hou Jou Hand Bymekaar took the spot as set closer this time around. I haven’t seen them since the end of last year, but they do more crowd participation now, and it was especially apparent in Hou Jou Hand Bymekaar and Vergeet van My.

Despite a random set I will always enjoy Foto na Dans. They are doing new things with music and not just copying international trends with Afrikaans lyrics. Along with Lark, I rate them as the best local group in South Africa. Going to check them out at Coke Zero Fest. Really excited to see them on such a huge scale.

I was never a fan of reggae music, but after the infectious performance by Tidal Waves at Aandklas they have me considering otherwise.

Aandklas has always been an interesting venue, sometimes it is too crowded, other times the sound is not that great, but for tonight’s performance it suited the band perfectly: great sound, just the right amount of people and ample student bravado. I was transported into a world with palm trees, clean fine sand and a shimmering ocean.

Tidal Waves performed on a new initiative run by the forerunners in South African music, De Plate Kompanje, who also organize the highly successful Avontoer. Throughout February bands gig at Aandklas on select Tuesdays and Saturdays. Bohemia is also included on other days of the week. The gig was a little steep for a student budget, R30, but it was definitely worth sacrificing three beers.

When the members of Tidal Waves took the stage, anticipation built within the crowd, they somehow knew what was coming. Then unsuspecting to some, the dancing plague swept through the crowd like a fire on Stellenbosch mountain. I have never experienced such an infectious beat before, I could not stand still, and by looking at the swaying of the crowd they could not also.

I have to admit most reggae music have a very homogenous sound. It all sounds the same, but for every song I kept dancing and soon I realized if I did not calm down, I’d have stiff muscles in the morning. The band introduced some great complements to their sound with a harmonica and vuvuzela.

The Tidal Waves have a very captivating stage presence. They jam their instruments with vigour and passion and not to mention skill, especially the lead guitarist, Jaco Mans. The vocals are great although lacking in a bit of clear pronunciation. The unique thing about Tidal Waves is the crowd interaction. They have a saying they call throughout the gig, “Tidal Waves. Original music for original people”, and every time they do it the crowds shouts along in unison. There were various clap sessions and crowd echoes used to great affect in building the crowds energy and response.

The highlights include the genius melodies in songs like “Rapolotiki”, destined-to-be-a-hit tune “Lekker Dans”, the provoking “Money” and “Hard Work” along with the mesmerizing “Kia Ora”. Tidal Waves also did something I’ve never seen before: they played a double set with a short break in the middle. It was great as my legs needed resting and my body re-hydration for even more head banging and shuffling feet.

At the end of the night I walked out with a new album in my hand, a new interest in reggae music and new must see band.

This here is an awesome compilation that celebrates Muse for being the best band ever. Made only with vintage console hardware, this takes Muse to the level they never gone before. Enjoy!
Download: here

P.S. – I made the artwork as well.

Yesterday, I wentwith a few pals to attend the Tygerberg kampus rock gig. My intentions was to go say hi to all my medical buddies and then to check out New Holland. I’ve never seen them gig before so I was keen to see how they shape up.

The venue was rather epic. It was in front of a big classroom hall/building and the stage was the steps up the building. With the lighting and light breeze coming through just added to feeling of awe. I like taking in the atmosphere at gigs.

The gig opened with few local girls singing cover songs, which was pretty brave and good! Then A-Span came on. They are a acoustic guitar duo similiar to Lukraaketaar. Both of them are still in highschool, Ben and Renier. They opened with an amazing instrumental acoustic tune that blew my mind. However, when they began to sing, it lost the effect. The vocals is not bad, just needs a bit more work. The lyrics however was very good. I don’t often listen lyrics intently, but that was good.

Then Ben-Nevis came on. I am overly critical with new bands, maybe because I’m self a musician and that “competition” mindset comes into play. “I’m better than these guys” – and gals. However, they have potential. Their riffs are funky and they gel very well together as a group and for mere highschool kids they are very professional. I love the textures of the guitar, however that nagging de ja vu feeling kept coming back. The lead vocalist sounds just like Francois van Coke. I hate drawing parallels, because sometimes they are mere coincidences, but the similarity is to close to chalk to mere coincidence.

The final band to put on our party shoes was New Holland. I thoroughly enjoyed their set. They are extremely tight as a band and their sound are really of international caliber. However they are not there yet. I’m interested in hearing new material, because for now their music is catchy and good, but it still needs that edge, something that sets them apart from other bands. What I like about New Holland is their stage presence. They are smiling and enjoying themselves and that’s what matters to me. The bassist is constantly with a smile and bounces his away around the stage. I would’ve like the frontman’s vocals to be a bit more louder though. I’m eager to see them again, to see how they fair with a bigger crowd, I guess the energy could be even more contagious!

Ok, I confess. I am a big fan of the series Greek. Every character is lovable and the stories are oh so juicy soap-ish. Cappie (Scott Michael Foster) is one of my favourite characters. He kind of reminds me of myself, without the lady skills of course. So, such is routine, after every series or new interest I go read up on the wiki. Check some random trivia about the people. You know the simple celebrity syndrome fixation.
Then I read that Scott also plays in an indie band, Siren’s Eye. He even does the vocals. So natural instinct took over and I just had to listen to it. Boy, was I surprised. It’s not necessarily very unique, but darn is it catchy and Scott can sing! Listen to Falling.

Check the live vids as well on their Myspace.
Awesome-tastic.

http://www.myspace.com/campbelltheband

After listening to an 8bit act called Campbell (which is also very good) I stumbled upon this band on last.fm. Truly amazing vocals and melodies. Subtle yet powerful. Go have a listen!

I always enjoy interesting music. Someone that brings new things to the front and that broadens my horizons. Harris Tweed did this when they released their first album. It was fresh and Cherilyn’s voice was so sweet and sugary. I loved it! Especially Ode to Confusion, which strangely sounded like the Meatloaf epic, I’d do anything for love. Well the keys anyway. Hehe.

Fast forward a successful SA reception and now we have Dear Reader. Harris Tweed had to change their name due to a company in Scotland with a similar name. They are currently touring Europe and UK and their blogs are interesting to read as they document their tour.

I like the new sound of Dear Reader especially the song Never Goes. Go have a listen.

Over the past week, I’ve been kinda re-evaluting my stance on music. I try to live by the ideal that I will listen to any music, despite prejudices, connotations, ideas and notions; ergo have an open mind.

A previous blog post last week I went into ranting about how I hate zealous bidding of bands such as Fokofpolisiekar and all their respective children they have spawned, but somehow they were not a part of my ideal. I had judged them before I truly listened to it. On a even deeper level: I judged, and that is not part of my life philosophy. I live by the ignorant notion that I shall not judge anyone or anything based on whatever they do. I was not granted the all mighty smiting hammer so I could damn everyone, because they do ‘bad’ things. Who am I, to take that role?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll not be a totally void of opinion, because I’m scared of judging people. That’s a whole different ball game. Let’s take music as an example again:
I like music, and I try to listen to every kind of music. However, when someone plays me some music, and unless the band or artist is musically horrendous (bad notes, flat, rhythm is off etc), I will take it in for subjective growth experience it provides. I might not go ape shit over it and hail it next messiah, but I will most definitely not say, that shit is horrible. Some things I like more than other, but I’m not in the position to condemn it.

So, taking Fokofpolisiekar, Van Coke Kartel and aKing as examples: bands which I have completely condemned, because I despised them for various reasons, I will now remove that veil and go listen to their music. In the end I’ll have a more informed opinion, although I might not necessarily like them, and I’ll know that I at least gave them a chance. And if I don’t like them, I’m going to go about evangelizing the support for bring down band ‘x’, because of ‘x’ reasons.

So, in retrospect, The Afrikaans Phenomenon post was uncalled for. I felt strong about something, but I should’ve rather focused on the constructive rather the destructive.

Cheers,
Niel

Calling themselves after the sought after nerd activity, LAN, comes three synth lovers to rock up your dancefloor.
http://www.myspace.com/localareanetworksa

With a first demo tune up on there Myspace, it sounds like they have some potential. I’m super eager for a dance band scene to start being established in South Africa in the similiar vein such as guys as Simian Mobile Disco, LCD Soundsystem, Digitalism etc.

Currently South Africa is flooded with metal, punk and indie rock bands, now let’s get some dancing in there too. Go have a listen. Hopefully we will see them gigging soon! Only thing that I don’t like about that tune is the vocoded vocals, I’m not a big fan of that, but it’s not a complete deterent.
If you like them, check out Cutout Collective as well.