|
|
| |
|
South African Music Zine edited by Sugar |
| SECTIONS |
| HOME |
| REVIEWS |
| LAGER MENTALITY interviews |
| MY BACK PAGES features and columns |
| LINKS |
| ARCHIVES |
|
SA RECORD COMPANIES |
|
BMG,
David Gresham Records,
EMI,
Fresh Music,
Gallo,
MELT 2000,
Primedia Music,
Sheer Sound,
Sony Music,
Street Level,
Third Ear Music,
Rhythm,
Universal,
and USM
|
|
SOUND SOLUTIONS Looking for an album, song or musician? Got a question? Ask Sugar! |
|
|
|
Contents
This week's contents: Editorial: The week in brief News: Tait, Enrique Iglesias, Awesome Africa, Anton Fig, Mozambique Trip, Ripchord, Bjorn Again, RP Studios Emerging Sounds, Bed On Bricks, Maiden League, Peanut Butter Karma, Jo Day. Charts: SA Rock Digest MP3 and Album Charts New Releases: New SA MP3's and CD's, chiaroscuro, Jo Day, David Marks, Tonight We Die & Tim Parr feat Zoro, Adam Tas, Skrapnel, The Wayne Joshua Band. Classic SA Rock: USA For Africa; A Naartjie In The UK; Vinyl Junkies; South African Rock Lists Sound Solutions: A reader's forum - letters, info, questions and answers Live Music: Events round-up, SA Punk, Melanie Lowe, The Finkelstiens, Delta Blue, Entombed. SA Music Links And Resources: Contact Details Editorial THE WEEK IN BRIEF This week is a special "10 Years Of Freedom and Democracy" edition of the Digest. The new, free, democratic, rainbow-hued South Africa celebrates its 10th anniversary on Tuesday April 27 and we wish it many happy returns!! Cape Town band Tait are heading north on a short tour that will see them playing gigs in Johannesburg, Vereeniging, Pretoria and Bloemfontein ... Latin heart-throb Enrique Iglesias kicks off his 4-date tour in Cape Town on the 27th, before heading off to Durban (29th of April), Sun City (1st May) and finally Johannesburg (2nd May). ... Arno Carstens and New P*rn will perform an acoustic set at the launch of a new alternative music venue, London Calling, on Friday 30 April We take a look at the wonderful (and long) list of activities lined up for the future by Dan Chiorboli, Professor Pitika Ntuli, Thalia Erwin, and Joe Butler and the other tireless folk at Awesome Africa ... Anton Fig is the Cape Town drummer who now lives and works in New York, is the drummer in the David Letterman Show's house band on US TV, and has released an album called 'Figments' .... There is news from Ripchord about 12th Avenue, Koosh, that 'Going Nowhere 'Slowly' CD launch and the next 'Clash Of The Titans' gig Björn Again have become the most successful ABBA tribute bands in the world and will be returning to SA in June following their successful 2002 tour ... After seven years of running band competitions around SA, the RP Studios Emerging Sounds Competition has now established itself in the Lowveld at Nelspruit ... Congratulations to Bed On Bricks for being nominated in the category "Best Performance: Pop, Rock & Jazz" at this year's KKNK ... Piet Botha & Jack Hammer will be joining Ocean Ecstasy on the Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience pilgrimage to the lovely tropical paradise of Mozambique again from 27 - 30 May 2004 and you can join them The news from Maiden League Records is that The Doppler Effect group has decided to disband and the highly anticipated upcoming Antipathy album is being completed for a June release .... Levitation Magazine in conjunction with Universal Magnetic presents 'Peanut Butter Karma', an initiative aimed at using innovative Hip-Hop art and music to actively promote social change through its message and fundraising ... The Jo Day B.A.N.D has been urgently looking for a replacement drummer these past few weeks, but it all turned out okay in the end This week's 'Celeb:Select" list is from Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse .... We also have lists from Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz who have just published their excellent new reference guide to SA Music titled: 'Music Artists of South Africa' which is available in CD-ROM format for convenient reading on PCs ... This week's mp3's are from chiaroscuro, Jo Day, David Marks, Tonight We Die & Tim Parr feat Zoro ..... Adam Tas, in partnership with Exaltation Records, has just recently released a brand new album, entitled "Memories in a Menthol" .... "Skurwevoet" is the name of the debut CD from the Afrikaans rock band Skrapnel .... This week's artist profiles are on two Cape Town groups, The Wayne Joshua Band, and chiaroscuro ... Kurt Shoemaker just got hold of a copy of The Usual's 'Born In A Storm' and was blown away .... John Samson looks generally at bootleg albums, and more specifically at the new Just Jinger album called 'Bootleg Album' ... Blonde singing (Idols) sensation Melanie Lowe, backed by Eldorado Park's Di-M-T band, will be out to rock fans into public holiday mood, when they take to the stage at Roxy's Rhythm Bar, Beyers Naude Drive, Melville on Monday, April 26 The Stellenbosch Blues-boys Delta Blue are soon leaving the Cape for another visit to Gauteng ... "And then Entombed let fly with an insane barrage of rock-n-roll fury" - Francis Bryan was at The Mercury Live in Cape Town to catch "the Fathers of Scandinavian death metal". There's also the usual weekly mp3 and album charts, recommended SA gigs, letters to Sound Solutions, Digest Classifieds, old SA charts, and what's new on the shelves at Mabu Vinyl and CD and Vibes Vinyl. And that is some of SA music, this week ... If you would like to contact us, please send an email to mailto:editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest Thanks! Ed. ----------------------------
From Abstract Truth to Karen Zoid, from 'Astra' to 'Zen Boulders', from 'Ag Pleez Deddy' to 'ZX Dan'... visit the online archive for the history (and future) of South African Rock at: http://www.rock.co.za The SA Rock Encyclopedia is an archive of South African pop and rock music - past, present and future - and includes sections on classic albums, rock legends, rock lists, charts, trivia, family trees, a hall of fame, weblinks and more... ---------------------------- SAKLANK.COM Sluit aan by http://www.SAKlank.com deur e-pos te stuur aan intekenaar@saklank.com Alle rasionele idees, gedagtes, bydraes, briewe en konsert-/CD-resensies is altyd welkom! ---------------------------- THE OFFICIAL RODRIGUEZ WEBSITE 'Cold Fact', the classic album from the 70s, as well as 'After The Fact', the second Rodriguez album, have been re-issued and both are now available at Sugar Music. All Rodriguez Info at: http://www.sugarman.org ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST http://www.sarockdigest.com If you would like to receive all the SA music news on this page, as a free weekly Monday morning email newsletter with no attachments, then please enter your email address in the SA Rock Digest banner on the left. News
TAIT TOUR The popular Cape Town rock band, Tait, are heading north on a tour that will see them playing in Johannesburg, Vereeniging, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. A band spokesman explained that "this trip is part of an attempt to bridge the gap between North and South. We are looking forward to showcasing our material to the rest of the country and hope that all you loyal fans up north will be there to support us". Tait had huge radio and chart success with the ballad, 'In My Arms', the first single off their 'Back Seat Driver' album. The follow-up single, 'The Best Days of My Life', is currently at No. 12 on the 5fm Top 40 and No 11 on the High5 at 5. Gig Details: Fri 30th April - KidzRock Concert (Roxy's, Mellville) featuring Wonderboom Sat 1st May (13:40 -14:10) - The V-Town Festival, Vereeniging. Featuring Tweak, Cutting Jade, Wonderboom, Prime Circle and many more. Sat 1st May (23:00-00:15) - Club Recess, Pretoria Thursday 6th May - The Mystic Boer, Bloemfontein http://www.tait.co.za -------------- ENRIQUE IGLESIAS SA TOUR Latin heartthrob Enrique Iglesias kicks off his 4-date tour in Cape Town on the 27th, before heading off to Durban for a performance on the 29th of April. Sun City is next on the agenda on the 1st, and finally Johannesburg on the 2nd of May. According to an anonymous source, Enrique will be accompanied by his leading lady, tennis-player pin-up Anna Kournikova, when he jets into the country on his private plane!! His show promises to be a visual spectacle second to none! Enrique brings with him 20 tons of state-of-the-art equipment and his very own LED screens and set. The flashlight sound rig pushes out 20 000 kilowatts of power, and the enormous lighting rig consists of over 70 moving lights, with more special effects than can be imagined for an explosive lighting show! Supported by South Africa's "First Lady", Tamara Dey, the night promises to be a musical, visual and acoustic adventure. The music and lighting show will be nothing short of spectacular!!! Enrique supports Unite Against Hunger, a crisis food relief program driven by food & health care giant, Tiger Brands, providing immediate hunger relief to more than 80 000 South Africans per month. Sms the word "hunger" to donate R10 towards "Unite Against Hunger" 082 003 9040 Tour Dates: Tuesday 27th April - The Bellville Velodrome, Cape Town Thursday 29th April - Westridge Park Stadium, Durban Saturday 1st May -The Sun City Superbowl Sunday 2nd May - The Dome, Johannesburg Ticket prices: Cape Town - R150; R225 and R300 Durban -R150; R225 and R300 Sun City -R295; R320 and R320 Johannesburg - R150; R225 and R300 Tickets at Computicket *All excluding Computicket service charges www.bigconcerts.co.za or www.5fm.co.za Enrique Iglesias' website: www.enriqueiglesias.co.za -------------- ARNO CARSTENS AND NEW P*RN TO LAUNCH LONDON CALLING Arno Carstens and New P*rn, will perform an acoustic set at the launch of a new alternative music venue, London Calling, on Friday 30 April 2004. Covert charge is R40 and doors open at 8PM. London Calling is situated at the former Bob's Bar venue at 76 Op de Bergen, corner Browning streets in Fairview, Johannesburg. London Calling is committed to providing a positive alternative experience, and upliftment through music, to the Joburg region. Further information available at www.londoncalling.ws and www.arnocarstens.com -------------- 'FIGMENTS' Anton Fig is a Cape Town drummer who now lives and works in New York. Anton is the drummer in the David Letterman Show's house band on US TV and has released an album called 'Figments'. Here is some further info from Anton and the Anton Fig Website Crew: On Monday, April 26, we'll be going for Smooth Jazz radio ads with our song 'Tears' featuring Chris Botti and Andy Snitzer. We're getting excellent feedback from radio stations and next month's Performing Songwriter magazine reviews 'Figments' in their indie section. Anton will be doing a series of interviews on TV. You can catch him on ESPN2's 'Cold Pizza' on Tuesday morning, April 27, and radio and in the press. Planula Records is pleased to announce that Anton's album, 'Figments', is now available for immediate download at Apple's iTunes Music Store! They include guests artists like Brian Wilson, Ace Frehley, Chris Botti, Richie Havens, Paul Shaffer, Ivan Neville, Al Kooper, Will Lee, Sebastian Bach, and a stellar cast of others - there's something for everyone... You'll need to have the iTunes application installed (it works on both Windows and Mac computers) and you can download it here: www.apple.com/itunes/download/ Download 'Figments' - 13 songs for $9.99: phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=6138461 Tracks available include: 'Home' with Blondie Chaplin 'Hand on My Shoulder' with Brian Wilson & Blondie Chaplin 'Inside Out' with Ivan Neville & Randy Brecker 'More Than Friends' with Richie Havens & Enrique Vargas 'Know Where You Go' with Sebastian Bach & Ace Frehley 'Utopia' with Blondie Chaplin & Paul Shaffer '3:4 Folk' with Richard Bona & Amit Chattergee 'January, February, March' with Tony Cedras & Randy Brecker 'Tears' with Chris Botti & Andy Snitzer 'When The Good Die Young' with Chip Taylor 'Anyway That You Want Me' with Al Kooper & Donald "Duck" Dunn 'Heart Of Darkness' with Baby Monroe 'Know Where You Go I'I (+ Bonus) with Oz Noy Contact Anton and the Anton Fig Website Crew and read more at: www.AntonFig.com. -------------- "I'D LIKE TO SPEND SOME TIME IN MOZAMBIQUE"* Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience - Mozambique 27 - 30 May 2004 Piet Botha & Jack Hammer will be joining Ocean Ecstasy on the pilgrimage to the lovely tropical paradise of Mozambique again from 27 - 30 May 2004. Ocean Ecstasy is offering a special Weekend Package Tour for this exceptional experience which includes accommodation, scuba dives, meals & entrance to two bashes with Piet Botha & Jack Hammer. Don't miss out on this incredible experience of a lifetime! Itinerary: - Thursday 27 May 2004 - Leave from Pretoria bright & breezy for the tropical paradise of Ponto Malongane in Mozambique. - Friday evening 28 May 2004: Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience with Piet Botha & Jack Hammer Malongane, - Saturday evening 29 May 2004: Spit braai at Malongane and afterwards Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience with Piet Botha & Jack Hammer Cafe' del Mar Ponta do Ouro - Sunday 30 May 2004: Travel back to Pretoria If you want to book for this special experience please call Annerie Burger of Ocean Ecstasy details below:- Annerie Trust us with your experience www.oceanecstasy.co.za Cell: 082 775 4322 Tel: +27 12 460 3248 Fax: +27 12 460 3245 PS: If you happen to be in the lovely tropical paradise of Mozambique over this weekend and you haven't booked with Ocean Ecstasy please feel free to join us for the Subterranean Rhythm & Blues Experience cover charge R60 per person for each evening. * Bob Dylan 'Mozambique' off the album 'Desire' (Ed. - Shouldn't they rather call it "The Rolling Donder Review"???) -------------- RIPCHORD NEWS There is lot's of activity at the Ripchord Studios in Cape Town. v 12th Avenue are working on concepts for a music video to accompany their first single. The single 'Don't Say Goodbye' is almost complete after 2 months work in the mixing/mastering phase. The band -consisting of Mark Haze (main vocals and guitar), Bjorn Faree (backing vocals and guitar), Peter Minnie (bass guitar) and Bradley Masson (drums and backing vocals) - go back into the studio on Friday 7th May to start laying down drum tracks for the rest of the album. The album (it doesn't have a title at the moment!) will be due for release in Feb 2005. 12th Avenue will be playing Ratanga Junction on Friday 30th April at 6pm Koosh vocalist, Craig Coltham, will be back in South Africa on 2nd May after spending some time in the States. He was snowboarding in Aspen (I wonder if he saw any little green alien snowboarders?). They will also be back in the studio within the next two months to begin recording their debut CD. The launch of the 'Going Nowhere Slowly' CD at Café Vacca Matta in Tygervalley was a resounding success! Eight of the artists who featured on the CD each played a few of their tracks. Anton Visser (one of the presenters from the first series) was MC for the evening and Chilli Pepper (the car from the new series) was parked outside. The CD is available at Mabu Vinyl & CD in Cape Town and at other major record stores countrywide, and via the One World online CD store at http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?affiliateID=4321 Listen out on 101.3FM (Fine Music Radio) every Thursday (Home-grown Advantage) between 10 and 12 p.m. as Evan Milton will be interviewing artists and featuring tracks from the CD for the next 32 weeks! The next 'Clash Of The Titans' gig will be held at Café Vacca Matta in Tygervalley on Thursday 6th May. Doors open 7.30p.m. and cover charge is R10.00 pre-sold (Phone Gandalf on 910 1855 or Aidan on 424 3810 to book) and R20.00 at the door. ViP tickets are R45.00 each. Watch this space for the line-up. Any bands wishing to participate in the Clash of the Titans gigs can contact Aidan on 021 424 3810. The producers of the TV series 'Going Nowhere Slowly' are still looking for new SA songs for possible inclusion on the soundtrack. See the Digest Classifieds section below for where to send your songs and also for details of the Ripchord Studios special offers for May. -------------- WANNA BE BJORN AGAIN?? Björn Again have become the most successful ABBA tribute bands in the world and an internationally acclaimed entertainment phenomenon. They are without doubt one of the most entertaining live shows to ever grace the stage. Their South African tour in 2002 was hugely successful, and now they're returning to treat all those ABBA fans not fortunate enough to see them first time round... Don't "Take a Chance" on anyone else! Agnetha Falstart (Blonde hair, vocals and sexy elbows), Frida Longstokin (brown hair, vocals and constant teaser of Benny), Benny Anderwear (keyboards, guitars, vocals and beard), and Björn Volvo-us (Guitars, vocals, sax and charm plus powerhouse rhythm section), surfaced in 1989 after their helicopter and a giant glittery platform shoe from outer space collided leaving them stranded on a deserted island. Fortunately, not long afterwards, they were rescued and taken to the nearby safe shores of Melbourne, Australia not knowing anything of their past or who they were as the crash had left them with almost total amnesia but for some beautiful melodies running around inside their heads. Despite comprehensive medical attention none of them could permanently regain their memory despite the occasional flashback. It seemed the only way they could find out exactly who they were would be to team up with Rutger Sonofagunn on bass and Ola Drumkitt on drums and set off in search of their past and to perform the catchy songs and preach good fashion sense, style, love and kindness, all of which they felt was lacking these days. For a while people mistook them for the legendary Swedish super-group, ABBA, since they looked, sounded and behaved so much like them, but of course they weren't. They were...Björn Again. Described by the New York Time Out, as "the most entertaining live rock show in the world" and "Brilliant musicians, brilliant song-stresses. Better than ABBA!" Rolling Stone magazine noted "From the note-perfect vocals to the faux-Swedish accents and sequinned duds, Björn Again were fabulously flawless " and even Benny Andersson of ABBA, said "Fans had better make the most out of Björn Again because that's the closest they are going to get to seeing ABBA. ABBA will never reform!!" Their debut single "A Little Respect" (a cover of the Erasure hit) - off their debut album "Flashback" - went straight in at 25 in the UK charts, and they have played a host of European Summer Rock Festivals, including the famous Reading Festival in the UK (courtesy of Nirvana who threatened the promoter that they wouldn't perform unless Björn Again were added to the bill), Glastonbury (on the bill with REM, Texas, Lenny Kravitz, The Corrs and Blondie, to name but a few), and the London Mardi Gras [(Gay Pride) to an audience of 300,000 people]. They also performed at the Cannes Film Festival to help promote the Australian film "Muriel's Wedding", and at Germany's Eurovision Finals, a show that was televised live and seen by over 12 million people. Currently in their 15th year, they have performed over 2200 live shows in 45 countries worldwide! Dust off your platform shoes, buy heaps of glitter and stock up on blue eye shadow, and get ready to re-live the magical era of ABBA... Proudly brought to you by BIG Concerts Tour dates: Grandwest Casino, Cape Town Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd of June The Big Top Arena, Carnival City, Brakpan, East Rand Friday 4th and Saturday 5th of June Book at Computicket Computicket internet Site - www.computicket.co.za Computicket Call Centre - 083 915 8000 For further media information, please contact Big Concerts on 021 422 3500 or Michael: 082 495 5594, Lara: 082 379 0002 e-mail: michael@bigconcerts.co.za ; lara@bigconcerts.co.za -------------- RP STUDIOS EMERGING SOUNDS UPDATE: Another exciting development within the world of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds is that after seven years we have also established ourselves in the Lowveld. Nelspruit, last Saturday, was for us an exciting moment as we were introduced to the different styles of the emerging bands from that area. And if you are in the Gauteng area on May 2 then the Coliseum Show bar, Caesars Gauteng is the place to be when two bands from Nelspruit will be in action alongside three other Gauteng-based bands (see listings below). The monthly Pretoria leg takes place this Saturday (see listings) and then the next regional finals at Caesars Gauteng takes place on Sunday, May 2 (see listings). Bookings now open for May for bands from Jhb, Pta, the Vaal and Bloemfontein (Hey! ever heard of Cape Town guys??? - Ed.) - so contact Simon "Squire" Foulds for further information on 082 770 7524. April Regional Finals Sunday, May 2 Coliseum Show Bar - Caesars Gauteng · Induo (from Nelspruit) · 10c Short (from Nelspruit) · One group from Pretoria · Two groups from Johannesburg The regional finals of the RP Studios Emerging Sounds Competition starts at 15:00, entrance is free but you pay R10 per car as you enter Caesars Gauteng. This is a strictly over-18 venue and seating is limited. For further information contact Simon "Squire" Foulds on 082 770 7524. -------------- AWESOME!! Awesome Africa is an organisation based in Durban who have been working to improve and grow the music facilities and opportunities in KwaZuluNatal for the past few years. Here's a look at what the Awesome Africa team - Dan Chiorboli & Prof Pitika Ntuli (Directors), Thalia Erwin (Operations & Office Manager), and Joe Butler (Project Manager)- has planned for the near future..... Indian Ocean Festival Association (IOFA): The IOFA will have its global launch at the Strictly Mundial Trade Fair and Expo in Istanbul in late April 2004 and Dan will be there as part of the team. Awesome Africa is a founder member of the IOFA, which is an association of professional music institutions and festivals within the greater Indian Ocean diaspora. NEPAD and SADC principles, (with tourism and job creation amongst others) will be incorporated, and the aims will be to highlight and showcase mostly traditional music styles in these areas, and to facilitate a viable touring circuit. A strong educational element is envisaged in order to preserve, develop & showcase traditional music techniques. Founder members and territories include Hanitra Rasaonaivo - Antshow, Madagascar; Dan Chiorboli - Awesome Africa, South Africa; Alain Courbis - Pole Regional, Reunion; Jerome Galabert - Le Sechoir, Reunion; Yusuf Mahmoud - Busara Productions, Zanzibar, Tanzania; Roland Hohberg - MOYA, Mozambique. Associate member is Christian Mousset from Musique-Metisses in France. Territories presently represented are Reunion, Madagascar, South Africa, Mozambique and Zanzibar, Tanzania. Many other institutions from the diaspora will be encouraged to join, with the aim of creating unity and strength in numbers. The basic criterion is that festivals must be within the greater Indian Ocean area and the SADC diaspora and subscribe to the ethos of the IOFA. 10 Years of Democracy Celebrations: Dan Chiorboli, in his capacity on the Executive Committee of the South African Music Promoters Association, (SAMPA) has been involved in the planning for the 10 Years of Democracy and President's Inauguration Celebrations to be held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria on the 27th April 2004. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival: Awesome Africa, due to its close links with New Orleans has been invited to bring over three leading traditional groups from KwaZulu Natal. Featured artists this year will be Pride of the Zulu, Gods Followers and Crocodile Steppers Gumboot Dancers, and they will have the prestige of representing their province and country before an estimated audience of 120,000 people. Furthermore, Director Dan Chiorboli and Project Manager Joe Butler have been invited to do radio interviews on 2 local New Orleans Radio Stations - a perfect opportunity to spread the Awesome Africa brand and to discuss Tourism opportunities. The Standard Bank Awesome Africa 2004 Music Festival will include strong New Orleans representation. Community Training: Awesome Africa has started conducting its annual Community Workshops, which are aimed at creating employment for members of the Albert Park Community and members of the youth from various Townships surrounding Durban. Marketing Outreach Workshops started in March. Rural Events: As part of its mission to create employment and to explore tourism opportunities, concerts under the Awesome Africa banner involving local talent deserving wider recognition will take place throughout the year in Mpophomeni (Howick), Inanda, Chesterville, Talana (Dundee) and Chatsworth as well as Warwick Junction and Emmanuel Cathedral in Durban's Inner City. These events are aimed at bringing rural and urban communities together to enjoy both the beauty of their province and the vibrant sounds of South African music. Tertiary Institutions: Lunchtime concerts will be held at the University of KwaZulu Natal's Durban and Westville campuses, Mangosuthu Technikon and the Durban Institute of Technology as lead-up events to the main festival in September. Standard Bank Awesome Africa Music Festival: Plans for Awesome Africa's big annual festival to take place once again at Durban's Albert Park, are well under way. In keeping with Awesome Africa's commitment to the City's Urban Regeneration Programme - it will take place over September 24th to 26th. As per previous festivals, there will again be plenty of lead-up concerts and events which start from the 19th Sept. Main themes at the Festival this year include; "Drums of Freedom" which entails breaking the current Guinness World Record for continuous drumming of 28 hours 30 minutes. A broad Gospel programme of competitions and concerts. A focus on the role of women in the struggle for freedom, entitled "Women of Freedom". A powerful helping of international and local Jazz Many different artists from the Continent of Africa. A free Educational Workshop programme. The "Homegrown" stage will showcase local musicians who will benefit by performing before international visitors and large audiences. A special musical collaboration commemorating the recently signed Memorandum of Reciprocal Trade treaty between the Island of Reunion and KwaZulu Natal. v Essence of the Bow: Awesome Africa is busy conceptualizing and producing a unique musical journey of discovery - a Cultural Exchange and Collaboration between Angola, Brazil, Mozambique and South Africa. The artists, Victor Gama, Kituxi and Inocencio Manuel Goncalves from Angola, Madosini from the Transkei and the legendary Nana Vasconcelos from Brazil are all renowned for their expertise on the ancient art of the berimbau (in Brazil), the ungo (in Angola), or the uhadi (in Transkei) - and better known as the musical bow (as it is known globally). The search for the Mozambiqan member is taking place as you read this. The tracing of the story of this ancient bow from its roots in Angola , South Africa and Mozambique and on via the slave routes to Brazil will be captured on film and in a special concert at the Standard Bank Awesome Africa Music Festival. The project is sponsored by Pro-Helvetia of Switzerland. Trancing in Dreamtime: Still on the subject of movies, Awesome Africa is proud to have been the catalyst for this collaboration of first world people, the Aboriginals from Australia and the San Bushmen from the Kalahari. It will have its world premiere at the Durban International Film Festival before moving on to ZIFF in Zanzibar in July. Directors are Junaid Ahmed and Paul Weinberg in conjunction with Dan Chiorboli. We are looking at bringing Kerriane Cox, a great singer-songwriter and one of the stars of the film - out to SA from Australia for this premiere. Drums for Freedom: An attempt on the Guinness World Record for continuous drumming (28 hours and 30 minutes) will be made in Albert Park on Heritage Day as part of the festival. The attempt will be led by Rhythm Masala from Singapore (the current world record holders) and all drummers from South Africa and all over the world are invited to contribute towards this unique event. Free Educational Music Workshops: This year's programme will have a comprehensive hands-on Jazz focus and is aimed primarily at students who need to develop their skills. Ethnomusicology topics will also be covered, mostly focusing on the History of Jazz and the music styles of the Indian Ocean Islands. Schools and Educational Institutions are encouraged to register and are advised to contact awesomeafrica@cbusnet.com for more info or should they require transport. All workshops will take place in Albert Park over the Heritage Day period as part of the Standard Bank Awesome Africa Music Festival. Mr Price Pro: Awesome's Thalia Erwin is responsible for the production and musical line-up of this three-day concert on Durban's North Beach which complements SA's most prestigious surfing competition. This event will feature cutting edge artists in the rock, hip-hop and rap mould such as The Finkelstiens, Prime Circle, Dr Victor & The Rasta Rebels and DJ Ready D which takes place on July 8,9 & 10. Jazz On the Bay: As part of Ethekwini Municipality and Independent Newspapers' "Decade of Democracy" celebrations, Awesome Africa has put together a programme which showcases the enormous wealth of jazz talent within the communities in the greater Durban area, as well as the kwaito sounds of Msekezeke. To be held on May 8 & 9 in conjunction with the National Ports Authority Festival, this event also features a kaleidoscope of sporting, leisure and water sports as well as arts & crafts in the picturesque Durban Harbour. Awesome Africa Directors: Dan Chiorboli & Prof Pitika Ntuli Operations & Office Manager: Thalia Erwin Project Manager: Joe Butler Awesome Africa Office Physical Address 19 Camborne Road, Glenwood, Durban 4001, South Africa Office Tel & Fax: +27 (031) 2062494 Dan Mobile: 083 2277815 Pitika Mobile: 082 8709280 Thalia Mobile: 083 4800635 Joe Mobile: 084 3713349 E-Mail: awesomeafrica@cbusnet.com Web Site: www.awesomeafricafestival.co.za An Executive Member of the South African Music Promoters Association (SAMPA) -------------- BED ON BRICKS NOMINATED FOR KANNA AWARD Congratulations to Bed On Bricks for being nominated in the category "Best Performance: Pop, Rock & Jazz" at this year's KKNK. The English rockers from Cape Town were surprised by the nomination at KKNK10 - a mainly Afrikaans-dominated National Arts Festival where they performed for the first time at the Bowline Rock Theatre. The group of four got nominated along with SA legend David Kramer, as well as Schalk Joubert (for his performances with Valiant Swart, Laurinda Hofmeyr and Anton Goosen). Joubert won the award on the night of the ceremony. The Kanna Awards get more prestigious every year and are being judged by a wide panel of influential judges from different artistic and media backgrounds. -------------- MAIDEN LEAGUE NEWS: Despite some rave reviews recently The Doppler Effect group has decided to disband for personal reasons after only a year together. The Doppler Effect was one of the first bands to join Maiden League last year and showed a lot of faith at a time when Maiden League was just a small label looking to find its feet. (Read more in the SA Punk section below) See The Doppler Effect play for the last time: * 8 May: Dockside Superclub, Century City The highly anticipated upcoming Antipathy album is being completed for a June release. Look out for the full national tour happening in early July to promote the (as yet untitled) release. Antipathy has a few more confirmed gigs coming up: * 24 April: Parow Scout Hall (Moshefest4), Parow * 26 April: Firlands, Somerset West * 1 May: Lanners Landing, Paarl * 8 May: Dockside Superclub, Century City * 15 May: Ska Tissue Tour (more info soon) * 22 May: Whammy Bar, Tableview On May 1st Maiden League will be holding a benefit evening for the Karl Bremer Hospital Rape Unit at Lanners Landing in Klapmuts, Paarl. The event will showcase friends and bands of the label all willing to play for free in aid of the Karl Bremer Hospital Rape Unit. Various companies and local media agencies will be on board in an attempt to create awareness about this event and worthy cause. Make sure you do your part and be at Lanners Landing on May 1st. All the proceeds will be given to Karl Bremer Hospital. more info at www.maidenleague.co.za -------------- PEANUT BUTTER KARMA Independent Armchair Theatre - Saturday 1 May Levitation Magazine in conjunction with Universal Magnetic presents 'Peanut Butter Karma', an initiative aimed at using innovative Hip-Hop art and music to actively promote social change through its message and fundraising. Peanut Butter Karma is focused on Cape Town street youth and is in partnership with the My Life Project (a development organisation made up of former street youth, working to get kids off the streets through skills development, particularly in the art and entertainment sphere). Details: Date: 1st May 2004 Venue: Armchair Theatre, Observatory Cover: R20 [R10 with donation of books or clothes] Line-up: Live: Jamayka Poston Real Estate Agents (Sibot and Marcus Wormstorm) Teba Caco Superdan Ramahutra Zaki DJ's: Klinikal Sibot Laetrec Kenzhero All proceeds from 'Peanut Butter Karma 1', will go to creating an open day programme called, 'Day In The Life', where street kids will participate in workshops, activities and a lunch. -------------- AND FINALLY!! OH HAPPY DAY! - JO DRUMMER CRISIS AVERTED! The Jo Day B.A.N.D has been urgently looking for a replacement drummer these past few weeks, but it all turned out okay in the end as Jo explains: "We would like to thank everyone for all their help and input with our recent drummer crisis. Honestly, the way the SA music industry rallies round and looks out for its own is truly inspiring. We want u all to know that we are here for u should the shoe ever be on the other foot! We auditioned quite a few dudes - some were great, but not exactly what we needed at this point, so we had to go back to management with the news that this could take a while... Management had always had the bee in their bonnet that they REALLY didn't want the line-up to change again so soon after the guitarist thing, and decided to have a meeting with Herman to see how the land was lying. In the meantime, Herman had had a change of heart, and had turned down the job he wanted to leave the band for anyway. (He had personal reasons for needing to check out options for more bux. This job would've meant he'd be out of town a lot and not able to commit to the band.) Remembering what happened with Darren under similar circs last year, we were naturally a bit wary, but - together with management's input - it looks as though everything's cool now and our crisis is over! Our heartfelt thanx also to all the drummers for their interest and for doing us the honour of auditioning. Best of luck with your music! ROCK ON! Jo & the dudes www.joday.com -------------- CHARTS 
SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 30 SOUTH AFRICAN MP3s OF THE WEEK http://www.SAmp3.com 1. [2] (1) FCK - Teba ('Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions'/African Dope) 2. [3] (2) Gravity - James Stewart (Street Level) 3. [4] (3) Diengele - Kalahari Surfers ('Muti Media'/African Dope) 4. [5] (4) Vier by Vier en Visvang - Blomkrag ('Boere Country'/Indie) 5. [1] (1) Gimme Da Weed - Chronic Clan ('African Dope Sound System'/African Dope) 6. [9] (6) Something In My Eye (Live) - Boulevard Blues Band ('Tassenberg All*Stars 4'/Trippy Grape) 7. [8] (7) Long Riders Of Nam - Brian Finch ('Never Look Back'/Indie) 8. [10] (8) Living As Numbers - Zero Tolerance ('A Perfect Life?'/Indie) 9. [13] (9) Gone Away - Sam Paddock (Indie) 10. [6] (1) Gangsta - The Rudimentals ('More Fire'/Indie) 11. [15] (11) Snakes And Ladders - Evolver ('Evolver' EP/Indie) 12. [17] (12) Don't Walk Away - Larry Amos ('Going Up'/Indie) 13. [7] (5) Parallel - Saturnine ('Silence Is Deafening'/Wicked Rock) 14. [14] (2) Saad van 'n Psigopaat - Abel Kraamsaal ('Woorde Op 'n Wynboks'/Indie) 15. [19] (15) Charlie Kaufman - Fallen ('Last Chance For The Forgotten'/Indie) 16. [12] (9) Musical Chairs - Serving Suggestion ('Try Whistling This'/Indie) 17. [11] (4) Die Ding Ruk Mal - Kallitz (Mothermix) 18. [20] (18) Drowsy Maggie - DNA Strings ('DNA Strings'/Afrimusik) 19. [18] (18) Georgia - Sitter (Wicked Rock) 20. [21] (20) Break Down - Believable Addiction (Indie) 21. [24] (21) Jou Ma - Thys Nywerheid (Indie) 22. [27] (22) Love Is The Hunter - MacAngel ('Summer In Berlin'/Sonique) 23. [28] (23) Revolution - Swim Club (Indie) 24. [30] (24) Cola Wars - Willem Kitshoff ('Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions'/African Dope) 25. [25] (1) Lovesong - The Dollyrockers ('The Heat'/Indie) 26. [-] (26) What It Takes To Breathe - Bored (Indie) 27. [16] (1) Met My Stukkende Kitaar - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (''n Jaar In Die Son'/Rhythm/Bowline) 28. [-] (28) Driehoek (edit) - Van Zyl, Van Der Spuy & Vennote ('Hadeda'/Rhythm) 29. [-] (29) I'm A Doctor - The Innovators ('Harambee Dope Sessions/African Dope) 30. [-] (30) No Matter - Wendy New (Dissolve In The Sun/Indie) Download South African MP3s at http://www.SAmp3.com ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST TOP 20 SOUTH AFRICAN ALBUMS OF THE WEEK http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts This week [last week] (highest position) Title - Artist (Label) 1. [1] (1) True North - Spoonfeedas (Sesalos) 2. [5] (2) Moving - 340ml (Indie) 3. [2] (1) Boerecountry - Blomkrag (Indie) 4. [3] (2) Africa She Too Can Cry - Hawk (RetroFresh) 5. [8] (5) A Definition - Chiaroscuro (Indie) 6. [6] (6) Never Look Back - Brian Finch (Indie) 7. [4] (1) Muti Media - Kalahari Surfers (African Dope) 8. [10] (8) Big Red (Songs From 'Going Nowhere Slowly') - Various (Ripchord) 9. [7] (1) The Heat - Dollyrockers (Indie) 10. [11] (10) Dissolve In The Sun - Wendy New (Indie) 11. [15] (11) Blomdoorns - Derek Gripper (Open Record) 12. [13] (1) More Fire - The Rudimentals (Indie) 13. [9] (5) I-Ternal Fire - Lions Of Zion (Indie) 14. [17] (14) Angel Tongue - Nianell (Fresh) 15. [14] (2) Sui - Benguela (Open Record) 16. [18] (16) Site Under Construction - Off The Edge (Indie) 17. [12] (1) As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand - Fokofpolisiekar (Rhythm/Bowline) 18. [21] (18) All That Is Should Be - Plush (Indie) 19. [19] (1) Steady On - Moodphase 5ive (African Dope) 20. [16] (1) African Dope Sound System - Various (African Dope) 21. [28] (21) Born Guilty & Other Stories - Colin Shamley (3rd Ear Music) 22. [-] (22) Beyond The Walls - Rus Nerwich (Indie) 23. [20] (3) 21 Gunslut - Soulja (Indie) 24. [22] (1) Humanarium - Bed On Bricks (Indie) 25. [25] (1) Jika Jika - freshlyground (Freeground) 26. [23] (1) 'n Jaar In Die Son - Koos Kombuis & Valiant Swart (Rhythm/Bowline) 27. [24] (16) High Society presents: 14 Steps towards Self Actualisation - Daniel Friedman (Independent) 28. [26] (8) Naked EP - Hog Hoggidy Hog (3 Chord Records) 29. [27] (1) Rock The Bedsprings - Old Mol (Legend) 30. [29] (1) Die Mamba - Piet Botha (Rhythm) READ http://www.rock.co.za/files LISTEN http://www.SAmp3.com BUY http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?AffiliateID=4321 The hosting of MP3s on the SA Rock Digest website is thanks to the Future Perfect Corporation http://www.futureperfectcorporation.com Building online communities to make the future perfect Chart statistics at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/charts New Releases
MP3's: New MP3'S at SAmp3.com: 'Things Were Meant To Be So' - Chiaroscuro Chiaroscuro is a cool, new Cape Town group that has been impressing all with their live performances and attractive, new debut album called 'A Definition'. 'Things Were Meant To Be So' is one of the many jazz-tinged pop treats off that album, with Mathlodi Matsei's lovely vocals and philosophical lyrics floating over an infectious piano-led melody. Read all about chiarascuro in the 'Artists' section below. 'Telephone Ties (Long Time No See)' - David Marks This beautiful and gentle song opens with some superb guitar picking by David Marks and he sings the first verse in a voice that Muff Anderson describes as "kinda sexy and ever so cool". The deep growl of Colin Shamley then takes over the vocals and you're left feeling the pain of not making that simple phone call. Taken off the varied and highly recommended CD 'The Hidden Years', released by David Marks in 1997. And the piano accordian is by the master himself, Nico Carstens. 'Multiple Oblivion' - Jo Day This is the opening song from Jo Day's independently released CD 'The Truth' released late last year. If you are in any doubt who wears the crown as SA's queen rock bitch, 'Multiple Oblivion' is the proof. Ms Day has been rocking and rolling since the early 90's and she works extremely hard and deserves everything she gets. Rock on. 'Gal Of I Dream' - Tim Parr featuring Zoro Tim Parr has had a wonderful, eclectic history in South African music. He was part of the brilliant bluesy Baxtop with Larry Amos, he rocked big-time in the 80's with EllaMental fronted by the striking Heather Mac. In the 90's he was producing some experimental sounds with the Colorfields. And here he is teamed up with Zoro and an unusual slow reggae sound. Taken off the 'African Dope Soundsystem' CD. 'FFF' - Tonight We Die Tonight We Die is the name of a band which we know very little about, but who are making a big impression here at Digest Towers with this demo we received recently. 'FFF' is hard-rock with acoustic guitars and soaring dual male vocals. Possible influences could include The Mars Volta and their earlier incarnation, At The Drive-In with maybe a bit of System Of A Down thrown in for good measure. Hope to hear a lot more from these guys. -------------- All the mp3s listed above are available to download at http://www.SAmp3.com - the biggest South African mp3 website in the world. --------------- SEARCH FOR MP3's Use the SAmp3.com onboard search engine, powered by Google, to search for mp3s on SAmp3.com. ----------------- All the full-length mp3s are available for free download at http://www.SAmp3.com by kind permission of the artists and/or their labels. ---------------------------- CELEB-SELECT: SIPHO "HOTSTIX" MABUSE Every week we ask an SA music celeb to tell us which are their favourite SA songs. This week we are celebrating 10 years of freedom and democracy in South Africa and so we invited one of South Africa's most adored pop stars to give us his list. If 'Nkalakatha' is the song that best represents the 10 years of freedom in SA, then 'Burnout' was the foundation. The song was written by Sipho Mabuse in 1985 after he split from Harari, and was the first major crossover hit in South Africa. Black, white, green, and blue all loved the song and it went on to sell over 500 000 units, and continues to sell today. Sipho still gigs regularly, as well as being the owner of Kippies at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg. So please enjoy the Top SA songs as submitted by of one of South Africa's musical icons. Sipho submitted 12 songs: 'Pata Pata' - Miriam Makeba 'Ntyilo Ntyilo' Allan Silinga 'Weeping' Bright Blue 'NkalaKatha' - Mandoza 'Weekend Special' - Brenda and the big Dudes 'Substitute' - Clout 'Burn Out' - Sipho Mabuse 'Asimbonanga' - Johnny Clegg 'Scatterlings of Africa' - Johnny Clegg 'Mannenberg' - Abdullah Ibrahim 'Zondela' - Ringo 'Malo-We' - Jabu Khanyile -------------- BOOKS/REFERENCE ------ MUSIC ARTISTS OF SOUTH AFRICA In 1994, Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz published their excellent reference guide to SA Music titled: 'History of Contemporary Music of South Africa' [©Toga Publishing]. This was in book format and has been available though One World for the past few years. Now, in 2004, the intrepid researchers and compilers have published their follow-up book: 'Music Artists of South Africa' [©Impetus Books]. This book is available in CD-ROM format for convenient reading on PCs. The first book covered the period of SA Music history between 1955 and 1992. The follow-up book covers the period 1990 to 2004 and contains interesting background details on various SA music artists. This book on CD-ROM will help any avid follower of world music to further appreciate the music produced by the Music Artists of South Africa. 'Music Artists of South Africa' [©Impetus Books] is available for online purchasing at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/default.asp?AffiliateID=4321 As this is a special "10 Years Of Freedom and Democracy" edition of the Digest, we have both Garth and Tom's lists of their favourite SA songs, and they have heard a few! Top 10 SA Songs by Garth Chilvers: 'Thokozile' - Mahlatini and the Mahotella Queens 'Scooby Dooby Dum Dum' - The Attraction 'I Never Loved A Man' - Margaret Singana 'Johannesburg' - Hugh Masekela 'The Kid Came From Nazareth' - Freedom's Children 'Gates of Eden' - Etonians 'The Bad Days Are All Gone' - Summersalt 'Shape I'm In' - The Usual 'Weeping' - Bright Blue 'Paradise Road' - Joy Top 10 SA Songs by Tom Jasiukowicz: 'Homecoming'* - Freedom's Children 'Silent Water'*- Ramsay Mackay 'Orang Outang'*- Hawk 'You Only Need Say Nothing' - Roger Lucey 'Whisper In The Deep' - Stimela 'Jive Soweto' - Hotstix Mabuse 'Herd Boy' - Bats 'Stopping Time' - Colin Shamley 'Be Free' - Soul Summit 'Brave New World' - Electric Petals *written by Ramsay Mackay. Contact Garth Chilvers and Tom Jasiukowicz.at: Mailto:writeword@ananzi.co.za -------------- ADAM TAS - 'MY MEMORIES IN 'N MENTHOL' Adam Tas, in partnership with Exaltation Records, has just recently released a brand new album entitled 'Memories in a Menthol'. The album consists of 12 tracks from Adam's creative pen. 'Memories in a Menthol' is new, original and promises to captivate audiences from theatre-visitors to the more mainstream listeners. From "die Burger" to "die Beeld", journalists have been writing about the latest author and songwriter, Adam Tas. This young man, only 22 years of age, has a deep voice, and one cannot help but think back to the legendary Koos Doep. His music touches the heart and mind in a perfectly balanced way. This newcomer in the Afrikaans Music Industry was born in Pretoria, and it's there where he got his inspiration for most of his songs. Amongst other things it is the neighbourhoods of Pretoria, the water the people drink, and the air they inhale, that gives a needed realism to his compositions. Seldom do we come across a musical poet who is able to cry, laugh and love in Afrikaans as well as Adam Tas. He has already shared the stage with some of our top artists like Jakkie Louw, Bosveldklong and Dozi, and his shows appeal to both young and old all over South Africa. His latest album was recorded in close proximity to Pretoria at the Adrock Studios in Nylstroom. It's Adam Tas's first album and will be distributed by Exaltation Records in cooperation with Bowline. Adam also represents the House of Distel and Tassenberg, which is one of his sponsors. A little more about the man himself… At present he is busy with his final year of studying journalism at Unisa. He also takes great interest in sound engineering, and is proud to mention that in the past he had the opportunity to record albums for Jakkie Louw. His future plans are not being determined by any specific woman, or that's what he says… so, be on the look out for this exiting new release, 'Memories in a Menthol.' -------------- SKRAPNEL - 'SKURWEVOET' It's new, it's original, it's the debut CD "Skurwevoet" from the Afrikaans rock band Skrapnel and a must for your CD collection if ever you feel the urge to hit the dance floor, rock till you drop or simply relax in your favourite armchair. The fifteen original songs are guaranteed to have you tapping your feet, grooving to the beat and perhaps even pondering a thing or two. In a nutshell, Skrapnel offers something for all with "Skurwevoet". Each of the three members of the band contributes in a meaningful way to the eventual success of "Skurwevoet" Hugo Schutte is the vocalist in the band and is also responsible for most of the music and lyrics on the album. His lyrics often describe ordinary people with ordinary problems, often emphasising the social absurdities of our diverse culture, or simply causes one to smile with a caustic point of view and satirical description of the individual and/or social groups. Renard Greeff is the group's main guitar player and the "ears" of the band. Renard wrote the album's title song, "Skurwevoet", and was largely responsible for the recording and mixing of the CD. In addition Renard's unique playing style lends a certain individuality to the album, which becomes very apparent as one listens. Marius "Kaptein Parafien" Marais is almost unequalled in ability as the band's keyboard player. Marius was responsible mainly for the programming and arrangements on the album and is also the band's backing vocalist. Interest in the band has grown tremendously and with good reason! The band's first performances at the Peach Festival in Magaliesburg and the Afrikaans Rock Festival in Roodepoort were a roaring success. Available CD's were almost sold out within the hour and bookings started rolling in. Keep an eye on your local newspaper should you wish to attend the band's next performance. And listen out for tracks like "Langarm", "Marietjie, Marietjie", and "Ek Is" on a radio station near you soon! -------------- ARTISTS -------- THE WAYNE JOSHUA BAND Not very often does a band like The Wayne Joshua Band come along and instantly grab an audience's attention with their passion and sheer enthusiasm for playing live. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Wayne Joshua, this 4-piece wowed Cape Town audiences at a series of club gigs in March 2004 with their tight set of memorable rock tunes. Wayne Joshua had been writing and recording his own material for the better part of seven years before assembling his favourite musicians to make up The Wayne Joshua Band, and the result is a passionate and dedicated bunch of guys who are best friends first and a band second. To call Wayne Joshua a good songwriter would be an understatement. He is one of those songwriters who finds it in himself to dig deep and tell it like it is. Lyrically, he displays an understanding and empathy for issues the same way a Rob Thomas or an Ed Kowalczyk would.... which is very surprising, considering that he is only 24 years old. The remainder of the band is made up of Shai Caleb on drums, Yves Dei-Cont on electric guitar and Alvin Hendrix on bass guitar. The band is currently writing/pre-producing the material for their debut album, and will be gigging extensively before heading into the studio to lay down final takes. A series of "unplugged" shows have also been booked to expose them to a wider audience. For further information and bookings, please contact Sascha Muller on 0824396109 or at sascha@waynejoshua.com Website: www.waynejoshua.com -------------- CHIAROSCURO "It never fails to amaze me, the amount of incredible music talent there is currently in this country, and more importantly in Cape Town. Chiaroscuro is the latest band to catch my ear, after seeing them play at the launch of their debut CD, 'A Definition'. This young seven-piece band has a sound that is distinctly theirs, distinctly African, yet with universal appeal. If you get an opportunity, catch these young, passionate, and extremely talented singers and musicians in action" (www.capetownevents.co.za -03/12/2003) The word "chiaroscuro" is an art term, referring to the use and contrast of light and shadow, in order to give meaning and shape to an object. This concept of creating a positive effect through the use of light and dark is epitomised through the music and style that chiaroscuro is creating. chiaroscuro, (all lower case) is a young seven-piece band that is defining its own genre of music through the relationships between its members, and their experiences and interactions with Cape Town, and South African society. The band draws on a wide range of musical influences, from folk rock and African rhythms, to blues, jazz, rock and even reggae. chiaroscuro had its roots put down in 2000/2001, when Chris and Langa first met in a UCT residence, and began to sing, play and write their own fresh and exciting style of music. From those beginnings the band has grown and developed, and currently stands on the brink of achieving something great, and something truly South African. The past three years have seen the addition of bass guitar, keyboards, violin and drums to the instrumental make-up of the band. These musicians have brought their personalities and qualities to chiaroscuro, and the music continued to grow. In 2002 Mathlodi joined the band, and her incredible, smooth and powerful voice has made many an audience weak at the knees since then. The growth of chiaroscuro during 2003 culminated in the recording and release of their debut album, 'A Definition', in September of that year. This album is a diverse and dynamic composition, epitomising the range and quality of music that the band is producing, while still maintaining a freshness, and an exciting feel. Chiaroscuro's live performances are what have earned them a strong, loyal and growing following in Cape Town, and are the backbone of the band's strategy for moving on to greater things. The performances range from smooth, reflective, thought-provoking social commentary, to frenetic and exciting rhythms and lyrics, to funky husky blues numbers, and light-hearted looks at life, love, and all in between. The band members are: Langelihle Khanyile (Male vocals, tenor saxophone, penny whistle) - Langa has been singing for as long as he can remember, and his voice and style are as unique as his lyrics. He has developed an incredible stage presence, and keeps audiences spellbound, or jumping up and down and dancing in the aisles. Originally from Durban, he began studying at UCT where he met Chris Haw, and his creative energy shaped the core of the chiaroscuro sound. Langa is an accomplished tenor saxophone player, and the appearance of his 'horn' (as he likes to call it) adds something special to the music, and feel of the band. He is studying BBusSci Marketing, at UCT. Chris Haw (Male vocals, rhythm guitar) - Chris first began to really engage with his guitar after a mountain climbing accident landed him two broken legs, and some time in a wheelchair. He has been playing guitar for about seven years now, and his touches and rhythms are stunning. He is also a talented songwriter, and much of the chiaroscuro's sound is courtesy of Chris and Langa's ongoing friendship and musical collaboration. Chris' husky voice and lyrics are an integral part of the band's sound. He is studying mechanical engineering at UCT Dave Bryant (Drums, percussion, male vocals) - Dave has an incredible natural music talent. He began playing the piano at age six and the drums at age nine. He studied orchestral percussion and drum kit at Beau Soleil music school, as is a qualified grade 8 performer on drum kit. He played with various bands before joining chiaroscuro, including Tamarin Seed and Flipside. He is a jazz and blues man, and a yearlong sojourn after school provided the experiences to add emotion to his husky blues lyrics, and keep female fans guessing. He is studying film and media at UCT. Mathlodi Matsei (Female vocals) - They say that dynamite comes in small packages and this has never been truer than for this diminutive diva. Langa first heard Mathlodi singing to herself in a university computer lab, and invited her to a chiaroscuro practice. Her soulful, powerful singing and funky style keep audiences entranced. She is studying business science at UCT. Jeremy Nel (Keyboard, electric piano) - Jeremy started playing piano at the age of ten, and has been the pianist for the KZN Youth Orchestra and has been part of the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. He has completed Royal Schools grade eight piano exams, with distinction, and has been awarded various music scholarships over the years. Jeremy spent a gap year in the UK, where he taught music, and was involved in a number of jazz and Dixie bands. His classical talents are boosted by his quiet sense of style and calm disposition. He is studying medicine at UCT. Julia Wakeling (Violin, percussion) - Julia is from Zimbabwe, and hails from a very musical family. Her brother plays in the band Mann Friday, and there were always instruments in the house. She is an outdoors person, and loves the mountains. Julia played national hockey for Zimbabwe. She began playing piano at age seven, but decided that she preferred the violin. She has completed Royal Schools grade six in violin, and has a more classical background, but she plays some mean Irish fiddle! She moved to Cape Town to study Zoology, and after recording an album with Mann Friday, joined chiaroscuro on a more permanent basis in 2002. Ryan Matthews (Bass guitar) - Ryan is the most recent addition to the band after Dan Hampton moved up to Johannesburg at the end of 2003. Ryan is a hugely experienced performing artist, having played in a multitude of bands, and on various stages across South Africa. He has done some work with Mike McCullough , and started his musical career with Black Rose. Ryan is laid back, and enjoys the odd beer after a gig. He has brought another interesting personality to the band, and is excited about the experience to date. He recently completed his studies at UCT, doing a BA and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. Listen to the chiaroscuro song, 'Things Were Meant To Be So' at http://www.samp3.com Chiaroscuro contact: Chris Bryant - 083 609 6991 Mailto:management@chiaroscuro.co.za PS: Gig News! Chiaroscuro will be Live at Bishops Theatre in Campground Rd, Rondebosch on the 14th May. Tickets are R40, and include some light snacks. Come and see the band who impressed the large Kirstenbosch crowd last month when they opened for the Soweto String Quartet. Tickets available by calling 083 609 6991 -------------- MORE REVIEWS More reviews can be found at: Open Record Open Record Amuzine Reviews -------------- CLASSIC SA ROCK:
Kurt Shoemaker (Texas), John Samson (London), Tertius Louw, and Brian Currin browse through the best of SA rock - its history, its people, and its music, past, and present. USA FOR AFRICA - Texas-based Kurt Shoemaker gives his unique views on SA music. THE USUAL - 'BORN IN A STORM' [CDCLL (LF) 7028] If sterling silver were to ring, this is the clear, valuable soft metal harmonics it would make. Sterling silver, with a hint of bright blue.... The hit here is 'The Shape I'm In', but hearing the title track for the first time, I thought, "This song is rather low key and..."--and that is as far as I got before the song drew me into its music, lyrics, and imagery of storm, shores, water, and rivers. When James sings, "...as I look into the future with my fear to keep me warm it's never been more clear to me that I was born in a storm..." it's true spine shivers time. Where rivers meet the sea is where life meets living. James Stewart wrote ten of the fifteen songs on 'Born in a Storm', the lyrics for three more for which he also co-wrote the music with The Usual musos, Paul Tizzard (drums), Johan Buys (bass and vocal), and Tom Fox (guitar and vocals). Tom Fox wrote two of the numbers. I hear echoes of the band Bright Blue in this music. Not that James Stewart's vocals are in any way derivative, but when your guitarist is Tom Fox of Bright Blue fame, there might be echoes of a certain sound in your Usual music. Nonetheless, The Usual is a harmonic rock band that rocks with its own sound and James Stewart is his own man and his own singer. This tight four-man band has a dynamite lead vocalist, and I do not use the word "dynamite" lightly. James Stewart is not merely a stylist pretending he can sing, and with Tom Fox on guitar...well, all four are talented musos, not merely a frontman's sidemen or keeping time while a flash guitarist solos interminably. No, The Usual pros love what they do. Listen to 'Born in a Storm'. Seek personal meaning in the words. Sing along. Enjoy the smart playing and lyrics. After a few spins, check out James's site--then follow the blue path down to the river for some down and dirty Swamp Funk Quartet featuring Fox, Tizzard, and Buys. 'Born In a Storm' made Wife and Daughter perk up--and Number One Son would have enjoyed it had he not been off listening to angry teen drone music. Our shared favorite? 'It's a Cold World Without you'. Aside from the songs already mentioned, 'When I Look Into Your Eyes', 'Like a Vision', 'Overflowing', and 'I Believe In You' resonated in us. Daughter even played this unusual silver shining, ringing, jangly CD over on her own. James Stewart http://www.jamesonline.co.za Bright Blue http://www.cd.co.za/brightblue mp3s by James Stewart and Swamp Funk Quartet http://www.samp3.com/artists_l_s.html mp3s by The Usual http://www.samp3.com/artists_t_z.html Kurt Shoemaker, Blanco, Texas ---------------------------- A NAARTJIE IN THE UK - London-based John Samson gives his own twist on SA music: 'BOOTLEG ALBUM' - JUST JINGER What exactly is a Bootleg? I've never seen any boots that have legs. Legs in boots yes, but boots with legs - no. With Just Jinger's 'Bootleg Album' playing on my CD player, I decided to refer to my friend the internet to see what the origins of the word "bootleg" was. One suggestion was that "A bootleg refers to the long leather boots worn by cowboys in the Old West. They were used to store all manner of illicit goods, including an extra gun, a bowie knife, or a flask of moonshine." Now looking at the second sentence there, we can see 3 musical references. These being have Gun (an 80's US rock band), Bowie (need I say more) and Moonshine (Moonshine Lee was Jack Hammer's manager at some point). It therefor seems that bootleg is music that you keep in your boots. Well not me, I'm keeping mine on a CD rack, and there's a good reasons for keeping this album on my CD rack and that is quite simply that it is a good album. Last week I talk about Erik Windrich and how he had matured, and as I listen to 'Bootleg Album' I am also struck by the maturing of Art Matthews. For a start the music is more sedate than previous Jinger offerings. It seems that they have been hanging out with the Counting Crows a bit as they deliver an album of relaxed, grungy rock. Other than perhaps 'To Have Somebody' there are no real fast rockers like 'Paradise In Summertime' or 'Like You Madly'. Instead what we have here is a collection of well-crafted rock tunes that are as deserving of a listen, if not more so. A further sign of the maturing of Art is that he no longer 'Like You Madly' but on track 5 he declares 'I Love You, Love You More'. Can we expect a cover of Godley & Crème's 'Wedding Bells' soon? (Oh no that was Karen Zoid a few months back). There may be the odd fan or 2 who does not like this quieter approach to life, but on the whole I would say most fans would enjoy this offering. However, more importantly I think that people like me who thought that Just Jinger was a much better live band than a studio one and were a bit puzzled at the success of their earlier material, are beginning to change that view. Maybe all comes round in the end. Here's hoping that the Americans come round soon (except you Kurt, we already know you're a fan). John Samson, London ---------------------------- * CHART CHAT: John Samson takes a weekly look at the the SA pop charts from 20, 25, 30 and 35 years ago this week. Before 'He Ain't Heavy', there was 'Sorry Suzanne' which in 1969 became the Hollies first SA hit. The song was released following an album of Dylan covers and made number 3 in the UK but failed to chart in the US. In SA it raced up from 7 to number 2, but was unable to dislodge the 1910 Fruitgum Company who enjoyed a second week at the top. In 1974 the top 4 remained static with Dr Marigolds spending a second week at the top. The newcomer to the top 5 was Dolly Parton with possibly her best known hit 'Jolene'. Surprisingly 'Jolene' did not make the US top 40 (it stalled at 60), but did make number 7 in the UK. Of the 8 top 20 hits that Dolly had in SA, half of them were as part of duet, 3 being with Porter Wagoner, and the 4th discussed 2 paragraphs down. 1979 saw Toto enjoying a 4th week at number 1, although there was stiff competition from Abba. Hardly had 'Too Much Heaven' left the top 5 when The Bee Gees where back there again, this time with 'Tragedy'. Probably the biggest tragedy about the song was Steps' cover of it a few years back. Dire Straits first SA hit 'Sultans Of Swing' also entered the top 5. UB40's weeks at the top entered double figures this week in 1984 and it's no surprise that 'Red Red Wine' would end up as the biggest hit of the year. As mentioned above, Dolly Parton had 3 top 20 hits with Porter Wagoner, her 4th duet to chart was 'Islands In The Stream' along with Kenny Rogers. The song was written by the Bee Gees, thus giving a connection between the 1974, 1979 and 1984 charts this week (Dolly in 1974, The Bee Gees in 1979 and Dolly & Kenny in 1984). The question is, can anyone think of a link that would tie in the 1969 top 5 as well? South Africans at number 1 this week: I Won't Give Up - Bruce Millar (1976) South African New Entries this week: 27-Apr-79 Michael Row The Boat Ashore - Richard Jon Smith 29-Apr-66 Elusive Butterfly - Judy Page 30-Apr-65 Torture - Gene Rockwell 01-May-64 This Is My Prayer - Dana Valery 01-May-70 Tantes Van Nantes - Al Debbo (featuring Nico Carstens) 01-May-82 Sewe Sake Sout - Anneli Van Rooyen John Samson ---------------------------- BIRTHDAYS April 29 - Una Valli (1950) May 8 Gary Glitter (1940) 8 Ricky Nelson (1940, died 31 December 1985) 9 Billy Joel (1947) 10 Donovan (Leitch) (1946) 13 Dale Stephens (1957) 15 Richie Laws (1946, The A-Cads) 18 Amanda Tiffin (1972, solo, Not The Midnight Mass) 31 Tully McCully (born Terence McCullagh, 1953, McCully Workshop, Falling Mirror, BlueScream)
SOUND SOLUTIONS A Reader's Forum: This is a selection of the email requests, questions, searches, and other pieces of random info we receive each week at the Digest. Sometimes we can assist, other times we look to you, our collectively well-informed readers to contact these writers and help out as well. Thanks if you do....! Send all letters, short contributions, small band-ads, musical questions and other snippets to: soundsolutions@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- ANYONE GOT ANY BABSY? Hi, Please help, I am trying to find Babsy Mlangeni music, CD, vinyl, etc Thanks Sisa Mailto:Sisa.Hwalima@islington.gov.uk Ed. - Babsy Mlangeni's best-known album is called 'Music Was Born In Africa' and is very difficult to find on either LP, cassette or CD. The LP's catalogue number is CCP(V) 1041 -------------- CCB Hi, Do you know when is Clive Calder's birthday? Day and month? Thank you, Lisa W. gigchick@aol.com Clive Calder http://www.rock.co.za/files/clive_calder_index.htm -------------- UNAVAILABLE FRUIT Hi, Please help me to find 'Forbidden Fruit' by Hot RS, I have been searching for some time for this classic album, but can't seem to find it anywhere. Thanks, Grant Ed. - This Hot RS CD is unfortunately not available at One World, but the other two HOT RS albums currently are...at: http://www.oneworld.co.za/searchresults.asp?affiliateid=4321&artist=hotrs -------------- CONTACTING COLIN IN NZ Hi, I would dearly love to contact Colin MacDonald, an old friend whom I believe to be now living in New Zealand. I am trying to get hold of a copy of 'A time to shine'. Would it be possible to have his email address? I worked with Cyd. Many thanks Fen Nicol Mailto: editor@sarockdigest.com?subject=Digest -------------- KID'S STUFF Hi, In the 60's, I think, the Decca record company brought out a series of 45's with children's stories mixed with classical music. A few of the titles were: 'The Magic Toyshop', 'The Red shoes', 'Can Can', 'Sugarfoot', 'Smokie the Firehouse dog', etc If anyone has information or copies of these and are looking to sell please let me know! Regards Michel Dembo Mailto:witblitz2000@Yahoo.com -------------- LOOKING FOR A NICE GIRL! Hi I am desperately looking for a nice girl like you! In the early 80's ('84-'85) a song was on the charts which I think was called "A Nice Girl Like You" and I think the band was called "Stirling" Does anyone know where I can find a copy of this track to add to my "nostalgic songs" collection? Cheers Grant mailto:grant.martin@investec.co.za Ed. - That song is called 'What's A Nice Girl Like You Doing In A Place Like This" which was shortened to 'Nice Girl 2002' for inclusion on Stirling &Tellinger's "Best Of" compilation from that year. The CD includes the duo's songs from 1983-2002. -------------- AGENTS WANTED! Hi, I would like to know who the Agents are for the following Artists. Johnny Clegg Yvonne Chaka Chaka Miriam Makeba Clare Johnson Mara Louw Thanks, Chris email: chrisc@foghound.co.za -------------- TATTOO'S GOOD NEWS Hi, It is official, Believable Addiction have received a Full Tattoo and Piercing Sponsorship from Phoenix Tattoo's in Hartebeespoort. Now Owned by Ant's (formally of Rudi's Tattoo's) and his wife. Although Phoenix Tattoo's is relatively new it has become a favourite among the Tattoo crowd. For more info about Phoenix Tattoo's please contact me. So watch this place for great new developments in the Believable Addiction World. Genevieve Watkins Bookings and Promotion 082 351 1870 Mailto: ghmanagement@hotmail.com -------------- AD MUSIC Hi Sardie, While everyone is raving about the music being featured in current ads, I'd like to know if anyone could give me any gen on the Nissan Almera ad. The rock song in the background is pretty good, I think! I contacted Nissan and was told it was just a bunch of session musos! Maybe these okes should make an album. KOR*, Chris Boyle Mailto:chris.boyle@oribi.co.za Ed. - "Sardie"?? (it stands for SA Rock Digest) and "KOR" means "Keep On rocking"...just thought you may want to know that.... -------------- DA-DA-DA DA-DA DA-DA-DA......OOOOH BABY Hi, Congratulations on your excellent and elaborate website. I was searching for more versions of 'Louie Louie' for my own site (www.xs4all.nl/~tdg) when I found yours. I'm very curious about an entry in the Zimbabwean charts from a South African artist named Mally (Malcolm Watson). Apparently he had a hit over there in 1974 with a version of 'Louie Louie' that I never heard of before. Could you tell me more or maybe even send me an mp3 of that one? I only heard of one South African version of LL, by a band called The Incrowd from 1966. Thanks a lot in advance for your help and keep up the good work! Theo de Grood Netherlands Mailto: tdg@xs4all.nl -------------- COLD FEET? Hi, I am looking for a CD which includes a song I heard where the approx words are "The moon hangs in a starlit sky"? I was told it was called Cold Feet, but I can only find 'Cold Fact', are we talking about the same song? We were in the Maldives and a South African guy kept singing it, I have been trying to trace it for about 3 years! Can you help please! Gaynor Hives Ed. - The words are actually "the moon is hanging in a purple sky" and is from the song 'Rich Folks Hoax' by Rodriguez off the album 'Cold Fact'... it was also covered recently in a jazz-blues version by Amanda Strydom. 'Cold Fact' is available from http://sugarmusic.gemm.com -------------- NOT CONNIE'S SON Hi, Whatever happened to Brian Mulder & Redlum ? Thanks, Shaun -------------- CLOUT CORRECTION Hi, Clout's 'Substitute' was NOT no. 1 in Belgium, but just like in Holland, it stayed no. 2 for 4 weeks. It was held from the top position by Boney M's 'River Of Babylon', which was really big over here. Anway, I read somewhere on the Net, the SA-artist Terry Dempsey did some recording in his homeland. I'm very interested to know whether he has recorded his composition 'Daydreamer' himself, prior to the famous David Cassidy hit? (October '73). If so, I'd love to know in what year and on what label and maybe, if it's available on CD. Thanks for your time and maybe I can help you one time or another with other Belgian/Dutch music problems. Great site, you have. Regards, Walter -------------- I THINK I KNOW WHY THE DOG HOWLS AT THE MOON Howzit I have been like listning really hard to my post, but none of it makes a noise like what a dog makes so whycome do people always bitch about getting Tjank mail. Johnny from Boksburg -------------- GOT A QUESTION? Please email any musical questions to editor@sarockdigest.com ----------------------------- ----------------- MUSIC SHOPPING ----------------- MABU VINYL & CD Cape Town's finest Record and CD store is now located opposite the Long Street Baths, at the intersection "Where the four streets - Long, Buitensingel, Kloof, and Orange - meet" Mabu is now open 7 days a week and stocks SA and International Record and CD titles, and a growing list of independent SA CD and CD-R releases - including a large range of all the African Dope releases. Latest Vinyl additions: Jennifer Ferguson - 'Hand Around The Heart' (LP) Margaret Singana - 'My Name Is Margaret' (LP) David Kramer - 'Baboondogs' (LP) Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse - 'Afrodizzia' (LP) Brenda and the Big Dudes - 'Weekend Special' (LP) Latest independent SA CD additions: Fly Paper Jet - 'Live' Top Sellers (in alphabetical order): 340ml - 'Moving' Bed On Bricks - 'Humanarium' (Bowline) Bluescream - 'Bluescream' (Independent) Benguela - 'Sui' (Open Record) Chiaroscuro - 'A Definition' (Independent) Dollyrockers - 'The Heat' (Independent) Brian Finch - 'Never Look Back' (Independent) Fokofpolisiekar - 'As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand' (EP) (Rhythm) freshlyground - 'Jika Jika' (Independent) Forest Moon - 'Forest Moon' (Independent) Goema Captains Of Cape Town - 'Healing Destination' (Mountain) Derek Gripper - 'Blomdoorns' (Open Record) Hog Hoggidy Hog - 'Naked' EP (3 Chord) Kalahari Surfers - 'Muti Media' (African Dope) Lions Of Zion - 'Iternal Fire' (Independent) Mitsoo - 'Afterglow' EP (Indie) MoodPhase5ive - 'Steady On' (African Dope) Not The Midnight Mass - 'Live At The Planetarium' (Independent) Russ Nerwich - 'Beyond The Walls' (Independent) Off The Edge - Site Under Construction (Independent) Plush - 'All That Is Should Be' (Independent) The Rudimentals - 'More Fire' (Independent) Colin Shamley - 'Born Guilty & Other Stories' (2CD set) (3rd Ear Music) Soulja - '21 Gunslut' (Independent) SteveVan - 'Getting Stronger' (Independent) Tumi and the Volume - 'At The Bassline' (Sheer) Various - 'Silvertab Harambe Dope Sessions' (African Dope) Various - 'African Dope Sound System' (African Dope) Various - African Dope Volume 1' [Sony] Various - 'Cape Of Good Dope' (African Dope) Various - 'Breathe Sunshine' (Amabala) Various - 'A Moment In Cape Town' (Revised edition) (Afribeat) Various SA Artists - 'Big Red' - From the TV series 'Going Nowhere Slowly' [Ripchord] Zero Tolerance - 'A Perfect Life?' (EP) (Independent) This week's best-selling CDs at Mabu Vinyl & CD are: 1. 'Big Red' - Songs from the TV series 'Going Nowhere Slowly' 2. 'The Heat' - The Dollyrockers 3. 'Moving' - 340ml 4. 'Sui' - Benguela 5. 'Muti Media' - Kalahari Surfers' All these South African CD titles are available to customers not in Cape Town: Online at: http://sugarmusic.gemm.com By Email Order from: mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za Please contact: Jacques or Stephen (Ph): 021 423 7635 (Cell): 082 534 6006 mailto:mabu@sugarmusic.co.za Mabu Vinyl & CD Shop 2, Buitenkloof Centre 8 Kloof Street, Gardens. Cape Town 8001 "We buy and sell LP's, CD's, DVD's, Videos, Cassettes, and books." Open Monday to Friday (10-6) and Saturday and Sunday (10-1) -------------- VIBES VINYL Stadium-on-Main, Main Road, Claremont This week's specials: John Ireland - 'John Ireland' (LP) Koos Kombuis - 'Niemandsland' (LP) Pett Frog - 'The Rest' (LP) Prophets of the City - 'Our World' (LP) Rocking Horse - 'Someone Loves You' (LP) Stingray - 'Stingray' (LP) Sweatband - 'No Sweat!' (LP) Toucan - 'Put the Music Back' (LP) Tribe after Tribe - 'Power' (LP) Wired to the Floor - 'Art and the Dollar' (LP) New record accessories, now in stock at Vibes Vinyl:- - Turntable replacement needles available from us. - We have a wide range of 12" Maxi Singles in stock. - Now available: soft plastic sleeves for 7" Singles. We pay top prices for top quality. Want Lists Welcome! Call us at: 021-683 5676 Postal address: PO Box 24045, Claremont, 7735. mailto:vibesvinyl@mweb.co.za Website catalogue now also at Gemm and Netsounds: http://www.vibesvinyl.gemm.com and http://www.netsoundsmusic.com/vibesvinyl -------------------- GEMM GEMM is your best online source for those otherwise impossible-to-find music titles on Record or CD! http://sugarmusic.gemm.com -------------------- THE DIGEST CLASSIFIED ADS ----------------------------- To advertise in this section please email: editor@sarockdigest.com -------------- SUBMIT YOUR SONGS TO 'GOING NOWHERE SLOWLY' The 'Going Nowhere Slowly' crew are still looking for new SA songs for possible inclusion on the TV series soundtrack. So while there's still time you can send your CD and a short biog to: Aidan Harper Ripchord PO Box 12540 Mill Street Cape Town 8010 -------------- IN TUNE MEDIA To South African record labels & artists seeking retail distribution! In Tune Media is a new and exciting distribution company based in Johannesburg. We are currently seeking to expand our domestic label and artist product offering to retailers in South Africa in recorded music and DVD. If you are interested in teaming up with us on your catalogue or release on an exclusive basis, please send materials for consideration to: In Tune Media Po Box 2933 Parklands 2121 Gauteng or send us a fax to 011 807 9769. Alex www.intune.co.za -------------- GOTHFEST COMPETITION Hi all! GOTHFEST 2004 is nigh upon us, and to get you in the mood, we have a veritable tomb of goodies to be given away to one lucky Gothfest ticket holder! For this week only... One lucky winner in each province will win the following ALTER EGO hamper! The Alter Ego hamper includes: 1 x Gothfest/Sanguis Et Cinis ticket 2 x VNV nation tickets (for the upcoming tour in June) 1 x Egotrax - CD 1 x Orgazmatracks 3 - CD 1 x Diary of Dreams - Dream Collector - CD 1 x Mr Barleycorn - Stendhal Syndrome - CD 1 x Covenant - Northern Lights - CD 1 x New Model Army - original 20 - CD 1 x Alter Ego painfully vain (girlie top) 1 x Alter Ego egotits (girlie top) 1 x New Model Army tour t-shirt 1 x Diary of Dreams tour t-shirt To enter this competition and win this great hamper (value = R2000.00) simply go to www.alter-ego.co.za and enter the competition by filling in your GOTHFEST ticket number. If you don't have a ticket yet, you can contact us at 082 928-7450 (CAPE TOWN ONLY) or e-mail Mailto:romo@alter-ego.co.za for details. ------------------ DRUMMER WANTED Tuesday's child, a Cape Town-based rock band is looking for a new drummer. For details of the band and mp3 downloads, please visit www.tuesdayschild.co.za or http://www.cd.co.za/legends/2000plus/tuesdayschild.html> If you are interested, please phone Craig on 082 789 3899, or email mailto:craig@tuesdayschild.co.za ------------------ RIPCHORD STUDIOS Ripchord is offering some special recording deals… For the month of May only we will be charging only R900.00 per day. Please phone Aidan on 424 3810 or 083 730 5549 to book recording space in our 16-track digital studio. The rehearsal rooms are also cooking! - Fully air-conditioned, vocal PA etc (Check the website - www.ripchord.co.za) - from R40.00 per hour. To book rehearsal rooms - please phone Steve on 424 3810 (o/h) or 072 519 0601 Ripchord's sister company, STING MODELS, is looking for rock and pop star look-alikes! Sting supplies characters and cast to feature films, commercials and music videos. So if you reckon you look like Robbie Williams, Britney or even Mozart then give Heidi a call on 424 3810 for a screen test! ----------------------- LOOKING TO EARN EXTRA MONEY IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? This is an interesting new SA music business concept. We suggest you take a good look at this opportunity. Simply send a blank e-mail to mailto:lazyman200@freeautobot.com to receive further info. (Ed. - Nope, it's not spam, but genuine and potentially worthwhile, and anyone can do it!) -------------- RECORDS RESTORED TO CD Have your favourite LP transferred to CD with full colour label and box printing. We restore the LP music/tracks in order to extract the original sound, before transferring them to CD. Only single copies are made and returned with the LP. What is done... 1. Firstly, your precious LP is put through our professional record cleaning machine to ensure that we start with as pure an original sound as possible. 2. We then play the record on the very best audiophile equipment (Thorens turntable, SME arm with Shure V15-III cartridge) and capture the music at a high sample rate, into our "Top of the Range" computer. 3. The Vinyl background noise and "Fried Eggs" sounds are gently removed from the recording. 4. Any remaining "Pops" or "Clicks" are isolated and repaired and the tracks are separated as on the original LP. 5. Then, and only then, do we copy the sound to CD. 6. Finally, the LP cover is scanned front and rear, reduced to fit and printed in full glorious colour. A label is printed for the disc itself in full colour, as on the original. There is a range of prices from R65.00 to R120.00 - depending on the postage costs, and the required and desired degree of cleanup on your single copy. Contact: Terence Tel: 021-787-0205 or Cell: 082-939-077 Email: Mailto:tegner@absamail.co.za -------------- SOUTH AFRICAN MUSIC QUOTA COALITION Support the SAMQC, as this SA musicians' initiative, looking to greatly increase the amounts of SA music played on the nation's radio stations. Join the movement, sign up, or read more at http://www.samqc.org.za --------------- RODRIGUEZ One of the most frequently Asked Questions on the Sugarman.org Forum is where to buy Rodriguez CDs. Well, you can buy Rodriguez CDs online at One World ---------------------------- DIGEST CLASSIFIEDS DETAILS * To have your advert featured in the Digest Classifieds, and to find out the prices to do so, contact mailto:sugar@cd.co.za The Sound Solutions and Digest Classified sections are sponsored by: SUGAR MUSIC http://www.sugarmusic.co.za Contact: Stephen Segerman - sugar@cd.co.za LIVE MUSIC
RECOMMENDED SA GIGS See http://www.sagigs.com UPCOMING EVENTS ------------------- Full details at http://www.SAgigs.com TAIT TOUR - Cape Town band Tait are heading north on a tour that will see them playing in Johannesburg, Vereeniging, Pretoria and Bloemfontein. ARNO CARSTENS AND NEW PORN - Will be performing an acoustic set at the launch of London Calling, a new alternative music venue in Johannesburg, on Friday 30 April FOKOFPOLISIEKAR - The Cape Town police force's favourite punk band is currently performing in JHB and PTA, after returning from a very successful run at KKNK 2004. Their homecoming gig in Cape Town will be at Doodles/\Hooligans on Mon 26 April THE FINKLELSTIENS - The 100 gigs in 80 days enters its second phase with almost 20 shows down. DELTA BLUE - The Stellenbosch Blues-boys have left the Cape (temporarily) for another visit to Gauteng and will be appearing at various venues around JHB and PTA from April 26 - May 8. CHIAROSCURO - Live at Bishops Theatre in Campground Rd, Rondebosch on the 14th May. FRESHLYGROUND - Freshlyground are about to head up to Johannesburg en route to Zimbabwe. The group will be playing three gigs in Johannesburg, their first in the city before heading up to Harare, where they are closing the Harare International Festival of the Arts. THE 'VAN HELSING' TOUR - Marlowe, Stick up Kid and Nemesis will be touring around the country to celebrate the release of the movie in true rock `n roll style. SAAV - South Africans for the Abolition if Vivisection (SAAV), Earthlife Africa Animal Action Group and Friends of the Cat have planned a number of activities to commemorate World Day for Laboratory Animals (WDLA). PYRAMID TONGUE - This rated local rock band have been forced to relocate the venue for their "farewell" gig (before the band's international tour) which will now be held at Tempo's in Kya Sands on the 26 April GOTHFEST - Two nites of of unadulterated underground gothic glamour in Cape Town and Pretoria, with the finest live bands, undead DJs and side-show acts that we could dig up. From Germany comes top nu-goth rock gods SANGUIS ET CINIS! From South Africa, The Awakening, Silex and Revelus. THE INDEPENDENT ARMCHAIR THEATRE - This week's line-up includes chiaroscuro, Mikanik, Straight and Narrow, Verity, Peanut Butter Karma and Comedy All Stars - In Lower Main Road, Observatory, Cape Town. THE RUDIMENTALS - Cape Town's ska-punk sensations have lined up a string of gigs over the next few weeks. ---------------------- LIVE IN LONDON SUNWAYS - The band's first London date is on Friday 30 April at the Halfmoon Putney - (supported by The Lanes * Little Spitfire) ---------------------- UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS IN SA: ENRIQUE IGLESIAS - Vodacom, 5fm Music and Big Concerts have announced the forthcoming tour of music sensation Enrique Iglesias to South Africa. Kicking off on the 27th of April in Cape Town, he will then be heading to Durban on the 29th, Sun City on the 1st, and finally Johannesburg on the 2nd of May. BJORN AGAIN - The most successful ABBA tribute band in the world will be returning to SA in June following their successful 2002 tour WITCHDOCTOR RECORDS ANNOUNCES SA TOUR BY KATAKLYSM - Kataklysm, the Swedish masters of metal, return to our shores for two exclusive shows in May -------------------------- WORKSHOPS The Living Music Workshops have announced a series of workshops in Cape Town over the next few weeks -------------------------- SA MUSIC FESTIVALS THE V-TOWN MUSIC FESTIVAL - The V-Town Music Festival is an all-day event that will be rocking the Vaal-Triangle on the 1st of May 2004. The Festival will feature Wonderboom, Tweak, Cutting Jade, Jo Day, Mean Mr Mustard, Arno Carstens, Wickhead, 16Stitch, Zen Arcade, Summersalt, Tait, Jesse Jordan Band, Six of Nine, SMS 3 and Swallow 15. ------------ GIG FOCUS ------------ DELTA BLUE ON TOUR The Stellenbosch Blues-boys Delta Blue are soon leaving the Cape for another visit to Gauteng. Delta Blue performed their new production "Twaalf Bars en die Waarheid" at the KKNK this year. This show takes you on a journey through the history of Blues and incorporates classic hits of Elvis Presley, Nina Simone and Robert Johnson. Delta Blue's repertoire is once again jam-packed with classic Blues songs as well as their characteristic Blues/funk-style own compositions. For those who love good music, please see Delta Blue's programme for Gauteng below. Monday 26 April - Tings 'n Times, Pretoria Tuesday 27 April - Horror Café, Johannesburg Wednesday 28 April - Nile Crocodile, Pretoria Thursday 29 April - Blues Room, Johannesburg Friday 30 April - Tanz Café, Johannesburg Saturday 1 May - Back 2 Basix, Johannesburg Tuesday 4 May - Levi's Original Blues (at the old Bassline), Johannesburg Wednesday 5 May - Trans Sky Beat Bar, Johannesburg (to be confirmed) Friday 7 May - Café Barcelona, Pretoria Saturday 8 May - Cool Runnings, Centurion (Pta) Quoting Gerald Clarke from Delta Blue: "The Blues can be either a good man feeling bad, or a bad man feeling good -------------- THE FINKELSTIENS 100 GIGS IN 80 DAYS - UPDATE The 100 gigs in 80 days enters its second phase with almost 20 shows down. Please contact us for dates in your town. Upcoming Dates: April: Thursday, 22 - de Tap Huijs Grahamstown Friday, 23 - Settlers Gonubie. Saturday, 24 - Settlers Monday, 26 - the Welkom Club Thursday, 29 - Stones - Roodepoort Friday, 30 - Parktown Girls High Friday, 30 - Riverside Middelburg May: Saturday, 01 - 08:00 KTV live Saturday, 01 - 14:00 Tempo's Randburg Saturday, 01 - 20:00 Roxy Rhythm Bar Saturday, 01 - 22:00 Cool Runnings Centurion Sunday, 02 - Lusito Land Wednesday 05 - Ermelo tbc Thursday 06 - Newcastle High Friday 07 - Richards Bay tbc Saturday, 08 - the Firkin (pavillion) Durban Wednesday, 12 - gGme cCck Inn Bethlehem Thursday, 13 - Ficksburg tbc Friday, 14 - Theatre of Rock Bloemfontein Saturday 15 - Star of the West - Kimberley Tuesday, 18 - Puks University of Potchefstroom For pictures, interviews and more information contact us on: 011 420 9686 www.finkelstiens.co.za -------------- MELANIE, JASON AND DI-M-T AT ROXY'S Blonde singing sensation Melanie Lowe, backed by Eldorado Park's Di-M-T band, will be out to rock fans into public holiday mood, when they take to the stage at Roxy's Rhythm Bar, Beyers Naude Drive, Melville on Monday, April 26 (22h00). Singing 16 original tracks during her recent 'Live The Music' shows held in East London, Grahamstown and Centurion, Lowe soon won a place in the hearts and minds of the audiences, and regular Roxy's Rhythm Bar fans will soon find out that the talent shown by the Durban-born singer during the Idols days, is only a fraction of what she has to offer to the local music market. Her original songs such as 'Strange Emotion', 'Science Fiction Junkie' and 'I Remember You', are fast becoming household names, and her Roxy's appearance along with Di-M-T and her brother Jason Lowe (Idols 2003 contestant) makes for a not-to-be-missed evening's entertainment. With Lowe's debut album set to be recorded during May and June, Roxy's will be the perfect platform for club-goers or music fans to catch a preview of the Melanie music magic that will hit the shelves later this year. "Roxy's has a proud record of attracting rock artists or bands of the highest quality and I hope that the RAU students and regular club-goers will make their way to Melville on Monday, to relax and party their way into the early hours of the public holiday," said Lowe. "Di-M-T have made a successful transition from the gospel and jazz scene, through to the rock front, and I am privileged that along with my brother Jason, they will be on stage with me, since their instrumental interpretation of my songs has really impressed me." Cover charge for Monday night's entertainment at Roxy's is R40, while further information on the show can be obtained from Lowe's management team, 24-7 Solutions on (011) 442 0228 or on the website, www.melanielowe.co.za. -------------- SA PUNK By Daniel Neville Toyland looking for new members Toyland has just wrapped up the 1st round of auditions for a new singer and guitarist. They are having more auditions in the coming weeks, and are looking for more applicants. Positions available are "Lead Singer" and "2nd Guitarist" Preferable age 19-26 but not imperative. Singer must be able to scream, hardcore/metalcore style vocals. Toyland is currently in negotiations with Witchdoctor Records. If you are interested in trying out for any one of the above positions please contact us: Joe - 083 406 4063 Wallace - 082 940 5558 Alastair - 082 792 5654 or email us at mailto:toyland@telkomsa.net Joe Toyland -------------- SA Punk Gigs: Fri 30 April - Pretoria - Zeplins - R15, 8pm Ska Tissue Nationwide tour The Terrorists (Pretoria) Ska Tissue (Nelspruit) Misled (Johannesburg) Sat 1 May - Cape Town - Baseline Long Street - R30, 9pm The Rudimentals I know... Chili & Lime, now Baseline... Its some sort of Surfing Party sponsored by Reef Sat 1 May - Paarl - Lanners Landing - R20, 8pm *Antipathy *Ill System *Carea Sat 1 May - Pretoria - Schivas Rock (Lynwood) - R20, 8pm SKA TISSUE NATIONWIDE TOUR Ska Tissue (NEL) The Terrorists (PTA) Push Back Forward (PTA) Daniel Neville mailto:daniel@neville.za.net ------------------- LIVE IN SA ----------- FROM THE TOMB - ENTOMBED at Mercury Live (17 April) - Supported by My Shade and Sacraphyx Two fine performances from support bands kicked the evening off to a good start. They were My Shade, local nu-metallists of note, and Sacraphyx, who took some time out of gigging about a year ago and have sprung back with more musical skill and sharp attitude than ever before. And then Entombed let fly with an insane barrage of rock-n-roll fury. Now these guys have been playing for some 15 years and some call them the fathers of Scandinavian death metal. They've come a long way since then, and changed their sound too. They experiment with some slow nu-metal passages, which is not surprising since they pioneered the use of drop-tuning before the nu-metal craze began. Overall, though, their sound is primarily hard, wild rock-n-roll, something along the lines of Motorhead. Over all this rocking fenzy roars the unmistakable death metal voice of Lars Goran Petrov as he glares from the stage with an expression of rage. Add some excellent guitar solos and what you have is the right kind of music for a wild party - which is exactly what the gig was all about. The enthusiastic crowd response and debaucherous after-party left no doubt: metal's on the loose in this town! Francis Bryan --------------------- SA GIG GUIDE The SA Rock Digest list of recommended gigs can now be found at: http://www.SAgigs.com. If you cannot access SAgigs.com then e-mail gigs@sarockdigest.com?subject=gigguide and we will e-mail the gig guide to you each week. Please send all gig info to sugar@sagigs.com in a plain text e-mail. SA Music Links And Resources
SA MUSIC LINKS: THE SA ROCK ENCYCLOPEDIA WEBLINKS PAGE: Links to the world of SA Rock - artists, gig guides, resources, record labels, recording studios, music trivia and more at: http://www.sarockdigest.com/links ---------------------------- SA MUSIC RESOURCES: THE SA ROCK DIGEST ON SAFM (104-107KHz) THE BRUCE MILLAR SHOW - MONDAY EVENINGS @ 9.15PM Stephen Segerman, Digest co-editor, talks to Bruce Millar about SA music news, new releases, and charts from each week's Digest. ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST CONTACT DETAILS: SUBSCRIPTIONS: To subscribe to The SA Rock Digest - please send an e-mail to: subscribe@sarockdigest.com Address changes - please send an e-mail to: subscribe@sarockdigest.com To unsubscribe - please send a blank e-mail to: unsubscribe@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- SA ROCK DIGEST BACK ISSUES http://www.sarockdigest.com/archives Online and keyword searchable ---------------------------- PRESS RELEASES & CONTRIBUTIONS Please submit all press releases, contributions, reviews, requests, searches and comments to sugar@sarockdigest.com ---------------------------- EDITORS Any thoughts, requests, problems, complaints, praise or interesting and relevant SA music news, CDs, or mp3s... please contact: Stephen Segerman sugar@sarockdigest.com Brian Currin http://www.vagabond.za.net/contact ---------------------------- MAIN CONTRIBUTORS BC - Brian Currin SS - Stephen Segerman JS - John Samson KS - Kurt Shoemaker CL - Carina Laubscher (Katvrou) TL - Tertius Louw DN - Daniel Neville NN - Nadia Neophytou WM - Wicked Mike DM - David Marks LR - Lindsay Ravenscroft DS - Don Sweeto LAD - LAD EP - Ernie Pap MC - Michael Currin (Curmic) FB - Francis Bryan JFB - Johnny From Boksburg And others too numerous to mention, but gratefully acknowledged! Proofed by Ronx A SUGAR MUSIC PRODUCTION |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
webmaster: Alan Levin, maintainer: Brian Currin |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 1996-2003 Amuzine. All rights reserved. | |