Music Network Showcases The Best In Local Music

This October the very best South African-made music is set to soar when Music Network, a Breakout Agency initiative launches in Cape Town on October 13 at The Assembly, and ciulminating at Tanz Cafe in Joburg on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October.

Consider seeing the hottest music properties, new and well established in two venues over three very special nights. Add two of the most influential names in international music - Worldwide Executive and President of EA Music Group for Electronic Arts, Steve Schnur and Pangaea Entertainment Group, A&R Worldwide and MUSEXPO brands-owner Sat Bisla, and what's apparent is everyone will be taking more than just great memories home with them after each show.

Schnur and Bisla's participation, expertise, networks and roles in the global industry will affect a potential reality shift for punter and player alike over this original and enterprising showcase series. Consider Schnur's part in bringing established stars, breakthrough new artists and award-winning composers to the various top-selling EA franchises. Add Bisla's rise from DJ to global music and media owner to each night's reveal, and it's patently obvious that this inaugural initiative is about to open a whole new world of possibility for all quick enough to buy in.

So, just who are the bands and groups invited to this exclusive assemblage? Cape Town's venue, The Assembly in Harrington Street is where Goodluck, Machineri, Taxi Violence, Pascal & Pearce and Louise Day will all share the stage on the opening night (Thursday, 13 October). Each band and artist will offer fans, new and discerning, something well worth seeing, hearing and capatalising on.





FLTR: aKING, The Graeme Watkins Project, Taxi Violence and Goodluck

  The unique series of showcases, under the Music Network banner, then heads south and makes Tanz Cafe in Johannesburg base for a two-night residency (Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October). On the first evening the city will get to shar ein the best from aKING, Plush, Laurie Levine, The Rescu and Michael Loman. The final evening sets the stage for The Graeme Watkins Project, Evolver One, Farryl Purkiss, Lonehill Estate and Shadowclub to excite their international guests and local fans alike. Fifteen bands and artists, three nights, and an opportunity to captivate crowds caught in this rare spectacle.

Expect to spot music retailers, media, event coordinators and promotors between the curious and fiercely loyal fans lucky enough to buy a ticket before they sell out. If music moves you - full, part or play time - invest in a night or three in an experience set to profile the ever-evolving SA music scene like nothing before it.

Tickets are available from www.webtickets.co.za/assembly and http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/ - get yours now!

3rd World Spectator To Rock Gauteng

3rd World Spectator formed in late 2007, and debuted in early 2008 with an infectious blend of soaring, operatic vocals, haunting melodies, huge guitars and rolling drums. Their lyrical themes mimic the diverse hybrid of styles they incorporate into their music such as electronica, hard and indie rock, opera and pop.

Best known for their meteoric rise to first place during the Virgin Mobile Road To V competition in late 2008, they have been making headlines ever since. Not content to be just another local act, their performances transcend the ordinary. Part theatre and part rock star chic, their live performances are fraught with an energy that consumes the senses and elevates the soul. Sharing the stage with the likes of international bands such as Maroon 5 and One Republic confirmed their status as a highly engaging stage act.

3rd World Spectator has featured in every major publication, been named one of the Top 10 Acts To See in 2009 by Tonight, signed a major endorsement deal with PF Flyers International and their single, The Truth reached number 2 on the MK MXitMusic Top 5 and also made the MXitMusic Top 20 Biggest Songs of 2008.

The band has completed work on their debut full length album entitled The Theory Of Everything. The recording sessions took place at Sunset Recording Studios with award-winning producer and engineer Jurgen Von Wechmar (Springbok Nude Girls, Foto Na Dans, Jax Panik, Karen Zoid) at the helm of the production. The album was mastered by John Davis (U2, Florence & The Machine, The Prodigy, Snow Patrol, The Temper Trap) at Metropolis Studios in London, United Kingdom.

In June 2011 they signed a record deal with Universal Records and the album is scheduled for release later this year. In the meantime, you can catch them during their Gauteng tour at one of the following shows:

18 October
Where: Firkin, Centurion with Alleen Na Desember
Entrance: Free
Time: 19h00

19 October
Where: Tanz Cafe, Fourways with The Olympic and Cold War Candy Drop
Entrance: R50
Time:19h00

20 October
Where: Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom with The Love
Entrance: R15
Time: 19h00

21 October
Where: Milano's, Vereeniging
Entrance: R30
Time: 19h00

22 October
Where: The Barnyard Theatre, Cresta with Prime Circle
Entrance: R50
Time: 14h00

Where: Arcade Empire, Pretoria with Dance, You're On Fire and CrashCarBurn
Entrance: R40 before 22h00 and R50 after 22h00
Time: 19h00

Prime Circle Live @ The Lyric Theatre

Winners of the South African Music Award for Best Rock Album, Prime Circle will be performing at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City tomorrow night. The long awaited arrival of this band to this glorious venue will see fans flood in and sing along to hits such as Breathing, Turn Me Into Stone, She Always Gets What She Wants and many more.

Date: Friday, October 7
Venue: The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City
Tickets: Computicket or the box office at Gold Reef City (R95 - 125)

A Night Not To Be Missed...

Joburg diners are in for a treat when two of the country's finest performers can be seen on-stage as Absinthe at the award-winning upscale Sandton restaurant, Le Canard on Saturday, 22 October.

Absinthe is the acoustic rock collaboration between the lead singers of WONDERboom and Sugardrive, Cito and Paul E. Flynn, where they have taken a supper club approach to some of your favourite songs from the last century. The concept is simple; no originals, just covers.

The fusion of these two uniquely diverse voices will be accompanied by acoustic guitars in an awesome show ranging from great alternative classics to contemporary favourites. Cito and Paul pay tribute to a way of life with their own unique signature performances in a relaxed, unplugged style ideally suited for this cosy setting.

Their programme will include easily recognisable hits, some of which are also included on their recently released album, A Rendezvous At Nirvana. Says Cito: "We finally get to live up to our French and sophisticated name! When Paul and I first spoke about how and where we wanted Absinthe to perform, we envisaged playing at intimate restaurants that had character and atmosphere. Le Canard will be a great change from the venues where we have performed before and the duet combination of only me and Paul will also allow for a more intimate performance in this wonderful restaurant."

In keeping with their innovative soiree concepts, hosts Le Canard will present a menu themed on the Absinthe liqueur. Expect wonderful herbal notes in the 4-course mouthwatering menu, with choices. Apart from an informal Absinthe tasting, the wines chosen to accompany dinner are the organic Ladybird range from award-winning Laibach Estate.

The ticket price of R380 is all inclusive of the performance, 4-course menu, liqueurs and wines. Booking is essential as seating is limited for this one night only musical journey experience. Reservations can be made on (011) 884-4597 or lecanard@icon.co.za. For more info, log on to www.lecanard.co.za or www.absintheband.co.za.

Bittereinder Speel-Speel Badges

Hey guys,

Afrikaans rap act Bittereinder has been busy expanding their range of paraphernalia and this here is their latest addition; a wooden badge cooler than any other you'll ever want to wear...

Rock the River SA New Year's Festival 2011/12

So, 2011 is speeding to an end and the party season is fast approaching. How will you be spending New Year's Eve? How about heading out to a kick-ass outdoor music festival with your friends, away from the madness of the surging inner-city crowds?

Now in its third year, Rock The River SA was created out of the need for an alternative New Year's Eve event where fans could go relax and enjoy South African music in an intimate, safe and healthy environment. With Cape Town being widely regarded as the party destination of choice for many South Africans come year's end, the options for non-mainstream professionally run events are far and few between; Rock The River SA has corrected this imbalance in an ever expanding market.

Rock The River SA continues to provide an exciting alternative to conventional New Year's Eve parties and this year's festival will take place from December 31 to January 2 at the Cape Town Ostrich Ranch, located 20 minutes from Cape Town along the N7, towards the West Coast. The organisers will once again bring along a brand new state-of-the-art sound and lighting rig to provide three epic stages for more than 100 acts expected to attend. This includes the Main Stage, the D&B and Dubstep stage and a third stage for Metal/Goth/Hard Rock and Punk. At present, the confirmed acts for this year's event include Fokofpolisiekar, Hog Hoggidy Hog, Half Price, Boombox Troopers, Reburn, Stone Collar, The Great Apes, Junkyard Lipstick, CY.STR, Thought Police, Witness To Wolves, Dutch Phobia, Cannon, Smugg Juggler, Jackal & Wolf, My Flawless Ending, Gritt (PE), Impalement Theory, a DJ line-up provided by RubaDub and Basscore, as well as the 420 Comedy Troop. (More acts to be confirmed. Line-up is subject to change.)

Participants in this year's Rock The River SA New Year's Festival can look forward to a well-planned event with all the amenities necessary to make an outdoor festival worth your while. This includes secure camping and parking, plenty of on-site security, swimming facilities, medics on site, clean, warm showers, a food and craft market with affordable yet tasty meals, bars with affordable drink prices, on-site ATMs, a VIP area, activities including ZORB ball, paintball and a foefie slide, tattoo artists, prize give-aways including the Float Your Boat competition and Best New Year's Eve costume and much more!

Tickets are available at the gate, Computicket, www.rocktheriversa.co.za, from participating bands as well as selected outlets that will be identified in time. Limited early bird tickets available at R150, three-day weekend pass at R300 presale or R350 at the gate and the one-day Sunday pass is available at the gate only at R150.

Things To Bring To Rock The River SA: an entrance ticket, tent, camping chairs, torches, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, camera, cap or hat, something warm, towels, headache pills, acoustic instruments, your hot sister/brother, money, sunglasses, condoms, swimming kit and good vibes!

Things Not To Bring To Rock The River SA: children must be accompanied by a responsible adult over 21. No glass bottles (please decant your drinks into plastic bottles), littering (leave no trace; remove your camping litter), fireworks, domestic animals, graffiti/tagging, bad attitudes, weapons, independent sound systems, illegal substances, drinking and driving. There are braai areas available.

Book your tickets now to avoid missing out on the best New Year's Eve party ever!

Win! Win! Win!

Three lucky readers each stands the chance to win double tickets to see Karen Zoid live tomorrow, August 21 at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens as part of the Old Mutual Music in the Gardens concert series.

All you have to do is send your answer to the question below along with your details to isabel.smith07@yahoo.com.

Question: What was the title of Karen Zoid's first hit single?

Hart Van Windhoek: Bigger And Better

The Huisgenoot Hart Van Windhoek festival (16 & 17 September) is moving to the Doc Jubber hockey and cricket grounds in Olympia, Windhoek. The festival will therefore not take place on the Wanderers Sportsground as previously advertised.

The decision was made after the steady rate of ticket sales since the announcement of this year's festival.
"After many meetings and discussions with the municipality of Windhoek, it was decided to move the venue to a bigger and more easily reachable spot as a result of increasing ticket sales," says Chris "Kreef" Grobler of Hilltop Live, one of the main organisers of the event. "We were all very happy with the Wanderers Stadium but unfortunately at the rate tickets are selling the hockey and cricket grounds would be a better option. We actually just never thought the festival would grow at this rate - it's therefore a very nice problem to solve!"

The full venue plan will be available shortly on the Huisgenoot Hart Van Windhoek website and Facebook page and visitors can look forward to an exciting lineup of more than 60 artists on Friday and Saturday.

The week before will also see a host of activities: on Saturday, 10 September it is the Hart Van Windhoek Vrouedag with Glam Guru Hannon Bothma, and from Tuesday, 13 September to Thursday, 15 September there will be a theatre festival. Janneman and Dinsdae Met Morrie are the two plays being performed. Both the Vrouedag and the theatre festival take place at the Playhouse Theatre in Windhoek. Tickets are available at Computicket at N$120 for the plays and N$250 for the Vrouedag where light snacks, tea and coffee will be served. Hannon will also choose four lucky ladies to have makeovers done on the day.

The line-up for Friday, 16 September and Saturday, 17 September is as follows:

Friday
Gates open 13h00. MC for the day is Ashley Pienaar.
Artists on main stage: Karlien Husselman, Willem Botha, Charlize Berg, Snotkop, Heinz Winckler, Ludik, Koos Van Zyl, Thysa Jacobs, Joggie and Andre, Gal Level, Rouhan De Jager, Wambuseun. Main performance by Westlife. The finalists of the 2011 Champion Boerewors competition will offer tastings of their winning boerewors recipes at the Shoprite and Checkers food stage.

Saturday
Gates open 09h00. MCs for the day are Wicus Van Der Merwe and Sorina (Flooze).
Artists on main stage: Charne, Kobus Muller, Lee Scott, David Fourie, Dewald Louw, Pieter Naude, Viljoen Retief, Adam Tas, Wicus Van Der Merwe, George Meiring, Adam, MoniQue, Jay, Corlea, Bongi, Melissa Van Der Spuy, Broers, Sorina Die Flooze, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Nicholis Louw, Bobby Van Jaarsveld, Kurt Darren, Freshlyground, Romanz, Nianell and Theuns Jordaan.
Artists on Shoprite and Checkers food stage: Koos Van Zyl, Joggie and Andre, Thysa Jacobs, Charne, Kobus Muller, Lee Scott, David Fourie, Adam, Dewald Louw, Pieter Naude, Broers, Viljoen Retief and George Meiring.

Tickets for the festival are available at Computicket and can also be purchased at the gates.

Haal Asem, Kwagga!

Van Coke Kartel, winner of the MK Best Live Act 2010 and Best Afrikaans Rock Album SAMA 2010, joins forces with the SA radio chart topper and winner of Best English Rock Album SAMA 2009, Zebra & Giraffe, to bring you a dynamic combination of English and Afrikaans Rock that promises to be one of the best live experiences in SA music.

Van Coke Kartel are known for their balls-to-wall rock shows and Zebra & Giraffe for their eclectic sound. Both are known for their great live performances. These two extremes in the local music industry are gearing up to bring a show to your home town that can not be missed. Haal asem, and get ready to party the stripes off your socks!

Haal Asem Kwagga Tour dates:

August 19
Where: Cool Runnings, Fourways, Johannesburg
Damage: R50
Time: Doors open 19h00

August 20
Where: Ridgeback, Centurion
Damage: R20 (general), R50 (VIP)
Time: Doors open 18h00

August 24
Where: Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom
Damage: R40
Time: Doors open 18h00

August 25
Where: Mystic Boer, Bloemfontein
Damage: R50
Time: Doors open 19h00

August 26
Where: Town Hall, Newtown, Johannesburg
Damage: R60
Time: Doors open 20h00

August 27
Where: Arcade Empire, Pretoria
Damage: R60
Time: Doors open 19h00

The Rescu To Release Self-Titled Debut Album

The Rescu is a three-piece rock band based in Cape Town that has been crafting and performing the songs that make up their self-titled debut album for the past 18 months. Regular trips to an empty house in a small town not far from the Mother City, helped to produce the 10 tracks that make up the album. These song-writing getaways, coupled with countless rehearsal sessions back home was a fruitful pre-production stage for The Rescu to find their sound and capture it.

The band drew their inspiration for the songs from various elements and life experiences. Their genuine and heartfelt love for South Africa and its people inspired many of the tracks. The band name expresses their desire for something relevant, something needed, something out of the ordinary; something that happens to be in the right place at the right time.

To date, The Rescue has performed with some of the biggest names on the South african music circuit, including Just Jinjer, Foto Na Dans, The Dirty Skirts and Prime Circle. These performances, as well as the many smaller shows played have given them the street cred they require to hold their own at any level of live performance.

The Rescu will be launching their album on August 31 at Grand West Casino's Hanover Street. The music video for the first single, I Did It For You will also be screened on the night.

Catch The Rescue on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Karen Zoid Brings Attitude To Pretoria

South Africa's ultimate female rocker and SAMA-winner, Karen Zoid is set to perform for the Old Mutual Music In The Gardens series at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens on the 14th of August.

The Old Mutual Music In The Gardens concert series sees thousands of people packing their picnic gear and heading off to see great South African acts on Sunday afternoons in the great natural setting of the botanical gardens.

SAMA-winning and platinum selling artist Karen Zoid is the next South African star to headline the series. Zoid has been consistently delivering hit after hit, after first exploding onto the local music scene with her groundbreaking single, Afrikaners Is Plesierig. Now, the Attitude Vir Afrika singer is set to bring a whole new attitude to Pretoria fans on Sunday, August 14 when she takes to the stage at the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens as part of the Old Mutual Music In The Gardens concert series.

The Old Mutual Music In The Gardens concert series presents live concerts every two weeks throughout the winter season at the Pretoria National Botanical Garden and is an extension of their sponsorship of the legendary Kirstenbosch music series in Cape Town. all proceeds from the performances go to the garden for its upkeep.

Karen's performance takes place in the middle of the natural beauty of the botanical gardens. Fans are encouraged to come early, bring picnic chairs and blankets and spend the day in natural splendour. With a restaurant in the gardens and alcohol on sale, plus a great supervised kiddies' area this is an opportunity not to be missed. "Environmental issues are extremely important and they are becoming increasingly more so. I am happy to do my part by performing for the Old Mutual Music In The Gardens series," Zoid said about the upcoming performance. "An added benefit is that I get to play for the audience in a gorgeous, natural setting. I can't wait!"

With the release of her first solo album, Poles Apart (2002) Karen became a fresh voice on the local music scene, and in 2003 fans were introduced to songs like Beautiful and Ons Soek Rock & Roll on Chasing The Sun. Two years later Small Room became one of the biggest songs being play listed on radio. All three these albums achieved gold status. Aeroplane Jane (Post Modern World) became the most requested song on radio.

The buzz around Zoid isn't limited to local press either. Time Magazine and US News & World Report highlighted her role as icon in the South African market. First year students at universities study her writing as part of their academic modules and with a SAMA for Best Female Artist under her belt there's no stopping this musical juggernaut.

For more on the Old Mutual Music In The Gardens concert series, go to www.oldmutual.co.za/musicinthegardens. Tickets are available at www.ticketbreak.co.za

WIN!
Three lucky readers each stand the chance to win a pair of double tickets to see Karen Zoid perform live at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens on Sunday, August 14. All you have to do is send me an email with your details and the answer to the following question to isabel.smith07@yahoo.com.
Question: Name one of Karen Zoid's albums.

4AM ft. CrashCarBurn - The Video

Hey peeps!

Remember a while ago I mentioned 4AM's collaboration with CrashCarBurn to raise money for Rescue-SA? Well, it's finally here... The music video for Hold On!

News From Die Heuwels Fantasties

Pic: Antonie Robertsen

An Alternative Flavour At Huisgenoot Skouspel 2011
Die Heuwels Fantasties will be dusting off their finest suits to take their boundary-shifting sounds to the Huisgenoot Skouspel stage at Sun City on 8, 9, 15 and 16 October. Hunter Kennedy sums up the group's excitement about this honour by saying, "It feels like a dream! We can't wait!" DHF will also perform at SkouspelPlus at Grand West Casino in Cape Town on March 17, 2012. Tickets for both events are available at Computicket.

Ek Joke Net
Ek Joke Net is a modern candid camera movie at its best and can currently be seen on the big screen. Dries Scholtz from The Film Factory (who also produced Roepman, Bakgat! and Superhelde) needed a theme song for this film and they guys couldn't pass up on this opportunity. They roped in popular rapper JR to record the theme song entitled Ek Joke Net. "A beat, a few weeks and a joke later we made this song for him," says Hunter.
Listen to Ek Joke Net HERE, watch the trailer for the movie HERE and watch the music video HERE.

Huisgenoot Tempo Nominations
2011 has been a firecracker for DHF so far. They have re-written history books with their second album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin's success and they walked away with four MK Awards - to name but a few highlights. The group recently received two Huisgenoot Tempo nominations for Alternative Music Video Of The Year with MK for Noorderlig and Headshift Album for Wilder As Die Wildtuin. On July 19 we will find out if they will have to make more space on their mantelpiece for another award or two.

Catch Die Heuwels Fantasties Live
14 July: MK Sessions, Vryfees, Bloemfontein
31 July: Old Mutual Music In The Gardens, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
3 August: Hoërskool Diamantveld, Kimberley
15 August: Hoërskool Lichtenburg
20 August: Hoërskool Vereeniging
27 August: Hoërskool Malherbe, Port Elizabeth
17 September: Hart Van Windhoek Festival, Namibia
23 September: Vredefest, Cool Runnings, Fourways
24 September: Vredefest, Hatfield Square, Pretoria
8, 9, 15 & 16 October: Huisgenoot Skouspel, Sun City
21 October: Pendoring Awards
4 November: Parys Adventure Festival, Parys

Ashtray Electric Introduces New Album

Ashtray Electric's new album, Measured In Falls was released in June 2011. The launch will be celebrated with a nationwide tour from July 15 -30 during which the band will be performing in Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Potchefstroom, Durban, Stellenbosch, Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth and East London.

Winner of MK's Best Newcomer Award 2009 and voted to have the potential to be SA's next musical export, Ashtray Electric have been leaving their gutsy footprints at venues and festivals nationwide. Their music is laced with engaging melodies and packed with galloping riffs and attitude. Add to that their signature sleazy-slow-motion sexiness and you'll find this unique package of four musicians that have skillfully made their mark.

Ashtray Electric first unapologetically gallivanted onto the SA music scene three years ago. Their debut album, Bonjour received rave reviews from fans and media alike. Music journalist Atiyyah Khan commented: "Ashtray Electric is in fashion. They most certainly ignite something electric on stage."

Measured In Falls introduces Ashtray Electric's new musical progression. It is not merely a collection of songs; it is an album in the full sense of the word. The new tracks are warm, luscious and extraordinary. The album contains 11 brand new tracks, as well as their popular single Release (with Gazelle) as a bonus track. Release enjoyed high rotation on 5FM and national campus radio stations and the video reached number one on MK.

The album cover shot features actual DNA strands of the band members. Each band member had the inside of their cheeks swabbed with an ear bud and the epithelial (skin cell) tissue extracted from each member was lysed (breaking down of the cell wall) to expose the entire genetic genome into the lysed material. The DNA was then purified from all other cellular bodies and amplified using PCR technology. Each sample of DNA was then cut using a cocktail of enzymes and run in separate lanes on an Electrophoresis Gell giving rise to the 4 smears witnessed on the image. The broken bands in the 5th lane is a simple molecular weight marker.

Ashtray Electric's tour line-up is as follows:

Saturday, June 11
Where: The Assembly, Cape Town
Time: 22h00
Cover: Limited presale tickets (R40) available at www.webtickets.co.za, R50 at the door

Friday, July 15 with Jack Parow and Frank Freeman
Where: MK Sessions at Vryfees, Bloemfontein
Time: 20h00
Cover: R60 at www.computicket.co.za

Saturday, July 16 with Wrestlerish
Where: Arcade Empire, Pretoria
Time: 21h00
Cover: R30 before 10pm, R40 after 10pm

Thursday, July 21
Where: Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom
Time: 19h00
Cover: R25

Friday, July 22 with Wrestlerish
Where: Town Hall, Johannesburg
Time: 21h00
Cover: R40

Saturday, July 23 with The Stellas and Scarlet Hill
Where: Unit 11, Durban
Time: 21h00
Cover: R40

Wednesday, July 27
Where: Klein Libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch
Time: 21h30
Cover: R40 before 10pm, R50 after 10pm

Thursday, July 28
Where: The Union, Grahamstown
Time: 20h30
Cover: R20 before 10pm, R30 after 10pm

Friday, July 29
Where: Raggies Bar, East London
Time: 21h30
Cover: R30

Saturday, July 30
Where: Pool City, Port Elizabeth
Time: 21h30
Cover: R30

Old Mutual Music In The Gardens: 10 July

The Old Mutual Music In The Gardens Concert Series will host a line-up of phenomenal South African artists for the month of July. These concerts are suitable for the whole family. Come and enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon in a beautiful setting with Zebra & Giraffe on July 10 at the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens in Johannesburg.

Pic: Renee Frouws

Zebra & Giraffe has enjoyed nothing short of a whirlwind journey of success. Their debut album Collected Memories produced top ten singles and achieved numerous number 1's on the biggest national and campus radio stations around South Africa. In 2009 they won a SAMA for Best Rock Album and an MTV African Music Award for Best Alternative, beating Coldplay and Green Day to this top honour.

After the successful release of their second album, The Inside in September 2010, Zebra & Giraffe began 2011 in fine style with the release of the second single, Terrified. The song reached the Top 20 on the 5FM Top 40 and number one on various campus stations. The band also scooped another SA first by filming a video for the song entirely on the iPhone4. The video also graced the top spot on the MK Top 10.

Known for their eclectic sound and great live performances, Zebra & Giraffe will be ready to deliver a magnificent show on Sunday.

Tickets are available at Ticketbreak from R80. Pre-sale at the gardens will be R90 and on-day sales at the gardens as well as Ticketbreak will be R100. Children under 13 enter for free. Gates open at 12h00 and the show will start at 15h00.

Facilities available:
Restaurant and tea garden available on site. Alcohol will only be available in the restaurant. The Kids Zone is available from 13h30 - 16h30.

Picnic baskets and blankets are allowed, but no glass, tin cans or cutlery will be allowed - please use plastic instead.

Dance, Youʼre On Fire Secret Chiefs Winter Warm Up Tour July 2011

After the release of their debut album, Secret Chiefs in February this year, Dance, You're On Fire has been receiving rave reviews for their first offering to South African music appreciators.

This July they will be taking Secret Chiefs across the country on their Winter Warm Up Tour through South Africa. Be sure to catch them in a city near you!

Tour Line-Up:
8 July: Mr Price Pro, Ballito
8 July: Unit 11, Durban
9 July: Hatfield Square, Pretoria
14 July: Muso's, East London
15 July: Pool City, Port Elizabeth
16 July: The Mexican, Jeffrey's Bay
20 July: Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom
21 July: Barbas, Bloemfontein
22 July: Klein Libertas Theatre, Stellenbosch
23 July: Mercury, Cape Town
24 July: TBC, Cape Town
28 July: Tin Cups, Witbank
29 July: Stones, Edenvale
30 July: Arcade Empire, Pretoria
31 July: Botanical Gardens, Pretoria

Their latest single, Michelle has been play listed on 5FM, KFM, Jacaranda and many more. Dance, You're On Fire will be launching the music video for the single at the end of July.

Wake To Wonder To Embark On European Tour

Local rock band Wake To Wonder will embark on a European tour on July 10, 2011. The band will perform in Estonia, Latvia, Germany and Finland during their 3-week tour.

The Vanderbijlpark band has enjoyed a rapid rise in popularity, both locally and internationally, over the last 18 months. They have featured extensively on South African airwaves and three of their tracks have been in the Top 10 of 94.7 Highveld Stereo's Homebrew charts - one of which spent 8 weeks in the Number One position. Their music video for Cold has enjoyed extensive airplay on MK and the band has features in numerous radio and television interviews.

Wake to Wonder has toured throughout South Africa, and has appeared in numerous notable festivals, such as Seasons Wither and Aardklop. They have appeared alongside some of South Africa's leading acts, such as Fokofpolisiekar, Kinky Robot, Alter Irving and others. During 2010, the band established close links with the motocross racing industry, and particularly so with Tyla Rattray, a South African who became motocross World Champion in 2008. The band's growing exposure in this high-intensity extreme sport environment led

to rapid recognition in numerous international markets, including that of USA, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. The band has featured in an extensive interview in Motocrossplanet, Europe's leading online motocross publication.

The 2011 tour will include 3 appearances at major motocross events, including at the Latvian Motocross Grand Prix. The band has been invited to provide the theme song for the 2012 German Motocross championships. This series is sponsored and run by ADAC, the German automobile association which has close to 20 million members.

The band has secured sponsorships form a number of international companies, including No Fear (USA), Ice Watch (Belgium), Beltiez (Germany) and Tytan Group (International). Negotiations are under way for the band to appear in the 2011 edition of The Great Outdoors, an extreme sports video produced annually in the USA.

The band's provisional tour program is as follows:

13 July – Adrenalin Arena (Estonia)

16 – 17 July – Latvian Motocross Grand Prix

23 – 24 July – ADAC Masters Event at Tensfeld (Germany)

29 July – 1 August – Headlining at the Faces Etno Culture Festival in Finland

Jon Savage Launches SA Music Industry Podcast

This week will see not only the launch of Jon Savage's new website, but he also launches his weekly SA Music Industry Podcast - a guide and tool to help South African bands, artists and industry people understand more about the music industry.

"I can't tell you how much I wish something like this existed when I first got into this industry. Every musician in SA knows that this is a gruelling industry, and in Cassette's life, we had huge ups and huge downs! When I look back now and see how we played the game and how we were a band, I wish there had been some sort of guide as to how to make your band work. I've only started to figure it out now!"

Each episode will be 30 - 45 minutes long and will be released every Monday morning on http://www.jonsavage.co.za/... for free! Some of the highlights include manager of The Parlotones, Raphael talking candidly about the methodology around the rise of The Parlotones, 5FM music compilers on exactly how they choose music for on-air, an interview with legendary photographer Ross Garrett, Red Flag's Caroline Hillary on mistakes bands make in PR and much, much more!

The podcasts will consist mainly of two elements: The first a candid interview with SA music professionals (Jon will look at the many different things that are going on in the industry) and the second a "demo crit". "Every week I get CDs from bands asking me to play their songs on my show. The good ones get on, a lot of them don't, and a whole stack of them go on my 'undecided' pile. For this, I will play a song from one of the bands on my podcast to whichever industry professional is in the studio with me. And they give constructive criticism as to why or why not they think the band will work," says Savage.

A podcast is essentially an Internet programme; they are generally free to download and even though we don't officially have a fully working iTunes in South Africa, you can download them from iTunes. All the links and information will be available on http://www.jonsavage.co.za/ under 'podcasts'. You can download a free programme from the site with a different guest every week - for free!

"In between the 20 or so top bands, there are literally hundreds of bands struggling to get their name out there. And a lot of the time - and I include Cassette in this category - bands are just making really bad decisions, unaware that many bands before them have made the same bad decisions! I think these podcasts will really help serious bands get ahead."

Buskaid To Tour Columbia

From the humble streets of Soweto, the Buskaid String Ensemble will go on a 10-day visit to Cartagena, Columbia this July to perform concerts, including collaborations with the Colombian dance project, El Colegio del Cuerpo.

26 members of the ensemble, ranging from ages 10 - 3- will receive this opportunity of a lifetime to share their creative talents with youth from similar backgrounds in the Colombian region of Cartagena, with support from Total South Africa and the Umoja Foundation.

Commenting on her vision for the Buskaid String Ensemble, founder Rosemary Nalden says, "My hope for this visit to Cartagena is that first and foremost we interact socially and artistically with the young dancers of El Colegio del Cuerpo, leading to the performance of at least one piece together which will be choreographed whilst we are there. Our other priority is to present one public performance by the Buskaid Ensemble - of which this collaboration will be a part - at the Opera House in Cartegena. Activities with the Colombian dancers in less-advantaged communities in and around Cartagena are also high priority."

During this Colombian tour, two art forms will converge as this South African youth share their gift of music with the equally talented young dancers from the Colombian El Colegio del Cuerpo. Moved and motivated by a documentary he saw on Film and Arts in South Africa, Alvaro Restrepo, co-founder and co-director of El Colegio del Cuerpo wrote to Nalden, expressing his sentiments on the work Nalden and team are doing for the Buskaid String Ensemble. "Deep and magical coincidences with your work and way of approaching life and education through the Arts motivated me to write this short message to thank you for the beauty, dignity and value of what I felt after seeing and listening to your kids playing and talking about who they have become through the power of music and integral human education," he said. "Maybe someday we could dream of a project together; dancers from Colombia and musicians from South Africa showing the world why it is possible to share not only wealth but most important opportunities and talent," adds Restrepo.

The uncanny similarities between the two ensembles has been the source of joy and hope for the young people who participate in them. Youngsters who have emerged out of the Buskaid Ensemble now enjoy the fruits of their labour. "Around a dozen or so are still at school - the rest are learnership students at Buskaid, or at college/university and one or two are professionals in different fields. Two are currently studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London," boasts Nalden.

Hed Kandi Announces Spectacular Weekly Residence At The Fez

Hed Kandi is soon to become a big player in the Cape Town nightlife scene. Hed Kandi will host Saturday nights at the awesome super-club The Fez in Mechau Street, Cape Town. Each week a top international Hed Kandi DJ will be flown to the Mother City from Ibiza or London to perform to the Cape Town faithful.

The recently renovated Fez Club has undergone many changes to accommodate this global phenomenon. "Production levels of this magnitude have never been experienced before in SA club history," says Tom Pearson Adams, Director of The Fez Club. "The Fez will give Hed Kandi the opportunity to grow creatively and show our loyal - and new - customers a totally new experience in SA club culture, with an even bigger and better party experience. Cape Town is our showcase and we promise to give clubbers something old and something new... and most of all a night to remember."

Lloyd Cornwall, Hed Kandi adds, "Following many exceptional years hosting events at El Divino, Ibiza and at some of the world's greatest cities, we will now be embarking on a new adventure to take the party to a brand new country with a brand new level of clubbing. Launching on Saturday for an exclusive ongoing season, the incredible and recently renovated super club The Fez will be our new Cape Town residence. This move comes out of our desire to develop our event offering around the world, and once specially reconfigured for-Hed Kandi, The Fez will be the ideal venue. Not only does it provide us with the opportunity to increase the scale of our illustrious production, but it also enables greater scope for the live element of the night whilst accommodating our ever-growing legion of devotees."

The launch event is on Saturday, July 2. Guest list and advance tickets can be booked by visiting www.fez.co.za.

MTN Joyous Celebration To Bring Joy To The Mother City

South Africa's multi-award winning gospel ensemble, MTN Joyous Celebration, prepares to revive the spirit of Cape Town as their annual concert tour heads for Grand West on July 2, 2011.

Presented by MTN, this not-to-be-missed musical treat will feature the three founding members; Jabu Hlongwane, Lindelani Mkhize and Mthunzi Namba, a seven-piece band and a strong choir of 31 singers all united in uplifting and soul-nourishing songs.

The MTN Joyous Celebration 15 tour has blessed audiences with performances at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, Christian Centre Abbotsford in East London and Nangoza Jebe in Port Elizabeth where they performed to thousands of gospel fans. They are now moving to Grand West in Cape Town where the Joyous concert will take place on Saturday.

"The audience can expect to hear songs from the Joyous Celebration 15 album as well as their traditional favourites, laced with different languages and rhythms," says Jabu Hlongwane. "MTN Joyous Celebration has a lot to be grateful for as we celebrate the 15-year milestone and it is for this reason that we are releasing Joyous Celebration 15 in two folds, with part two coming out in July. We celebrate all that God has done for us and people will experience this when listening to the lyrics."

With this tour, MTN Joyous Celebration also proudly announces their new sponsor, MTN who will take them through the national celebration of their Joyous Celebration 15 album, entitled My Gift To You.

"MTN is a proud supporter of local music across all genres," explains Ryan Gould, GM: Brand and Communications at MTN SA. "The MTN Joyous Celebration tour has been a phenomenal experience for the masses and we look forward to another great display of musical talent in the Gospel discipline. We are proud to be associated with an outfit of Joyous Celebration's stature."

The album My Gift To You, which was released on April 8, went gold in two days. The DVD, which was released a week later and also named My Gift To You, is currently on platinum status. These are available at music outlets nationwide.

Bookings for the Cape Town leg of the MTN Joyous Celebration concert at the Grand West are open at Computicket, with tickets ranging from R150 to R300 in price.

Bloedsuiers Opens Crowd Funding For 1 More Week & Hosts An Auction

Bloedsuiers, the first Afrikaans vampire movie starring the likes of Francois Van Coke, Inge Beckmann, Rob Van Vuuren and Porteus Xandau, has opened its crowd funding again for one last week. Bloedsuiers are also hosting an auction to auction off the vampire fangs Van Coke’s character wears in the teasers. They are looking to raise the final R100 000 for the production of the movie through these two main events.

Crowd funding is a method fast becoming popular in the USA and in Europe whereby filmmakers raise funds in the form of “pledges” from fans to produce / finance their films and in so doing, providing audience participation in the filmmaking process and building an audience base prior to release. This is the first time this is being attempted to such a degree in South Africa.

Now, for one week only, the crowd funding for Bloedsuiers is opening again from 20 - 26 June: Fans can pledge as little as R30, the idea being that a critical mass builds over a short period of time and requisite production finance is raised.

“Not only are you pledging your support toward this project, but you are also helping to revolutionize the way local filmmakers produce films” says producer Benjamin Cowley, “the success of this model will pave the way for both up coming and established filmmakers to produce films for local audiences.”

Anyone who pledges will have access to the members area of the website, where exclusive content can be viewed. Their pledge also gives them automatic entry into a number of competitions (details on the website) AND depending on the amount pledged, theyʼll get a variety of exclusive rewards.

Pledges can be made on the website (Click on PLEDGE/LOGIN at the top of the homepage) using a secure online payment gateway which accepts Master Card and Visa. If you don’t have either card, you can contact Bloedsuiers through the website and they will provide EFT details. There is also huge scope for product placement, so brands interested in getting exposure through the film can also contact them on pp@bloedsuiersmovie.com.

For three days only from the 21st to the 23rd of June, Bloedsuiers will also be auctioning off a collector’s display case which contains autographed production stills of Francois van Coke, and a mounted mould of his mouth with the actual fangs (dentures) worn by him in the teasers (these were custom made to fit him). The value of manufacturing this exceeded R5,000. The auction will be done through http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/, listed as Van Coke Fangs by Bloedsuiers Movie and will go live at 10h00 on 21st June and close at midnight, 23rd June.

Visit the website NOW to join the revolution!

Elvis Blue, The Musician

Elvis Blue is a musician with a dream; a man with a melodic goal - and a talented performer with an overwhelming desire to make music that matters. This is evident in the lyrics of his hit single, Things My Father Said: "If you have a dream you better hold on for dear life."

The intuitive musician released his self-title debut album through Universal Records in December 2010. The album weny gold within 29 days of its release, proving that meaningful music  such as his has its place in the South African market. Since the album's release, the singles, Things My Fathers Said and Lighthouse have been play listed on radio stations across the country, allowing it to reach a wide cultural cross-section of fans which has turned the album into a mammoth hit. The latest single, Save Me is currently on play lists across the country and gaining airplay quickly.

Elvis Blue is a songwriter, a musician (he plays guitar and the piano) and an adult contemporary artist that provides a different side to him in his live shows - he often engages top local musicians to play live with him, insisting on a more intimate and personal experience of his music and lyrics.

"If I am an influence in any way to my audience, I hope that it allows people to look at me and see someone who truly enjoys and loves music. Whether you make it or not, it's who I am and that's what it's about at the end of the day. If you have that gift to make music, it's a wonderful privilege and you should cherish it," he says.

Committed to offering audiences a meaningful experience of his music, Elvis Blue will be hosting an intimate show at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on June 25 at 20:30. Tickets cost R75 and can be booked at the Globe Theatre Box Office on (011) 248-5000 or at Computicket. Visit www.elvisblue.co.za for more info.

Click on the links below to find out what Elvis' life has been since winning Idols in November last year.

Elvis Blue: Life After Idols
Elvis Blue Goes Gold

Bittereinder: Slechte Mensen?

Feast your eyes!

OppiPlaas Festival 2011

Hey peeps!

Happy Friday! Even though I'm having the Monday blues, I have some exciting news to share.

Last year saw the birth of the OppiPlaas music festival; a weekend of music, fun and games on the banks of the Vaal. OppiPlaas is back in August this year with a jam-packed programme that will have you contemplating exchanging the big city life for a carefree one on the farm.

Tickets are available from Computicket. Book yours now!

Burn The Floor To Set The Stage Alight In SA

The Joburg Theatre is presents the exclusive visit to South Africa of the world's most popular dance show, Burn The Floor - on The Mandela Stage and for a limited season only from July 14 until August 14!

Burn The Floor is the show that revolutionised the image of dance, which then launched the many reality dance shows So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars and Superstars Of Dance - to name but a few - that audiences have grown to love.

The energetic production was originally designed as a special performance in 1997 at Sir Elton John's 50th birthday celebration. At the height of the festivities, a group of sixteen young dancers brought the house down with a ten-minute dance cabaret. After seeing this performance, legendary Australian theatre producer Harley Medcalf had the spark of an idea to build a full stage show around that he had just seen. From that first moment of inspiration, what would become the international sensation Burn The Floor quickly evolved.

Since then, the show has toured in 30 countries and over 160 cities worldwide. The current company boasts performers from 10 countries with more than 100 Championship Dance titles between them. These include winners and finalists from So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars and Superstars Of Dance.

While the production has no spoken dialogue, it does tell a story, and it brings a whole new meaning to ballroom dancing. "This ain't your grandma's ballroom," says Harley Medcalf, the show's creator. Ballroom dancing has been around for years, but Burn The Floor, the theatrical ballroom dance show, is anything but old school. Burn The Floor labels itself as "Ballroom. Reinvented."

Filled from start to finish with spellbinding numbers in ballroom dance styles ranging from The Waltz, Cha-Cha, Samba, Salsa, Rumba, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Mambo, Tango, Swing, Jive, Lindy Hop, Viennese Waltz and Paso Doble, Burn The Floor is "like ballroom dancing super charged. It's the incredible art form of ballroom dance combined with rock and roll," adds Medcalf.

 

With the creativity of world-famous ballroom choreographer Jason Gilkison, Burn The Floor takes ballroom to a whole new level. Gilkison's unique choreography combines the classic ballroom styles with a modern flare. "I wanted people to see that ballroom has come of age again," says Gilkison. "This is a new interpretation of what this generation is doing with ballroom and how they're experiencing those dances." Gilkison was also choreographing the new Step Up 3D movie.

Though Burn The Floor is a show that dance enthusiasts will love, it's not just for the performance connoisseur. Unlike many dance performances, Burn The Floor brings so many styles to the stage, it doesn't matter who you are. You're guaranteed to love it. "Most people think if they're going to a ballroom show, they're going to see some people waltzing around the stage and things like that," says Medcalf. "But they don't know what they're getting themselves into because this show just blows away all expectations."

For more info on Burn The Floor, log onto http://www.burnthefloor.com/. Tickets are priced from R195 and are available exclusively by visiting http://www.joburgtheatre.com/.

With the hottest ticket in town only being available to audiences in Johannesburg, Joburg Theatre is currently negotiating travel packages from other major cities so that enthusiasts do not miss out on this once in a lifetime experiences. Details will be available shortly.

Holiday Murray News

Since returning from a highly successful countrywide album launch tour in May, Capetonian foursome Holiday Murray has continued to embed their unique imprint on the South African music scene.

Pic by Laura McCullagh

iWhat?
With the first single off their self-titled debut album being play listed on national radio station 5FM and the music video of their first single, Jirey on high rotation on MK, the band also recently became the first SA band to perform a song using iPads as instruments during a TaxiJam performance.

Cruising through the streets of Cape Town, Holiday Murray put on a TaxiJam performance with a difference. Rather than play their usual instruments, the band performed their hit single, Jirey solely on Apple iPads. Says vocalist James, "TaxiJam approached us, and we thought it was a great idea. iPads are still a relatively unexploited way of performing music in South Africa, especially as a group, so we went for it." Adds TaxiJam founder Simon Wall, "We decided on Holiday Murray for the iPad TaxiJam as we wanted to get a 'live' sound from the iPads without relying too much on drum pads and backing tracks. These guys were the perfect choice."

Recently relaunched, TaxiJam has, over the pas couple of years, become an institution on the local music scene. "TaxiJam is the smallest gig around," says Simon. "We provide a selection of some of South Africa's finest creative talent performing in an intimate 5-minute taxi ride. All clips are recorded and shot in exactly the same style, and uploaded onto our websites. Whether you are famous or infamous, signed or unsigned, rock or pop, acoustic or metal or simply someone with a story to tell - anyone can hop on board!"

Watch Holiday Murray's Apple iPad performance of Jirey HERE!

Pic by Laura McCullagh

iVideo
Holiday Murray's next music video release will be for Antagonizer, the second single off the band's debut album. The video, a collection of footage shot by Johno Mellish and Adriaan Louw will contain scenes from the band's two previous tours. Says guitarist Justin Davenport, "The video is not necessarily a literal commentary on the meaning of the song, but encapsulates the song's imagery with honest depictions of Holiday Murray on tour. Johno Mellish had edited the footage with his own take on the song and sewn together imagery that is both beautiful and exciting."

Pic by Laura McCullagh

iFestival
Over the next two months, Holiday Murray will be playing a run of Cape Town shows (see below for details). Holiday Murray has also been confirmed to perform at OppiKoppi 2011, and will be doing a small three-show tour on their way up north; possibly including their first ever performance in Durban. The band has also been invited to perform at the Billabong Pro Surfing Tournament in Jeffrey's Bay on July 15.

Regarding the rest of the year, says violinist and bassist Chris Carter, "We plan to promote our album as much as possible, as well as taking some time out to write new material. Our major goal for this year is to expand our fan base beyond these borders, and we hope to have something of a small international tour planned by year end." Adds drummer Ellis Silverman, "After we've finished our exams in June, we are planning to sail outta Cape Town for a few days together, take some instruments and maybe some recording devices, and maybe there will be some new music revealed soon!"

Pic by Laura McCullagh

iTunes
Holiday Murray's music is now available on Mxit, iTunes and Soundcloud, with Jirey and Stop Thief! available as free downloads on Soundcloud!




Pic by Laura McCullagh


iGigs
June 15: Studio 7 with aKING (R150)
July 1: Dizzy's, Camps Bay with Summer Shade (R30)
July 8: Mercury, Cape Town with TBC (R30)
July 15: Billabong Pro, Jeffrey's Bay
July 19: Waiting Room, Cape Town with Beatenberg (R30)
July 23: Purple Turtle, Cape Town with Jeremy Loops (R30-R40)
August 6: OppiKoppi Unknown Brother, Northam
August 18: Bohemia, Stellenbosch

Follow Holiday Murray on Twitter or check them out on Facebook.

Bittereinder Nominated For 2 Tempo Awards

Hey peeps,

It's awards time again and one of my favourite local acts, Bittereinder has been nominated in two categories for a Tempo award; for "Alternatiewe Musiekvideo Van Die Jaar" (for the video of Ware Verhaal) and for "Kopskuifalbum". Now, if you're sitting there wondering who these okes are, you might as well crawl back under the rock you've been calling home. Anyhoo, these Tempo award nominations come after the guys won the 2011 SAMA in May this year for Best Alternative Music Album: Afrikaans for their album Ware Verhaal - confirming that this is only just the beginning of great things to come for Bittereinder.

I have seen them live and believe me I'm not joking when I say that Ware Verhaal is on high rotation on my iPod - months after a copy accidentally landed on my desk back in the day at people magazine. Now, with the Tempo Awards creeping closer, they are up against some big names in the local music industry, including Die Heuwels Fantasties, Jack Parow and Foto Na Dans.

So here's the story: winners are chosen based on votes cast by the public and if you think Bittereinder is worthy of yet another award (I most certainly do), SMS "TEM1 A plus your name & surname" to 32113 for the video award and/or (preferably both) SMS "TEM8 A plus your name & surname" to 32113 for the album award. SMSes are charged at R1 and voters stand the chance of winning great prizes such as cellphones and watches. I've already cast my vote and so should you - all the cool kids are doing it! No pressure...

If you'd like to check them out before making the life altering decision of voting for them (like any right-minded fan should), catch Bittereinder at the TUKSFM Youth Day Party in Centurion on Thursday, June 16. For more info on the event, click HERE.

Visit Bittereinder's website, like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.