Artist Q&A: Greg Carlin

Zebra & Giraffe's second full-length album, The Inside, was released in September last year and was received with rave reviews in the local industry. This time around the guys wanted to prove that they could produce an even better album than Collected Memories (their award-winning debut album released in 2008) and all their hard work has definitely paid off.

I caught up with songwriter, frontman and guitarist Greg Carlin for a quick chat about band life.

I recall attending the launch of Collected Memories at the Military Museum in 2008. What has since happened in the world of Zebra & Giraffe?
Ummm, quite a lot! In 2009 we won a SAMA and an MTV Africa Music Award. We also got to play with the Killers which was amazing! 2010 was mostly spent writing and recording our second album, The Inside. We also got to go overseas to mix the album with Cenzo Townsend who has mixed everybody from U2 to Florence & The Machine.

What would you say was the highlight of 2010 - personal and professional?
Completing a second album, with a band this time, was really both a professional and personal achievement for me. I was always worried about going back into the studio; worried if I'd be able to write more songs and whether I'd be able to write with other people... But it all worked out quite well, I think! I'm really happy with how we progressed and what we achieved.

What can fans look forward to in 2011?
We're onto our second single off the album which is called Terrified - we just made a video for it on my iPhone 4 (laughs). Check it out! It's currently playlisted on national and campus radio. We're also looking forward to a whole bunch of great shows coming up like Kirstenbosch, RAMfest and the MK Awards. Hopefully another SAMA nomination... We'll see! And then a big push for some overseas action!

Any international tours lined up?
We are looking to head to L.A. in May. We've been invited to play at a music conference and it's really a great opportunity. Visa dependent...

You are in the line-up to perform at this year's RAMfest.
Yeah it's our first time at RAMfest and we're really looking forward to it. Can't wait to finally see Die Antwoord live...

What is your favourite song to perform live?
Pariahs, which we almost always play last, is fun because it's simple and rocking and easy to jump up and down to. The Knife is also great because we always get such a great response from the crowd. We love playing new tracks but the crowd mostly stands staring...

Strangest encounter with a fan?
A girl jumped on stage once and pulled into me! It was pretty unexpected so it made for a rather embarrassing moment!

You mentioned in an interview once that you wouldn't mind having groupies if they help carry gear. Any luck with that?
No, unfortunately not. :(

If you had to write a letter to 40-year0old Greg, what would it say?
"I hope to hell you are still writing music, or at least doing something creative!"

And 16-year-old Greg?
"Don't stress so much! Play the field."

If someone was stalking you, where would they find you on a Saturday night?
Either at a show somewhere around SA - I think every weekend until April is booked - or at home... I don't venture out much in Jozi.

There you have it, you crazies! For more info, visit Zebra & Giraffe's website or become a fan on Facebook!

Much love!

Izzy
xxx