Music'nStuff

Music Network Showcases The Best In Local Music

2011-10-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T05:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

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...

2011-10-04T01:49:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-04T01:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-19T22:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-17T23:09:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-08-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-07T01:08:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-05T04:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-05T00:50:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-04T04:27:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-04T02:24:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-29T01:54:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-29T01:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-29T01:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-20T06:18:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-06-20T05:29:00.000-07:00

Feast your eyes!

OppiPlaas Festival 2011

2011-06-17T00:59:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-17T00:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-15T02:33:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-14T04:43:00.000-07:00

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.

Farryl Purkiss Releases Special Edition of Fruitbats & Crows

2011-06-13T06:21:00.000-07:00

The Special Edition of one of Farryl Purkiss' most successful albums to date, Fruitbats & Crows is out now!

Since the release of Fruitbats & Crows, the album has generated three major radio hit singles with A Million Grains Of Sand, Kissing Devils On The Cheek and Creeping Up On Me doing incredibly well on South African radio and Brian O'Shea winning the the 2010 SAMA for Best Producer for his work on Fruitbats & Crows.

2011 kicked off with a bang for Farryl Purkiss after the single Pennies In The Snow aired on major US TV series Private Practice on international TV screens in January. Pennies In The Snow was heard on episode 11 of Season 4 which still has to air on South African TV.

What makes the Special Edition so, uhm... special, is that the tracks on the bonus disc are special versions and new songs that have never been available before. In Apostrophes is an acoustic version of a brand new song for the next studio album and Monkeys' Wedding Live has become a fan favourite at live shows and differs vastly from the album version of Monkeys' Wedding. The piano mix of Sticks & Stones was the version used on Private Practice's fifth episode of Season 3 and is finally available to fans who've been wanting it since it featured on the series. Number Seven never made the final track listing when Fruitbats & Crows was released and is now available on the bonus disc as the only instrumental song on the album. The release also includes Farryl's stunning versions of the Bob Dylan track Positively 4th Street and the classic New Order hit Blue Monday.

Connect with Farryl on Facebook or on Twitter.

Music In The Gardens

2011-06-13T01:16:00.000-07:00

South Africa's singing heartthrob, Bobby Van Jaarsveld will be charming audiences on Sunday, June 19 at the Old Mutual Music In The Gardens Concert taking place at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens.

Old Mutual is fighting the cold with their winter concert series at the Pretoria and Johannesburg Botanical Gardens. The series includes performances by some of South Africa's most popular artists the likes of Theuns Jordaan, Chris Chameleon, Prime Circle, Zebra & Giraffe and Die Heuwels Fantasties.

Bobby Van Jaarsveld will be performing as part of the series at the Pretoria Botanical Gardens this coming Sunday. He is currently one of the most popular performers in South Africa and fans can look forward to an enjoyable, energetic performance featuring all his well-known hits. His album, Net Vir Jou earned him the coveted SAMA for Best Afrikaans Pop Album in February 2010 and along with this album, Bobby also broke records with his music video for the hit single Spieeltjie. Apart from his musical talent, he also appeared in the Afrikaans music film Liefling, showcasing his versatility.

The Old Mutual Music In The Gardens Concert Series is entertainment for the whole family. What's better than spending a lazy Sunday afternoon listening to the best music South Africa has to offer? Pack a picnic basket, get the family together and forget about all your troubles for one afternoon! Regrettably, no glass and cutlery are allowed.

Tickets are available at www.ticketbreak.co.za for R80. If you want to buy your tickets from the Gardens, it will cost you R90 and tickets at both Ticketbreak and the Gardens will be R100 on the day of the concert. Kids under 13 enter for free! Gates open at 12:00 and the concert starts at 15:00. There is a kiddies' play area which is open from 13:30 and 16:30, as well as a restaurant and tea garden (alcohol is sold exclusively at the restaurant).

Here is the rest of the series line-up:

26 June: Viviere, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)
3 July: Chris Chameleon, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
10 July: Zebra & Giraffe, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)
17 July: Prime Circle, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
24 July: Prime Circle, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)
31 July: Die Heuwels Fantasties, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
7 August: Theuns Jordaan, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)
14 August: Karen Zoid, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
21 August: Karen Zoid, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)
28 August: 6 Snare, Pretoria Botanical Gardens
11 September: Nianell & Romanz, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Jhb)

Mr. Sakitumi Releases Debut Album

2011-06-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

Multi-instrumentalist, producer and live stage performer, Mr. Sakitumi is releasing his much anticipated debut album through African Dope Records TODAY!
An innovative musical phenomenon like Mr. Sakitumi is few and far between in the world of electronic music. From the studio to the stage he has mastered his vast array of physical and virtual tools to produce his debut album, Secret Asian Man.

"This is my first personal offering as an artist, so it really is a biggie for me. I am really excited about it! Secret Asian Man will not be so secret anymore. I'm just glad to be able to put a body of work out there that can document me and my sound at this point in time. I am also really grateful to have a fantastic team behind me, helping me with this first release." - Mr. Sakitumi.

Secret Asian Man comes after being a member of numerous influential South African acts such as Max Normal, Lark, Krushed & Sorted, Closet Snare and Mr. Sakitumi & The Grrrl, along with performances in Goldfish, Freshly Ground, EJ Van Lyrik, Gazelle and many more.

"It's a listening journey into my world, the kinds of beats and melodies that I'm hearing in my head. It gives them a better picture of me as a producer and what I can also do as a multi-instrumentalist. The album extends beyond the dance floor/club/festival/gig, etc. I want listeners to be able to put it on whenever and still be able to enjoy the music."

With melody being a focus, Secret Asian Man is organically electronic, or electronically organic. By adding a lot of live playing over it - whether on drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, sampler or scratching - Mr. Sakitumi created an offering which reflects quirkiness, epicness and a dash of seriousness.

Apart from help in the form of ears, listening time and feedback from The Grrrl, other talented artists also contributed to Mr. Sakitumi's debut offering. Among other fantastic tracks, Secret Asian Man also features This That, which was the crafty rhyming skills of the super talented DForm, as well as Ghislain Poirier who did a remix of the track. Mix 'n Blend also did a remarkable remix of the title track, Secret Asian Man. They managed to get the brilliant horn skills of Lee Thomson and Ross McDonald for their version, as well as sneaking in a shout-out by EJ Von Lyrik. Apart from mixing their own versions, Mr. Sakitumi mixed all of his own tracks. Mastering was done by Simon "Fuzzy" Ratcliffe at Sound & Motion Studios who did a great job in gluing the album together and strengthening its listening thread.

Secret Asian Man will be available through The African Dope store, as well as on iTunes, Beatport, Ingrooves, Trackitdown, Juno, Rhythm Online and many more.

Follow Mr. Sakitumi on Twitter or check him out on Facebook and YouTube.

Keep your eyes peeled for the review of Secret Asian Man on Music 'n Stuff!

WIN! WIN! WIN!

2011-06-06T05:29:00.000-07:00

One lucky reader stands the chance to win a set of double tickets to see Pelussje (Italy), Haezer and much more at Arcade Empire on June 15!

What to expect:
Great Sound
Sick lighting
Amazing visuals
Jumping castle photo booth (by Abel Scholtz)
Free face painting
Drink specials
Super sick laser show (by JSP)

The line-up includes Double-Adapter, Crossman & Phizicist, BBB and Minx.

All you have to do to win these tickets, is send an e-mail to isabel.smith07@yahoo.com with "GRIET" in the subject line. Entries close Monday, June 13.

Watch the promo video HERE.

The Wizard Of Fu

2011-06-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

The Wizard Of Fu is a fun, updated version of the well-known musical The Wizard Of Oz, taking to the stage at Joburg Promusica in Roodepoort for two performances only on Friday 8^th and Saturday 9^th July at 11am.

Produced by StageWorx Performing Arts school in collaboration with Journey School of Arts, Wizard Of Fu is an endearing tale of triumph over adversity; including the uplifting music in the mix by the feel good band, Sergeant Fu, as performed by pupils of both schools in the first of its kind, staging a professional theatre production with both able-bodied alongside special needs children.

After landing in the Land Of Fu after a storm, Dorothy, from the small town of Kroonstad, goes on a journey to find the Wizard to help her get home. All is not well in the land, however. People are missing things. The Lion is missing his courage, Mr Tin has lost his heart, and The Scarecrow has lost his dancing skills. Worse yet, Miley Cyrus has lost Hannah Montana and Justin Bieber has lost his voice! Dorothy kindly takes it upon herself to put everything right and, in the process, finds herself caught up in a wacky adventure of song, dance and wild antics!

The story is linked together by the popular feel-good band, Sergeant Fu who burst onto the music scene in 2010 with their internationally successful World Cup song Vuvuzela”garnering attention across the globe. Their current single is strongly featured in the successful local movie ‘Superhelde’ along with 2 other of their tracks.

Sergeant Fu has introduced a new genre of music to the world called "Feel Good". As this would suggest, their aim is to bring light and happiness into people’s lives. With the incorporation of 6 of their tracks into Wizard Of Fu, their music provides the ideal accompaniment to this colourful, funky and upbeat show.

Says Matthew Marinus of Sergeant Fu; “We are thrilled to be involved in the production of Wizard of Fu! The kids are amazing, the story is hilarious, and the band...well...the band is us! When Gemma from Stageworx approached us with the idea, we were in from word go. A great script has added so much to the entertainment value! Our music fits right in there and the kids give it a new energy that’s fantastic! Come check it out! Booya!”

The show is produced by StageWorx Performing Arts and Journey School of Arts, in association with The Joburg Promusica Theatre.

All show profits will be going to Journey School of Arts, a full time arts school for children with special needs to raise funds for much-needed equipment. The two schools have collaborated to produce a professional quality production that is suitable for the whole family, and is sure to warm your heart and leave a broad smile on your face.

There is a tendency to separate children with special needs into their own schools, and this makes sense in terms of the kind of attention and teaching methods they require. StageWorx recognises, however, that children are children, no matter what their specific needs, and youngsters from special needs schools need to mix with other children their age, as there is so much that they can learn from each other.

Says Gemma Donnelly from Journey and StageWorx; “Everyone deserves a chance to experience the Arts, we have taken children from all backgrounds and all abilities including those with special needs to produce a professional quality production. The Special needs and able bodied learn to communicate and work together as a team on stage whilst learning the tools necessary to do a show of this quality. In class they learn dance, Singing and drama techniques that have helped every single child to perform to the best of their ability.”

Families are asked to come and support this wonderful initiative, and group bookings are encouraged with discounted rates. Whether you’re 6 or 60, you’ll love this uplifting interpretation of an age-old classic, as performed by children who will quite literally steal your heart.

To book your tickets, contact Gemma Donnelly on gemmalouisedonnelly@gmail.com or 083 445 0547.

Prime Circle Taking The World By Storm

2011-06-01T05:28:00.000-07:00

South Africa's most popular rock band, Prime Circle proved their immense talent by walking away with the SAMA for Best Rock Album recently. Said lead singer Ross Learmouth, "Prime Circle is a commercial rock band - we write from personal experience and we always aim to speak to our audience through our music. This is why winning Best Rock Album is such an incredible honour for us."

After maintaining a solid presence on the South African music scene and amassing a plethora of fans over the past ten years, Prime Circle have definitely proven themselves worthy of receiving these accolades. But knowing the boys from Witbank, they are just starting to get warmed up - and even greater things lie ahead for South Africa's top rock band...

Currently on tour in Europe, Prime Circle's enigmatic stage performances have led to them being invited to perform with American rock band 3 Doors Down. "It's been a great year for Prime Circle; first the SAMA win and now the chance to share the stage with an international rock band of this calibre. We respect this band's music immensely - we are honoured," said Learmouth. Both bands will be joined on stage by Alter Bridge, the American rock band responsible for the hit album One Day Remains.

Prime Circle will be performing with 3 Doors Down and Alter Bridge on the following dates:

June 7 at 19:30 - Zitadelle, Berlin
June 8 at 19:30 - Stadtpark, Hamburg
June 10 at 19:30 - Porsche Arena, Stuttgart

and their European itinerary continues:

June 1: Silber, Hamburg
June 2: Crystal, Berlin
June 3: Riders Cafe, Lubeck
June 6: Universum, Stuttgart
June 7: Zitadelle, Berlin
June 8: Stadtpark, Hamburg
June 9: 59:1, Munchen
June 10: Porsche Arena, Stuttgart
June 11: Kantine, Augsburg

But wait, there's more:

Fans are in for a surprise when the country's top rock band will be available at the touch of a keypad. Fans can start whipping out their iPhones as Prime Circle's brand new iPhone application is now live at the AppStore. True to their form, Prime Circle is now taking their SAMA-winning, platinum-selling album, Jekyll & Hyde straight to their fans' Apple devices!

The Jekyll & Hyde iPhone application is designed to offer fans a more intimate experience of Prime Circle's most recent album. Right from the opening screen, fans can access exclusive content and information not available anywhere else. Amongst other items, fans can access streaming clips of each track for listening and can also watch an exclusive video for the band's latest single, Never Gonna Bring Us Down.

The App was designed and developed by leading SA music technology provider Exactmobile, and was launched on the iTunes platform on May 17, 2011. The supported platforms it will work on are iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The device must be running on OS 4.0 or higher in order to function. The free download is available HERE.

The application also offers fans a personal biography of each band member, as well as a feature called Jekyll & Hyde Moments. This is unique to the Jekyll & Hyde application and Prime Circle fans will not find this information anywhere else. Each band member has offered up personal life moments, categorised as Jekyll (lighter) or Hyde (darker) moments. So, if you've ever wanted information about Ross, Dirk, Dale, Marco and Neil's lighter and darker sides, you know where to find it!

Another application feature is an up-to-date gig guide. Once you have selected the gig that you are interested in, the application will display a map and offer personalised directions from your current location to the gig. This is done by the use of LBS (Location Based Services) via the GPS in the handset.

The application was developed over the period of a month and was birthed late in 2010 when Exactmobile decided to partner with a South African artist to showcase their new technology. "We chose to partner with Prime Circle for this project as they are one of South Africa's top artists," says Gillian Ezra, Director of Entertainment Services for Exactmobile. "The Jekyll & Hyde album in particular is an exciting project, perfect for mobile application - right from the outstanding SAMA nominated artwork to the music. iPhone apps are one of the many digital products we offer to the music industry, and we are very proud of this collaboration."

For news, updates and more info go to www.primecircle.co.za of visit them on Facebook.

Andre Schwartz Releases Fabulous Big Band Album

2011-05-30T00:50:00.000-07:00

Andre Schwartz is following up his critically acclaimed performance in the title role of The Phantom Of The Opera with an album of swing and Big Band classics that's likely to find the longstanding artist the widest audience of his career.

"I'm really thrilled to be recording this new studio album," Schwartz says of the record that has just been released. "It's been great fun to do and builds on everything I have done in my career so far - especially the music theatre that is now so much part of my life. Through the album I hope to deliver something really amazing to music fans of many different backgrounds."

In this assessment, Schwartz is spot-on: after sifting through a huge number of potential Big Band and swing classics, the songs that have made it onto the record are poised to expand this performer's following into new audiences - specifically those with a taste for music that's both sophisticated and yet hugely accessible.

Among the songs getting the now inimitable Schwartz treatment are Fly Me To The Moon, Paper Moon, Heaven, You're One Hell Of A Find and Makin' Whoopee! - a song first popularised by Eddie Cantor in the 1928 musical Whoopee! A real treat for fans of great performers blessed with outstanding voices is a version of Baby, It's Cold Outside - a duet with Kate Normington. "I am a big fan of Kate's," Schwartz says of the decision to record with the acclaimed actress and performer. "She has the voice and performing ability that few can match but she's unafraid of bringing an edge to what she does."

Schwartz himself is also intent on adding a twist to the songs on the new record. "It's not about radically altering the songs that everyone knows but instead adding my own imprint on them," he says. "In the process of recording the album this has come through really feeling and getting under the skin of the lyrics and stories of each songs."

In creating his first band and swing record, Schwartz turned to another huge South African music talent in the form of conductor, producer and arranger Graham Scott. Beloved for his theatre work, Scott's unparalleled abilities as a musical director on countless productions (including West Side Story, Camelot and Jesus Christ Superstar) and his previous work with Schwartz lends a potency and undeniable world-class sheen to the record. "Working with Graham has been a revelation to me. I'm not new to being in a recording studio after all, but to have someone with as much experience as Graham working with me is adding something really special to the songs," Schwartz confides. The addition of some of the country's top Big Band musicians recording live at the SABC's M2 studios has also helped create a record of international quality.

For an artist who spent much of his career in the Afrikaans market, the chance to deliver an album of English-language Big Band material is a natural evolution that came out of Schwartz's star turn in The Phantom Of The Opera. The latter saw him earn Naledi and Fleur Du Cap awards and helped hone a voice that had already earned Schwartz a devoted following since he launched his solo music career close to three decades back.

Schwartz will be supporting the release of his new album, 12 Plus 1 with live shows - both with a Big Band and alone. "I've already been given some of the songs a workout on the live front and the reception has been incredible. I can't wait to showcase the entire album in the coming months."

Question Roulette With Van Diens Af

2011-05-25T06:31:00.000-07:00

I recently caught up with Anton Van Wyk, guitarist for Vonk Award-winning and SAMA-nominated Afrikaans rock band Van Diens Af for a bit of question roulette. Here's what he had to say:

If you were a stalker, would you be any good at it?
I would be the best!

If people were thrown in jail for bad habits, what would you be jailed for?
Speeding and drinking in public.

If you had your own factory, what would it make?
Nesquik-flavoured breakfast cereal.

If you were a T-shirt, what would you read?
Hi, I'm Jared Leto with DOWN SYNDROME!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
X-ray vision.

Is Elvis really dead?
If the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus are alive, maybe Elvis is too!

What was the best thing before sliced bread?
Pizza and "boom".

If you were written about in the newspaper, on the front page, what would the headline say?
Man From Secunda Beats World Beer Drinking Record.

Why do bars have parking lots if it's illegal to drink and drive?
For your angry girlfriend to park when she comes to get you!

One Night In Africa

2011-05-25T02:28:00.000-07:00

Dedicated to showcasing the very best performers and artists from all corners of the African continent and positioning Johannesburg as THE place to be to experience magical nights of African music twice a year - each and every year - One Night In Africa is Mzansi's thrilling new bi-annual concert series at Carnival City.

Presented on Saturday, June 4, it is incredibly apt that Oliver "Tuku" Mtukudzi, the soul-dripping voice of Zimbabwe, will be headlining the inaugural One Night In Africa.

Tuku is officially the best-selling African artists ever outside South Africa in the Southern African region, and will, at the time of the concert, celebrate the release of his brand new album Abi'angu (Duets Of My Time).

The album features some of Mtukudzi's very best collaborations and duets from the past, including monster hits with Ringo, Afro Tenor, Judith Sephuma, Eric Wainaina, Cesaria Evora and many other African greats. Furthermore, the album features two brand new, soon-to-be-released tracks; one with the inimitable Siphokazi and another with the Jaziel Brothers.

Highly acclaimed, multi-SAMA winning dynamic duo the Jaziel Brothers are undoubtedly hot property. They have a style all of their own, and their stage performance is a slick surprise and an absolute treat.

One Night In Africa will see Tuku and the Jaziel Brothers perform their brand new collaboration track MaAfrika for the very first time!

Afro-soul sensation Asanda Bam will add her very own brand of magic to the concert performing her national number one hit singles Brand New Day and Mojo.

One Night In Africa promises to be an unforgettable night!

Tickets are available at Computicket and Shoprite Checkers at R240 and R280.

GWP Live @ Tanz Cafe

2011-05-24T00:49:00.000-07:00

In the mood for a party? Catch the super cool guys from The Graeme Watkins Project live at Tanz Cafe, Fourways this coming Thursday, May 26. Let the good times roll!

DHF At The Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge

2011-05-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

Die Heuwels Fantasties will host two very different but captivating shows at The Barnyard Theatre in Willowbridge on June 3 and 4.

The first show will be for the young at heart and will showcase DHF in their full electronic glory. Dancing is highly recommended!

Date: 3 June 2011
Venue: The Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge (Carl Cronje Drive, Tyger Valley)
Cover: R80
Doors Open: 20h00
Contact: (021) 914-8898

Pic: Casey Crafford

The second evening will host Die Heuwels Fantasties' first acoustic performance ever. The mood will be relaxed and intimate. The group will perform their old and new classics and this promises to be an exquisite experience.

Date: 4 June 2011
Venue: The Barnyard Theatre, Willowbridge (Carl Cronje Drive, Tyger Valley)
Cover: R120
Doors Open: 20h00
Contact: (021) 914-8898

Double Adapter Launches Adapt Or Die Documentary

2011-05-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

Double Adapter is an audio-visual explosion; a combination of beats, lights and images packaged into an explosive VJ/DJ performance from Joburg brothers Tim and Dan Apter.

Formed in 2009 with the goal of blurring the lines between DJs and "live acts", Double Adapter has spent the last two years destroying clubs and bringing the party to whatever venue they play at.

Check out the promo for the Adapt Or Die documentary HERE.

Double Adapter will be launching the first episode of the documentary at The Assembly on Friday, the 20th of May. Also performing on the day are Bteam, Spekta, Kennedy, Audiophile021, George Daniel, Cold Turkey and VJs Contraband. Tickets are R30 before 21h45 and R50 thereafter. Ladies free before 22h00.

The first episode of Adapt Or Die premieres tonight on MK at 21h00 and the second will air on June 3 also at 21h00. Inserts 1 to 6 are available on YouTube.

Behind The Scenes With Futuresound

2011-05-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to catch up with the super cool guys of Futuresound on set of their latest music video, When Will You Fall. Now, let me explain something first: the first time I met Siba, Rev, Genesis and Steve was about three years ago during the MTN Xploaded initiative. I was immediately impressed with their down-to-earth approach and humbleness - an impression that just grew over the years as I worked with them on a few articles for people magazine.

Here you can see them on set of the When Will You Fall video shoot. Honestly, do yourself a favour and look for them on Facebook - I promise you'll be hooked after the first gig you attend... and then we can hook up and gush together at all their other gigs!

What's the song about?
The song basically speaks about the lengths a guy would go to make the girl fall in love with him; all the crazy, borderline obsessive things guys do to ensure that the attraction is reciprocated.

What was the concept of the video?
The concept paints a picture of four guys in love with the same girl. All of them have a relationship with her, do things with her that couples do that relate to the title of the song, When Will You Fall. There's a twist when all the guys find out they are being played by the same girl when they are out in a club on a night out with their 'woman'.

Who was producing the video?
The video was produced by Cut 2 Black Productions.

Tell us more about the actual shoot?
We shot in different locations making up the background of each character with what they believe is their woman: The bulk of the video was shot at Latinova night club in Rosebank. Siba's scenes were shot at a drag racing strip in Newtown, Rev's scenes were shot in the bedroom of a Parktown mansion, Genisis' scenes were done at a street fighting warehouse in Newtown and some in Parktown and Steve's scenes were shot at Baseline in Newtown and a coffee shop in Parktown.

What's happening with your new album?
We've replaced three tracks on the original debut album, of which When Will You Fall is part. The self-titled album was written and recorded over a period of three years, during which we found ourselves with a pool of close to sixty songs. We had to scale down to 18... We hope we chose correctly! All of our songs paint a picture of our journey from then til now - encompassing our influences and musical direction as a whole.

Where did the name Futuresound come from?
Genesis got the name in a message from God before we started the band. He thought it was meant for his own project, but when he mentioned while we were together it resonated with all of us and we were at peace about it. The rest is history!

What's in store for the rest of 2011?
We plan on bridging the gap between Futuresound's music and the faces of Futuresound, because we've found that a lot of people know our music but aren't familiar with who we are. So, through a series of videos - of which When Will You Fall is the first - we plan to do that.We've also got plenty of tours and gigs lined up; we're coming to cities and towns other artists neglect all over the country. People can check our Twitter and Facebook pages to see where we are and when.

Throughout the day, the guys kept fans updated on Facebook and Twitter via their BlackBerry smart phones. Hurrah for technology!

Keep your eyes peeled for When Will You Fall on a small screen near you!

Don't Count On Me

2011-05-19T00:27:00.000-07:00

Greetings, earthlings!

I know it's been a while, but I'm back with a bang and have got lots of little party tricks up my sleeves to keep you all entertained. Well, at least for a while!

Check out local rockers Zoey'z Fallacy's latest music video below.

Your thoughts?

Hold On For Japan

2011-05-10T06:05:00.000-07:00

Barely a few weeks ago the world was shocked to witness the devastation the earthquake in Japan caused.

So many lives lost and a country left in ruins, it was simply heartbreaking to see the visuals on every news channel worldwide and many couldn't believe what they were witnessing.

Due to this fact, 4AM and CrashCarBurn were determined to help out in any way they could and what better way to do so than to collaborate on a track that says it all.

Hold On was produced by 4AM and it was just so fitting that Garth from CrashCarBurn lent his voice to this worthwhile cause.

The idea behind the track was not only to create emotion and awareness musically, but to also raise desperately needed funds that would be donated to Rescue-SA, a local organisation that has already done excessive relief projects for hundreds of people in Japan.

By downloading Hold On for as little as R10, you could make a difference where so many have lost absolutely everything.

All the proceeds are being donated directly to Rescue-SA to extend a helping hand to the many lives shattered.

Show your support by SMSing "JAPAN" to 33333 or go to www.klicktrack.com/electromode/releases/4am/hold-on and download the track now. Every bit helps!

Van Coke Kartel News

2011-05-10T04:20:00.000-07:00

Since releasing their critically acclaimed third album, Skop, Skiet & Donner in March last year, Van Coke Kartel has continued to go from strength to strength - with a SAMA nomination for Best Afrikaans Rock Album, an MK Award for Best Live Band, radio and music video chart successes and a continued presence on local radio playlists. Both music videos from the album, Voor Ons Stof Word as well as Ondier Kom!, reached the Number One position on the MK Top 10 and stayed on the chart for several weeks. "Skop, Skiet & Donner is the album which gave us our unique identity as band, post-Fokofpolisiekar," says Francois Van Coke. "It has laid the foundation for the new band and album. We are excited about the future."

Pic: Craig Kolesky

Van Coke Kartel's SAMA nomination for Skop, Skiet & Donner in the Best Afrikaans Rock Album category was announced in April 2011. Drummer Jason Oosthuizen commented: "We are hoping to win another one this year. It will be great to follow on Waaksaam & Wakker with another SAMA." The video for VCK's sixth and final single from Skop, Skiet & Donner, Man Sonder Missie will soon premiere on DSTV Channel MK, whilst currently enjoying airplay on a number of campus and regional radio stations across South Africa. The video was created by Dames En Here Productions from footage captured at VanFokKingTasties in Hatfield Square in 2010 and Thornfest 2011, and features the band giving one of their trademark high-energy performances. Watch the video for Man Sonder Missie HERE.

In February this year, VCK won an MK Award in the category Best Live Band. The addition of Jedd Kossew on lead guitar and Jason Oosthuizen on drums in 2010, is widely recognised as having catapulted VCK to the very top of the league of South African live acts. "It's just great to finally have a Van Coke Kartel line-up with which we are truly happy," said Wynand (Myburgh, bass). "There is a lot of energy and creativity; Jedd and Jason lends the edge we've always felt was missing from our act. Both Jedd and Jason also write music with us and these two great friends and musicians have changed the dimension within Van Coke Kartel to a powerful musical force." Jedd Kossew, previously from 7th Son, is widely hailed as one of the country's top guitarists, whilst Jason Oosthuizen won the SA's Fastest Drummer competition in August 2010. Click HERE to see Jedd run through the Ondier Kom! lead guitar solo for VCK fans, or HERE to see Jason in drumming action.

Since the end of 2010, VCK started writing and recording demos for their upcoming album, having by now amassed more material for recording than ever before. The official pre-productions on their fourth studio album will start at the beginning of July and, depending on their time schedules, either award-winning producer Theo Crous or Fokofpolisiekar band mate Johnny De Ridder will be in the producer seat. "We have already written so much material, far more than for any of our previous albums at this stage in the process," says Wynand. "There is a huge variety of songs and we are looking forward to sharing these with a producer and getting his input. Ultimately, the album will probably contain about 12 tracks again."

2011 Will also see VCK touring extensively, playing to fans in London and Holland in May and June alongside Fokofpolisiekar and Springbok Nude Girls. Upon their return, VCK will embark on an acoustic tour in the second half of June. On this tour, the band will be treating fans to acoustic versions of material from their first three albums. In July, VCK will embark on a full scale, big production countrywide tour with Zebra & Giraffe. VCK and Z&G will also be collaborating on a track on the upcoming VCK album.

Later this month, a Van Coke Kartel comic book entitled Wie's Bang? will be launched. Wie's Bang? is part of the launch campaign of VCK's forthcoming album, and is the brainchild of art director Marais Janse Van Rensburg of interactive advertising agency WonderMutt. "We did a TV commercial with Van Coke Kartel for another advertising agency last year, to be entered into the Loerie Awards, and the band agreed to do it at no charge. I then undertook to contribute to the band's next album launch campaign if the ad won. The rest is history, and this year we came up with the idea for a comic book centred around Van Coke Kartel, which will lead up to the album's launch. However, the comic book is but one of the campaign elements." To watch the Loerie Award-winning commercial featuring VCK, click HERE.

The team working on the Wie's Bang? project comprises of Marais Janse Van Rensburg and Lohan Grobler from Proud Creations, who are responsible for the basic storyline. Stefanus Nel and Griff (godfather of Zef from Wat Kyk Jy) are the project's writers. The illustrations are done collectively by Says Who, Merwe Marchand, Louis Minnaar and Proud Creations. "Working with Van Coke Kartel was really humbling and makes me feel bad about complaining about long working hours," says Marais. "Their endurance and work ethic is phenomenal. They are the most professional artists I have ever worked with, and it is with good reason that they have reached the top."

Wie's Bang? will be available for free download from the VCK website around middle May. Teasers will also be available on the website, as well as the WonderMutt Facebook page, Says Who and on Wat Kyk Jy.

Van Coke Kartel's fans can look forward to a brand new VCK single by August this year, a countrywide tour in July and August and their fourth studio album to be released by end November 2011.

See below some of VCK's tour flyers and complete tour dates for their London/Holland tour with Fokofpolisiekar and Springbok Nude Girls in May and June, and their acoustic tour in June.

Long Way From Home

2011-04-28T00:31:00.000-07:00

May 2011 will see the release of Taxi Violence's first unplugged album, or at least, the closest thing to unplugged as Taxi will ever get. Long Way From Home can be described as modern vintage. All the tracks on the album are reworked versions of songs from Untie Yourself and The Turn, except for three new tracks. The tracks were re-arranged and stripped down to fit into a more acoustic, unplugged format.

This album will be perfect fireplace and red wine music to heat up the winter. As the guys put it, "Light the old fire, pour her a glass of red wine and play Taxi Violence's Long Way From Home. If you don't score with those 3 ingredients, you won't ever."
All shows are unplugged / semi-acoustic
Friday 6 May
Tanz Cafe with Farryl Purkiss
R100
For info and to bookings (011) 658-0277
Buzz Centre, Cnr Witkoppen & Leslie, Fourways,
JOHANNESBURG
Doors open at 19:00

Saturday 7 May
Taco Zula
237 Florida Road
Morningside
DURBAN
Doors open 7pm

Sunday, 8 May
Park Acoustics
Voortrekker Monument
Eeufees Rd
PRETORIA
10:00 Gates open for those who wants to start a braai fire
12:00: The December Streets
13:00 : Fire Through The Window
14:00: Taxi Violence
15:00: Desmond and The Tutus

Early bird tickets available online at www.ticketbreak.co.za (R55 )
Entrance fee at the door:
R65 adults and students
R45 scholars (ID on request)
Free for children younger than 6

Wed, 11 May
Iziko Planetarium
25 Queen Victoria Str
CAPE TOWN
R100 includes the new album A Long Way From Home and a glass of wine
Pre-sale only, to book a ticket email maryke.zietsman@gmail.com TICKETS ARE VERY LIMITED
Doors open at 8 pm

Thu, 12 May
Dorpstraat Teater
Summerhill Wine Farm
R44 between Klapmuts & Stellenbosch
STELLENBOSCH
For bookings: (021) 889-9158
Doors open at 7pm

Sun, 15 May
Silvertree Restaurant
Kirstenbosch Gardens
CAPE TOWN
R110 per person includes a starter and a glass of wine
For bookings: (021) 889-9158
Doors open at 7pm

Thu, 19 May
Swing Cafe
3 Sun Centre
Templeman Square
KNYSNA
For bookings (044) 382-1771
Doors open at 7pm
R30

Fri, 20 May
The Union
Steve Biko Building, Prince Alfred Road
GRAHAMSTOWN
R30
Doors open at 8pm

Sat, 21 May
Pool City
6^th Ave
Walmer
PORT ELIZABETH
With Stuart Reece
R30
Doors open at 8pm

Party Hardy!

2011-04-26T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hey peeps!

Happy Easter and all that! Hope y'all had a lovely long weekend... For those of you who are back at work today; I feel your pain. For those who are still on holiday; I despise you. Okay, not really! But, we all have another public holiday to look forward to... Two, actually! So get your butt in party mode and catch these live acts over the following few days.

Today
What's Up: Easy Tiger
Where: Lusitoland, Wemmerpan, Johannesburg
Time: 18:30

What's Up: Haezer
Where: City Hall, Cape Town
Time: 21:00

Wednesday, April 27
What's Up: Zoey'z Fallacy
Where: Lusitoland, Wemmerpan, Johannesburg
Time: 18:15

What's Up: Arno Carstens
Where: Potter's Place, Jeffrey's Bay
Time: 18:00
Line-up includes Albert Frost

Thursday, April 28
What's Up: Dead Alphabet
Where: Tanz Cafe, Fourways, Johannesburg
Time: 19:00

What's Up: Holiday Murray
Where: Tings an' Times, Hatfield, Pretoria
Line-up includes Alan! Let's Move on and La.Vi

Friday, April 29
What's Up: Mean Mr Mustard
Where: Firkin, Centurion, Pretoria
Time: 20:00

What's Up: The Monroes
Where: The Black Dahlia, Boksburg, Johannesburg
Time: 19:00
Line-up includes Chix With Stix

Saturday, April 30
What's Up: The Parlotones
Where: Carnival City, Brakpan, Johannesburg
Time: 20:00

What's Up: Desmond & The Tutus
Where: Tings an' Times, Hatfield, Pretoria

See you there!

Izzy
xxx

Dance Of Desire To Dazzle Joburg Audiences

2011-04-20T03:35:00.000-07:00

If you loved Riverdance, Lord Of The Dance and Spirit Of The Dance you won't want to miss Dance Of Desire!

For the first time in South Africa, Joburg Theatre presents the exclusive visit of Dance Of Desire on the Mandela stage from May 3 to May 22, 2011.

Complete with entirely original music and choreography, Dance Of Desire is undoubtedly unique in its imaginative design. This ground breaking Irish production challenges the boundaries of other Irish dance productions and has uniquely elevated the world of Irish dance to a new level. Dance Of Desire is also one of a select few Irish resident and touring dance productions which was actually produced in Ireland and has received critical acclaim - not just abroad, but also at home in Ireland where creative distinction is reserved for only those who excel amongst their peers within the Irish music and dance traditions.

The show has a cast of 25 performers and comprises world and Irish champion dancers and a selection of Ireland's finest musical and vocal virtuosos. It has already played to sell out audiences from Beijing to Berlin, Chicago to the Czech Republic, Kuala Lumpur to Paris and just finished a nine-month residency in Jupiter's Casino, Gold Coast Australia.

The accumulative skills and talents of the costume, set and lighting designers has insured too that the power and passion of the show's storyline devised by Sean Quinlan, is conveyed to the audience in a realistic and all encapsulating manner. While the choreography described as "outstanding and extremely innovative" speaks for itself in terms of the heights it reaches and the boundaries that it crosses.

Dance Of Desire has birthed and lived in a post-Riverdance world. What is important is that it is not a sonic mirror of the now world famous Bill Whelan musical score, but brings a fresh spirit to bear on the story. In doing so, Dance Of Desire is opening further doors for the continuation of the new professionalism of Irish dance. Dance Of Desire brings an upbeat joy to the lives of so many through his professionalism and musical inventiveness.

Dance Of Desire is the national dance company in Ireland where Riverdance was born. "We supply them with their dancers and many of the Riverdance current dancers came from us," says Michael Carr, executive producer. "We are the parent company who trains the dancers."

Tickets are priced from R171 and are on sale now exclusively by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com.

Holiday Murray Releases Jirey Music Video

2011-04-20T01:23:00.000-07:00

Holiday Murray's music video for Jirey, the first single off their self-titled debut album, has just premiered online.

Filmed over the course of a sunny March day by cinematographer Adriaan Louw and assistant director Luca Vincenzo, the video features the Holiday Murray boys on a "cycle safari" in and around Cape Town.

Says Luca: "Ellis (Silverman, drums) got the old delivery bike. It was the most klutzy bike to ride, with a front wheel half the size of the back wheel. Chris (Carter, bass/violin/keys/vocals) got the femme number with the basket in front while Justin (Davenport, guitar/vocals) and James (Tuft, guitar/vocals) both nabbed the cruisers, Mr. Brown and Old Red. I've never seen anyone hate riding bike at 2 am after twenty-three hours of shooting more than Ellis. But goddamn did those legs look pumped!"

To view the music video, go to http://www.theassembly.co.za/news/159

All pics by Luca Vincenzo

Holiday Murray Launch Tour Info

2011-04-20T00:54:00.000-07:00

Hey peeps,

Happy Easter and all that! If you're in the mood for some uber cool tunes this coming holidays, catch Cape Town folk-rock outfit Holiday Murray at one of the following venues:

April 23
Where: Town Hall, Johannesburg with aKING and La.Vi
Admission: R50 before 9 pm, R70 after 9 pm
Time: 9 pm
Address: 66 Carr Street, Netown
Venue contact: 082 332 5772

April 26
Where: Tanz Cafe with La.Vi (official Joburg launch)
Admission: R20
Time: 9 pm
Address: The Buzz Shopping Centre, Witkoppen Road, Fourways
Venue contact: (011) 658-0277

Pic: Luca Vincenzo

April 28
Where: Tings an' Times, Pretoria with La.Vi and Allen! Let's Move On (official Pretoria launch)
Admission: R30 before 10 pm, R40 after 10 pm
Time: 10 pm
Address: 1065 Arcadia Street, Pretoria
Venue contact: (012) 430-3176

April 29
Where: Mystic Boer, Potchefstroom with La.Vi
Admission: R20
Time: 9 pm
Address: 72 Dr James Moroka Drive, Potchefstroom

See you there!

Izzy
xxx

Introducing Holiday Murray

2011-04-20T00:37:00.000-07:00

Pic: Luca Vincenzo

"With music you need no words. There is a sense of wonder that removes the necessity to think when you listen to music. It is all one amazing feeling.” - Justin Davenport, guitar/vocals

With their self-titled debut album it is clear that Holiday Murray represents a break - and stands apart from - anything else currently served up on the local music scene. Produced by Teejay Terblanche at Coffee Stained Vinyl Studios in Cape Town and mastered by Ed Brooks at RFI in Seattle, the 10-track album offers a true representation of the band's wide-ranging influences and diverse musical backgrounds.

“The four of us are drawn along by the music while playing, rather than driving it… this is the most appealing part of performing for me, being in control of something that is in control of you.” - James Tuft, lead vocals/guitar

The Cape Tonian folk-rock foursome intertwine light and breezy tunes with hard-hitting lyrics, while dreamy harmonies and philosophical musings merge to lift listeners to a place where everything feels just that little bit lighter. From start to end the lyrically rich album journeys through a spectrum of feeling, taking the listener along on an evocative and often metaphorical journey, with moods ranging from joyous to reflective, cynical to hopeful.

Simultaneously peaceful and joyful, the harmony-rich vocals, unusual arrangements and innovative choice of instruments give each song on the album a unique feel. Yet all the tracks fit together to form a tight and thematically cohesive whole.

The first single off the album, Jirey is an instant mood brightener, and already a favourite among Holiday Murray’s ever-growing fan base. As the ten songs come to a close, The Sea Finds Me bears testimony to the depths the album stretches to, as haunting vocals and powerful sentiments round off the whole with an ending that resonates in your inner ear long after the music has stopped.

Holiday Murray brings back memories of easier times and days that seemed to last forever. It is a worthy debut, an authentic and unique listening experience, and a finely-crafted showcase of Holiday Murray’s considerable musical talent and South Africa’s young talent in general.

“The name Holiday Murray was not pre-meditated. It is the name given to a figurehead and a friend, one is wooden and one is human. It has come to represent a fifth element in the band, an invisible part of our sound. The name speaks for itself and best describes why we play our music.”

Holly & The Woods Are Back!

2011-04-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

After a much needed break and a refreshed energy to continue the band, Holly & The Woods are back and ready to make the "grrl" noise the fans have always loved them for!

Holly & The Woods returns with three original members Craig Henning, Melissa Conradie and Gary Ashford, still on rhythm guitar, lead vocals and bass respectively, and two brand new members.

Craig Henning, Melissa Conradie and Gary Ashford

Saying goodbye in May 2010 to what was going to be the end of Holly & The Woods, by end October 2010 three of the members realised that they couldn't let a band such as Holly & The Woods go! During the break-up everyone took on other projects and attempted to recreate the success and energy that made Holly & The Woods a great band, but nothing came close to what they had... Sadly, Chad Harbott could not rejoin on drums having landed an amazing opportunity touring as a session drummer.

It didn't take long to find new members and by January 2011 the Holly & The Woods line-up was complete. Joining the band are Lee-Jaime Havenga on drums and Darren Drawbridge on lead guitar. Lee, the youngest in the band, is certainly no newcomer to the scene and also plays drums in local band Good By Cooper. Darren also comes from a colourful musical background and has performed with the likes of Jo Day and Concussion Girl.

Following the release of their debut album, So I Rage in 2008, Holly & The Woods have had three top 10 singles on radio and racked up an impressive live performance CV, performing with the likes of Eagle-Eye Cherry, The Ataris, Sarah Bettens (from K's Choice), Shaun Morgan from Seether and hot local acts such as Prime Circle, Zebra & Giraffe, Van Coke Kartel, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Ef-El and many more! The band also continues their long standing reputation as one of SA's only female fronted hard rock bands!

Taking 2011 on with a refreshed energy, a new single in August and the second album due early 2012, there's no keeping Holly & The Woods quiet this time around.

Celebrating the return of Holly & The Woods, fellow rockers Easy Tiger will be making it a night to remember as The Boston Rock Lounge plays host to a big rock night in Edenvale! Easy Tiger is one of SA's most talented new rock bands and they are doing incredibly well on radio with their current hit single The Bored And The Lonely. Check out the music video for Easy Tiger's Love Stung Child on YouTube.

Don't miss this big event!

HOLLY & THE WOODS are back!

Date: Friday, 6 May 2011

Venue: THE BOSTON ROCK LOUNGE

Line-up: HOLLY & THE WOODS, EASY TIGER and DEKLERATION

Time: Doors Open at 7pm / First band on at 8pm

Entrance Fee: R40

Address: Boston Rock Lounge, Shop 19, Cine Centre 19, Van Reebeck Ave, Edenvale

Album Review: Mr Cat & The Jackal - Sins And Siren Songs

2011-04-19T00:25:00.000-07:00

A while ago my friend and I had a running joke that we'd like to be pirates - what's better than sitting around the whole day and drinking rum? Let me tell you, I came very close to living like a pirate when I popped Sins And Siren Songs into the CD player.

The first thing that impressed me about Mr Cat & The Jackal's Sins And Siren Songs is the super cool album packaging. When you open the cardboard cover, the album is embedded in a holder of cork and the visually stimulating lyrics booklet even contains a "notes" section. Pen(ny) for your thoughts?

Sins And Siren Songs opens with the instrumental Avarice and then comes to life with the cautionary and tango-like The Devil Always Wants To Dance. What's great about this album is that Mr Cat & The Jackal doesn't stick to just one genre; you'll find the bluesy Bad Man He Comin' and Succubus, the quirky and upbeat Mother Tongue and the ballad Where's My Shoes. Not to mention the use of various instruments including an accordion, a banjo and a saw (yes, indeed) adding to the depth of the album.

Sins And Siren Songs is complex in the way that it might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for me it became the soundtrack to my black and white daydream.

Highly recommended!

Rating: 8/10

Haezer - It's Not Our Fault Launch... Go! Go!

2011-04-14T01:26:00.000-07:00

Griet and Haezer have joined forces to create a new Cape Town party by the name of Go! Go! These parties will be held four to six times a year with cross genre dance line-ups and always in an interesting place - never a club! Experience Cape Town like you have never seen it before!

Griet is a Cape Town and Pretoria based events and artists agency. Best known for their Joburg and Pretoria Dogbox parties which have hosted the likes of Cyberpunkers (Italy), Saint Pauli (Germany), Le Castle Vania (USA) and DJ Antention (Russia). More recently, Griet in collaboration with RAMfest brought you the Electro Pyramid stage with Tom Deluxx (France) and Haezer.

On Tuesday, April 26 Cape Town will see the launch of Go! Go! at the City Hall, which will present to you the Haezer It's Not Our Fault EP launch. The event will feature Haezer with special guests Francois Van Coke and Inge Beckmann, and the line-up includes the likes of Toby2Shoes, BTEAM, Mr Sakitumi and Hyphen.

The first 300 people through the door will be receiving a free It's Not Our Fault EP, sponsored by Puma and brought to you by Griet and Mahtrasher Records (Germany). Kilowatt AV will also be sponsoring huge sound, lighting and AV setups to the value of R40,000 for the event (they were responsible for the peanut at RTD, the boombox at Armin Van Buuren and the pyramid at the J&B Met)!

Doors open at 21h00
Entrance: R60

Also check out Haezer's Go! Go! mix on Oh My God It's Techno Music, who fully supports Go! Go!

http://bit.ly/f0ieEQ

DHF Makes History!

2011-04-12T00:42:00.000-07:00

Die Heuwels Fantasties made history in the South African music industry this week with their second album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin.

Satuday, 9 April, Fritz Klaaste announced on RSG that Die Heuwels Fantasties is the first Afrikaans rock group to reach Number 1 on SABC's Top 20 album sales chart. What makes this very special is that this chart has been going for forty years.

According to Klaaste, specialist broadcaster and producer from RSG, the Top 20 charts are forty years old and was pioneered by David Gresham on Springbok Radio. This is the official South African chart based on CD sales on a weekly basis.

The group beat Avril Lavigne (No. 4), Rihanna (No. 17) and Justin Bieber (No. 20) on this week's chart.

Die Heuwels Fantasties was announced at Number 4 on DKNT (KykyNET Top 10) this Saturday, as well. DKNT is a music programme that counts down the Top 10 Afrikaans CD sellers. Janine Opperman, producer of DKNT, commented that this is also the first time in DKNT's history that a rock group climbs so high on this chart - actually even appear on this chart! Congratulations!

The group is very delighted about these achievements. "To be so high on these charts is absolutely anbelievable. Again, our fans are to thank and I am just really pleased that people understand and enjoy the product that we worked on so hard," says Hunter Kennedy.

Pic: Sean Metelerkamp

Die Heuwels Fantasties kicked off the year on a high note when they won four awards at the MK Awards in February for Best Group, Best Neon for Hyg Duiwel ft. Mr. X, Best SFX/Animation for Hyg Duiwel ft. Mr. X and Best Video for Hyg Duiwel ft. Mr. X.

The group's first self-titled album reached gold status in album sales last year. Supra Familias, the record label responsible for releases by Die Heuwels Fantasties and Jack Parow (amongst others), is owned by Pierre Greeff and Hunter Kennedy.

Sergeant Fu Headlines Music In Local Teen Film Superhelde

2011-04-12T00:23:00.000-07:00

Sergeant Fu burst onto the local music scene during the FIFA World Cup 2010 with their fun-filled track Vuvuzela. Immediately they captured local and international attention with their new feel-good genre, eclectic style and fun demeanor. Their first single, Tinkies! Baby enjoyed strong radio play around the country and their zany approach to their music has garnered great interest and growing support from fans, members of the media and industry alike.

No less than three of feel-good band Sergeant Fu's tracks from their debut album, Push The Awesome Button have been included in the local teen comedy film Superhelde, scheduled for nationwide release on April 21, 2011.

Sergeant Fu's next scheduled single to be sent out to media and radio stations this week, is Social Paraplegic, and with this song's inclusion in Superhelde, this is to coincide with the lead-up to the movie's release along with a music video commissioned by The Film Factory which was filmed recently and will be available shortly.

The other two Sergeant Fu tracks to be enjoyed in Superhelde are Kid Again and Sundays.

Says Sergeant Fu's Matthew Marinus, "It's so awesome that The Film Factory has wanted to include our music in their movie. When they approached us to see if we would be interested, we didn't imagine they'd want to use three of our tracks and more importantly, our second single - what an honour for us! We jumped at the chance to be involved, and salute them for always supporting local music in their movies."

Sergeant Fu on set of the Social Paraplegic music video. Front ltr Ryno Zeelie and Matthew Marinus. Back ltr Rudo Pieterse and Herman Rosslee.

Executive Producer of Superhelde, C.A. Van Aswegen from The Film Factory stated, "When we were editing the movie, I was rather nervous about the soundtrack for the film as it had to have a rather unique tone to it. Then I attended Sergeant Fu's album launch last October and realized that our worry was over - it's as if the music Sergeant F performs was written specifically for the movie. Not only does it capture the unique essence of the characters and storyline, but enhances the playful and distinct tone of the film. We approached Sergeant Fu and were thrilled when they climbed on board."

Superhelde is the upcoming Afrikaans teen comedy from The Film Factory; the filmmakers who brought audiences the two highly successful Bakgat! movies, and will once again have English subtitles to appeal to a wider audience.

In a country where people no longer stand up for what they believe in, where heroes and love only exist in Hollywood movies, two wannabe superheroes have to find the strength within themselves to save the one place where they fit in.

Superhelde tells the story of truth, love and discovery, and stars Ivan Botha, Neil Sharim, Ciske Kruger, Andrew Thompson and Lelia Etsebeth, with Melt Sieberhagen, Elma Postma, Garth Collins and Roland Gaspar.

Catch Superhelde in a cinema near you from April 21 and enjoy great music from Sergeant Fu and other local bands, alongside the fun storyline.

Neil Sharim as Peet and Ivan Botha as Albert in Superhelde.

Click HERE to watch the Superhelde trailer and HERE to visit Sergeant Fu's website.

DHF Amended Tour Details

2011-04-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

Please note that the venue for the Potchefstroom gig has been changed to Memphis Rock. The ticket price for this launch was also changed to R50. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this amendment.

Die Heuwels Fantasties are coming your way to introduce their much anticipated sophomore album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin. You can catch them at:

Cool Runnings, Fourways

Date: 20 April

Time: 20h00
Cover: R70
Contact: Aandklas 021 8833545

Memphis Rock, Potchefstroom

Date: 21 AprilTime: 19h00
Cover: R50
Contact: Aandklas 021 8833545

Flamingo's, Langebaan

Date: 22 April
Time: 19h00
Cover: R60
Contact: Aandklas 021 8833545

See you there!

Captain Stu Tour Details

2011-04-11T03:51:00.000-07:00

Hey guys!

Happy Monday (the power of positive thinking and all that...)!

Popular Cape Town ska band Captain Stu will be doing a nationwide tour from April 21 - 30. This will be their first nationwide tour since the release of their latest EP Free Music and the first single, The Day being playlisted on 5FM end of 2010. They will also be live on 5FM on April 25 from 3 - 4 pm.

Check out the tour details below!

Izzy

xxx

The Prodigy @ A Ster-Kinekor Theatre Near You

2011-04-07T06:41:00.000-07:00

Ster-Kinekor has secured the first feature length "live" concert of The Prodigy's sold out show from their Warrior's Dance Festival at the Milton Keynes Bowl from July 2010.

The incendiary performance - including their biggest tunes Firestarter, Breathe, Warrior's Dance, Smack My Bitch Up, Omen and more - will be screened exclusively at Ster-Kinekor in four cities for one night only on April 14.

With the audio for the screen version having been engineered by Liam Howlet (founder and frontman of the English Electric Dance Band) in 5.1 surround sound, it'll be like standing in the crowd all over again or feeling the full force for the first time off the wall of sound and visuals.

Directed by award-winning documentary maker Paul Dugdale, the MKB footage was devised with heavy input and direction from the band throughout. The screenings will also give the fans a chance to see exclusive footage of the band on the big screen, including a previously unseen short film taken on the road during their Invaders Must Die tour in Brazil. This is an incredible opportunity to witness their untouchable live performance in a unique cinematic surround.

Ticket prices to The Prodigy World's On Fire show - exclusive to Ster-Kinekor theatres - are R65 per person. Ster-Kinekor offers customers multiple booking and information gathering options, including online bookings either on your WAP-enabled cell phone, or PC via http://www.sterkinekor.com/ - or by calling TicketLine at 082 16789 (value added service rates apply), or book in cinema at the self service terminals or Box Offices.

The Prodigy World's On Fire CD/DVD will be released through Sheer Sound & Shelter Music at the end of May.

The Prodigy World's On Fire screening will take place at the following cinema houses on April 14 at 20:00.

* Ster-Kinekor Cape Gate
* Ster-Kinekor Cavendish
* Ster-Kinekor Gateway
* Ster-Kinekor The Bridge
* Ster-Kinekor Sandton
* Ster-Kinekor Eastgate
* Ster-Kinekor Rosebank - The Zone
* Ster-Kinekor Northgate
* Ster-Kinekor Brooklyn

Click HERE to watch the trailer of World's On Fire.

DHF Event Postponement

2011-04-07T01:24:00.000-07:00

Die Heuwels Fantasies regrets to announce the postponement of their album launch this Saturday (April 9) at Hatfield Square. There was a problem in Pretoria with the event license for the show and this was outside the control of Die Heuwels Fantasties and Hatfield Square.

Keep your eyes peeled for the announcement of the new date!

P.O.D. Live In SA!

2011-04-06T05:49:00.000-07:00

Grammy Award-winning rock outfit P.O.D. is set to rock South African audiences in July 2011.

Brought to you by We Rock U in association with Monster Energy Drink, P.O.D. will perform live at Ellis Park Arena (Jhb) on July 15, Wave House (Dbn) on July 16 and Grand West Arena (CT) on July 17.

P.O.D. - also known as Payable On Death - is an American Nu Metal band formed in 1992. They have released seven studio albums and have sold over 10 million records worldwide. Over the course of their career, the band have also received three Gammy Award nominations, contributed to numerous motion picture soundtracks and toured the world over many times.

P.O.D. will be appearing with co-headliner Russian band The Slot at all 3 shows.

Fans of the band will be treated to an exclusive once-off offer. Fans will get VIP treatment when they buy Golden Circle and VIP tickets, which gives them access to a separate entrance, a free drink before the show, a relaxing lounge, first to enter the hall/golden circle and an after party in the VIP lounge.

Also on offer is a very exclusive Golden Circle, VIP and Meet-and-Greet ticket where fans will not only get the benefit of Golden Circle and VIP, but will have a meet and greet with P.O.D. and receive a signed photo. Tickets are very limited!

Tickets are available at http://www.micket.me/ at the following prices:
R275 seated, R325 standing
R375 Golden Circle
R525 standing Golden Circle and VIP
R850 Golden Circle Meet & Greet and VIP

You can also follow the tour on Twitter!

The Dirty Skirts To Release Lost In The Fall

2011-04-06T05:25:00.000-07:00

The Dirty Skirts' third studio album is called Lost In The Fall and is due for release in June 2011. The album has been recorded at Heritage Studio with engineer Brendan Rossouw and is co-produced by The Dirty Skirts and Neal Snyman.

The Dirty Skirts are a fiendishly independent band that built an impressive underground following with the release of their eponymous EP in 2005, and subsequent albums On A Stellar Bender and Daddy Don't Disco. The alt-indie-rock band is based in Cape Town and comprises of Jeremy De Tolly on lead vocals and guitar, David Moffatt on guitar, Maurice Paliaga on bass and Mark De Menezes on drums.

"Yes, our sonic has changed on this album. But I think that we are closer to the experience that we have envisaged for some time," remarks David Moffatt. "We have deliberately preserved the grittiness of our pre-studio recordings. Some of the material is dark and hard, but there is loads of beauty and heart, too."

To date, the band has toured to the States to perform at SXSW, the United Kingdom and the United Emirates. In South Africa, The Dirty Skirts have shared festival stages with South Africa's finest in addition to Oasis, Snow Patrol, Panic At The Disco and Evanescence with three Coke Fest performances. They've also supported Canadians Billy Talent during their South African tour in 2010. They've repeatedly been a featured act at legendary South African festivals such as OppiKoppi, Rocking The Daisies, Splashy Fen and the unique Kirstenbosch Gardens Summer Concerts. The road to these achievements is signposted with endless small club performances that have been packed to the gills.

Lost In The Fall will be released online and in store in June, with a limited number of launch events that will take place around the country.

Keep an eye on The Dirty Skirts' website where the dates will be announced!

Album Review: Die Heuwels Fantasties - Wilder As Die Wildtuin

2011-04-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

"The idea with this album is to describe our experience of moving from the suburbs to the city and the phrase (Wilder As Die Wildtuin) sums it up perfectly; the concrete jungle in a more Afrikaans context." - Hunter Kennedy

South African favourites Die Heuwels Fantasties released their second album, Wilder As Die Wildtuin in March this year and they've once again manged to deliver jaw-dropping good Afrikaans music. The lyrics are mind blowing and the presence of new members Fred Den Hartog (guitar) and Philip Erasmus (drums) adds a fresh dimension to the band's once electro-pop image.

Wilder As Die Wildtuin is much more mature in sound (I'm tempted to say it's got a sort of melancholic vibe), with a dynamic acoustic vibe and guest appearances that will rock the socks off you! DHF's collaboration with Afrikaans icon Coenie De Villiers on Wonder Bo Wonder is what goosebumps are made of and Verwag My Terug featuring Ryk Benade is sure to be in great demand with teenage girls countrywide.

Other highlights include the title track Wilder As Die Wildtuin, the electro-funky Heel Te Mal and Mangemaak featuring Frieda Van Den Heever. Other guest appearances include Adriaan Brand, Francois Van Coke and Inge Beckmann.

Seriously; people will point and laugh if you don't go out and buy Wilder As Die Wildtuin IMMEDIATELY!

Rating: 8/10

Izzy
xxx

Byellville - Laat Jou Boude Skud!

2011-04-04T01:40:00.000-07:00

Check it out!

The clean version is coming soon to a TV near you!

Izzy
xxx

SAARKIE Album Review

2011-03-30T04:12:00.000-07:00

Hey peeps!

I was really excited to pop Saarkie's second album, Identiteit into the CD player when I got it last week. And South Africa's only all-girl rock band didn't disappoint. Here's what I thought of it:

My Hart, the opening track of Identiteit sets the benchmark for the rest of the album with an energetic feel and complies perfectly with the album's underlying theme of identity. Oorlog In My Hart, the first single off the album isn't necessarily the best choice for a taste of what's to come when promoting an upcoming album (I would've gone with the super cool Lucky Strike - just my humble opinion!). That said, highlights on the album include the African-infused Masibambaneni, Devil In Disguise and the soulful Nader Aan My - written specially for the girls by and performed with Afrikaans rocker Jan Blohm.

English fans won't necessarily understand what messages the girls who rock in style are trying to get through with their lyrics, but that's not a good enough excuse not to buy the album and rock your socks off! These chicks know which buttons to push when it comes to psyching you up for a night on the town - complete with stilettos and blood red lips!

Rating: 7/10

Taxi Violence Is Back!

2011-03-29T23:29:00.000-07:00

Things are heating up in Taxi Violence quarters as the band takes to the road in April and prepare to set some stages alight as only they can:

7 April: Pablo's, Potchefstroom with Voodoo Child, R20 entrance

8 April: Tings & Times, Pretoria with Isochronous, R40 entrance

9 April: Woods and Town Hall, Johannesburg with Desmond & The Tutu's, R50 before 10pm, R70 thereafter

22 April: Rock The River, Cape Town

May will see the release of Taxi Violence's first unplugged album, or at least, the closest thing to unplugged as Taxi will ever get. All the tracks on the album are reworked versions of songs from Untie Yourself and The Turn, except for three new tracks. The tracks were re-arranged and stripped-down to fit into a more acoustic, unplugged format. This album will be perfect fireplace and red wine music to heat up the winter. As the guys put it, light the old fire, pour her a glass of red wine and play Taxi Violence's Long Way From Home. If you don't score with those 3 ingredients, you won't ever.

The debut single and music video will be for Heads Or Tails and will be released early in April. The music video was produced and directed by Ryan Kruger, who also produced The Turn. It is a story of a recurring day in a guy's life. He experiences a repeating day and starts learning what will happen next and then starts taking advantage of it.

The Taxi Violence low-down on the album:

Devil 'n Pistol We wanted to capture the feel that we got in that video on vinyl. That raw-dodgy-hotel-bar feel, where random musicians pull together and play some songs. This version is arranged in that way, giving it a more organic sound.

Venus Fly Trap This one is so completely different from the original, it's not even in the same key. This is a song with huge drums, slide guitar and a wicked harmonica played by Lonesome Dave Ferguson. It just keeps rolling on, this one.

It Must Be (working title) One of the new tracks. It was especially written for our acoustic set. Your typical blues song with a Taxi twist. Originally, it was about an unsuccessful gambling binge in Vegas, but George has written new and more thought provoking lyrics for it.

Waking Up An oldie that we've stripped down to the bare minimum. Only voices, guitar and a cello. That's it.

Heads Or Tails This will most probably be the first single from the album. Its hard to compare this version with the original; it's got a different melody, different guitar parts, different beat - only the lyrics are the same. So its 75% modern, 25% vintage.

Between The Heavens And The Deep Blue Sea (working title) A brand new one written by Jason Ling. He actually plays acoustic guitars on this track. It's also quite a strong single with a cool Robert Plant vibe to it.

Long Way From Home Another brand new one and pinned as the second single. This will probably also be the title track to the album, as we've planned our entire marketing campaign around the main character in the music video. Be on the lookout for Mr Furry Head.

Untie Yourself Completely stripped down to voices, piano and a cello. This song will only be recognisable by the lyrics. A beautiful vocal-driven piece of music. Ling practiced his piano pieces for about two weeks in the studio. We started calling him The Chinese Tchaikovsky. The running joke is that it's George's ode to Angels by Robbie Williams.

The Turn This song was actually turned acoustic by accident ...the pun is intended. We just messed around and it started to take shape into quite a Western movie soundtrack piece. The end is epic.

Unholy Another much-loved oldie that showcases the class of Lonesome Dave Ferguson. This track has a cool country flavour.

No More No Less One of the more difficult ones to record. We had an idea of what we wanted it to sound like, but no idea how we were going to do it. I think it took the longest to finish. Rusti, our producer, helped me add some awesome percussive elements reminiscent to a small orchestra.

Keep your eyes peeled, friends!

Izzy
xxx

Van Diens Af On Tour

2011-03-29T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hey friends!

Happy Tequila Tuesday (why has no-one declared it an official holiday yet?)!

I had a quick chat with Afrikaans rockersVan Diens Af - who are currently on tour - this morning and it seems they're having an absolute blast. They were en route to Grahamstown at the time, after kicking off their tour in Bloem on Friday and playing in Aliwal on Saturday.

"We're very excited about our two shows at the KKNK," says guitarist Anton Van Wyk. "That's actually what the tour is about and so far, it's been befok."

Herewith the rest of the tour dates. Be sure to catch Van Diens Af at one of their gigs - you won't regret it! (Also keep an eye out for their new music video, Klaar Met Jou, which will be released soon.)

March 29: Grahamstown - Union
March 30: Port Elizabeth - Pool City
March 31: Stellenbosch - MFM Acoustic Session
April 1: Stellenbosch - Klein Libertas Teater
April 2: East London - Raggies
April 3: Oudtshoorn - Lemon & Lime
April 4: Oudtshoorn - Lemon & Lime
April 6: Oudtshoorn KKNK - MK Stage (Line-up includes Ashtray Electric, New Holland and Zebra & Giraffe)
April 7: Oudtshoorn KKNK - MK Stage (Line-up includes Dans Dans Lisa, Van Coke Kartel, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Jack Parow)

Izzy
xxx

Chameleon To Release New Ingrid Jonker Album

2011-03-29T04:48:00.000-07:00

Chris Chameleon set Ingrid Jonker's poems to music for the first time in the critically acclaimed album Ek Herhaal Jou in 2005. This album was one of the most popular and widely discussed albums ever issued in Afrikaans. Fans, media and literary circles were abuzz and praised Chris for making Jonker's work accessible to a new and broader audience.

Chameleon strives to release at leats one new album annually, and at the beginning of 2011 it was time to compose new songs. He began working on writing his own words but found that Jonker's poems were still, after all these years, pulling at his heartstrings: "I composed and recorded Ek Herhaal Jou in a whirlwind of a month. Some tracks did not feature on the album due to time constraints in the studio. My love for this particular Afrikaans cultural treasure has never seized. Jonker's work inspires me in my music as well as my life in general. The compositions kept coming through the years. Every time I open her poem collections, new ideas materialize. In albums such as Volkleur DVD and Klassieke Chameleon, one can hear some of Ingrid Jonker's poems that did not make it onto Ek Herhaal Jou."

Chris realised that the only way in which he was going to find some artistic rest for his soul was to listen and respond. The compositions flowed with ease. The new album, As Jy Weer Skryf was recorded in March with the help of producer Theo Crous at Belville Studios. Ek Herhaal Jou is a very simplistic album. As Jy Weer Skryf has a much fuller sound and offers a diverse range of moods. Rock, reggae and a children's lullaby adds to the variety on the album.

As Jy Weer Skryf contains 15 tracks and will be released by Rhythm Records in May 2011.

Mango Groove Releases First Ever Live DVD

2011-03-29T02:38:00.000-07:00

Finally it's here!

Mango Groove and EMI South Africa are proud to announce the release of the first ever Mango Groove live concert DVD, titled Mango Groove Live In Concert.

All the classics are there, from the early hits such as Special Star, Dance Some More, Hometalk, Moments Away and Another Country, right through to all the favourites from Mango Grooves latest album Bang The Drum, including This Is Not A Party, Hey! and Pretty.

In addition to all the familiar songs, the show is a spectacular visual feast, featuring some stunning production values and loads of extra surprises.

In the words of Mango Groove's iconic lead singer Claire Johnston: "It's difficult to believe that, after all these years, this is our first ever commercially available live concert DVD. We've shot a number of full-length TV specials through the years, including the Sun City Superbowl and Standard Bank arena shows, but these were never available in stores. This is something we have worked incredibly hard at and we are really excited with the result."

The show was shot at the end of 2010 as a full-blown 10 camera HD shoot in front of thousands of fans at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City. Says Mango Groove's founder member and producer John Leyden: "The venue was absolutely perfect: big enough to capture the crowd energy of the show, but just right too, to capture the intimacy of the Mango ballads."

"If you really want to make sense of the phenomenon that is Mango Groove, you have to see them live. All the group's familiar songs aside, the band really cut its teeth as a live act and there is an energy in their live performance there that we really believe we have captured perfectly," says DVD director Michael Scheider.

A great additional feature of the show was the band reuniting with iconic SA choreographer Wendy Ramokgadi. Wendy was a key part of the band's videos and live shows through the years. Wendy is also known for being the originator of the globally popular World Cup Diski Dance. Says Clair: "It was great to be back on stage again with Wendy and 'The Mangonettes'. We have been really chuffed through the years that so many of the Mango songs such as Special Star, Hometalk and Nice To See You have become such a part of contemporary SA dance culture. Getting back together with Wendy for the show made perfect sense."

John Leyden concludes: "The whole show is as much about celebrating our past as it is about looking forward. Mango Groove has always been first and foremost a live act, and capturing that energy and joy in the truest possible way is what the DVD is all about. We are thrilled with the result."

The Mango Groove Live In Concert DVD will be released to stores nationwide on Monday, April 4 and take it from someone who was there during the DVD recording: you don't want to miss this one!

Izzy
xxx

A Glittering Evening Of Favourites Not To Be Missed

2011-03-29T01:43:00.000-07:00

From the creative director that brought us The Twelve Tenors comes another exclusive for the Joburg Theatre: The Sopranos - Live In Concert - a sensational show of superb songs and immensely talented ladies, displaying a brilliant blend of musical styles.

Direct from the European leg of their 2011 World Tour and for the first time in South Africa, the eight stunning sopranos enthrall the audience with timeless classics from the world of opera to Broadway and popular classics to contemporary rock, paying homage to the greatest divas the world has ever seen.

Audiences will be treated to some of the best-loved and instantly recognisable music of all time performed in The Sopranos' own inimitable and evocative style: from hushed, intimate tones to full-throttle rock, the spine-tingling vocals unify with breathtaking harmonies, paying homage to some of the best-loved Divas including Shirley Bassey, Barbara Streisand, Celine Dion and Judy Garland.

Their emotion, humour and charisma will dazzle audiences as they sing timeless classics in high opera interwoven with pop and rock.

A must for all ages, The Sopranos will perform their renditions of hits ranging from The Marriage Of Figaro to Rogers & Hammerstein's Gonna Wash That Man; from Puccini's Nessun Dorma to James Bond's Goldfinger; Barbara Streisand's Evergreen to Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water, Bizet's Carmen to Andrew Lloyd Webber's With One Look and all other genres in between.

Barry Potts, Creative Director of The Sopranos, is no stranger to South Africa, having performed here on a number of previous occasions and was eager to return to the country - particularly now as producer. Says Barry; "At last I have an opportunity to return to the country which launched my career in show business. I was so privileged to conduct the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra in Rock Legends, then supervised the launch of the Rat Pack and starred as one of Ireland's 3 tenors in Spirit Of The Dance at the (then) Johannesburg Civic Theatre. I am so excited to be producing my international hit show The Sopranos among old friends at the Joburg Theatre and give audiences the opportunity to enjoy one of the best nights out this year."

The full symphony sound accompanying the sopranos was created by New Zealand's Wellington Sinfonia and the show features a seven-piece on-stage band starring the sassy all-girl string quartet, The Glamrocks.

Adding some local flavour to The Glamrocks is the incredibly talented and internationally celebrated violinist from Cape Town, Danielle Asherson.

Performances of The Sopranos - Live In Concert begin in The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on April 19 and the limited season must close on May 1, making this the ideal show to see over the Easter and public holiday period.

Enjoy a taste of what to expect from The Sopranos - Live In Concert by clicking HERE. Tickets are R181 - R263 and are on sale now exclusively at www.joburgtheatre.com.

The Sopranos are Roimata Templeton (choreographer and resident director), Rhianydd Beaumont, Helen Power, Lisa Bridge, Elizabeth Atkinson, Katie Murray, Rebecca Moore and Kathryn Pemberton.

Drugs Worth Spending Money On

2011-03-29T00:51:00.000-07:00

Don't go running to Narcotics Anonymous now - I'm talking about the Designer Drugs gig happening in Jozi and Cape Town on April 1 & 2... Check it out:

Discotheque, Cape Town's premier electronic music night - the brand that brought you Steve Aoki, The Bloody Beetroots, Le Castle Vania and many others - is proud to present Designer Drugs' Michael Vincent Patrick for a 2 legged South African stop-over as part of the global Hardcore / Softcore album release tour.

Michael will perform in Cape Town at The Assembly on Friday, April 1 and in Jozi at Town Hall on Saturday, April 2.

Ask the DJ/production duo Designer Drugs how many air miles they've logged over the past year and the answer requires more than a bit of calculating. "Over 300,000," says Michael Vincent Patrick, referencing numerous spots around the world where the group has performed. "I have a really nice apartment in New York City, but I've only been there three days this month."

It's a testament both to the duo's popularity and work ethic that that number may become the annual norm. After nearly 50 remixes for everyone from Mariah Carey to Annie to Thieves Like Us, the diverse electronic group - comprised of Patrick and Theodore Paul Nelson - is fresh off the release of their debut album Hardcore / Softcore on Ultra Records just a few weeks ago in March 2011.

Hardcore conjures up a darker, edgier vibe - think the throbbing, industrial-heavy opening club scene in The Doom Generation - yet still retains a melodic centre on many of the tracks. "I think we're making music for the apocalypse," says Michael, only half-joking. "The state of society is at a place where people just don't give a fuck and that's what inspires our music."

Spend a few minutes at one of Designer Drugs' live shows and you'll see Michael, spurred on by the intense energy of their music, transform into a different beast. "It gets pretty wild," admits Michael. "Even though we're mellow, there's lots of stage diving and almost slam dancing. It's next level dance club shit that almost morphs into that 90s hardcore/punk vibe."

Don't be a nerd - get your tickets HERE or visit http://www.designer-drugs.net/ for more info.

African Adventure

2011-03-29T00:12:00.000-07:00

Paisley Productions, in association with South African National Parks, is proud to present the fresh, inspirational and humorous family musical African Adventure at The Fringe at Joburg Theatre from April 14 for a limited season until May 5, 2011.

This exciting, ground breaking stage production incorporates fresh young talent, puppets inspired by the smash hit international musical Avenue Q and a Nickelodeon-inspired stage design.

The show is set in the African bushveld where the wildlife faces the ever present threat of poaching. Join Lynette the posh Giraffe, Malcolm the funky Monkey and Olivia the Ostrich-diva as they face the terrifying quest to help their Rhino friends Ricky and Rachael.

Tracy Christelis, an upcoming writer with a fresh approach to family theatre, has captured the heart of our African culture in this new and original script. Jesse Christelis and Zak Hendrikz have teamed up to direct this new proudly South African musical and with their out-of-the-box approach to theatre are certain to deliver an enchanting African theatre experience. Add to that the inspirational music of Lonehill Estate's bassist Mark Van Den Berg and you have a show that beats and pulses with a vibrant African rhythm, incorporating all music genres from ragtime to world music along the way.

African Adventure will be showcasing some of the country's most talented up and coming performers from Tshwane University of Technology who are destined to be SA's theatre stars of the future. Based on the musical Avenue Q, the cast of 7 human and 9 puppet characters will interact as though human. The puppets are animated and voiced by the actor who will be present and unconcealed onstage at all times. The aim is for both the audience and puppeteer to focus on the character being portrayed.

African Adventure Family Musical will whisk you and your family away on the adventure of a lifetime. There is no better way to entertain the family this Easter Holiday - head down to the Joburg Theatre and let adventure grab you by the tail.

10% of ticket sales go to South African National Parks' Counter Rhino Poaching and Public Education Divisions.

Tickets are R95, and are on sale exclusively by visiting www.joburgtheatre.com and purchasing your print-at-home ticket on the Internet, or by calling Joburg theatre’s new direct ticketing line on 0861 670 670.

Sins & Siren Songs

2011-03-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 18 Mr. Cat & The Jackal will launch their long-awaited second album, Sins & Siren Songs at the Free World Design Centre in Cape Town.

"Sins & Siren Songs have successfully stayed afloat with all the animals on board! The incessant rain keeps us all awake and nervous, not even mentioning the occasional carnivore-yawn - luckily we have several tricks up our sleeves to keep them entertained. Through recapitulation we now all carry our rapiers with us and a healthy dose of humour, for in case that damn bird doesn't come back. All in all - and with the public drowning all around us - the Mr Cat & The Jackal ship had an auspicious launch. Much appreciation to all those involved!"

Sins & Siren Songs contains a total of 16 songs, took 13 months to complete and was recorded at the Fresh Meat Studio - produced by Mr Cat & The Jackal and Abri Du Plessis and mixed and mastered by Darryl Torr.

"The second offering from the quixotic Mr Cat & The Jackal came from many lessons from their frequently bruised and bumped head. Mountainous amounts of minuscule victories have mixed with stringent writing and multifarious inspirations to finally accumulate in their latest album - Sins & Siren Songs. Lady luck was carrying us through the quicksand - so we [probably rightfully] assume" - Mr Cat & The Jackal

The first single off the album, The Devil Always Wants To Dance has been released to radio stations nationwide for playlisting. The music video for the single - directed by Thomas Fereira from 187 - has also been released and will be available on the Internet in the near future.

For more info, visit Mr Cat & The Jackal's website, like them on Facebook and download The Devil Always Wants To Dance HERE for free!

RAKA Festival

2011-03-15T23:48:00.000-07:00

The RAKA Unplugged festival is taking place from March 31 to April 3 at the Kam'Bati River Resort which is situated about 200 km from Cape Town.

RAKA is the most chilled festival in South Africa and if you're in the mood for a weekend of lazy tunes in your ears while checking out the wine stalls or having some potjiekos, then this one is for you!

Tickets are available at Computicket at R250, or for R300 at the door. If you only want to attend the festival on Sunday, April 3 a ticket will cost you R100.

Visit www.kambati.co.za to book your spot for the weekend, or visit www.dpk.co.za for more info.

LINE-UP

Thursday, March 31
15:00     Doors open
19:00     Open stage
22:00     Jo Martin

Friday, April 1
15:00 - 18:00     Open Stage
Margarat's Daughter
Youth
Louwtjie Rothman
Ramblin' Bones
Dane Taylor
3rd World Spectator
Jo Martin
Drum Circle

3rd World Spectator

Saturday, April 2
Foto Na Dans
No One's Arc
Klopjag
Pretty Blue Guns
Gary Thomas
Johannine
Voortvlugtend
Jason Tamba (Congo)
Manouche
Gerdus Oosthuizen
Willim Welsyn
Hugo Brand
Simon Swerwer
Aanklank
Shotgun Tori

Foto Na Dans

Sunday, April 3
Ballistic Blues
Basson Laubscher
Dane Taylor
Albert Frost

Message From Jack Parow

2011-03-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

Hallo al my liewe maatjies!
Ek gooi die 19de Maart 'n gevaarlike jol by The Assembly (Cape Town). Lekke tye, lekke doppe, my gevaarlike chommies Bittereinder, Sedge Warbler en Blush And Bass, die launch van my next level sexy nuwe video, Byellville en 'n paar ander kief surprises! So kom kyk uit en raak gesuip... IS JA!
Jack Parow

Loosely translated, Jack Parow is saying:

Hello all my dear friends!
On March 19 I am throwing a dangerous jol at The Assembly. Good times, good drinks, my dangerous chommies Bittereinder, Sedge Warbler and Blush And Bass, the launch of my next level sexy new video, Byellville and a few other kief surprises! So come check it out and get drunk... IS YES!

Parowphernalia, Jack Parow's own clothing label, will be available at the launch - check hoe sexy!

The guys from The Post Office have created another amazinf video for Parow. The director, Duvan Durand was also responsible for the videos Cooler As Ekke and Dans Dans Dans. Cooler As Ekke was so... uhm... cool! it was on rotation on MTV Europe last year!

Says Duvan Durand: "Parow is just an awesome character, whether you put him on a beach chair next to the swimming pool or on the back of a horse - it's always kief!"

The video for Byellville tells a zero-to-hero story. Viewers will ba amazed by all the details and will be in for a surprise or two. So keep 'em peeled!

Thank You, RAMfest!

2011-03-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday... or not. I woke up with a cold this morning and the lovely rainy weather outside didn't exactly make getting up for work any easier... But how did I catch a cold? So worth it!

I woke up on Saturday feeling like a 5-year-old on Christmas morning. After a lot of running around looking for my sunglasses and applying a second layer of sunblock (occasionally squeaking like a lovestruck teenager), we jumped into the car and set off for RAMfest. If you've never been, let me explain one thing: you are guaranteed to lose, break or gain something when attending this music festival.

I lost my voice, I nearly broke a finger trying to flush the Port-A-Potty in the dark and I left Riversands Farm with a cold and a renewed respect for our local artists - and Die Antwoord's Enter The Ninja stuck in my head.

Zebra & Giraffe

We arrived just in time to catch the awesomeness that is Desmond & The Tutus and rock along to Knave's powerful tunes. Isochronous impressed with their progressive synth-rock and after singing along to some Zebra & Giraffe we were off to the dance stage to yell in each other's ears how "friggin' cool" Bittereinder is!

Bittereinder

I've been a fan ever since I got my hands on their album last year and this was the first time I saw them perform live - definitely worth having a Red Bull spilled all over your feet by the eedjit next to you. There was just one thing I'd say was uncalled for: while singing Tale Of Three Cities they just stopped when Jack Parow's part came up. Okay, he wasn't there, but still - at least finish the song!

Van Coke Kartel

Before Van Coke Kartel were set to rock the farm, it was time for yet another Red Bull & Vodka (yes, I considered hunting the guy down who was responsible for spilling the previous one and make him pay for it, but he was probably passed out next to the nearest tree by then) and a Spur burger (thanks so much, Spur! You guys ensured that I didn't catch the tummy bug they were selling as an extra topping on the pizzas) to get some energy for what was sure to be a mind-blowing performance. Yeah, not so much. I was a tad bit disappointed by Van Coke Kartel's performance, yet I can't say why that is...

I enjoyed Alkaline Trio and Funeral For A Friend very much - even though I seemed to be the only one in our yard (read: two blankets that were moved according to the shade) who thought they were cool. There were a lot of "they sound like Blink, I'm not in high school anymore" and "the lead singer doesn't even know when to swear"'s going around, but the fact that i didn't want to grate my ears off was a good sign to me.

Now, I'm also not a teenager anymore (how did they get in, by the way?) and at around 10 pm I had an argument with a friend about my weakness. See, when I want to sleep, I should've been in bed already - to avoid things becoming messy when having sharp objects within an arm's reach. Luckily, no sharp objects were allowed on the premises and I was allowed a ten minute power nap in our yard, surrounded by Red Bull glasses and grass EVERYWHERE - including in my mouth and ears.

Die Antwoord's killing performance was definitely the highlight of my day. From the moment they were announced by John Vlismas to the opening sounds of Enter The Ninja, I had goosebumps! I was amazed at how the crowd was hanging onto every word they sang and followed their every move with eager eyes and bobbing heads.

Unfortunately we had to leave halfway into their set to avoid a traffic jam at midnight on a farm in Johannesburg (it's possible, believe me!), but I got to see Die Antwoord so I was a happy camper as we headed home.

Congratulations to Hilltop Live and everyone involved for yet another successful RAM in Joburg. I'm very pleased at how things worked out at the new venue. It was well organised and we never waited long to get a drink, something to eat or have a turn at the Port-A-Potties (unlike last year at Emmarentia where I aged a year waiting in the line to get a drink).

Just an example of what not to wear: (seriously!)

I can't wait for next year's RAM!

Rock on!
Izzy
xxx

The RAM Is Finally Here!

2011-03-10T22:56:00.000-08:00

Hey party people!

You have no idea how excited I am about tomorrow's RAMfest! Like a kid in a candy store! I don't think I'd be able to sleep tonight!

Anyhoo, rumour has it Cape Town RAMfest was a killer! Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything from the Durbanites yet, so if you were there and you lived to tell the story, drop a comment - I'd love to hear your story! In the meantime, check out Chopper Charlie's account of Cape Town RAMfest HERE.

Approximately 8 000 Capetonians attended RAMfest V over the past weekend. Rock and metal mayhem was the order of the weekend at Nekkies in Worcester (jealous that they got a whole weekend...). The kick-off to the three national RAMfest was a huge success. The production standard was astounding and the performing bands gave it their all to make this weekend one to remember. Get ready Jozi, the RAM has landed!

Funeral For A Friend, Cape Town RAMfest 2011. Pic: Thomas Ferreira

"The experience was overwhelming and to be greeted with such passion and heavy metal enthusiasm was awesome. So excited to see what Durban and Joburg have to offer and expecting bigger and better things! Cape Town has set some high standards." - Matt Davies, lead singer Funeral For A Friend

"From the moment we stepped off the plane in Cape Town, we've been looked after magnificently well by the RAMfest crew. We've also been very impressed with the quality of the South African musicians and bands, and have enjoyed discovering new bands on our trip." - Ryan Richards, drummer Funeral For A Friend.

"So far, so incredible! First show exceeded our expectations, the people are beautiful, and the sharks are beautiful and South Africa is beautiful. Can't wait for the next show." - Dan Andriano, Alkaline Trio

The international acts couldn't stop talking about what a jol they at Cape Town, so I think it's only fair we show them how we do it in Jozi (no offense, CT - loves you!)...

Here's the line-up for tomorrow's show at Riversands Farm, Johannesburg (gates open at 10:00):

Main Stage
11:00     Blk Jks
12:00     Desmond & The Tutu's
13:00     Knave
14:00     Isochronous
15:00     Pestroy
16:00     Zebra & Giraffe
17:00     Not My Dog
18:00     Van Coke Kartel
19:15     Alkaline Trio
20:45     Funeral For A Friend
22:15     Die Antwoord

Dance Stage
13:00     Pity The Fool
14:00     Shadowclub
15:00     DYOF
16:00     Bittereinder
17:00     CutKeyLow
17:45     Ambush
19:00     Ph Fat
20:00     Benson
21:00     Deeziak
22:00     RudeOne
23:00     Tasha Baxter

So, here we go! Get your boots on, it's going to be pretty rad!

Izzy
xxx

SAARKIE Release Their Second Album

2011-03-10T04:15:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 12 March sees SAARKIE, South Africa's only all-girl, Afrikaans rock band release their second album entitled Identiteit. The album is produced by Sean Manley and Zanda Traut and was recorded at Manley Studios in Pretoria where some of SA's most renowned artists have recorded before.

"It was a privilege for Manley Studios to record SAARKIE's new album, Identiteit. It is an energetic, fun, positive rock album with a few twists! The vibrant, colourful personalities of these girls shone through every day in the studio, even in the toughest of times. I am very proud of what we have accomplished - the songs are all very strong and the album sounds great! The hard work is done and it's time for SAARKIE to rock SA!" - Sean Manley, Producer

SAARKIE's musical growth since the release of their debut album, Luister in 2009 is evident in the fact that all of SAARKIE's members are now graduate musicians with the result that they have improved in mastering their instruments to write better quality songs. With Identiteit they bring a unique combination of songs and instruments to the South African music industry, which will definitely leave a lasting impression in the world of rock.

"Identiteit represents a metaphorical journey through the lives of each of the members of SAARKIE, as well as every music listener, to find their own identity. The album encourages listeners to have enough self confidence to discover their own identity and to live their lives according to it." - SAARKIE

The album also contains a collaboration between SAARKIE and renowned South African rocker Jan Blohm in the form of Nader Aan My. Jan wrote the song for SAARKIE and also sings it with them on the album.

"It was an absolute honour and highlight to be associated with a celebrated artist such as Jan Blohm. We are extremely excited about the song and it fits perfectly with SAARKIE's vibe." - SAARKIE

The first single from the album, namely Oorlog In My Hart was released to radio stations in December 2010 and has received extensive airplay on campus and regional stations all over South Africa.

Identiteit will be launched this Saturday at Liedjieboer in Midrand and entrance is free! Doors open at 20h00.

Become a fan on Facebook, visit SAARKIE's website or download a teaser from Identiteit in the form of Lucky Strike for FREE here!

Gig Much?

2011-03-10T03:19:00.000-08:00

Hey peeps!

It's Phuza Thursday (not that I drink or anything...) and time for me to share my weekly gig guide with you! So, make your pick (hint: it's RAMfest on Saturday... wink wink!), get your friends together (remember to invite the newbie so he/she can be your designated driver) and get the party started (bananas and Creme Soda will finish that hangover right off)!

Thursday, 10 March 2011

What’s Up: Josie Field

Where: Tings an’ Times, Hatfield, Pretoria

Line-up: Includes Gareth Wilson

What’s Up: Robbie Wessels

Where: Firkin, Centurion, Pretoria

What’s Up: aKING

Where: The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town

What’s Up: Durex Battle Of The Bands

Where: Tanz Café, Fourways, Johannesburg

Line-up: Includes Shortstraw, Day Far Gone, Newtown and The Fridge

What’s Up: 11^th Hour

Where: The Black Dahlia, Boksburg, Johannesburg

Line-up: Includes Agro and Balyios

Friday, 11 March 2011

What’s Up: Die Heuwels Fantasties

Where: D’Aria Wine Estate, Durbanville, Cape Town

Line-up: Includes Coenie De Villiers, Francois Van Coke and Inge Beckmann

What’s Up: Mean Mr Mustard

Where: Firkin, Centurion, Pretoria

What’s Up: Wonderboom

Where: Tanz Café, Fourways, Johannesburg

What’s Up: Double-Adapter

Where: The Assembly, Cape Town

Saturday, 12 March 2011

What’s Up: Nagskof

Where: Firkin, Centurion, Pretoria

What’s Up: Saarkie

Where: Liedjieboer, Midrand, Johannesburg

What’s Up: We Set Sail

Where: The Assembly, Cape Town

Line-up: Includes Haasbroek, Tommy Gun and Holiday Murray

What’s Up: New Holland

Where: Bohemia, Stellenbosch

Line-up: Includes Foto Na Dans

What’s Up: RAMfest

Where: Riversands Farm, Fourways, Johannesburg

Line-up: Includes Funeral For A Friend, Die Antwoord, Alkaline Trio, Knave and many more!

Have a great weekend and party safe!

Izzy
xxx

Come What May...

2011-03-10T01:33:00.000-08:00

4AM have been climbing the ladder of the South African music scene at a steady pace since releasing their debut album Light From Light in April 2010, and they're showing no signs of slowing down!

They've recently had major TV airtime with the 4AM EPK video on SABC 2, SABC 3, M-Net Series, etc.

The release of their new single, Come What May has already been play listed on the following radio stations countrywide and is receiving an overwhelming response, so listen out for it on Highveld Stereo, KFM, Algoa FM, Jacaranda FM, Plett Radio, East Coast Radio, Tuks FM, Puk FM, UCT Radio, Kovsie FM and MFM.

Preparations for the music video are well underway so keep a close eye on 4AM's Facebook and Twitter pages for more news!