We returned from the French island of Mayotte last week, having tour managed a South African contingent of top artists at a cultural 7-day music festival sponsored by the French government. Everyone was looking forward to days spent on an Indian Ocean paradise island, but we were sadly horrified at the treatment the South African’s received from the festival organization.
With South African icons Mandoza, Busi Mhlongo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Amampondo, and new-comer DJ Castro with one of Africa’s top percussionists Mabi Thobejane, our group was subjected to a mini-riot, transport and accommodation issues, bad flight planning, very little English being spoken, and worst of all lies about payments. This is a nightmare story that should be read as a warning to all in the music industry! Continue reading ‘SA music festival nightmare on island of Mayotte’
PRESS RELEASE
Van Coke Kartel’s new album “Waaksaam en Wakker” has just been released, after their very well received debut album going by the name of Van Coke Kartel. The new album offers a huge, intensive production with an added progressive and even “softer” dimension to the straight up in your face raw sound that initially established Van Coke Kartel as a band.
Van Coke Kartel spent a lot of time on the road during the writing of “Waaksaam en Wakker” and their widened scope of observations resulted in a new, broader Van Coke Kartel sound. The new songs are still driven and edgy, but this time round Van Coke Kartel have added a few more melodic songs and even a retrospective ballad “Wat het van ons geword?” Continue reading ‘VCK’s “Waaksaam en Wakker” CD launch national tour’
We listen to music all day in the office, while putting together proposals for our local clients, sorting out visas for the international tours that we have a hand in; but music is always on in the background. We all have different tastes, and so do allow each person in the office to make their choice at different times. But there is one artist that gets everybody’s immediate approval. Josie Field.
Josie Field released her second album Leyland in September, after her very successful debut album Mercury has been played to death here by all of us. And it’s made just as much impact on us as the first; the music has meaning; the words are refreshingly original; and all of us are excited with the emergence of a singer-songwriter that is going delight us for many albums to come. Continue reading ‘Josie ‘Leyland’ Field - hot property for your next event’
I was very excited a few weeks back when I was asked by Sean Nunan (Almost Famous) if I had any articles to contribute to the bi-monthly South African Drums & Percussion magazine – hell! Of course I did! Having all the contact that we do with South Africa’s hottest artists I immediately jumped on the opportunity and thought of one of the newest and most exciting drummers, Kesivan Naidoo!
Drumming isn’t the usually focused on as much as say the sexy lead guitar, or the keyboard in the background, while percussion can be the conglomeration of sounds produced from any old tin can and block of wood. Which is exactly why SA Drums & Percussion mag is such a cool concept – and before I get shot down for being rude to percussionists – it is in my mind one of the most vital audio necessities to any group because that’s where the atmosphere is created! Continue reading ‘Kesivan Naidoo my first feaure in SA Drums and Percussion mag’
I don’t normally copy and paste other people’s articles directly, but I received this awesome review from Juno Reactor that they were very chuffed about after their very successful Mexican and North American tour with Japanese Rock star Sugizo and our Amampondo guys.
We are off to the French island of Mayote later this month with Amampondo, and a host of other exciting South African artists (which I will be focusing more on in a later post), but then the Juno clan is off to Greece and Bulgaria at the end of October. They seem to be making big waves where ever they appear, and as can be judged by the following review, their live show is hot hot hot! Continue reading ‘Global music kicks butt in America!’
We returned from the French island of Mayotte last week, having tour managed a South African contingent of top artists at a cultural 7-day music festival sponsored by the French government. Everyone was looking forward to days spent on an Indian Ocean paradise island, but we were sadly horrified at the treatment the South African’s received from the festival organization.
With South African icons Mandoza, Busi Mhlongo, Thandiswa Mazwai, Amampondo, and new-comer DJ Castro with one of Africa’s top percussionists Mabi Thobejane, our group was subjected to a mini-riot, transport and accommodation issues, bad flight planning, very little English being spoken, and worst of all lies about payments. This is a nightmare story that should be read as a warning to all in the music industry! Continue reading ‘SA music festival nightmare on island of Mayotte’
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