SA Rocks

Eita,

Being an old Rhodes University student, the National Arts Festival is something which I used to take for granted. I attended it almost every year during my stay in, what was fondly referred to by many of us as, the ‘Gspot’. Since I finished up there in 2009, I have not been back since.

I decided enough was enough and this was the year I would go back for a visit. A visit which would include a bit more of the cultural side of things than it had in the past – which it did. Although my stay was  about 2 days in total, I managed to squeeze in quite a bit of exploring and show watching. The latter was limited by budget, time and also about half a day of feeling quite sorry for myself.

One thing that really struck me about the 6 shows I managed to make, was the complete and utter talent we have in South Africa. Not that I have ever doubted it, but I was completely blown away by the performances I watched. However, one’s viewing pleasure does not stop there, people are performing in the street, parking lots, the village green (where all the stalls are) and basically anywhere there is an open space. These performances range from: dancing, theatrical performances, comedians and musicians.

The shows I did make, consisted mainly of stand up comedy and illusionists/magicians. And by mainly, I mean only – I would have been keen on watching some theatrical pieces, I am going to blame me not going to any of those on the people I was with…yes, that is it. The buzz in and around the audience during the shows I watched was amazing; the pre-show excitement, the South African touches during and then the wonderful post show chatter and ‘highlights’. I found the overall admin side of the arts festival was handled really well, everything was well labeled, the program booklet was super helpful and all the shows were very fairly priced too – a winning combintation of you ask me. Grahamstown National Arts Festival organisers 1: people who say nothing is well organised in SA 0.

Overall, I would recommend the Grahamstown National Arts Festival for anyone, from SA (or abroad). There is something to do for anyone and at least one show is guaranteed to elicit an emotion of some sort. If this does not suit your fancy, go for the people. If you are a ‘people-watcher’ like me, then during this week and a half you will be in for a real treat.

Shap shap,

Dave

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I have a friend, he can rap. He has a friend, he can play guitar and loves to loop. This is them:

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Here it is ladies and gentlemen:

And here is the behind the scenes look:

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I have a friend, his name is TRAK. He raps and it’s wicked. He plays with a guy called Jeremy who does some insane stuff with guitars and loop effects and such. Together they make up Jeremy Loops and TRAK and they gig in Cape Town, often. They also, very often, pack out the venues that host them.

For a few months now I’ve been asking TRAK to lay down something and put it out there. He’s eventually done just that and I love it.

I’ve heard TRAK rap this live and it’s sick:

My Shoes – Jeremy Loops by misha-teasdale

This year for my birthday not only did TRAK buy me a book, but he rapped about inanimate objects on our table at dinner. I got lucky!

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After embarking on a 5 week tour of Canada, the Loneraynger found his way around the beautiful western coast with his tour manager Damon, and his trusty cameraman Fausto. Damon had found a beautiful form of transport in a 1990 GMC Safari, which came loaded with cotton seats, armrests and oil stains. It was easy to fall in love with the beast, and even more so when on the second day of the tour it was tagged by a professional graffitti artist. That day, the Silver Bullet was born, and every day after that that it served the Loneraynger crew unwaveringly, drawing the attention of young- females and old motorheads alike. That was until, one warm Canadian morning, the Van met it’s fate on the highway from Whistler back to Vancouver. Up a stretch of steep tarmac, the beast caught on fire, and in no time was wrapped in ball of flames. After a quick attempt to salvage some valuables, Damon had to abandon the Bullet.

The fire had done its evil deed, leaving nothing but a shredded and devoured carcass of what glory once was; only sparse chips of an artwork left on the side of the highways.

Ray muses, “We lost almost everything in that van; $5000 worth of music equipment for the tour, a camera, a tripod, cellphones, clothes, tent, and a pair of extremely fine boxers. Despite the material possessions, it was the spirit of the van and it’s endearing quirks which we had fallen in love with, it was the embodiment of youth taking to the road and moving music for ears to hear.”

Leaving not much hope for the Loneraynger and his crew, the tour came to a screeching halt. What’s a one-man band without his steed? But the spirit of the Silver Bullet held strong.

Ray also met some insane talent in Mike. Here’s a bit about their meeting and a video:

Before the incident, the crew had been driving around small town Osoyoos, trying to find the venue for his next gig, when they pulled over randomly to ask for directions. It turned out they had asked Mike, a local aspiring rapper who instantly made a comment about the ‘sick paintjob’ of the van. Ray told him he was a beatboxer from South Africa, and Mike made him get out the van. Right there and then not a minute after they had met, they performed on the street, making plans to perform impromptu later that night at the gig. The connection was made.

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Mike Scott is a very talented man and the guy behind the new Goldfish single.

Check it out:

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The incredible part about this story is not that DJ Black Coffee set a new record, ’cause he did. That part was seemingly easy for the man. The tough part for me to comprehend is that he did it with one arm.

DJ Black Coffee set a new world record for spinning by doing his work for 60 straight hours.

From the Telegraph:

Nkosinathi Maphumulo, 34, completed the challenge on Sunday at a charity event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The dance music DJ, who lost his left hand in an accident aged 13, hopes video footage of the event will win him a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

He said: “I stayed strong. The music kept me going. I’m going to be a better DJ as I was doing it for a greater reason.
“At some stage I held back tears.”

Nkosinathi, who uses the stage name Black Coffee, started his record attempt in a shopping mall at midnight last Thursday.
Under the rules of the record attempt he was allowed a 20 minute comfort break every four hours.

But his manager told South Africa’s Sowetan newspaper he finished in style by playing the final 15 hours without stopping at all.

Wow. What an amazing achievement.

[blacknotes / Telegraph]

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A friend of mine, Fausto, is on the road with the incredibly talented South African musician, LoneRaynger. They have made their way to Canada and have been on what seems to be quite a crazy road trip.

A quick bit of background info:

The LoneRaynger a.k.a. Raymond Connell, is a South African beatboxer and a digital marketer at SA’s leading digital media firm, Aquaonline.

His two skills culminate in a pioneering Canadian tour, titled VOXBOX SESSIONS, a transmedia experiment, which means the daily itinerary, his gigs @ venues, collaborations with other musos and whatever else it throws at him & the crew, will be documented on the fly and on various media platforms for the world to witness.

Is it possible to create an army of followers by only using social media devices and without breaking the bank? Follow the VOXBOX SESSIONS and find out!

Raymond Connell, is a South African beatboxer and a digital marketer at SA’s leading digital media firm, Aquaonline.

They’ve gone from serious highs – landing in Canada, gigging, having a party – to some intense lows; their tour van went up in flames and burned to the ground a few days ago with all of their equipment in it. No one was hurt so that’s a big relief, but their stuff is gone.

Here’s a video from his most recent gig over there as well as the footage from the van burning to the ground:

You can follow their trails at the LoneRaynger website, their twitter account or on their Facebook.

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Some of you might know that once upon a time I played music, in a band, on stage and even recorded an album. [see below for songs]

Now the reason I bring this is up is as follows; The lead singer of the band I was apart of, Bevan Lynch, has started his own band called Stereo in Flight. They are playing their very first gig in Durban.

Here are the details:

You can also head over to the Facebook event and get involved.

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Local SA band, Isochronous has just released a new music video. The video is directed by a good friend of mine, Fausto Becatti. Loving the Cinematography and the sound this band produces is surprising at first and then incredibly listenable. Great work to all involved.

If you want to know more about Fausto and his mad directing skills, drop me an e-mail and I’ll put you in touch!

Click here to go directly to the video if you can’t see the above video.

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