Album

♫♫ 12TH AVENUE ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE FOR ALBUM LAUNCH ♫♫

nicci — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:30:54 +0200

Start: 8 Apr 2011 - 21:00

End: 8 Apr 2011 - 23:00

♫♫ 12TH AVENUE OFFICIAL ALBUM LAUNCH ♫♫

nicci — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:27:45 +0200

Start: 1 Apr 2011 - 20:00

End: 1 Apr 2011 - 23:30

Line-Up:
The Undefind
12th Avenue
DJ

ALBUM DETAILS:
Title: 12th Avenue
Recorded & Engineered: By Brian Lee at Juxta Studios
Produced by: 12th Avenue
Mastered by: Matthew James at Sound & Motion Studios

Holly_Strawberry Skies

info_262 — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:05:49 +0200

Teenage music stars all too-frequently come and go on the wings of the whims of whatever producer or label or Svengali took on the project of introducing a young talent to the world.

Thankfully, when it comes to 14-year-old Holly, the outcome is far more predictable: the Durban native is, after all, the real music deal – and her debut album is proof that she’s no novelty but instead a songwriter and performer of substance.

That Holly has some serious songwriting skills is evident in the 2009 deal she inked with Sony/ATV South Africa after its MD Jay Savage heard some of the early material she had written including the memorable “Siyabonga Madiba”.

The song – a heartfelt tribute to President Nelson Mandela – also earned Holly the attention of a broader audience and by July last year, the teenager with the heart of a true African was earning the ear of music fans in Kwa-Zulu Natal, including programmers at Ukhozi FM who began putting “Siyabonga Madiba” on air.

The guitar-playing teenager soon began receiving the attention of some Joburg-based music biz execs who rapidly began promising her the world. But, along with a prodigious music talent, Holly also has the maturity of someone older than her years and, together with her manager, Viv Wasserfall, decided to tread slowly on the road to releasing her debut and putting her music talent in a bigger spotlight.

“I’m glad we decided to do this the way we have,” Holly says now of journey that’s led to the May 2010 release of ‘Strawberry Skies’.

“It would have been very easy to be swept up in the buzz that came after people started hearing ‘Siyabonga Madiba. But music is my passion and I want to make this into something proper and lasting and not just a flash-in-the-pan. And I wanted to wait to find the right people to work with.”

It’s this attitude that has led to the year-long process of recording ‘Strawberry Skies’, and its release independently (with the support of Sony/ATV).

Naturally ‘Siyabonga Madiba’ takes a central spot on Holly’s debut. Born into post-apartheid South Africa and raised in Durban, Holly’s identity is as a young South African, ready to “make a difference … take a stand … take the first step … change the world” as she sings with passion on “As One”.

Her youthful admiration for the work of Nelson Mandela and others like him is carried over into her creative life and Holly finds plenty of inspiration in viewing her life as a young South African in a positive light. Another song that captures this is “Africa”, a glorious track that pays tribute to the beautiful continent that has given birth to an artist like Holly. “Oh Africa/I’m your child/born to you in ‘95/Oh Africa/here I am for you now/under your big, big sky/I belong to Africa/always have/always will …,” Holly sings in her warm, intimate voice – and it’s impossible not to be drawn into the wonderful world in which this young woman lives.

Indeed, Africa’s “blue, blue sky” and “big bright sun” have also contributed to the title of Holly’s debut. “As a child I always loved the time of day when the sun is setting and the sky turns pink,” she confides. “It’s so beautiful here in Durban. I call it my strawberry sky.”

Fittingly Holly’s debut reflects the honest, simple and heartfelt emotions she feels as she grows towards adulthood.

“Whenever I pick up my guitar I write something – a little bit of a verse or a melody and so there is always something happening on the songwriting front,” she says. And although she’s kept the recording of her debut album and the significant outside interest in her music away from her regular life of school and friends, “Strawberry Skies” contains its fair share of emotion-driven songs that will instantly connect with young music fans. One of these is “My Friend”, a delicate, moving track. Another is “Flying”, an ethereal song that tackles the day-to-day intimacies of teenage life in the way that, across the ocean, Taylor Swift has done so brilliantly.

Holly’s not one to measure herself against global success stories – but the comparison to Swift is hard not to make. Although Holly’s material is suffused with more folk and organic Afro-traditional elements than Swift’s, the fact that both began writing songs that resonate with a wide audience before they even entered their teens is something special and ensures they stand out.

Holly is, however, the first to acknowledge that she would not have executed her creative vision for her songs so easily if it were not for her producer, Marciano Rebelo Monjane.

If Madiba is her spiritual father, then Monjane is Holly’s “musical father” and she calls her meeting with him at a studio in Mount Edgecombe at the suggestion of a neighbour a stroke of great fortune.

“He is really such a gentle person; an angel in disguise really,” she says, with no small amount of admiration.

Monjane brings with him years of musical experience having been involved in the industry professionally since 1989. One of his career highlights includes managing and playing with Mozambican band Ghowane which was signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World label. It was through Ghowane that Monjane honed his production skills, including working as a sound engineer at a European record label. “What I loved about working with Marci is how he was able to bring all that amazing experience and talent to the songs but not in a way that turned them into something that weren’t mine anymore,” says Holly.

Monjane, a percussionist and keyboard player, also introduced Holly to the musicians who now form her band and who have played with her on ‘Strawberry Skies’ as well as live. This array of talented musicians includes rapper and beat boxer, Pas Genik (nominated for beat boxer of the year for the Hype Awards for both 2008/2009), drummer and composer, Stelio Mondlane (session musician with HHP, Selaelo Selota, Gloria Bosman, Tania ManiCa and others), lead guitarist Dane Francis (whose bands have included 99 Flavas, and Inside Out and who’s sessioned with AFRIQUE, George Mari, Shaun Duval and more), and Mozambique-born bass player, Aristides J Manhique (Harris).

“All the band members contribute when we are producing songs,” says Holly. “It’s very much a collaboration when it comes to fleshing out the sound of the songs and I have learned so much from everyone of them.”

But, in the end, the songs on ‘Strawberry Skies’ are all Holly’s: written and composed by a South African teenage musician who has the goods to become one of the country’s most respected and enduring artists.

Shannon Hope - Album Fundraiser

shannonhope — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:39:23 +0200

Start: 19 Nov 2010 - 19:00

Durban’s critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Shannon Hope is set to record the follow up to her debut album in December. Entirely self-funded, the much-anticipated follow up to her 2009 debut will feature guest artists from Durban and Cape Town and will include the crowd favourites "Believe" and "Being Brave".

On Friday 19 November, Hope will showcase material from the forthcoming album in a fundraiser event at Umhlanga’s exclusive new music venue, Mohemian Lounge. Entrance is R50 and all funds raised at the event will contribute toward recording costs and the independent release of the album early next year. Doors open at 7pm for dinner (Mohemain Lounge offers a “Rustic Nouveau” menu serving continental cuisine).

AB de Villiers Stick Cricket Challenge to promote debut album

dee_1 — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:31:37 +0200

It’s no secret that sports and music are a perfect match. You only need be at a big sporting event to know how important a stadium-sized tune is to getting hearts racing and setting the scene for the action unfolding on the field.

But it’s not often that the person creating that power-packed sports action is the same person behind the mic – until now. The release of debut album ‘Maak Jou Drome Waar’ by AB de Villiers and Ampie du Preez is a first for a top-drawer South African cricketer – and will come as a brilliant treat to those who have tracked the career of the prodigiously talented top-order batsman.

Of course, De Villiers is quick to pay tribute to his “team-mate” in creating “Maak Jou Drome Waar”.

“Ampie’s an amazing partner to work with and a brilliant musician,” the cricketer-turned-musician says of his longtime friend and creative comrade-in-arms on the 14-track offering.

Ampie du Preez – who has gained a reputation as a formidable musician through his work with bands like ‘n Man Soos Jan – is as full of praise for his partner on “Maak Jou Drome Waar”.

“AB is as fearless with his music as he is on the cricket pitch,” du Preez reveals.

Another strong player has joined the playing field in this team – Stick Sports and they bring us the challenge of a lifetime - STICK CRICKET AB DE VILLIERS CHALLENGE - www.stickcricket.com/abdevilliers

International online sporting channel Stick Sports and Sony Music Entertainment deliver a compelling, addictive and unique game especially for the South African audience.

So lets Play.....

You are batting as AB de Villiers in Ahmendabad, against India during the 2nd test of South Africa's 2008 tour. In this match AB de Villiers scored a personal best 217 not out. The innings lasted 8 hours in blistering heat and earned his team a record beating victory over India and for himself the Man of the Match. That day he "Showed them who he is" (Show Them Who You Are: track no. 12).

The challenge is to see how quickly you can score 217 runs against the same bowling attack that AB faced in 2008. AB is the ONLY batsman in this game therefore the game is over if you lose just one wicket.

This is an world first game format for Stick Cricket.com. There will be a DAILY high score chart listing the quickest innings. eg: Fixxer 9.4 overs. To get onto the high score chart you will need to score greater than (or equal to) AB's highest score of 217*. You are given 20 overs but the target can actually be reached in 6.1 overs if played by hitting perfect 6’s throughout.

This game mode offers great balance between AB de Villiers’ international cricket achievements and Stick Cricket's slog mentality to serve all types of Stick Cricket users. It is also a suitable platform for the promotion of music.

Both De Villiers and Du Preez are proud South Africans – and alongside the songs of young crushes (the nostalgic “Onthou Jy”) and early love (“Valentyn”) comes ‘Madibaland”, a moving, thoughtful and delicately-rendered tribute to former President Nelson Mandela. The song appears twice on “Maak Jou Drome Waar” - an original and an acoustic version. It’s an indication of how important Madiba is to two young Afrikaners who are fully engaged with the heart of the democratic South Africa – and, in De Villier’s case, stands as a role-model to young South Africans of all backgrounds.
“We hoped to make an album that was first and foremost great entertainment for music fans,” says Du Preez. “But,” adds De Villiers, “we also wanted the album to uplift, inspire and unite everyone in the spirit of Madiba.”

Indeed. With “Maak Jou Drome Waar”, these creative talents have done just that – proving once and for all that sports and music can combine in the most potent way.

Album Tracklisting:

1.             Maak Jou Drome Waar (1st single and video)
2.               Lift
3.              Forgiveness feat Snotkop (2nd single)
4.               Madibaland
5.              Deel Van My (3rd single)
6.              Misunderstood (1st English single)
7.              Hoor Jy My
8.               Stronger
9.               Sprokie Vir Jou
10.            Valentyn
11.            Onthou Jy
12.            Show Them Who You Are
13.            Asem In
14.            Madibaland (acoustic)

Matt Spire Art and Design

mattspire — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:54:22 +0200

I've been creating art personally and for musicians and others in need of vibrant, impacting media. I hope that you enjoy what you see, and if you'd like, feel free to contact me--I always look forward to working with new people.

Look out for the new Just Jinger

liny — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:01:09 +0200

Back in the land of Milk and Honies

The most successful rock band ever in South Africa, having sold more that a quarter of a million albums, Just Jinjer is back in SA. Their new 8-track EP Milk and Honies has recently been released through Sony Music.

Over the last decade, the band has performed and toured with U2, Counting Crows, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5 and Def Leppard among many others, in venues all around the world from the UK to Dubai. After their experience of living in the US and in London for the past ten years, Just Jinjer is now signed to Curb Records in US and global distribution for the album “Just Jinjer “is now in place for March 2010.

The lyrics of the title track of “Milk and Honies” were inspired by Ard’s deep-rooted love for South Africa, truly the land of “Milk and Honies”. See full press release for “Milk and Honies” attached.

If i could only find the time..

Tristan — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:11:13 +0200

It seems like these days all i seem to do is work on Overtone... im hoping that soon ill actually be able to complete the new album i have been promising for so long.

I have actually started on the project believe it or not.. im thinking of doing something really chilled and accoustic.. im hoping that if i get the project smaller and more manageble ill be able to actually complete it.

For those of you who havnt got my last album please visit http://www.tristanwaterkeyn.co.za and download it.

If you like it leave me comments..

one love.

Tristan

Online Music Sales

christiaansteyn — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:56:16 +0200

KRIMINEEL's new album is now on sale at Rhythm Online for just R35...

KRY DIT NOU!!!!!!!!!

http://rhythmmusicstore.com/music/6147/Krimineel/Maak-Vandag-%27N-Belofte-Aan-Jouself

All I Want For Christmas...

shannonhope — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:50:44 +0200

Have you stuffed your Christmas stocking yet? Shannon Hope's debut solo album, STILL, is recommended by Look & Listen in the Indie/Import section of their Christmas Catalogue. Get to Look & Listen this Christmas and spoil the ones you love with the latest releases and recommendations.