MusicReview

Local News: The Parlotones to Tour with Snow Patrol

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:44:06 +0000

Fresh from releasing their latest album, Journey Through the Shadows, South Africa’s popular rock outift, The Parlotones, will be invading Germany along with Snow Patrol. The Parlotones confirmed the tour on their official Facebook page, posting:

“It’s official. The Parlotones will be touring Germany with Snow Patrol this summer.”

Tour dates can be found on The Parlotones’ official website: www.theparlotones.net.

International News: R. Kelly to Release “Write Me Back” in June

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:30:51 +0000

Grammy Award winning singer, songwriter and producer R. KELLY, will release his 11^th studio album, Write Me Back, on June 25^TH (RCA).

“Share My Love,” the album’s first single, recently grabbed the #1 spot at Urban Adult radio. Kelly’s newly released second single, “Feelin’ Single,” described as “classic Kelly, full of infectious hooks and buttery smooth grooves” (Prefixmag.com), will impact Urban Adult radio on May 21^st.

Write Me Back is the follow up to 2010’s critically acclaimed Love Letter, which celebrated the music of the 50s and 60s. The new album represents the natural progression of Kelly’s musical time machine, recalling the sultry and seductive sounds associated with such icons as Barry White, Marvin Gaye and Teddy Pendergrass, among others. Like its Love Letter predecessor, Write Me Back is also a celebration of love.

From classic R&B to hip-hop, inspirational to gospel, no other artist has covered the vast array of human emotions more than R. Kelly. With a track record that boasts over 40 million albums sold worldwide, 6 #1 albums, 11 #1 singles, 3 Grammy Awards, 8 Soul Train Awards, 6 American Music Awards and 6 Billboard Music Awards, R. Kelly has rightfully earned his title as the undisputed “King of R&B.” In 2011, Billboard named R. Kelly the #1 most successful R&B artists of the last 25 years! When not in the spotlight, Kelly has written and produced hit songs for Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Maxwell, Britney Spears and countless others. More recently, Kelly was tapped to write and produce original music for the upcoming Sparkle soundtrack.

The Reality of Being a Musician in South Africa – Part 6

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:17:01 +0000

We could preach to you about the reality of being a musician in South Africa, until we’re blue in the face – however, it’ll mean more if it comes from the actual people who are doing it.

So, we’ve decided to go out there and find out from the artists what the reality of being a local musician actually is. From unsigned starters to major label artists, we’re asking them the exact same questions to get the different (or maybe even similar) perspectives on gigging, venues, record labels and the media in SA.

The popularity of this series has been overwhelming, with many referring to it as the South African music industry questionnaire. In part 6, Dead Alphabet’s Adam Edwards and Hugh Hunt take the quiz.

Gigs:

Are you getting paid for gigs now?

Yes, but the arrangement is never fully agreed upon, and we often find ourselves underpaid. Sometimes promises are not kept and we are not paid at all.

In general, do you think organisers (when they do pay) are giving bands their stipulated rates, negotiated rates, or is it a cut from the door charge?

No, we very rarely get a negotiated rate unless a contract has been signed – and even then sometimes we are not paid. It is usually a door deal – often this has to pay the sound engineer as well. We have played many shows where the sound engineers have a more profitable evening than any of the bands.

What’s the worst excuse you’ve ever received with regards to not getting paid?

Thornfest (and others) – agreeing upon a rate (and a signed contract), and then not being paid, because they did not make enough to pay bands.

Venues:

Generally, do you find that the venues cater for sound, or do you need to bring your own equipment?

Not at all! This is probably the most important thing that affects South African bands – venues do not have their own PA systems and sound engineers. As a result, money from shows is always being used to hire these necessities (as mentioned above). This is ridiculous!
This is not the case in Europe – even the smallest venue will be properly equipped with PA systems and competent engineers, and the bands do not have to pay for any of this! Also, bands constantly suffer from bad sound since the engineers are always hired hands and do not know the venue well. Personally, this is the most important failure of the South African music scene.

At venues, is there adequate and secure storage space for you to put your equipment in before you play?

Not usually, it is rare that we have ever had a secure place to store equipment.

In general, do you think the sound engineers organised for events are up to scratch?

Sometimes, there are very competent people but many times not – as said previously, because the engineers are often hired, they do not know the venue and have not worked out the intricacies of the room.

What should venues look at implementing if they wish to improve?

Venues need their own equipment and engineers if they intend to host bands. This is vital.

Labels and Media:

What is your general impression of radio stations in South Africa?

They are commercial enterprises and need to secure listeners to draw in advertising revenue. The end result of this is that they seldom take risks with new or unsigned bands – or music that isn’t widely popular. Playlists across the stations become incredibly similar and conservative and are seldom controlled by the DJs themselves. With local airplay quotas, there seems to be an attempt to get more local music on the airwaves. Well-written and well-recorded songs will always find a place on the radio; they are constantly looking for material and certain South African artists have had success in this area.

Commercial radio stations cater for the masses, and that is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. So, what more could radio do to assist the listeners in discovering new artists?

As you say, radio is unlikely to change and there is no real reason they should. It would be nice if there were more smaller radio stations, so there was more competition and more stations catering to niche markets. But this is based on demand.

What is your general impression of the media in South Africa?

As far as music media, it is good. There are plenty of journalists who are interested in their craft and in music, and there definitely seems to be a lot of effort put into improving South African music media.

Do you find that many local artists are unable to handle constructive criticism from media outlets?

We can only speak for ourselves – we have had a couple of instances of constructive criticism, which we may not have enjoyed at the time, but had actually been very important to our development and definitely improved the band. In online forums, where people can hide behind anonymity, there is a tendency to handle negative criticism with aggression, losing the perspective that asking questions and speaking freely is always important.

Apart from more coverage of local artists, what could the media do to assist the local music industry?

Maybe to indicate to the public that venues are not helping bands to generate any kind of reasonable revenue from live shows.

Record labels are businesses, and investing in an untried act is risky. How would you suggest they give unsigned artists a chance?

It comes back to live performance – record labels will be interested in unsigned bands if they can watch a band, with good sound, and see that the band are capable musicians and that the people who attend the gigs enjoy the bands. Bands can play live gigs if they can make enough money to cover the costs of playing i.e. practice space rehearsal, travelling to gigs, equipment.

The days of labels throwing millions of dollars at you are long gone, and many artists thrive and succeed via the independent routes. So, why do a lot of artists still have an obsession about getting signed?

Being signed has very little to do with making large amounts of money and more to do with administration. For every gig a band plays, advertising has to be done, radio stations need to be contacted (this means printing CDs, delivering them, e-mailing, phone calls, etc.) these are all time consuming tasks, and, for a SA band who work day jobs, this becomes a difficult task. Record labels provide the staff and resources to complete the everyday business side of running a band.

There it is, folks. Please leave your comments and thoughts below.

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

- Sergio Pereira

Local News: ISOchronous – Live in Germany DVD

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:55:02 +0000

On the 2nd of June 2012, ISOchronous will launch their ʻLIVE IN GERMANYʼ DVD. The DVD featured their nationwide tour in Germany which took place from the 6th to the 26th of October 2010 and features them playing in Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Leipzig, Mannheim, Hannover, Frankfurt and Dortmund.

ISOchronous toured Germany as the opening act for Marius Muller Westernhagen. Marius saw the band perform in Cape Town in July 2010 while on vacation at his Llundudno home. He was so impressed with what he saw that he called them up a month later and asked if they would like to open for him on his upcoming tour in Germany. Of course they agreed to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for any band. Little did they know that it was an Arena tour around Germany playing to what averaged between 6 000 and 12 000 people for each show; over 100 000 overall.

“We were allowed a small glimpse of what we could do if we worked hard and continued doing what we do best. We also gained invaluable performance experience. In 20 years from now, we will hopefully be able to do the same for another young band.”

ʻLIVE IN GERMANYʼ DVD was produced by Fred van Leeuwen and primarily filmed at their performance at the O2 World Arena in Berlin. The DVD is around 2 hours long, and consists of backstage footage of the whole tour, as well as music videos from ISOchronous and footage from their Destiny music video shoot.

“We are proud of this release because it represents what is possible for South African bands. It captures the emotions we all felt on the tour and the memories, mentors and mates we made along the way.”

ʻLIVE IN GERMANYʼ DVD Launch Shows:

In June, ISOchronous will launch their DVD with performances in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban.

All tickets will be sold at the door of the events. The show at Atterbury Theatre in Pretoria will be a special theatre performance and tickets for the show will be pre-sold on Computicket for R80 until 1 June, and R100 thereafter. ʻLIVE IN GERMANYʼ DVD will be sold at all shows, and afterwards in all major CD stores in South Africa, as well as online through Kalahari.net or on the band’s website: www.isochronous.net.

Local News: The Plastics Krang Tour

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:26:41 +0000

SA’s indie rock darlings The Plastics will be hitting the road again. So, make sure to catch them at one of the following shows!

24 May 2012 – Arcade Empire
Address: ℅ Hans Strydom & N4 Highway, Pretoria
Line Up: The Plastics & support DJ Dr Khumalo, and more!
Time: 9PM
Entance: R20

25 May 2012 – Town Hall
Address: 66 Carr Street, Newtown, Johannesburg
Line Up: The Plastics, The Stellas, Cable Stealing Gypsies
Time: 9PM
Entrance: R50 before 10pm, R60 after 10pm

26 May 2012 – The Tanz Riverdeck
Address: 35 Peter Road, Honeydew, Johannesburg
Line Up: The Plastics & Dance, You’re On Fire
Time: 9PM
Entrance: R50

27 May 2012 – Park Acoustics
Address: Voortrekker Monument, Eufees Road, Pretoria
Line Up: Shadowclub, The Plastics, Laurie Levine, Shotgun Tori
Time: 11AM
Entrance: R55.00 online at www.ticketbreak.co.za, R65.00 at the door

International News: Run For Cover Records To Release Coasta’s Debut EP on Vinyl

Sergio Pereira — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:18:12 +0000

Run For Cover Records is incredibly excited to welcome Coasta to the family. The label will be releasing the band’s stunning debut on vinyl later this summer.

Long Island’s rich musical history has helped to shape a generation of indie, punk and rock music. Both a product of that environment and a contributor to it’s next chapter, Coasta craft brooding, atmospheric pop-rock songs akin to Nada Surf, Bends-era Radiohead and Wilco. Featuring the current three piece lineup of Jamey Lacey, Steve Kupillas and Chris Lorenz, Coasta’s 5-song debut EP blends a diversity of styles, from the folk-y, solemn track “The Slide” to the dense, haunting mid-tempo rocker “Sunzal” all while plying subtle influence from many of Long Island’s greats.

Video: FUN. Cover Gotye’s ‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ ft. Hayley Williams

Sergio Pereira — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:43:40 +0000

This is the first time ever that Radio 1 Live Lounge featured a guest via ISDN/from another studio. Check out this gnarly video!

About FUN.:

FUN. has not stopped living up to its name since their 2009 debut, Aim & Ignite. A year after the debut they were opening for Paramore on their headlining tour and performing at Coachella along with The Strokes and Jay-Z. Now they’ve teamed up with Janelle Monáe, a melodic collaboration on display in one of three videos for “We Are Young.” In addition, the TV series “Glee” just plucked “We Are Young” off Some Nights to cover on the show, an experience that meant the world to a band that prides itself on appealing to any demographic that might feel disenfranchised or just plain odd. “None have us have ever felt like anything but outcasts our entire lives,” says Jack, “and I know that’s something that has resonated with fun. fans. They are the same people as us — kids who never fully latched onto a specific music scene because it couldn’t define them.”

Review: Every Time I Die – Ex Lives

Sergio Pereira — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:21:41 +0000

“Hot contender for album of the year…”

Artist Name: Every Time I Die
Album Name: Ex Lives
Year: 2012
Genre: Hardcore Punk/Mathcore
Label: Epitaph

Every Time I Die have never been a linear band – now have they? However, their sixth album, Ex Lives, has been a release that has divided more than a few of their legion. Tracks such as ‘Underwater Bimbos from Outer Space’, ‘Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow’, ‘Revival Mode’ and ‘Indian Giver’ have been received with either a “What the f**k is this sh*t?!” or a “Oh-em-gee! ETID just jizzed in my ears and made me all warm inside!”. In other words, you either get Ex Lives or you don’t – no real middle ground here.

To be frank, I’m a little confused why the older ETID fans don’t get this album. Sure, the direction of tracks like ‘Revival Mode’ (grungy Alice in Chains vibe) and ‘Indian Giver’ (entrancing choral section) might be new-ish, but it isn’t like Keith Buckley squeezed his nads together and started belting out a Katy Perry number or Andy Williams pinched Kirk Hammett’s wah-wah pedal, is it? Apart from these 2 songs, the rest of Ex Lives is like a midnight drunken stroll through ETID’s catalogue. If you’re familiar with ETID, you’ll be able to associate the songs with certain eras (example: ‘Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow’ could be the bastard brother of ‘We’rewolf’ from 2007’s The Big Dirty).

As I said in the opening sentence: ETID have never been predictable, so if you were expecting a rehash of New Junk Aesthetic, you really don’t know this band. Looking for the obscure and left field? Ex Lives is the answer. Hot contender for album of the year.

Best Tracks: ‘Partying is Such Sweet Sorrow’, ‘Revival Mode’ and ‘Indian Giver’

96/100

- Sergio Pereira

International News: Sleepy Turtles Unveil Cover Art and Track Listing For ‘Summer, Hither’ EP

Sergio Pereira — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:33:35 +0000

Atlanta’s Sleepy Turtles have revealed the cover art and track listing for their upcoming Summer, Hither debut EP release, available digitally, worldwide on May 29 via Autumn + Colour Records. The EP features a remixed version of the first single ‘Nature’s Hymn‘.

Autumn + Colour will then release a limited edition vinyl version of Summer, Hither on July 10.

Track listing:

01. Summer, Hither
02. Morning Song
03. Nature’s Hymn
04. A Reason To Hope
05. Being Small

Sergio’s Jams of the Month: May 2012

Sergio Pereira — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:23:19 +0000

If you missed the debut of my new column last month, this is what’s up:

Every month, I’ll be recapping the songs that have been getting regular rotation by DJ Wordsmith i.e. me. Hopefully, this will assist you in discovering the latest music, or a new favourite track. If you’re keen to share your favourite tracks, or recommend something that isn’t featured, please do so in the comments section.

So, let’s get to the top 10 for this month. In no order of relevance:

10. Demon Hunter – God Forsaken

Starting off with a little metal, Demon Hunter bring the steel with ‘God Forsaken’. Even though the song has quite a ferocious rhythm section, the melodic chorus is what really cements this song as one of the highlights of True Defiance.

9. Lostprophets – Better Off Dead

Local distributors are failing me (feel shame; wear the cone). I’ve been waiting patiently for Lostprophets’ new album, Weapons, since it was released in the UK on April 2 – and it’s still not available in South Africa! In the meantime, I will continue to abuse ‘Better Off Dead’ to the max.

8. Every Time I Die – Revival Mode

Granted. Ex Lives isn’t the easiest Every Time I Die album to get into, but the sludgy, grunge undertones of ‘Revival Mode’ maced with Keith Buckley’s unmistakable vocals mark this track as a seminal piece of ETID history.

Watch the music video for ‘Revival Mode’ here

7. Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators – You’re a Lie

It’s Slash and Myles Kennedy – did you even think there was a remote possibility that it would suck? Hell no. ‘You’re a Lie’ is rock ‘n’ roll at its absolute finest.

Watch the video for ‘You’re a Lie’ here

6. Hokum – The Emerald

‘The Emerald’ gets regular rotation on MK Ondergrond, and it’s the one video that I never fast-forward through. That riff is just something else (you know what I’m talking about).

5. Taxi Violence – Unholy

‘Unholy’ is just unforgivably catchy and so, so good. It’s also an incredibly sultry track . Don’t believe me? Watch the NSFW music video featuring Tanit Phoenix here.

4. Halestorm – Love Bites (So Do I)

Lzzy Hale’s voice is a gift from the gods of rock, and all its glory is on parade on the track ‘Love Bites (So Do I)’, which comes off of Halestorm’s latest album, The Strange Case of….

3. Escape the Fate – Gorgeous Nightmare

Okay, I cheated. ‘Gorgeous Nightmare’ isn’t a new song, but I have been blasting this song quite a bit over the past month. Yeah, I think it’s time for a new EtF album.

Watch the music video for ‘Gorgeous Nightmare’ here

2. Davey Suicide – Generation F**k Star

I got introduced to Davey Suicide this past month, and I’m digging the whole industrial rock rebel swagger on ‘Generation F**k Star’. It’s got a 90s Marilyn Manson-meets-Dope vibe. Looking forward to hearing his debut album.

1. Belle Histoire – Be Alright

Jane Smith is a young lady with a phenomenal voice. ‘Be Alright’ (off of I Can Tell EP) has a cheeky indie vibe that just keeps you revisiting the song more and more.

- Sergio Pereira