Represent is Loving: Feist
Aug08

Represent is Loving: Feist

You may have heard the loungey remix of her stunning song “One Evening” that’s getting loads of airplay, Canadian Leslie Feist must be over the moon as her debut album, released only in April, shoots up the charts the world over.  “Feist” has a sexy slow-paced soulful voice that picks you up and carries you away… Think disco meets folk meets soul touching on rock.  Her album “The Reminder” is a must-have for Spring, get your hands on it now.  Watch One Evening now (below)....

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Tay Zonday the new Youtube Star
Aug07

Tay Zonday the new Youtube Star

We’re not sure what it is about this guy that has given him his iconic mass appeal, but the world’s going crazy over Tay Zonday’s monotone songs on YouTube “Chocolate Rain” and “Internet Dream”… The video’s are simple talking heads and shoulders, the songs are cheesy with bad repetitive casio keyboard sounding backtracks – maybe it’s his nerdy look and deep baritone voice?  Tay Zonday is a 25 year old geeky grad student from Minnesota who’s life is no doubt about to change as nearly 4 million people (and climbing) watch his tacky videos with catchy but damn awful lyrics.  The YouTube snowball has everyone and their dog doing their own takes on the songs, watch this space for another internet eye-opener. While we prefer the Internet Dream lyrics and sound, check out the hit Chocolate rain here: ...

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Representing in Phalaborwa!
Aug01

Representing in Phalaborwa!

So many of us are not from Jozi.   In fact many of us are from everywhere but here: drawn to the gold rush, the vibe, the work opportunities… searching for success and a ‘piece of the good pie’ that our wonderful adopted city of Joburg generously offers us.  But there’s nothing like going home to your town, kasi, village or street, nostalgia flooding your being at the emotions of remembering where you are from and how far you have come since you left for the big lights.  Our writer Reuben “The Matrix” Malema paints exactly this scenario as he takes us through his visit to his hometown of Phalaborwa in Limpopo to attend the Cell C/Ghetto Ruff/Zola event on the weekend.  Thanks for reminding us of how good it feels to make a triumphant return.  Bring on the holidays. See our photos here. On Saturday 28/07/2007 the Palamine Club – Namakgale – Phalaborwa (My Origins and Home base!!!), had its wide-open grounds teeming with bodies all out in full force and well adorned – partly in support of a charitable good cause and partly in a quest for an exhilarating night out.    For me and the ‘Jus Dat’ entourage, the night and fun started way before the official proceedings took centre stage as our convoy conglomerated at the Malepe residence in Namakgale (Di – 12 !!), a place all too familiar to me.  In a very emotional way the setting evoked images of my childhood days in a juxtaposed collage of memorabilia against my now triumphant return to my Origins (The warm feeling really defies words and any attempt to express these emotions). At 18:00, hazards flashing, our convoy took to the streets in a presidential-like parade with all routes leading to Palamine Club. Our entry through the VIP access point was indeed a very  momentous occasion which got even Big Vic (one part of Jus Dat`s management and Executive production duo) in a near tear-jerking moment as in his own words: “We left home in search of greater opportunities in Johannesburg and now Palamine Club is paying homage to our achievements!” – If I never cried right there and then, I knew i`ll never cry that night ever again, because his words were not just his own, but sentiments shared intimately by many of us from Limpopo who’ve undertaken the same search for success in the Highveld of gold down south! Hence the emotional gratitude and heartfelt tribute to Big Vic and Tumelo Mailula`s success (Re a Thekga Bakone!). The tight security venue was embellished with red and white, clearly symbolic of Cell-C`s corporate identity. At 19:00 Phalaborwa’s star Radio personality: DJ Eddie Crooks handed the stage over to one local star...

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Free Workshops at Joy of Jazz!
Jul31

Free Workshops at Joy of Jazz!

Jazz Heads take note – we’ve been meaning to give you the “heads up” on this for ages and hope we’re not too late and that there is still space in the free workshops. Some of the world’s top jazz masters, appearing at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival, will run free workshops teaching youngsters and musicians the intricacies of the craft. The jazz stars are the collective winners of 17 Grammy Awards, the world-renowned Count Basie Orchestra; trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis from the world famous Marsalis family of New Orleans,; revolutionary trip hop French band No Jazz; the Clarke/Duke Project which features bassist Stanley Clarke and pianist George Duke; Israel’s Common Bond and local saxophonist Shannon Mowday. In celebration of Women’s Month, Standard Bank and Gwen Ansell, will also be offering a week-long practical workshop for women arts writers. The annual Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival runs in a selection of Newtown venues from Thursday, 23 August to Saturday, 25 August. Mandie van der Spuy, head of arts sponsorship at Standard Bank explains the rationale behind the Joy of Jazz workshops: “The Festival not only offers local jazz lovers the best of international and African jazz, it also hopes to give something back. The information and knowledge that these musical giants share during the workshops goes a long way in affirming and mentoring young South African musicians and hopefully sees to the success of the industry in years to come.” The Lady Porcupine writing course, which runs from August 20 to 24 in Newtown, will be run by Gwen Ansell, music/jazz writer and journalism trainer. The week-long course is offered at a fee of R1500 which covers all teaching and materials. Fifteen scholarships will be made available to women candidates who meet the course entry requirements. Music workshops: Thursday August 23 10.30am to 2.30pm Performers: George Duke & Stanley Clarke  Theme: Electric Piano & Synthesiser/Bassline Venue: South West Gauteng College Performers: The Count Basie Orchestra  Theme: Big bands Venue: Music Academy of Gauteng Performers: No Jazz Theme: Slam Jazz Venue: Central Johannesburg College Performer: Delfeayo Marsalis Theme: Trombone and performance techniques Venue: Tshwane University Performer: Common Bond Theme: Jam session Venue: Vaal University Monday August 20 to 24 10am to 5pm Performers: Shannon Mowday Theme: Composition & Performance Techniques Venue: Bassline and other venues For more information contact Mojalefa at T Musicman on 011 326 0141 or email ar@tmusicman.co.za.  More details on the Gwen Ansell’s Lady Porcupine jazz writing course, Shannon Mowday and all other workshops on...

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Young Guns back in Jozi
Jul18

Young Guns back in Jozi

It’s chipile and it’s showcasing a diverse range of fringe musicians, two powerful reasons to get to the next installment of Levi’s Young Guns.  In summary, only R20 at the door lets you check out our rising stars starting this Thurs at the Sunningdale Hotel in Corlett Drive – retro!  GO GO GO!  Get all the info below:   It’s time for power performances in Joburg for July!! It’s that time again – a time when the local live music scene gets a much needed injection of pure attitude, hard-edges and super-loud decibels.  It’s time for power performances and even more potent personalities – a time to rock!  Yes, it’s time for the Levi’s® Young Guns tour to take the national stage and give music lovers a taste of how it’s done when it comes from the heart.  Now in its second year, and riding on a wave of euphoria from the initial events, Levi’s® Young Guns promises to be even brasher, harder and more hypnotic.  It’s a tribute to the musicians who play for the love of it, a big up for today’s upstarts who will be tomorrow’s stars. It all begins in Jozi in July and it’s happening at the city’s favourite cult venue, Hotel Sunningdale. The lineup is split across two nights, showcasing the extreme depth of the Joburg underground.  First up on Thursday the 19th are Kidofdoom and Desmond and the Tutus.  True non-conformists with a broad-minded approach to music-making, Kidofdoom have a unique voice, and sing only in the language of music.  Their broad appeal and dedication to fresh sounds have won them many fans throughout the country.  Their partners in crime on the night, Desmond and The Tutus, are making waves with their awesome blend of Rock ‘n Roll, Indie Kwela Punk and Pure Genius.  As original as they come, but with a flavour that’s infectious to a whole range of fans, their stage show is completely mindblowing. It all gets going again one week later on Thursday the 26th at the same venue.  This time it’s Reason and Nthabi in the house.  Reason is a growing force in the ever-expanding world of local hip hop.  His appeal as both a crowd pleaser and a serious lyricist means that he’s loved by both heads and hedonists alike.  Reason enough to be there.  And another one is female free-styler Nthabi.  A remarkable emcee with a devotion to hip hop, she’s been opening ears and eyes with her upfront lyrics and incisive stage presence.  Don’t miss this chance to see her shine. Thursday 19th July – Kidofdoom and Desmond and The Tutus Thursday 26th July – Reason, Ntabi...

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