Gang of Instrumentals Album Launch
We got our eye on these dudes – we lovin’ their song “My number one” and can’t wait for the album. Catch them live in Jozi in Feb! The Gang of Instrumentals – An army of underground revolutionists Armed with piercing lyrics penetrating your soul Lieutenants of funk; Corporals of beat; Renegades of Rhyme; Soldiers marching to the rhythm of a new sound ‘SALUTE’ – GI’s second, hot new album to be launched mid Feb 2007 Gang of Instrumentals is the scorching hot new band on the South African music scene, with catchy lyrics that manage to fuse African language and English into a synergy of powerful tracks filled to the brim with relevant content and universal truths. The band’s latest musical offering, “Salute” is a balanced mix of vocally challenging songs that truly showcase this extraordinary group’s artistic ability to create fresh new sounds by merging soul and hip hop with a reggae undertone that has a broad appeal across age, race and gender lines. The official launch of GI’s “Salute” is taking place: Date: Thursday, 22 February 2007 Address: Bassline – 10 Henry Nxumalo Street – Newtown Music Centre – Jo’burg Time: 18h30...
Q&A: Mind Your Head
Mind Your Head is about providing a cultural space/ junction for independent thinking people; those who go against the grain of popular/ mainstream trends, not for the sake of being ‘different’ but for asserting their existence outside the mediocrity that is constantly fed to people everyday in broadcast, electronic and print media. Mind Your Head is about minding one’s head in every respect. Those are words straight from the horses’ mouth, Seed and CAP of Mind Your Head are this weeks Q&A and they shed light on what the establishment is all about… RR: When was Mind Your Head (MYH) established? MYH: As far as the conception of the idea; around January 2006, it officially opened doors on the 1st of September 2006. RR: What is in the name? MYH: The name is a consultative comment on our information- crammed 21st century culture; one can- as most are- be easily swallowed in trend- excesses and lose sight of the little things that matter. We are merely advocating the cautious consumption of everything: be it food, music, knowledge, etc- although our primary trajectory is culture. It really has to do with being aware of that which you put in your head; art, belief, politics, etc. That the main entrance is a small door way, that is only incidental, but the pun nonetheless is welcomed. RR: What is the concept of MYH? MYH: In the guise of a music lounge and cocktail bar, it’s about people genuinely interacting, sharing a good laugh, conversation to the sound of funk/ jazz/ hiphop/ ska/ dub/ soul etc… The broader picture has to do with developing a hub for artistic innovation and giving a platform to musicians, fine artists, photographers and filmmakers who have yet to display their mantle to larger audiences. They may not necessarily be up-and-coming but thrive on the margins. RR: Who are the people behind the concept? MYH: The ‘MYH team’ is a mesh of artists and professionals essentially on a course of pop-culture transcendence. N Masondo; founder/ filmmaker, N Mngadi; founder/ photographer, M Buthelezi; graphic designer and D Koetle; PR consultant. As well as others who work and assisted in varying degrees, from putting pen to paper, picking up a paint brush or giving moral support towards the idea and the work that comes with it. No names, they know who… RR: Which are the best days for people to go through? MYH: That depends on what your preference is, our calendar includes fortnightly film screenings, dub nights, live jazz/ soul, hip-hop performances, art exhibitions, cocktail nights and other events, all of which you can check out on: www.myspace.com/transcendpopculture. Nothing’s ever the...
Netsayi Live in Jozi!
Every once in a while there comes a singer who makes you want to sit up and listen. One such singer is Netsayi. Described by the UK Observer Music Monthly as “Brave enough to stand alone and be counted”- the London based Zimbabwean singer, songwriter, Mbira player, guitarist kicks off her Southern African homecoming tour in Jozi in Feb! With her Netsayi brings her album Chimurenga Soul, billed by The Guardian as “One of the finest debut’s of 2006”. En route from Brazil via the Busara Music Festival in Zanzibar and before returning to the UK to tour throughout Europe in 2007 make sure you catch this magical music sensation in Jozi. Netsayi started playing on the UK concert circuit in 2001. Within a year she’d built a reputation as a sensitive but powerful live performer who was holding her own on some of the world’s most prestigious stages including The Royal Albert, Queen Elizabeth Halls, Barbican, the Hammersmith Apollo and WOMAD. In 2004 Netsayi set up her own record label aptly named Militant Prince. Much like her personality, Netsayi’s music defies easy labels. It is individual, articulate and unmistakably African. Her sense of vocals leans toward soulful jazz. The instruments, the rhythm and thoughtful arrangements draw from Mbira, Latin, Jazz and Rock. Her lyrics, heartfelt and unafraid, are a heady mixture of the political and the personal. Chimurenga Soul was released in the UK to critical acclaim and saw Netsayi being signed to the influential Netherlands-based label, World Connections in 2006… Now Netsayi is coming home. Netsayi is brought to you by African Synergy/Book Café an initiative working to break the cultural isolation between African countries by stimulating a network of music promoters, venues and festivals throughout Africa to provide a workable ‘tour circuit’ for African artists. Details: Thurs 15th Feb 2007 Roka, 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark 8:00pm (With the eclectic Obita!) R50 Friday 16th Feb 2007 Horror Café, Newtown 10:00pm (Featuring UK based Rwandese DJ Eric Soul of Afrogroov) R50 Saturday 17th Feb 2007 Kippies, Newtown 9:30pm R75 Sunday 18th Feb 2007 Kippies, Newtown 7:00pm (Netsayi will be launching the first in a series of soothing Sunday evening jam sessions at the legendary Jazz venue.)...
4 days to go to win a car make over!
If you didn’t know, now you know: you’ve only got two days left to turn that piece of metal sitting on bricks in the back yard into your super new sexy toy on wheels! Yep, have your ride pimped, jacked up, teased, whatever you wanna call it…Channel O in association with Autostyle Motorsport are giving away one Channel O viewer a car make over kit to die for. The winner will walk away with a prize worth R40, 000.00 of style and sound accessories for his or her car. From Autostyle’s range of exclusive body kits and car audio the winner’s car will be enhanced with among others the following: 17” Autostyle Chrome Sulphide Alloy Wheels including tyres, STARSOUND complete audio/dvd install including colour screens, subwoofers, amplifiers… Interior accessories…racing pedals, steering wheels, gearknobs… A pair of reclinable Autostyle racing seats Bodystyling Jamex suspension kit And much much more! To be eligible to enter the competition, you must be between the ages of 18 – 30, be the owner of the car and live in South Africa. You also need to include a picture of your car and write in no more than 100 words why your car deserves a make over. The competition ends on Friday 16 February, can be entered via the Channel O website: http://www.channelo.co.za/ The winner will be announced a week after the closing date and his or her car will be featured on Mzanzi Ridez in...
Ticket Giveaway: Calling all Capetonians in Jozi!
The organizers are calling this one the party is for ‘ex pats’ to get together and party the way they would if they were back in Cape Town! How is that? You ask yourself as a full time Jozi citizen, well try Funky DJ’s playing good … no, make that great music, some of the best in Ol’ Skool Jazz and R&B hits, a lovely chilled atmosphere and just an all round lekker vibe. We are hooking you up with three double tickets to the party… The idea was originated by a group of tight friends, all originally from Mitchell’s Plain in Cape Town who have been living and working in Jozi for the past 4- 8 years. They wanted to revive the warm feeling and goose bumps they (and a whole lot of other Capetonians) got when they heard their favorite old school songs on the radio. When they would scream “this is my song!!!” and got up to do the ‘Bart’ or ‘Spaceboy’ or the infamous ‘Running man’!If you’re thinking “Huh?” then you need to be at this party to learn all of these super cool moves! For one night you can all forget about the hustle and bustle of Jozi’s fast paced lifestyle, forget about worrying what the next one is going to think about your ‘outfit’, the Classique Party is all about a relaxed environment where people can just be who we truly are… Capetonian! Unfortunately, they won’t be bringing the beach with them this time round, but watch this space as the parties will take place monthly, the next one being at the end of March 2007. Who needs the beach anyway when the DJ line up consists of an all Capetonian ensamble of Natano, better known to Capetonians as Nate Dogg, formally from Good Hope FM, Clint the Legend from the legendary Cape Town nightclub The Galaxy and DJ Shaun Harry, who’s taken Jozi by storm in the past three years with his tight sets at clubs like Satala, Taboo and many more around the city. They’ll be bringing the house down with all the best ol’ skool R&B and jazz from the 90’s and just incase you thought you were not invited, Jozi peeps, you too can come along to the vibe (tone it down a notch tho… remember you’ll be in Cape Town for one night only!) This party is the first of its kind, and the organizers are looking forward to it becoming a big hit over here! Details: Venue: Roka Date: 10th Feb 2007 Cost: R50 Time: 20h00 Represent is giving away three double- tickets to some of our...
Ticket Giveaway: Heavyweight Comedy Jam
Heavyweight Comedy Jam Returns, Fitter and Funnier Than Ever Before! This February sees the return of South Africa’s hottest comedy event when the Heavyweight Comedy Jam takes to the Centre Court stage at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg. We are giving away two double tickets, so you and your partner can laugh your butts off and tell us all about it… Fast earning a reputation as the only place to have your funny bone tickled by the best in the business, 94.7 and Emperors Palace will host the first 2007 Heavyweight Comedy Jam on Friday February 9th at 20h00 – and the line-up is guaranteed to send comedy fans into a spin (that is once they’ve recovered from Laila Ali’s super middleweight fight against Gwendolyn O’Neil which takes place just days before!) Heading the side-splitting list of comedic heavyweights is Canada’s Tom Stade who, legend has it, broke out of the deep and dark backwoods to become a star in his home country on the back of such shows as ‘Stade and Confused’. It’s not the first-time that Stade has had South Africans guffawing in the aisles – Johannesburg is among the many international cities that he has played part of an impressive list that includes New York, London and Amsterdam. Known for his offbeat take on a wide range of subject matter, this versatile and compelling comedian has completed a sell-out show at the Adelaide Comedy Festival, and has appeared in a slate of UK comedy shows, including Channel 5’s ‘The Comedy Store’ and BBC TV’s ‘The Live Floor Show’. The list of homegrown heavyweights is just as impressive- with leading comedian, John Vlismas appearing in the Heavyweight Comedy Jam for the first time. Vlismas needs no introduction to comedy fans – over the years his skewered observations and on-point presentation, as well as his commitment to breaking comedic barriers, has earned him a strong following. Darren Simpson will join the event, having recently played a sold-out six-thousand plus show. The now notorious “Whackhead Simpson” wreaks even more havoc on stage than he does as a regular part of the Rude Awakening Breakfast Show with Jeremy Mansfield on 94.7 Also on the bill is the man who is fast gaining a reputation as one of the country’s funniest – Chris Forrest. Dubbed South Africa’s answer to Steve Wright, Chris’ witty and cynical one-line humour is thought provoking and to the point. Totally nerdish and unflappable, his Drew Carey-looks and slowed-up delivery have ensured that audiences take to him enthusiastically and he is racking up a brace of local and international appearances. Martin Jonas’s brand of comedy (which includes some fantastic impressions)...
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