Mikanic: In From The Cold
Mikanic is back in South Africa with a number of shows in February and March, and more dates to be added soon. The Cape Town duo Mike and Nick kick off the tour in Johannesburg with two acoustic shows. Shirzad and Alex will join them for the remaining dates ending at the spectacular Oude Libertas amphitheater in Stellenbosch and the much anticipated Sons of Trout reunion show on the 24th of February at Mercury in Cape Town. Mikanic was formed in 2003, with Michael Rennie on violin & vocals and Nick Turner on acoustic guitar & vocals. Both musicians were already well known on the South African music scene having founded Sons of Trout, one of the country’s top selling acts. With Trout they headlined every major music festival in the country and toured extensively, releasing four albums and opening for a number of international artists. In 2004 Mikanic released its first album, Swimming with the Women, to great critical acclaim and popular success. The album crossed musical boundaries, established Mikanic’s characteristic sound, and provided the springboard for their departure to the USA. Now based in New York, Mikanic’s line-up features musicians from Japan (Yasuhito Sasaki on lead guitar), India (Shirzad Khusrokhan on bass) and the USA (Alex Beckmann on drums). Mikanic’s music effortlessly spans genres with influences ranging from rock, reggae and African to hip-hop and jazz. Lyrically powerful, relevant, humorous and energetic, the music has a wide appeal. With shows that feature virtuosic musicianship, funky grooves and catchy tunes, Mikanic has quickly become one of New York’s hottest live acts. In June 2005, upon returning from tours in the UK and South Africa, Mikanic released a powerful second album, The Subway Tracks, showcasing the diversity and the instant appeal of their sound. Mikanic also toured Japan with great success. Among other shows, the band played sold-out concerts at Sweet Basil and Mandala in Tokyo and at Olive Hall in Takamatsu, collaborating with some of Japan’s biggest stars, and appearing live on radio and TV. Mikanic has played many of New York City’s legendary venues including CBGB’s, Ace of Clubs and The Knitting Factory. They have also performed at the UN, Lincoln Center and at 9/11 memorial services held at Ground Zero in 2004 and 2005. Mikanic’s universal appeal lies in the sincerity and positive energy of their music. Their new single Sweet Radio is mastered and up on MySpace. Click here to listen to it. South African Tour line-up: Wed, 07 Feb 2007, Tanz Café, Brynston (Duo) Thurs, 08 Feb 2007, Kippies, Newtown (Duo) Fri, 09 Feb 2007, Kippies, Newtown Sun, 11 Feb 2007, Bassline, Newtown...
49th Grammy Awards – Live and exclusive!
It’s that time of the year again- the biggest music awards show is around the corner, brought to you by Channel O; the 49th Annual Grammy Awards will hit your screens live and exclusive on Monday, 12 February at 03:00am Central African Time. strictly for the insomniacs, the show promises all of the incredible excitement, energy and top music that make the annual broadcast “music’s biggest night”. Mary J Blige tops the nominations with eight, while will.i.am earned five nods. Beyoncè, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake and Gnarls Barkley received four nominations each. Five of Mary J’s nominations are in the R&B field. Missy Elliot competes with male rappers in the Best Rap Solo Performance category with “We Run This”. On the home front, the Soweto Gospel Choir earned a nomination in the Best Traditional World Music Album for Blessed, while Ladysmith Black Mambazo earned themselves two nominations for their album Long Walk to Freedom. The nominations are in the categories Best Contemporary World Music Album and Best Surround Sound Album. Some of the artists billed to perform in the evening include Beyoncè, Christina Aguilera, the Black Eyed Peas and Justin Timberlake among others. The show will repeat on M-Net on Monday evening at...
George Benson and Al Jarreau: “Givin’ It Up”
Have you heard? The kings of cool are coming to town! Grammy- Award winning superstars George Benson and Al Jarreau will give three unique, once-in-a-lifetime concert performances, together in SA in March! They will be performing in Johannesburg at the Coca Cola Dome, Durban at the International Convention Centre, Cape Town at the Bellville Veladrome, and they will also perform at an exclusive private concert as part of the official opening ceremony of the Arena at the International Convention Centre, Durban. While enjoying the world-wide success of “Givin’ It Up”, their first full length CD collaboration together, (released on 24 October 2006), George Benson and Al Jarreau recently began a worldwide promotional tour, performing only in a few selected countries, including South Africa. Local audiences have the rare opportunity and privilege to see two of the world’s finest artists on stage together, accompanied by the Benson/ Jarreau touring musicians. Throughout his career George Benson has embraced everything from straight-ahead jazz to contemporary jazz and R&B/ pop vocals. He is one of a handful of artists who have achieved major critical and commercial success in different genres and this pedigree makes him one of the most respected performers of the past 30 years. Al Jarreau’s unique vocal style and his innovative musical expressions have made him one of the most exciting and critically acclaimed performers of our time. Between them, George Benson and Al Jarreau have sold over 50 million records, had 20 number one hits and won 13 Grammy Awards across pop, jazz and R&B categories. “Givin’ It Up”, the new release teaming singer/guitarist/songwriter George Benson with vocalist extraordinaire/songwriter Al Jarreau marks the first time the two artists have recorded together in their 30-year friendship. The Benson and Jarreau collaboration resulted in new arrangements of each other’s respective biggest hits, “Breezin’” and “Mornin’”. “Givin’ it Up” unites Benson and Jarreau for the first time and features guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Marcus Miller and Chris Botti. It includes “Tutu”, a homage to Bishop Desmond Tutu, featuring special guest Herbie Hancock on acoustic piano. It has been nominated for three Grammy Awards to be announced on 11 February 2007. “Mornin’” was nominated for best pop instrumental, “Breezin’” for best R&B vocal performance by a duo or group and “God Bless The Child” featuring Jill Scott for best traditional R&B vocal performance. Details: Johannesburg: Coca Cola Dome, Northgate Sunday, 18 March 2007 18h00 Durban: International Convention Centre Wednesday, 21 March 2007 (Human Right’s Day) 19h00 Cape Town: Bellville Veladrome Thursday, 22 March 2007 20h00 Ticket prices range from R200- R450. Book now by calling Computicket on 083 915 8000, or...
Fashion Icon, Gavin Rajah joins the Paris elite
As you already know Represent is a big supporter of local talent and we track them down anywhere in the world! Like our very own Gavin Rajah who showed his Spring /Summer collection last week during Paris Fashion Week at the Cercle de l’Union Interalliée to a VIP audience of celebrities, dignitaries, media and fashion buyers. He’s also doing his bit for charity so that’s a big pat on the back from us! UNICEF and Rajah announced their partnership in championing the rights of children and in particular their development and protection. Having achieved local international success, Rajah felt the time was right to give something back to the community. A percentage of all the Gavin Rajah clothing and accessory sales will be donated to UNICEF. Rajah joins celebrities such as David Beckham, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Robbie Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Yassou N’Dour and Roger Federer in their commitment to supporting UNICEF. The Rajah collection was designed and created by a team of South Africans in his atelier in Cape Town. Gavin Rajah was inspired by the eclecticism and oriental occidentalism of the 1970’s, reflecting the Maharishi cults of that era, when new-age thinkers flocked to the Far East in search of the meaning of life. Rajah played with proportions and volume in a new way. Rather than an obvious use of masses of fabric, Rajah created volume by cutting on the bias and layering fabrics, which add volume and mystery; complemented by the use of hosiery. The collection, alive with colour, proportion and rituals, reflected psychedelic reverie. Rajah joined forces with Cameo, South Africa, to manufacture unique hosiery that adds to the mood of the collection. Bamboo linens have been laminated with a metallic finish together with silk mousselines and finely beaded tulles and laces, ranging from almost Baroque detailing to earlier Gothic. Exotic skins such as crocodile and ostrich add intrigue, mystery and an edge to the collection. Despite his international success, Rajah remains true to his South African roots and will bring his couture collection back to share with South Africans at the Audi Joburg Fashion Wek on the 17th February 2007.The Gavin Rajah store is now open at Cavendish Square, Cape Town (Ground Floor, next to Mugg and...
Hit Me With Music: A Tribute to a Legend
Our brother site JHBLive is having a party and we thought we would be good sistas and fill you guys in on the 411. After all, it is a tribute to the great reggae legend Bob Marley, whose birthday is coming up on the 6th of Feb. Hit Me With Music is a tribute to a man whose lyrics and music rose out of the shantytowns of Jamaica to shape and influence the entire world. Whether you find yourself in a rural African village or on the streets of New York, one thing is certain: Bob Marley’s legend lives on. He is probably the most recognised recording artist to have ever lived. With a mic in one hand and fist in the air, Bob Marley’s message of peace and freedom had the power to bring together warring political parties, to inspire nations to fight for freedom and to give all who heard it hope. Bob Marley never compromised on his ideals and never changed his tune. He remained true to his music and message throughout his life. Expect a night packed full of the hottest reggae, ragga, dancehall, electro, dub, breaks, drum ‘n bass and funk spread over 3 dance floors. Da Details: When: 03 February 2007 from 9pm Where: Carfax, 39 Pim Street , Newtown , Johannesburg The Damage: R60 Da Line-up: Main Floor: Reggae-dub-ragga-funk-house-latin 340 ml Rude Boy Paul KenZhero Levi ‘pon da Mic Rantoboko Electro Floor: Electro-punk-funk-indie-dance-mutantdisco Kid Fonque Offbeat Man KaZaM (with King of Town) Two Twiggs Floor: Hip-hop-breaks-drum ‘n bass Redwood Mr Bong AfroWhitie Blunted Stuntman MPI project Dr Moody For more info click...
Q&A: Pinartbutta – Featured Designer of the month
When I read the word Pinartbutta for the first time I had one of those moments of nothing but fresh air passing through my brain, but after a second glace it appeared to me that it was my favorite midnight snack, brown, smooth and creamy- peanut butter! Or maybe not? Getting into the mind of the man behind the name will ensure that you keep your thinking cap on at all times because you never know what might be behind a simple illustration… Click here to see Represent’s designer of the month’s portfolio. Mzwandile Buthelezi is a designer slash illustrator slash street artist slash graffiti writer slash whatever you’d like to call a guy that spends mad hours with brushes, paint, ink, computers, toys…whatever people with these titles like to keep in their company. (He wrote that) He actually prefers to be called an artist because he believes that that’s what he really is. Represent commissioned Mzwandile to create the first 007 wallpaper (the fab picture you see as the backdrop of the site) and whilst he was busy with that, share with us some of the things that make a designer what he is. RR: Where did you grow up? MB: I grew up in Soweto, Johannesburg and that’s where I went to school as well. RR: What is pinartbutta? MB: Well, “butter” is actually a hip- hop term for something that looks good or when you all good, you’d say “I’m all butter”, I like making pretty pictures that make people feel good… RR: What is pinartbutta all about? MB: I developed a project back in college called pinartbutta where I used to make photocopies of my artwork with positive messages or just stupid stuff to make people’s days lighter and I’d pin them up on boards around college (they never stayed up for long though, I’d turn a corner and they’d be gone). I’m not sure how I got to call it pinartbutta… I guess I liked the sound of the name. RR: Do you like peanut butter? MB: Yes please, make the peanut butter thick with jam… RR: Why did you get into design? MB: I was a graffiti artist before I got into design; I still do graffiti; that’s where I developed my interest in typography. I studied Fine Arts for a while but it was boring and also a bit lame so when I found out about an exciting world where I could play with the alphabet and still draw…it sounded cool to me so I quit Fine Arts and enrolled for a course in Design. I also needed to take my art a step ahead…moving into...
Proudly brought to you by:
