Who is Aaron Nel?

He feels that with art you should be compelled to listen again, look again at a painting...

Aaron Nel was raised in a small town named Marble Hall as Du Toit Nel.  At his local primary school he was taught to play guitar at age 10.

He went to high school at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool - Affies - in Pretoria. He describes himself as being a bit of a chameleon at school, fitting into both the "jock" and the "revolutionists" groups.

Aaron always loved music, and he knew that was what he was really good at. He was the one who was always putting together bands and singing groups that would cover the likes of Colour Me Bad and others of that time. Nirvana and Pearl Jam burst onto the scene and Aaron was hooked. He taught himself all the songs' chords and the lyrics to albums like In Utero, Ten, Achtung Baby and Keep the Faith.
 
He finished school at Empangeni High School. By now his repertoire also included bands like Alice in Chains, Violent Femmes, U2, Metallica, Led Zeppelin and many others. He went on to study music at Natal Technicon.

Streetlamp: To those who have yet to hear your music, how would you describe your sound?
 
Aaron Nel: Guitar textures that are close to the heart.
 
SL: Who are your main musical influences?
 
AN: Carlos Santana, Dire Straits, and Jazz Guitarist Ronnie Jordan.
 
SL: Do you write your own songs?
 
AN: Yes.
 
SL: What is your music about? Is there an underlying message?
 
AN: My messages aren't always obvious, and that's how I prefer it. I feel that with art you should be compelled to listen again, look again at a painting etc. Mostly I'd say that I am stirred by current events, community news and so on. I have opinions on what's happening globally and locally that I like to express in music.
 
SL: How do you write music? Do the words come first or the music?
 
AN: It varies. Sometimes a song will come along with an emotion - with music and lyrics all rolled into one - and writing it is a matter of minutes. Other times I'm playing around with musical ideas and different instruments. If something develops out of that that I feel could be a song, I keep it. Then generally the idea of what the song is going to be about as in the Lyrics comes later.

SL: If you could collaborate with any musical artist, who would it be?
 
AN: Sting.
 
SL: If you could perform anywhere in the world, where would it be?
 
AN: Central Park, NYC.
 
SL: Where is your favourite place to play music (venue)?
 
AN: Kwencher's Family Pub, Durban.

SL: Do you play any cover songs when you perform? If so, which ones?
 
AN: Yes, mostly in Durban, you find that there are songs that people expect to hear when a live musician is playing. They range from Hotel California to Sultans of Swing etc. If you can do proper tribute to these songs you find that the audience will enjoy you original material.

SL: What do you do to pay the bills, or does your music earn you enough?

AN: I teach guitar from home as well as at Durban Preparatory High School, so that mostly does it.

SL: What's your outlook on the record industry today?
 
AN: There is hardly one to mention in this country. We mostly get fed what is doing well in the UK and USA, and the public has been conditioned to expect that. We need more co-operation from radio.
 
SL: What are the biggest obstacles for upcoming bands or artists?
 
AN: With bands you find that there is normally one person who does all the work, the rest are along for the ride. Insufficient Musical Skills.

SL: What inspires you?
 
AN: My belief that things were created to be a certain way; the reason/s why they are not.

SL: What music do you listen to?
 
AN: I love Jazz.

SL:The best album you ever bought?
 
AN: Ronnie Jordan - A Brighter Day.

SL: "You'll know you've made it when..."
 
AN: My SAMRO royalty Cheque exceeds my yearly income!

SL: "It'll be time to pack up the gear for good when..."

AN: I Die.
 
SL: "I'll never forget the first time I..."
 
AN: Listened to my voice played back and thought "eeeeuw...."

SL: What are your plans for the future?
 
AN: Finishing my solo album for June/July 2008, gig, work.... hard.

SL: Is there any other info you would like to share with Streetlamp fans?
 
AN: Be true to yourself, thanks for supporting your artists, KEEP IT REAL!

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