More festivals and small festivals
Watershed (Facebook)
With Koppi still fresh in our memories, we can already start looking forward to the White Mountain Folk Festival at the beautiful Giant's Castle Nature reserve in KZN next month. And don't forget the Kiss "Spring Fest" on 30th August at the Groove Bar!
Watershed
Last week Watershed gave the first live performance of their brand new album in Nelspruit. Entitled “Staring at the Ceiling” this album is Watershed’s fourth offering since the inception of the band a couple of years ago. This concert was not only the performance debut for this album, but also raised money for a local children’s charity - Auto Tec is a children’s foundation and one of the charities that the band is involved with. The band also supports Crime Line and the Teddy Bear Foundation. Says vocalist Craig Hinds: “There’s a point where there is a switch around, where we, as a band, can’t keep taking from the public. We realize that we’ve got to give back. That’s why we do a lot of charity performances.”
Watershed released their debut album: “In the Meantime” in 2000. This album went platinum in SA. The single “Indigo Girl” from this album not only topped charts in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2003, but was also covered by a Chinese boy band – in Mandarin!
Their second album: “Wrapped in Stone” earned the band their first SAMA, and sales of this album were certified gold. Watershed then followed this album with their next SAMA winner: “Mosaic” – another platinum album.
For the first half of this year the band has been recording their fourth album in Sheffield in London. According to the band this album: “Staring at the Ceiling” contains something for everyone, from ballads to solid rock tunes and melodic rock piano tracks. The band has chosen “Breathin’” as the first single from the album. This track shows that even though the band has grown and evolved, they are still on the right track. As Hinds says: “This is another chapter of our growth and learning - looking back over our career I can now see how this has been like building a house – from the foundations up. All along the way you get introduced to experts who offer opinions which you use or discard depending on the value they add to your bigger picture. Sure, there are mistakes made and things you would always do differently, but you end up with something that is unique and beautiful, that has grown from a vision that is entirely your own.”
“Staring at the Ceiling” is now available at music retailers.
White Mountain Folk Festival
White Mountain Lodge, at the foot of the Giant’s Castle Nature reserve in KZN will this year once again host the 3rd annual White Mountain Folk Festival. This festival showcases not only the “softer” side of top SA rock outfits, but also folk and blues – or any other genre that can be performed acoustically. Acts that are already confirmed are Prime Circle, Tree63, Kitchen, Cabins in the Forest, Dave McMillan and Van der Hoven featuring Henry Steel amongst others.
Apart from known as well as up & coming artists, there is a variety of activities to choose from. Ranging from hiking, boating and bass fishing to abseiling down a 45m cliff or fuffi sliding across a 100m-wide gorge, festival goers are sure to be entertained.
The White Mountain Folk Festival will run from the 24th – 28th September 2008 to coincide with Heritage Day and school holidays. For tickets and festival info visit www.whitemountain.co.za.
Kiss “Spring Fest”
With all the rock/alternative/metal fests going on, all the house fans will be thrilled to hear that the spring season will not only bring better weather but also the annual Kiss “Spring Fest”.
On the 30th August, the newly renovated Groove Bar in Midrand will be host to this non-stop party, which will also serve as the launch of the 12PM House Edition album. Originally called only “12PM” and mixed by Sasha Marteningo and Ian F, this album has been a top seller in the dance genre from its start. The 12PM House Edition is mixed by Heath Cordier – who brings you the hottest tracks on dance floors and charts, as well as DJ Speedy – who brings you the latest tracks straight from Ibiza.
This Spring Fest will feature 5 dance floors with 27 top SA DJ’s. Expect the absolute cream of the SA crop: DJ’s such as Kyle Watson, Small Paul, Lady Lea, Mlu. Heath Cordier and Roger D’Lux will be spinning the decks until the early hours of the morning.
Tickets is selling at R120 (pre sale) or R140 at the door. For more info visit www.kissparty.co.za.
Isaac Hayes
On Sunday the 10th August, Isaac Hayes passed away. He was reportedly found unconscious on the floor next to his treadmill. He was then taken to Baptist East Hospital in Memphis where he was later pronounced dead. Deputies at the local Sheriff’s Department do not suspect foul play.
Hayes was about to begin working on his new album for Stax Records. Recently he completed the movie: “Soul Men” in which he appears as himself. This movie also features Samuel L Jackson and Bernie Mac, who also passed over the weekend due to pneumonia.
Hayes played an integral part in the development of soul in the 60’s. But not only was he a soul singer, songwriter, musician and producer, he was also the voice of South Park’s Chef. The character of Chef was originally intended to be a once-off appearance, but his popularity grew extremely quick and producers decided to keep him on permanently.
Hayes, an avid Scientologist, parted with the show after a 2005 episode that he felt degraded the religion.
Hayes’ legacy will live on not only through his own albums, but also through the songs he wrote for other musicians such as Sam & Dave’s “Soul Man” and Johnnie Talor’s “I Had a Dream”
Paul E Flynn’s Solo Debut
Front man of the multi-award winning band Sugardrive, Paul E Flynn, has just released his solo debut. After touring Sugardrive’s last album: “Love Etc…” Flynn and long time friend, Theo Crous (Springbok Nude Girls guitarist) entered the studio to work on this project. Entitled: “Fields” this 11-track album has a Van Morrison, James and Morrissey feel to it. Flynn says that working solo has “…taken me back to my roots…” and that this album is a “…raggle-taggle celebration of the music I grew up listening to.” After Sugardrive, Flynn has performed with Arno Carstens, Craig Hinds, Josie Field, Albert Frost as well as Cito (Wonderboom) in their band: Absinthe. “Fields” is available in-store now.
iTunes still Leads
In recent years a lot of successful online music contenders have surfaced, but Apple’s iTunes Store still leads the market. According to research done recently, iTunes held on to the number 1 spot for the first half of 2008. The survey was conducted on consumers 13 years and over, and quizzed them about their music purchases of CD’s, music downloads and tracks from wireless services. Entertainment analyst Russ Crupnick said: “We expect Apple will consolidate its lead in the retail music market, as CD sales continue to slow. Amazon’s CD buyers tend to be older, so they haven’t abandoned the CD format to the extent seen in the average music buyer. Plus Amazon’s successful introduction of its digital download store will help the company improve its position in the future.”
In short
- The US will soon suffer Lemmings-fever as the SA acoustic rockers embark on their first ever US tour. The band will perform in Texas in September and then move on to LA in October. Check out The Lemmings’ MySpace page for updates.
- Streetlamp welcomes Xabiso. She grew up in a musical family with both parents having music in their veins. Xabiso was part of the Kwaito outfit: Maxque but the group has since disbanded and Xabiso is now hard at work on her debut album. Check out: “There You Are” and “Malingatshoni”.
- Check out the new video by Maz. This Swati rap song: “Les’ Gubhu” is the second video Maz has uploaded. He has worked with artists such as Bongo Maffin and Mafikizolo, and his goal is to put Swaziland on the “hip-hop map”. Looks to me like he is succeeding.
- Check out our backtracks. These are high quality tracks at extremely competitive prices…perfect for performers, both professional and shower level!
- Dannii Minogue has recently expressed her wish to duet with sister Kylie. The Australian singer, who will soon judge hopeful music acts on the next UK X Factor, said: “I did a duet with Kylie on her tour last year - we sang “Kids” which was amazing” and added that she would love to do it again.
- Coldplay’s Chris Martin has said this week that it is not impossible that Miley Cirus will support them on a couple of shows on their current tour. The Hannah Montana star recently admitted that her ideal man is a 16 year old Chris Martin. Chris in turn said that Miley “seems sweet” and the band will play with anyone they like and respect.
- Grammy award winner: Mary J Blige is being sued for $2 million by the Drama Family Entertainment company. According to the suit, which was filed last week, the song: “Work That” on her Growing Pains album was created by a producer who was in their employ at the time.
- John Lennon’s killer, Mark Chapman has been denied bail for the fifth time. Despite a clean record since 1994, Chapman’s parole officers decided that it “…would not be in the best interest of the community…” to release him at this stage. Yoko Ono lobbied against his parole saying that Chapman would be hunted down and killed by Lennon’s loyal fans if he was ever released from prison.
Music Trivia
Usher holds the record for the most weeks spent at number one in a calendar year. In 2004 four different singles of his spent a total of 28 weeks at number 1, for a total of 54% of 2004’s chart weeks.
If you've got breaking news or want to comment on ours, drop Skyla an e-mail here: skyla@streetlamp.co.za
Sources:
www.whitemountain.co.za; www.wikipedia.org; www.tonight.co.za; www.mtv.com; www.jacarandafm.com; www.powerzone.co.za; www.news24.com; www.music-trivia-world.com; www.kissparty.co.za; mp3.about.com; www.watershed.co.za