Mann Friday in SA
Mann Friday
Mann Friday has come a long way since setting foot on English soil. London has a long and rich tradition of producing world-class musical talent, which can be daunting for most newcomers – but not for Mann Friday!
Mann Friday: The Seven Thin Years?
The last seven years has been anything but “thin” years for rock band Mann Friday. As a matter of fact it has been seven years of conquering international audiences and harvesting fans who had no choice but to be seduced by their emotional yet rocking performances in their new home and playground: the UK. No, the seven years of deprivation was right here on African soil, with fans hopefully checking the horizon for the return of the band who paved the way to the UK for so many others to follow. But the wait is over: Mann Friday is currently on tour and will be releasing their latest album right here on home soil.
In the UK, Mann Friday has achieved much success in making name for themselves on the London gig circuit, and has been the band of choice to support other acts such as Arno Carstens, Plush, Dirty Skirts and Prime Circle when touring. Mann Friday regularly headlines the UK Zimfest – a festival attracting in excess of 5000 people annually.
Their latest album: Waiting For The Flash will be released in SA during next month, and in support of this album Mann Friday are touring South Africa, performing at gigs ranging from Tanz Café in JHB and The Firkin in Durban to the much acclaimed Splashy Fen Festival. During 2002, following their victory in the Battle Of The Bands, Mann Friday packed their bags for the great beyond, and this tour marks their first return in seven years. About time, we’d say! For more info on gigs & venues visit www.mannfriday.com.
Ten Tantalizing Tenors (With Extra Cheese Please)
Need Beer. Must Work. Most students will be able to relate to the plight of the young opera students from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Australia in 1995. Their student life (or beer consumption) was proving much too pricey for their student budgets and so they set out to earn extra bucks by doing what they do best – sing. During the early days their performances were few and far between and aimed mostly at corporate functions, but as news traveled of their quirky humor, heavenly voices and diverse repertoire, the demand for The Ten Tenors (or simply TTT) grew.
During 1998, TTT began a full-time touring schedule. Their early performances was mostly in Australia, but their big break came in 2002 when they were invited to perform at the German entry selection event in anticipation of the Eurovision Song Contest. Literally within hours of this performance, they had sold out every single ticket of their upcoming tour and went on to become one of the most successful touring acts ever in Germany. The break in Germany opened the doors to the rest of the world and soon TTT was touring in many other European and Asian countries as well as the US.
The Ten Tenors has achieved much success with album sales: Their “Here’s To The Heroes” album which was recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios is available in 27 countries, and their 2008 “Nostalgica” album has achieved platinum status. Still preferring performing as opposed to recording, TTT are touring 10 months of each year, performing around 250 shows around the globe on 5 different continents, and winning over crowds with their renditions of anything from Bohemian Rhapsody and Dancing Queen to Nessum Dorma and Largo Al Factotum.
The recipe of TTT’s success is the fact that they are as entertaining & brilliant whether you are a classic connoisseur, a pop fan or a rock rebel, and for two shows only, South Africa will get to experience first hand why an astonishing 77 million people have attended performances by TTT during the past few years. On 28 March TTT will be bringing their Nostalgica show to the Grand Arena in Cape Town, and from there they’ll move to Carnival City in Johannesburg on the 3rd April. Expect all the old favorites such as: “Bésame Mucho”, “Granada” and “Stand By Me”. For tickets and more info visit www.computicket.com.
Feeling Earl Grey And Croquet
The music of Earl Grey And Croquet will not be tagged, stereotyped and caged in a specific genre or style. Instead, their blend of folk, blues and rock, takes you on a psychedelic trip back to the days when rock was still in infancy and blues was played in juke joints in New Orleans, and then pulls you right back to crazy, thunderous drum and guitar sounds of the cream of today’s rock crop. Oh what a journey! And a journey that Streetlamp is proud to share. With the track: The Circus now available for download on Streetlamp, Earl Grey and Croquet is the latest addition to our site. Go check it out!
Have You…?
- …played Lily Allen’s game? This is not a game that will keep you stuck in front of your pc for days on end, but it’s the perfect breather needed on a Friday afternoon when you’ve had enough of a long week and a demanding boss. Play it here.
- …listened to Louise Eksteen’s Squeel Like A Pig? This track has such a dark Skin/Massive Attack feel to it. Absolutely love it!
- …checked out Britney’s new video? The video for If U Seek Amy was released a couple of weeks ago. This track is done in true Brit-style (no, not barefoot with hotpants, a ciggie dangling from her lips, a child on her hip, and a drug dealer on speed dial) but with the clear intention of causing a stir…listen to the lyrics.
- …read Jonathan Shaw’s “The South African Music Business”? This book is a must-read for anybody in the music business – especially if you’re new in the industry – and will give you a better understanding of the workings of the many intricate facets that makes up the weird and wonderful world that is the SA music scene. Get your copy here.
- …heard that Greenday’s brand new video “Know Your Enemy” will premiere on MTV on the 24th April? This track is the first single from their forthcoming 21st Century Breakdown album.
- ...checked out our backtracks section? With quality tracks ranging from Lianie May’s Bel Bel Bel and Jy Soen My Nie Meer Nie to The Proclaimers’ 500 Miles and Guns n Roses’ Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door you are sure to find a track that will light your fire.
- …heard about long-time Smashing Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin leaving the band? This brings the member count down to…1! Yep, only Billy Corgan is left now, but says he will soldier on. According to Chamberlin he decided to move on after realizing that he can “…no longer commit all of my energy into something that I don’t fully possess…”
Snippets
- To celebrate the upcoming NIN/JA 2009 tour, Nine Inch Nails has launched www.ninja2009.com, a website where you can download exclusive, previously-unreleased tracks from NIN as well as their 2 supporting acts from this tour: Jane’s Addiction and Street Sweeper. You can also remix tracks by both Jane’s Addiction as well as Street Sweeper on http://remix.nin.com . Jane’s Addiction is an American alternative rock band that was formed in 1985. Street Sweeper is a rap/rock group that was formed in 2006 and are set to release their debut album later this year. Notably, the guitarist for Street Sweeper is none other than Tom Morello. (Rage Against The Machine).
- Another 2 bands have pledged their support to the WWF Earth Hour campaign. Both Holly and the Woods and One Track Down will be performing unplugged sets in support of this cause. The WWF Earth Hour campaign urges people to switch off all lights and electrical equipment/appliances from 20H30 on the 28th March for only 1 hour.
- Not being an artist to sit still for very long – both professionally as well as personally (getting rid of Guy Ritchie, a quick romance with baseball player Alex Rodriguez and lining up new lover 22 year old Jesus Luz in say, 4 Minutes!) - Madonna is already heading back to studio to record tracks for her upcoming greatest hits album. This album will follow her very successful 2008 Hard Candy album and her much publicized Sticky & Sweet tour, and will consist of old favorites as well as some new material.
- On Sunday 29th March, Bassline in Johannesburg will host Make Some Noise – a concert bringing artists from all over the African continent together to call for change and freedom in Zimbabwe. The date was chosen as it is exactly one year since Zimbabwe’s very “democratic” elections. Expect artists such as Kwani Experience collaborating with Pops Mohamed, Napo Masheane and Tumi and the Volume ft. Zubz from South Africa, TJ Dema from Botswana, 340ml from Mozambique and Steve Makoni & Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka from Zim.
- Johannesburg-based community station: Radio Today has much to celebrate. After 5 years of battling with arrears SARS, SITE, UIF and SAMRO payments, the station is now finally out of the red. The station was on the brink of being closed-down but with the (mostly volunteer) board of directors dedicated to keep the station open, their debt amounting to more than R5 million is now paid off.
You Said It!
“I want to do a musical movie. Like Evita, but with good music.”
Elton John
“I don’t deserve a Songwriters Hall of Fame Award. But fifteen years ago, I had a brain operation and I didn’t deserve that, either. So I’ll keep it.”
Quincy Jones
“If I didn’t do this well, I just wouldn’t have anything to do... I can’t cook, and I’d be a terrible housewife.”
Freddy Mercury
“I don’t like country music, but I don’t mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means ‘put down’.”
Bob Newhart
Okay, enough talk. Now let's get a mail out to that girl. Who's that girl? No, not Madonna - it's skyla@streetlamp.co.za
Sources:
www.isound.com; www.computicket.com; www.wikipedia.org; www.thetentenors.com; www.ewn.co.za; www.powerzone.co.za; www.bizcommunity.com; www.mio.co.za; www.grinningplanet.com; www.ninja2009.com; www.flamedrop.com; www.sheerdance.co.za; www.myspace.com/earlgreyandcroquet; www.nin.com; www.myspace.com/hollyandthewoods; www.myspace.com/mannfriday; www.mtv.com