The Stellenbosch Klein Libertas Theatre is buzzing with its usual, early-Wednesday-evening crowd: skinny black jeans and laddered stockings abound; and I feel slightly out of place as I sip in solitude on my drink and try desperately to avoid the stickiness of the beer covered, six-seater table I am sitting at. Not the greatest start [...]
OppiKoppi rocks new talent
With the “Sexy. Crooked. Teeth.” 2010 OppiKoppi Festival recently behind us, those of you who were present may have noticed a string of fresh (and some not so fresh) faces within the band line-up. Indeed, amongst well-known talents such as Taxi Violence, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Gang of Instrumentals, the spotlight was also on artists [...]
Former Tree63 lead singer, John Ellis speaks his mind
John Ellis of the once popular Christian rock band, Tree63 recently gave me a few minutes of his time and revealed what goes on in the mind of a so-called ‘rebel of religion’. Here’s what he had to say: How has becoming a solo artist changed the way you feel about making music? I feel [...]
Album Review: “Secrets and Lies”, Bertie Blackman
Australian born singer-songwriter and guitarist, Bertie Blackman recently released her latest album, Secrets and Lies (2009); and if you enjoy bands such as Frou Frou and Feist, you may just agree that it is an outstanding collection of tunes. Indeed, this thirteen track indie-rock-electronica album is a compilation of soul-wrenching, brutally honest tracks in which [...]
Maties graduation day preparation: Ten tips
At the end of this year, the lucky students amongst you will be marking the end of an academic journey – one which will surely conjure up memories of blood sweat and tears; of Klippies, Cola, and of Jool; of days spent lazing in the sun on the steps of the bib and of nights [...]
Buthelezi’s art goes green
It is not often that in viewing a selection of art, one is overcome by national pride, by the desire to make our environment a cleaner one, and by a resolute determination to want to spread the artist’s message further. Mbongeni Buthelezi’s work, however, manages to have this effect. Internationally acclaimed South African artist, Buthelezi [...]
Cape Town: A mecca for jazz cats
Whether it’s the liveliness of the 1920’s Swing hits, the sexiness of sultry Blues tunes or the beat of Afro-jazz that quickens your pulse, one thing is for sure- if you love jazz, Cape Town is one of your best bets. In case you were interested, Capetownian jazz originated in the late 1800’s during South [...]
Hard work and raw talent at the Stellenbosch Drama Department
As a student with a demanding schedule and deadlines lurking around every new corner, one is often simply too besieged by the academic treadmill to appreciate the myriad of rich cultural experiences that await our attention- those that, if you let them, promise only to add to one of the most unforgettable times of your [...]
Tidal Waves band interview
The moment Tidal Waves struck their first note at Bohemia in Stellenbosch on the evening of the 11th of February 2010, a wave of surprise swept through the audience; and all pre-conceived ideas of what a reggae band should sound like flew out the window. The sweltering heat and the sweat dripping down those jamming [...]