Musical force set to blow city’s way

POWER DUO: Drummer/percussionist Gareth Gale and guitarist Guy Buttery perform at the Barnyard Theatre on Monday.

POWER DUO: Drummer/percussionist Gareth Gale and guitarist Guy Buttery perform at the Barnyard Theatre on Monday.

Published Aug 6, 2014

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WHAT do you get when you throw in an award-winning guitarist like Guy Buttery together with a drummer and percussionist extraordinaire like Gareth Gale? I’m guessing one helluva show which should entertain audiences from start to finish.

On Monday, the Barnyard Theatre at Gateway will host a one-off show featuring the dynamic duo, who have just finished a run at the National Arts Festival (NAF), where they received a Standard Bank Silver Ovation Award for Best Music Production out of 4 800 productions.

Known as one of South Africa’s leading percussionists, Gale has performed throughout the world and supported artists such as Snoop Dogg, Pharell, Donovan Frankenreiter and Seether. In 2010, he played at the Rio Loco Festival in France, alongside South African legends such as Hugh Masekela, Johnny Clegg and Freshlyground.

Chatting about the significance of music in his life, Gale says: “The thing I love so much about music is that it transcends so many boundaries on an emotional, spiritual and mental level. I’m so grateful I get to play music and I love the fact that I can draw from various cultures.

“I can pull all these things together on instruments and I love picking up the sticks and being creative. Music runs deep for me.”

Asked about how the concept of working with Buttery on this show came about, Gale says he was exposed to many phenomenal artists, including Buttery, by working with internationally renowned South African guitarist Nibs van der Spuy.

“I began working in Nibs’s group. I was highly exposed to incredible drummers. And it helped shape the drumming I do today.

“Guy and Nibs have always played together and I started playing and had opportunities with the both of them. Guy and I went to the States and Nibs went to France, so we had that level of interaction. And Guy is such a phenomenal talent.

“I’ve been with him since he started and I have massive respect for him. Playing with him must be like driving a Ferrari, that’s what it feels like.”

Gale says the response to the show with Buttery has been amazing and it received much acclaim at the NAF.

“We have had such a wonder- ful experience with playing in Grahamstown and these shows have received incredible responses. We got the Silver Ovation Award and it’s exciting to bring it to Durban because we get to play in our home town and to our friends and family.

“This will be the first time that we’ll be presenting the duo concept with drums and guitar and we really think the audience will get a dynamic experience.

“It’s going to be two artists who are going do their utmost to explore the music and bring it across. It’s very much a blend of cultural aspirations. We both want to take the music as deep and explore it as much as possible,” he says.

• Catch Guy Buttery and Gareth Gale on Monday at the Barnyard Theatre at 8pm. R120. To book call 031 566 3045.

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