Asleep in Transit rise and shine

Published Dec 4, 2013

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WHAT more could you ask for than a few happy hours of chilled live music in a family friendly environment? If this idea sounds appealing to you, then don’t miss the Concert in the Orchards in Salt Rock, Ballito, on Friday.

Presented by Handmade Concerts, the gig aims to bring people together in a serene environment to hear music by great South African bands and musicians.

This is the third concert in the series and the awesome line-up includes the headline act, the internationally acclaimed CrashCarBurn; award-winning indie pop act Asleep in Transit; Afro-folk sensation Nje; Nibs van der Spuy (pictured right); Zulu Maskandi groups Cupha Ukunyathela, Phuz’Ukuvela and Thwasa; The Soul Sisters and more.

Tonight caught up with vocalist Irina Buzdugan of Durban group Asleep in Transit.

Since their inception, the band have released two EPs and gained quite a following.

Describing the group’s sound nowadays, Buzdugan says: “At the moment, our sound is very poppy, indie, acoustic and folk with a little bit of an electro side to it.”

The group’s second EP, Kaleidoscope, is out and Buzdugan explains the significance of the name.

“We named it that because we got a lot of new members in the band and each new member brings their unique flavour and twist to our sound.

“I guess as (vocalist and guitarist) Allister said, with Kaleidoscope it just sounded right and it’s a new direction in terms of our sound that we explored.

“We went more electro this time as opposed to our first EP, which was folkie and acoustic.”

Besides the EP, the guys also decided to shoot a documentary EPK about the entire experience of recording Kaleidoscope.

Buzdugan says they decided to go to the Drakensberg to record the album and that’s how they arrived at the idea of shooting the documentary.

“We all talked about how cool it would be to go there for a weekend and write some new music, where it was totally isolated and there were no distractions.

“I guess it’s to show us in a different light to people who don’t really know us. I think the documentary also kinda helps people to get closer to the band and they will be able to relate to us more. We also have some footage from when we did Knysna Rocks about two years ago and from our past shows. It incorporates the old and the new.”

A huge accomplishment for the band is that they made it to the Top 10 in the Converse SA Get Out of the Garage Competition, which took place a few months ago. The prize was a chance to record at a studio in New York City and play in London.

Asleep in Transit came third, but Buzdugan says they were not too disappointed.

“It’s not often that you get to fly to two countries and play at really nice shows.

“It wasn’t much of a blow that we didn’t win. It was a good opportunity, but you know life goes on and there are more opportunities tomorrow.”

With a positive attitude like that, the band are sure to go a long way. Turning to their gig on Friday at Litchi Orchard, Buzdugan says they will be playing some acoustic sets – which is their favourite way of performing.

“We can do live energetic shows that people can dance to, but that’s not really the sole purpose of our music.

“We want people to really listen to our music and appreciate it for what it is. We’re planning on moving to Cape Town next year to take our music further. We’ll be exposed to more people and we can get a new crowd. Also, there are more music opportunities and venues to play at in Cape Town.”

• Don’t miss The Concert in the Orchards at the Litchi Orchard, Salt Rock, on Friday at 4.30pm. Tickets are available through webtickets at R50 a person (children under 12 pay R25 and those under six get in free).

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