They call the Neon Run “the most fun you can have in the dark” but you can be the judge of that. The event, which is currently under way, (Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town have had their run) heads for Durban on Saturday and ends in Joburg on May 16.
The night-time electric spectacular will see you join joggers, runners and even walkers who are draped in reflective neon colours as they complete their courses.
The culmination of it all is a post-race show where a number of bands including Mi Casa, iScream & The Chocolate Stix, Rubber Duc and The Illustrators will do their thing on a funky stage.
iScream & The Chocolate Stix (answered by frontman Bheki)
Q: You performed at the PE Neon Run and are off to Durban this weekend. What will you do differently compared to the previous event and why should your fans come out?
A: Well, we have a wild new set and sound and I promise you, it will blow the fans away. We spent a whole year putting it together so we are looking forward to showing it to the fans.
Q: If you were to describe your music by using any of the neon colours, which one would it be and why?
A: I think neon blue or orange – these colours are cool and fun in the dark and go with almost everything.
Mi Casa (answers from Mo-T, the trumpeter)
Q: You have performed on many world stages and worked with some of the most interesting names in music. What would you say are your career highlights?
A: My biggest highlight has been Mi Casa performing for President Barack Obama, the year 2013 and Kenya has also stood out for me with regards to the way there’s so much humility in the country regardless of talent .
Q: Your two albums have done very well, can fans expect new music from you?
A: Our fans can expect some remixes and lots of music.
Q: You are performing at the Joburg Neon Run on the May 16. What can fans expect?
A: Mi Casa fans have to prepare themselves for a killer show filled with different elements of talent and everyone must just have their dancing shoes ready because we are going to rock the show.
Q: Explain what the Neon Run is about?
A: This is a group of individuals getting together for a night run and later getting together to enjoy great music from different artists around South Africa.
Q: How important is healthy living to you? How do you maintain a healthy lifestyle? Will you also be running?
A: (Laughs) Maybe I’ll be one of the runners. Healthy living is important to me because of the amount of travelling we do as a group and I maintain this by going to gym three times a week, by jogging and drinking lots of water.
The Illustrators ( answered by Dom, the frontman)
Q: Your single Celebration is fun and people have received it very well. What goes into making such a song?
A: The song was produced by Graeme Watkins and I. Then we went into the studio and wrote the vocal melody and lyrics. I am lucky enough to have worked with Graeme a lot and our process is fairly simple in that we look for a vocal hook and a story. These two elements are then combined to form the song. It really is just a case of two guys being in a room and singing until the song is complete.
Q: You are performing at the Joburg Neon Run. What can fans expect from you?
A: Our shows are always high-energy and that’s something we always look to bring to the table. Tom on the decks, bobs around like a kid in a candy store and we like to get lost in the music, as cliched as that sounds. Oh, and dancing, lots of dancing.
Rubber Duc
Q: You are performing at the Joburg Neon Run. Why should people come and see you and what should they expect?
A: A good warm up to get your blood pumping, a lot of energy to make you run faster and quirky lyrics to vitalise your mind.
Q: If you were to write a Neon Run song, who would you feature and why and what would it be called?
A: Fresh Fluorescent Fandango featuring DJ Fresh. Yes, try and say that fast.
• More information: www.neonrun.co.za.