When Jeremy Loops took to the stage at the South African Music Awards (Samas) this past Sunday, few people knew what to expect.
He held the mic and showcased his beat-boxing skills before playing the guitar. What was amazing was how his voice continued to be heard despite the fact that he wasn’t on the mic anymore. It became mind-boggling how he added other sounds throughout his performance and managed to sound like a full band.
“It’s something that I have loved to do for a long time,” said Loops.
His one-man band sound is so unique you simply can’t take your eyes off him during his performances. There is so much going on with the many voices that he sings in and the instruments he plays at the same time. So concerned were the Sama team that they asked him to use a backing track to lessen his burden on the stage.
“I declined their offer because that’s not how I do things. My performance is much more appreciated when people know what it is that I do and how I do it. So I have a few tools that help me execute my sound. I can make different voices on the mic and get that recording on the loop pedal which continues bringing out the sounds that I would have recorded as I move on to the next instrument. I keep doing that over and over and when it all comes together, it is a beautiful sound,” he explained.
Succinctly describing how Loops makes his music is as mammoth a task as asking a first grader to define air. His explanation, too, might not make sense so the only way you can understand this multi-talented man’s skills is to see him perform live. A good place to start would be at the upcoming Parklife Gourmet Food and Music Festival which will take place on May 2 and 3 in Cape Town and Joburg respectively.
The event will see bands like American Authors, Modest Mouse, Kahn, Klingande, Jesse Clegg and many more share the stage for what should be memorable performances.
“I am really excited to be part of the Parklife Gourmet Food and Music Festival because I am a fan of groups like Modest Mouse and American Authors,” said Loops.
For him, the opportunity not only allows him to share the stage with other musicians, but also gives him the platform to expose his talent to more established bands.
“Situations like this can give chances for collaborations, but sometimes it’s also not a given. It would be a great thing to work with a band like Modest Mouse, but then they are travelling all the time promoting their music and the last thing they want is to be in studio with all the acts they meet on the way.
“I think as a musician, in this case, you have a better chance of doing something with American Authors. It all depends on how things go when we meet, but I don’t think all parties are going in there thinking about collaborations,” said Loops.
The other plus for local fans, thanks to the festival is that Loops will get to play at home, a thing that he’s struggling to do of late.
“I am fulfilling a six-week tour in the US and then will have to play in the UK for two weeks right after that so it is really exciting when I can find a place to play at home.
“We recently played a sold-out concert at Bassline and I found that really flattering,” he said.
Outside of touring, Loops is busy with the deluxe version of his album, Trading Change.
“I have been recording new material for the project just to add to the album. It is actually quite nice to be in studio again and working on new songs,” he revealed.
• The fourth Parklife Gourmet Food and Music Festival will take place in Cape Town on Saturday, May 2 at the Green Point Cricket Club (Oval) in Green Point from 10am and in Joburg the next day at Marks Park, Judith Road in Emmarentia, also from 10am. Tickets range between R395 and R495 and can be purchased at http://breakout.nutickets.co.za/.