Regular Bandstand columnist Evan Milton has been forced to take a break - there's a rumour about injuries while doing some high kicks for a new kung-fu series - so it's left to me to fill the gap about musical happenings around town.
Fresh flair
It may not be a rags-to-riches drama but the story of how freshlyground came about is extraordinary, from Aron and Justin meeting by chance at a bookstore to Zolani just standing up and singing her heart out at one of their first gigs, when they played under the name Origin.
They weren't Origin for long. During a gig at The Armchair in April last year Zolani, in true South African style, asked the crowd to vote on a name for the band. The audience were unanimous in their choice and freshlyground was born.
Zolani Mahola is on vocals and acoustic guitar, Josh Hawks on bass guitar and vocals, Aron Turest-Swartz on keyboards, vocals and percussion, Kyla-Rose Smith on violin; Simon Attwell on flute, mbira and harmonica; Justin Tonkin on electric guitar, acoustic guitar and sax, and Peter Cohen on drums.
At just 22, Zolani has achieved a lot. She has studied drama at UCT, landed the lead role of Boniswa in the high-profile SABC1 television drama series Tsha-tsha and is the lead singer for the band.
This young artist was meant to sing and even made an impression on the Monday night jazz jam crowd who hang out at Swingers when she made a few appearances there. It has been said that Zo, as she is known, could turn a nunnery into a carnival!
Josh, a stalwart of the early '90s scene, was seminal in the success of The Streaks and the Zap Dragons. After a brief break from the bass, it was seeing freshlyground play that motivated him back into live music.
Aron Turest-Swartz studied piano with Merton Barrow at the Jazz Workshop in Cape Town from the age of 13, and began playing drums and percussion in Dublin in 1998.
Music has always been an integral part of Kyla-Rose's life; she studied music throughout her school years and jazz at university, and has taught violin at outreach programmes.
She also travelled with the Vuyani Dance Theatre to perform at Centre de la Dans in Paris, for which she co-wrote the music and performed as principle violinist.
Simon also demonstrated a precocious gift for music: at the age of 15 he was already playing the flute in the Zimbabwe National Orchestra and at 17 won a scholarship to the Chethams School of Music in Manchester. Justin has had the odd guitar lesson here and there but is for the most part self-taught - a fact hard to believe when you hear him play.
Peter, whom most remember as Mango Groove's drummer, recently got involved with freshlyground. While still writing material for and performing with Bright Blue, he finds time to play with freshlyground and provides a rock-solid groove.
The launch of freshlyground's debut CD, Jika Jika, and their website www.freshlyground.com will take place tomorrow at Studio One (186 Bree Street, Cape Town). Doors open at 9.30pm and entrance is R30.
freshlyground will be playing, supported by DJ Tooti Frooti. The CD will be on sale for the first time. For details, e-mail [email protected]
Alive with Alistair
One of South Africa's leading pop musicians, Alistair Izobell, is set to wow audiences with his vibrant stage act at one of the city's oldest live music venues, the Luxurama in Park Road, Wynberg, tomorrow night.
Izobell recently rreturned from Australia where he entertained fellow South Africans living there. Despite his tender age, he is an accomplished stage performer who cut his teeth at the age of 5 in one of the starring roles in the acclaimed musical District Six, which told the story of the forced removals from this famous Cape Town neighbourhood during the apartheid era.
He later went on to star in Kat and the Kings, which played to sell-out audiences in London's West End and on Broadway. Kat was awarded the prestigious Olivier award for its London run.
He is an accomplished recording artist to boot. His first CD, Runaway, featured his most popular hit yet, Venus - a track which he is begged to perform wherever he sings.
"I'm more than a little tired of singing that damn song, but that's what people want," muses the no-nonsense performer.
He has released several CDs since, featuring covers of his favourite songs, coupled with loads of original stuff.
As a performer he spends the bulk of his time performing outside South Africa, with regular commissions to sing in Dubai, and is also a regular on the international luxury cruise circuit. Return visits to Hong Kong and various European cities are on the cards later this year.
The concert kicks off around 7.30pm and tickets are available from the Luxurama box office at R40. For details call 021 683 2201.
Brenda's back in town
Ratanga Junction is going to be packed on Saturday when two of the biggest artists in South Africa pay us a visit.
From 8pm the venue will echo with the sounds of Mafikizolo and Brenda Fassie.
Also featured on the bill are Inadiflo and D'monks. Tickets are R50 from Joshua Doore stores or R80 the door.
Homegrown time again
It's Homegrown time again on Saturday at Mercury Live, 43 De Villiers Street, Cape Town. Arguably the biggest drum 'n bass night in South Africa, the evnet is about developing and producing our own, unique drum 'n bass sound, the organisers say.
If you produce drum 'n bass and you have what it takes, bring your demo CD, they say. Homegrown now has a residency at Mercury Live on the first Saturday of each month. Check out Homegrown pics at www.algorythm.co.zaand www.momentum.za.net
Fly's on the wall
Fly Paper Jet, the band formerly known as Juxtaplan, is rehearsed and ready.
Coming up tonight at the Mercury Lounge is their first gig in Cape Town since they returned from the Grahamstown festival - where they played eight nights in a row, the last three to full houses - and might well be seen as the launch of a new band on the local circuit.
The gig also serves as an apt precursor to the Month of Wednesdays coming up at Mercury Lounge in October.
Expect music ranging from funk jazz to alternative rock, from the ridiculous to the sublime. Admission is R10 and the music starts at 9pm with Troy Leijenaar (half-hour acoustic set), followed by Fly Paper Jet.
Hearty Hartenbos song
Only a month to go before one of South Africa's top up-and-coming festivals, the Newsong Festival (September 29 to October 3), takes place in Hartenbos, near Mossel Bay, for the fifth year running.
Featuring local bands such as Serving Suggestion, Famous, Superfine, Sedwick the Salesman, Skywire and Matt Allison, as well as talent from around the country such as One80, Thirty-Three, Jonno's Cure and Seven Day Story, the Newsong Festival is looking to be an exciting, music-packed four days and nights in the picturesque setting of Hartenbos.
Check out the web page at www.newsong.co.zaand get those registrations in quickly to book yourself a kief camping spot close to all the action - or maybe even take the more laid-back approach of booking into one of the comfortable chalets on offer.
History?
On September 13 they say that history will be made when Cape Town's three premier live original music venues collaborate in staging a single event, The Rollin' Party 2003.
The party takes place on the bus as you travel around the Peninsula, starting at 4pm from The Mercury Live (43 de Villiers Street, Cape Town).
You then travel to to The Whammy Bar in Table View, where pop and rock outfits Cruel April and Death By Chocolate will kick off the entertainment.
Thereafter, the party moves to the Independent Armchair Theatre in Observatory, where the ska and punk chaos of Hog Hoggidy Hog and the Rudimentals will make you bounce.
The final trek will bring the party back to the Mercury Live, where hard rock duo Scarlet Host and Soulja will round off the night.
Besides the live band line-up, partying on the bus will get you additional stuff, like free drink vouchers, give-aways, and a goodie bag. Tickets at R100 are available at each of the venues.
The Wherehouse wants you
Go along to CD Wherehouse in the Waterfront for for a celebration of spring (even though it doesn't feel like it yet), with some lovely light classical music with The Musical Affair on Sunday morning.
These four professional musicians who play piano, flute, violin and cello, will entertain with light classical and show tunes.
Take the time to enjoy a classical brunch while relaxing at House of Coffees while enjoying the relaxing sounds of The Musical Affair.
On Wednesday there is also a meet-and-greet with Sepultura. This is a chance for metal fans to get up close and personal with the Brazilian legends, who are here for a tour of small venues. Their latest CD will be available and the band will answer questions, sign autographs, and whatever else you can think of. Don't miss out.
Workshops
There's a musician's boot camp dealing with PA systems, on Saturday, September 13, from 9.30am at Paul Bothner Music, Richmond Centre, Main Road, Plumstead.
If you need some basic training on how to set up and operate a PA system, go along to this free session presented by live-sound expert Willem Labuschagne, who will be demonstrating everything from basic set-up and operating procedures to advice on how to avoid distortion and speaker damage.
Seating is limited, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. Details: 021 674 4030.
On Monday, September 15, there's Tone Masters: Getting a Great Guitar Sound, from 6.30pm at Paul Bothner Music, Werdmuller Centre, Main Road, Claremont
If you're a guitarist obsessed with getting the perfect sound, Stephen Beak and Gareth Travis, will take you on an in-depth tour of tone, covering everything from effects processing and sound shaping to the importance of using the right combination of effects, amplifier and guitar for your particular style of music.
They'll also offer some insights into the intricacies of matching rhythm and lead tones to crack the perfect sound.
Seating is limited, so arrive early. Details: 021 674 4030.
Submit details
Evan Milton will be back next week so e-mail your gig info to [email protected] fax it to 021 488 4535 by 5pm on Tuesday. Deliver photos to Cape Argus Tonight, Newspaper House, St George's Mall.