there is a breeze in here

why hello there. i haven't written a post for this blog in a very long time, but that is because i haven't felt compelled to write a post about music for a while. until tonight that is, for 2 reasons: a) i FINALLY have internet at my flat, so can satisfy the urge when it needs to be done, and b) i saw a band tonight that reignited my passion for music.

the windy city

i first saw this band at their first gig last year december. good mates of mine, so thought i would pop by. it is incredible to see how far they have come in less than a year. after hounding the local music scene here in cape town for months, then deciding to venture across the seas to the little land down under (where they were very well received i hear), they have come back with a new confidence, energy and self assurance that i hadn't seen in them before.





incase you havent heard of this band, they are 3 absolutely gorgeous boys from cape town, who make music for the sheer love of it. their sound is described as 'ambient-indie-electro-rock' (i think, i don't really remember), but i would describe their sound as another kind of awesome. something soothing, different, quirky but with a sense of order and comfort in it.

we were given 2 sets from them tonight at the waiting room, their acoustic set (which had never been performed here on SA soil i hear), and their live set. and i was left speechless, with a giant cheesy grin on my face. who were these creatures who had matured so majestically in their sound and within themselves? i personally preferred the acoustic set because it seemed a lot more raw, and you could clearly hear the sweet smooth vocals of the lead singer adrian. you could see, and understand, the meticulousness in jean's guitar skills. and marco added the ambient groove that brought the whole thing together. the live set was also good, but i felt that the drums drowned out adrian's voice which is something that shouldn't be allowed. but a great show none the less.

if you ever get the chance to check them out, please do. you will be doing yourself a favour. i would suggest going for the more intimate location option if there is one, because that is where they really shine, but check them out whenever/wherever you can. if you can't get to a show, download their latest track for FREE. and we all know that things taste/feel better when they are free.

tried to upload their music video, featuring the uber fabulous kelly berold (who took that awesome picture of them, but i don't know how to add captions), but alas my computer keeps showing me flames. but it can be seen here

enjoy

x

can i have a little anthem with a side of butchered f&*% up

i am sure that you have all seen the ard matthews clip from supersport. the one where he 'sings' the national anthem? if not, have a look.

watching this clip was one of the most painful 2:15mins of my life. it was like watching a car crash where you don't like what you see, but you can't look away. let's discuss...

we as south africans are a very proud group of people. we are quick to judge and scrutinise our country, and more often than not, threaten to leave. but if one person takes one jab at our country, we are up in arms and are quick to defend our birthplace and our home. and having someone anally rape the national anthem is one of the deepest stabs to our belly.

yes, ard matthews made a complete fool of himself on national television, and i will be interested to see how his PR team handles this one. sex and drug scandals are easy to sort out, but this kind of shenanigan, not so much. but he highlighted a problem that a lot of south africans have, and that i have most definitely noticed growing up.

our national anthem is such an intricate part of our country's history. it was the first mark of democracy and equality. it signified us moving forward as one, and growing as a nation. i remember being in grade 1 in 1994, and having to learn how to draw the new south african flag, and learn the new anthem. it was the beginning of a new world. a world filled with growth and opportunity.

there are 4 verses in 4 different languages: xhosa, sesotho, afrikaans and english. we have a11 official languages, but to put all of them in a song would keep us singing for 3 hours straight; so we have 4. these are 4 important verses that every single south african should know, with no excuses. if you cant pronounce the words, thats okay, as long as you get the gist of it, and are still able to sing the entire song with pride. but the problem is that too many people don't know all 4 verses. they only know 2, namely english and afrikaans.

you have all heard it. when you are in a big stadium or hall, or even a bar, and everyone gets up to sing the anthem with their hands on their hearts. there are people singing, trying their best, but the minute 'uit die blou...' starts, the crowd erupts, and sings from a part of themselves that wasnt present at the beginning. suddenly the words to the song come back to them.

now this is just embarrassing. appalling in fact. it highlights the segregation that we are trying so hard to fight. i don't know if its a case of people not wanting or not willing to learn the whole anthem, but it just isnt right. i get upset about it, and i have black friends and white friends alike who are also insulted by this.

how is it that people don't know the anthem? are you no longer taught it at junior school? where is this falling off the map?

yes, ard matthews royally f&*%ed up, but he just highlighted a problem that a lot of people are experiencing, and that needs to be addressed. we should be proud of who we are, and how far we have come, and something as simple as not knowing the anthem is a slap to the face of millions.

but hey, #imjussayin

rabi