Gevaarlike, romantic Afrikaans rapper Zander Tyler, better known as Jack Parow, seems to have exploded out of nowhere and is taking over the SA rap scene, working with big names like Fokofpolisiekar, Heuwels Fantasties and Die Antwoord. Meneer Parow is spreading his dirty-and-dangerous lyrics and music to all he can. BizLounge, keen to get in on the action, invited him round for a coffee and chat - and to find out who the real Jack Parow is. 13 Nov 2009 14:49
Yes the festive spirits are in the air, and if you are like me and can't quite believe how close the end of the year is looming, and are still startled by seeing Christmas decorations popping up everywhere, will be pleased or dismayed to know (depending on your point of view) that festive times are most definitely just around the corner and soon the Little Drummer Boy will be assaulting your ears at a Pick n' Pay near you. I was pleasantly brought round to this fact last Wednesday night by attending the wonderful Mzanzi Production of The Nutcracker at the Baxter. This talented company has created an innovative South African-inspired ballet adaption of the much loved festive classic. 6 Nov 2009 11:26
New Boy, an acclaimed UK play adapted from the novel by William Sutcliffe and directed by Russell Labey, opened to a sold out New Space Theatre in Long Street last Thursday night. Starring SA actors Stephen Jubber, Nicole Franco, Clive Gilson and Dylan Edy, New Boy is a coming-of-age story about an adolescent boy questioning his sexuality and sexual preferences, and contains scenes with sex, nudity and strong language. Though the SNL of course adds some racy content, the production is also funny and touching, and deals with real issues with regards to growing up and discovering who you really are. 26 Oct 2009 09:49
New Holland's second album Exploded Views is an "explosion" of eclectic sounds including pop, rock, electro and dance. Hailing from the Northern Suburbs the birthplace of most bands these days, one might not be mistaken for expecting a certain type of sound, but New Holland surprises with their latest offering. Sounding international and radio friendly Exploded Views is a most enjoyable and diverse listen. 22 Oct 2009 10:47
After a successful launch of Vrede Fest in Pretoria on 14 February and a showing at the Old Mutual Encounters Concerts at Emmerentia Dam, Stellenbosch became the next Vrede Fest stop with bands Foto Na Dans, D7, aKing, The Dirty Skirts and Fokofpolisiekar taking to the Klien Libertas stage to show their support. 20 Oct 2009 12:15
It seems that this year's Rocking the Daisies was not just more eco-friendly, but also more friendly in general. Reading a couple of post-event reviews, the general consensus seems to be on what a happy, fun and friendly fest it was and I, for one, would agree. Beautiful weather (excluding the vicious night winds), beautiful people, beautiful music - aaah I wish I was still there. 16 Oct 2009 14:57
I was all ready to rip aKING's latest music video “You & I”, till I saw it had been dedicated to music ambassador Herman Pretorius who tragically lost his struggle with cancer on 20 August this year. Can you bad mouth a video that is in memory of someone? Somehow it just doesn't feel ethical - but here goes anyway. 6 Oct 2009 11:15
The official Saturday night Loeries after-party down Long Street was all but drowned out; the heavens opened up and the Loerie party-goers ran for cover to celebrate at the Long Street Cafe tent. Heaters, dancing and good spirits (both the good will and the alcoholic kind) kept things nice and toasty and the atmosphere didn't seem to be too dampened at all. 27 Sep 2009 14:20
Assembly, ever popular with the creative types, hosted the 31st Annual Loerie Awards Agency Battle of the Bands competition last night, 24 September 2009. Being accustomed to gigs always starting at least an hour or so later than advertised in chilled out Cape Town, we arrived just after nine and unfortunately missed three of the five bands that were playing. However we did manage to catch winners and overall biggest ego'ed band the Red Huxleys from Ogilvy and their closest rivals of the night The Gloonies from Gloo. 25 Sep 2009 11:45
The Heineken AMP Productions concert with aKING, Flat Stanley and Just Jinjer at the Grand Arena aimed to promote SA bands and produce a concert on an international level. Instigated by classic SA rockers Flat Stanley and, supported by the recently returned from the States and veteran SA muso's, Just Jinjer and, the relatively newer kids on the block, aKING, Saturday's concert for the most part achieved this. 11 Sep 2009 12:03
7th Son, for me, has always been a live band, which is the only way I have experienced them in the past. So it took me a little while to warm to the band's second album, Ontology. Call me superficial, but without all the cute interactions of the six members and their often toplessness in live shows, the music on its own seemed to be lacking a certain something. 3 Sep 2009 14:14
I have, somewhat unwittingly, been introduced to certain tracks from Taxi Violence's second album “The Turn” prior to its release. From late in the night to the early hours of the morning “Death to Hollywood” and “Devil ‘n Pistol” could be heard on repeat loudly reverberating up through my bedroom floorboards. Once even loud enough to rouse my flatmate and I from our beds and downstairs to lead singer George van de Spuy's flat (directly under ours) to tell him to shut the *beep* up. Actually, we were quite polite and asked him please to refrain from his late-night recording/practising as beauty sleep was needed. 27 Aug 2009 09:30
Presented by the talented performers of the InSPIRAtions Dance Company Adele Blank's Cotton Club Moves taps, prances and shimmies it way back in time to an era of sultry flappers, Cool Kats and all things jazz. Named after The Cotton Club which was the happening club in Harlem between the 20's and 40's, Cotton Club Moves sassily captures the mood from that bygone era. 14 Aug 2009 14:54
Italian born DJ Tony Finger has been living in Cape Town and making a name for himself in the South African music industry for the past four years. He dropped by to visit us last week to chat about how he came to be in Cape Town, the difference between the local and international market, breaking his finger and peeing in a vodka bottle on stage. 28 Jul 2009 15:52
Wanting to find out a little more about one of our favourite SA bands BizLounge met with aKING earlier this week at Sins in Wembly Square to chat about the Bellville Brotherhood, writing albums and general debauchery amongst much else. The four seemed to be in good spirits, (this maybe due to the fact they had consumed some beforehand) which made for a lively interview. 24 Jul 2009 15:15
Cape Town DJ; DJ JB International met with the BizLounge last week and gave us some insight into what makes him tick as person and as a DJ, how he's living up to his name by garnering a fair amount of success in cracking the international market and how he keeps a level head in the crazy music industry. 20 Jul 2009 16:02
Vice magazine is a free international subversive pop culture magazine which will be hitting shelves in SA in no time if not already. To celebrate this they threw their SA launch at the Assembly this past Friday with the help of an eclectic mix of bands including, Inge Beckman, Ree - Burth, Ashtray Electric and UK band the New Young Pony Club DJ set. 16 Jul 2009 13:54
BizLounge met for a chat with Cape Town rockers Ashtray Electric at Cafe Royale in Long Street last Friday. Friday was a busy day for the band which saw them perform live later that day on a Kids TV show and perform that night at the Vice Launch at the Assembly . We managed to catch some time and coffee with the four to discuss dark lyrics, air traffic control and drunken clumsiness amongst much more. 14 Jul 2009 11:27
DJ Euphonik chats to us via e-mail about the importance of creating a brand for yourself as an artist, Honk Kong Phooey and signing girl's boobs. 9 Jul 2009 16:16
Saturday night saw a drive to the Barnyard Theatre in Durbanville to catch the zany, fun, erotic and over the top production of the all time classic Rocky Horror Picture Show by Richard O'Brien. The original Rocky Horror Picture Show musical parody film released in 1975 has quite the cult following, many of who could be seen at the Barnyard Theatre on Saturday night. Most attendees were dressed up in their favourite skanky-cross dressing gear and gave new meaning to the term “dressing up for the theatre“. 7 Jul 2009 13:29
“Forgive them for they know not what they do” is the subtitle of the Fokofpolisiekar documentary that debuted at the Encounters Documentary Film Festival 09 this past Friday. It is somewhat ambiguous if the title refers to the band themselves or the political and social situation and people surrounding them. It is most probably both if the documentary is anything to go by. Director Brian Little has achieved a thoughtful and entertaining film that not only focuses on the history of Fokof but also why this particular band has become so popular and successful. 6 Jul 2009 12:20
Internationally recognised and respected SA DJ; Shaun Duvet chats to us about how to make a name for yourself as a DJ, how he manages to juggle the many aspects of the music industry he is involved in and how he literally can bring down the roof when performing. 2 Jul 2009 16:04
Always keen to check out a new live music venue and new bands we decided to mission a little further than the usual 10 minutes drive to town and instead headed out to Stones in Tableview to catch Jozi band Dead Alphabet, so hot right now band Ashtray Electric and sorta SA/UK headliner The Stremes. 30 Jun 2009 13:28
Prime SA rock band Evolver chat to us via e-mail about upcoming plans with their new American manager Doug Davenport. What it was like playing alongside greats Snow Patrol and Oasis and about “evolving” as a band. 24 Jun 2009 14:25
Myself and Sindy chatted to well renowned SA DJ, DJ Fuel aka Dean Fuller yesterday about performing at the recent Armin Van Buuren events, how to make it in the dance industry, late nights and issues in airports. 19 Jun 2009 16:11
Last Wednesday night saw aKING release their latest album Against All Odds at the one and only Assembly. aKING is not short of devotees and we were greeted by not one but two queues one of which stretched down Harrington Street for quiet some distance. 12 Jun 2009 10:48
As an occasional and unofficial album reviewer I often find you can appreciate an album but you wouldn't necessarily listen to it much again once the review is done. Not so with aKing's latest offering. It is currently my favourite album to listen to while driving and believe it will be for a while to come still. Though I must be honest it wasn't love at first sound. On the first listen I felt a little disappointed it was a bit too pop and mainstream for my liking but a couple of listens later I really didn't care, the album works beautifully pop or no pop, and is a total pleasure to listen to. 3 Jun 2009 13:44
Being a fan of the improv show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” I was pretty keen to catch the master of improv Wayne Brady's show at the Grand West Casino and seems like half of Cape Town felt the same way. The massive Grand Arena was all but sold out and it took a good 20 minutes or so to slowly shuffle our way out amongst the throngs after the show. This was no laughing matter as extended periods of time at the Grand West will make anyone a bit loopy I believe. 1 Jun 2009 11:14
A little melodramatic, a little punk and quite a bit soulful Ashtray Elecrtic's debut album Bonjour. sweeps you on a 10 track journey of haunting lyrics and catchy riffs. The overall mood of the album is quite a sombre and emo one but is broken by more fast paced dance able tracks. 25 May 2009 14:34
Saturday night at the good old Assembly saw Bellville rockers Ashtray Electric launch their debut album Bonjour with support from their Bellville brothers; Thieve. 20 May 2009 15:38
ADSL & Web hosting proudly provided by Afrihost.