#MandelaMonth: Shortstraw host Mandelapalooza

Why the decision to create Mandelapalooza?

It's just our way of trying to give back on a day when everybody should be giving back. It's also an attempt to make it easier for people to do something charitable. Just by coming, people are doing their part.

What was the response like at last year’s event?

Last year was a little overwhelming! We filled three bakkie-loads of blankets, old clothes and tinned food - which warmed our cockles right up. And we had a lekker show, so it was a definite win-win. Hopefully we can recreate it this year.

What can partygoers expect?

We've got a bunch of rad bands to agree to play for mahala, so everyone is in the giving spirit. And it's a Sunday afternoon jol, which is the best kind of jol. Expect to feel good about yourself whilst enjoying some tasty tunes.

How much money do you aim to raise?

Well that all depends on how generous everyone is feeling. If we get 400 people paying R20 (tickets go up to R200) we're looking at R8,000, so that would be amazing. Anything more would just be a cherry on top.

What does Mandela Day mean to you?

It's a day for giving back - trying to follow in the footsteps of the great man himself. It's amazing seeing a country come together and donating their time and money to those less fortunate. We wish there were more days like it in the year.

If you had to describe Mandela in one word, what would it be and why?

Legendary. Because he truly was a legend.

What do you love about being South African?

Our festive nature. We played a few shows overseas and can, without a doubt, say that there is no crowd like a South African crowd - in terms of happiness, rowdiness and general goodness - and it makes us feel really patriotic to know that we're one in the same.

What would you like to see change in this country?

We just wish everyone could get along! We need to stop hating and start loving... Racism seriously needs to become a thing of the past. It's f*%!king 2016, people!

What is the nicest thing that anyone has done for you?

After we played Kirstenbosch earlier this year, a kid came up to us who just wanted to hug us and tell us how much our music meant to him. Not in terms of the messages we try to put out in our songs (which aren't always very serious!) but in terms of how the music made him feel. That was the first time anything like that has ever happened to us, and it really made us feel special. It's no secret that the fans are the reason most bands or artists do what they do. So any recognition we get is what keeps us going.

What’s next for Shortstraw?

We have an EP in the works that we're aiming at teaming up with some artists in the industry to do a collaborative release for, so we're very excited about that. Then we're back to Japan in September and hopefully a bit more of Europe next year.

All the bands are giving their time and musical talents for free for the Mandelapalooza event, and all proceeds will go to Cotlands and Yenzanzi Children’s Home in Midrand.

Date: Sunday, 17 July 2016
Venue: The Good Luck Bar, Johannesburg
Time: 13.00 - 19.00
Entrance: R20 - R200
Buy Tickets
Facebook Event
Line-Up: Adventure Man, Satanic Dagga Orgy, December Streets, Shortstraw

shortstraw.co.za