#MusicExchange: Jonathan Rubain

Rubain has on stage with him Kyle Shepherd, Hilton Schilder, Allou April, and Dave Ledbetter amongst others.

I caught up with the bass player after opening night.

When are you happiest?

I am happiest when I put my guitar around my neck and take to the stage in front of an audience, whether it be an audience of 10 or 10,000 people. I love to make music.

What does music mean to you?

Music means everything to me. It is the food to my soul. It is the air that I breathe. It also provides a living for my family.

Your hero?

My hero is Benni McCarthy. We come from the same community (Hanover Park). We also went to the same primary and high schools.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

My mother. She has the biggest caring heart. Everyone who enters my mother’s house wont be able to leave without eating something. She is an incredible human being.

What is your most treasured possession?

My instrument. I'm in love with it.

It’s your round what are you drinking?

Tea... all day long.

The song you wished you wrote?

“We are the World”.

Dream gig to do?

Headlining my own show at Cape Town Stadium.

Nicknames?

Jona :-)

If you were not a musician what would you do?

That's difficult because I can’t see myself doing something else, but I wanted to be a lawyer when I was younger.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Loving, caring, humorous, courageous, loyal.

Five desert island discs?

Michael Jackson - Thriller
Richard Bona - Bonafied
Robbie Jansen - Vastrap Island
John Mayer - Continuum
Whitney Houston - The Best of Whitney Houston

Greatest movie ever made?

The Shack.

What song changed your life?

"We Are The World".

Who do you love?

Cherish Rubain

What is your favourite word?

Faith

Favourite fashion garment?

My jackets by CSquared.

Give us some real proper slang and what it means.

“Moenie mense by die gesig kyk nie.” - Don’t judge people by their appearance.

Top of your bucket list?

Taking my family to Disney World (family first for me).

Your greatest achievement?

Recording with Kirk Whalum on his latest DVD called Gospel According to Jazz Chapter 4.

What do you complain about most often?

People being treated unfairly. I want everyone to have a fair chance in life.

What is your fear?

I fear of failing my family. I want to give them the best that I never got.

Happiness is?

Being content with what you have and who you are.

On stage I tend to?

Look at the audience wondering if they are enjoying the music or not. It freaks me out at times.

If you are walking on stage for a keynote speech like Barack Obama, what song would you use and why?

“Reason to smile” - it’s my biggest song.

The best life lesson you have been taught?

To do everything myself relating to my music and brand. Now that I have my own production company, I know how to do everything.

Where would you like to be right now?

In a studio recording my own compositions with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Connect with Jonathan Rubain via Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.