Guy Buttery - living the dream

Have you always wanted to be a musician? If you weren't one what do you think you would be doing now?

I guess life is full of so many crazy, eventful and unexpected turns, we never really know how we land up being who we are or what we create because of it. I like to believe that every single thing around us affects us in some way, however profound or superficial. I do know that when I first heard the acoustic guitar, it wasn't the latter. From a young age the resonance of the guitar pulled me in like a magnet. I have always wanted to make music and find it not only connects me to myself, but also to others on a physical, emotional and, hopefully, on a spiritual plane. Music speaks a thousand languages. It has the power to create very meaningful emotion and in the process of spontaneous musical creation, it discovers and realises new emotions. Brand new ideas, paradigms, perceptions and entire worlds can all be found within the beautiful gift of music and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

As an alternative career, I've always been pretty firm about the prospects of becoming a bee farmer.

Having a look at your website bio it would seem that music is quite a spiritual thing for you. Would you agree?

My music is very autobiographical. Almost all my pieces of music are about friendships, travel, my personal spiritual quests, relationships and, most frequently, songs about my love for - and my long ventures through - the cane fields of Natal. My spiritual connection is most often with the land of KwaZulu and its many beautiful and diverse people.

You also seem greatly inspired by nature and your surroundings? How does your style of music writing change with regards to your changing surroundings?

Growing up, I was very much inspired by my immediate surroundings. The province of KwaZulu-Natal continues to amaze and inspire me unlike any place on Earth. I spent a large part of my youth exploring ancient Zulu forests and grasslands and developed a very deep connection to the land. Sometimes at live shows people have pointed out they can hear some of these places in the music. This is always when I feel the biggest sense of accomplishment with my humble little guitar tunes.

Being a touring musician, a lot of the songs were born on the road and I believe Greg Lomas, who wrote the liner notes for my latest album “Fox Hill Lane” really hit the nail on the head by saying that " … the harmony of the album is characterised by a combination of movement, growth and distance with longing, yearning, reflection and the anticipation of return. The experience of being removed from our comfort and our solace, there is often a sense of perspective and deep reflection followed shortly by a yearning for the familiarity. For Guy the familiarity and peace lay in the surroundings of a short, rickety road called Fox Hill Lane close to the border of Zululand. In the frenzy of a rigorous period of travelling with his music, songs were born from Guy interpreting his connection and understanding of home and KwaZulu-Natal into song, and learning that his relationship with the land, whether close at hand or terribly far away, is in music.”

Often when one is away from home for long periods, there is some kind of yearning for their regular life, the usual faces and surroundings that they connect with. I usually get reflective and try to interpret my connection and understanding of KwaZulu-Natal into song. However that may come across to others, I don't know, but for me, my honest sentiment and relationship with the land is there in the music.

What has been the response by international audiences when touring overseas?

Really great so far. I love performing to new people and seeing different places and hope to tour abroad more and more in the future. As a whole, I'm always pretty surprised at how the wheels keep on turning. It's probably a good place to be. The less expectations, the better. I am, however, always very grateful and honoured to be making music and feel it's a real privilege and a blessing.

What was it like to be nominated and win Best Instrumental Album of the Year and Best Newcomer at the SAMAs 2002 at such a young age?

For me it was an enormous honour. I think back to my youth of continuously attending concerts and watching artists like Tony Cox, Steve Newman, Madala Kunene and Nibs van der Spuy and how passionate I felt about their music, what it represented and how much it meant to me as a young guitarist. Having performed alongside a bunch of them now, I feel like I have already done so much more than I could possibly have dreamed for. And then to be placed alongside these incredible musicians in various categories at the South African Music Awards, is just unreal.

How do you think the SA music scene could be improved and what do you think we are doing right?

In comparison to Europe and the US, the music industry in SA is relatively small and insular. But that has its pros as well. Everyone seems to know everyone and there's quite a cool sense of community in the scene here. With regards to a touring circuit and an industry infrastructure, my tours and experiences abroad appear to be more organised and people are more discerning and sussed.

One thing South Africa isn't short of is incredible music and musicians. To answer your question, that is definitely something we're doing right.

The music scene over here would benefit largely from better artist management and a more professional stance from the artists themselves in terms of marketing and gigging hard. SA music is definitely on the rise and I honestly believe that this year, many things will change for the better for South African artists.

Who would be your dream artist to perform alongside?

Honestly there's too many to choose from and it probably changes from week to week (and more so from one listening session to the next), but I'd love to work with someone like Toumani Diabate. For me, Toumani is like the Jimi Hendrix of the kora [African harp] and probably makes some of the nicest sounds on the planet.

What have been some of the highlights of your musical career?

I guess I've always been a bit starstruck by the whole guitar scene and am constantly in awe of the sound and, more importantly, the creativity of so many musicians out there. I'd probably have to say that playing festivals with a bunch of my guitar heroes and performing alongside many of them has definitely been a highlight. I've been lucky enough to work with some of South Africa's finest musicians as well as playing at numerous folk, world, jazz and guitar festivals around the globe. Meeting people like Martin Simpson, Bob Brozman, Gordon Giltrap, Toumani Diabate, Adrian Legg, Shawn Phillips and Pierre Bensusan had a huge impact on me. These guys constantly inspire me and remind me why I love the instrument so much.

You seem to almost go into another world when playing, what are you thinking about when playing and performing?

I think the key is not to think.

What do you do in your spare time?

Surf, read, adventure, play guitar, hike, travel and build forts.

Guy is currently touring South Africa. His dates and venues are:

Venue: Victoria Hall, Maritzburg College, College Road, Pietermaritzburg
Date & Time: Thursday, 18th February, 19:30
Bookings: 033 3429376 (Front office, Maritzburg College)
Tickets: R60 Adults, R50 Scholars and pensioners

Venue: Alliance Française, 22 Sutton Crescent (corner Windermere Road) - Morningside.
Date & Time: Friday, 19th February, 19:30
Bookings: 031-312-9582 or
Tickets: R50

Venue: The Graham Hotel, Eshowe
Date & Time: Saturday, 20th February, 19:30
Bookings: 082 821 8113 or
Tickets: R50/adult and R30/student

Venue: The Centre for Jazz & Popular Music, UKZN
Date & Time: Tuesday, 23rd February, 17:30
Bookings: 031 2601529,
Tickets: R20

Venue: Howard College Theatre, UKZN
Date & Time: Wednesday, 24th February, 12:15
Bookings: 031 260 3353 or
Tickets: Free entrance for the University

Venue: The Rainbow, Pinetown, Shop 6, 23 Stanfield Lane
Date & Time: Thursday, 25th February, 20:00
Bookings: 031 702 9161 or
Tickets: R60 at the door. R50 pre-sale.

Venue: Clifton College, 102 Lambert Rd, Morningside
Date & Time: Friday, 26th February, 19:30
Bookings: 031 312 2147,
Tickets: R50

www.guybuttery.co.za