Stephen Keech
Mike Murphy
Dave Krysl
Giuseppe Capolupo
Scotty Whelan

I am quite sad to have found out that Haste The Day will be doing their final tour February – March 2011. They also have what they call the “The 12 Days of Christmas” where they will hit the cities that won’t be on their final tour. Unfortunately SA is not part of any of these.  I got the idea that they have been to Cape Town before, but now….that doesn’t really matter anymore.

Haste The Day is a Christian MetalCore band from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. This band has been going for 10years and has now finally decided to call it a day. They are breaking up end of their tour (feb-mar’10). Some fans say that it is a good thing, as there were no growth in the band anymore but some, like me, are quite sad and disappointed. It feels like I have just been dumped. I have just become a new fan and now I have to say goodbye, figures. Their reasons for this however is not convincing enough for me: “There are many reasons why HTD is ending, however we mainly feel as though we have created the best music we can and believe it is now time for us to move on to the next stage of our lives.” Quoted from:  http://www.hastetheday.com/ ,(Statement from the band).

I find it hard when I read things like this, there are a lot of talent in this world but not a lot like this. With bands coming out of the woodwork these days it’s hard to find “that one special aspect” a lot of us look for in a band. I suppose that all good things come to an end, and this has been their end.

Here’s my favorite song: Stitches

I will now have to go and contain myself *sob, sob* and pretend that I  just didn’t read what I read and wrote what I wrote, so if you will excuse me.

For more on Haste The Day, Check out their website:  http://www.hastetheday.com/ or Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=556267801#!/hastetheday

Laterz

Taylor Momsen is better known as one of the characters in the CW show Gossip Girl and also starred in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. With influences such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Pink Floyed, Audioslave, Soundgarden, Oasis, and Nirvana – this girl gives it all she’s got. Questionable stockings, black eyeliner and a kick-ass voice.

I never really had a fancy for female artists as they tend to be either way drama queen or happy rainbow. I am only catching the vibe now and it just gets better and better. This girl really incorporates a lot of emotion without you wanting to bite your own wrists off. If I had to compare this band to any other I don’t think I would be able to. Merge Flyleaf with Paramore and kick in a hint of Evanescence in there if you will. I am inlove with the way the music is compiled and the way it all just comes together. For a better idea, here’s their video for “Make Me Wanna Die”.

In an article Taylor said that she doesn’t write stuff because she thinks people might like it, she writes it because she has something to say. “So many feelings go into the lyrics that it’s hard to explain what they’re about.” It’s all about romantic insecurity, people that hate and it’s full of emotional power. Their debut album “Light Me Up” might be a little rough from what people might expect, but Taylor keeps true to herself. “This album is the most honest expression of who I Truly am.”

I honestly think that this is an awesome band that really speaks for some of us that don’t really know how. That is if you have a twisted side in you somewhere. It’s plain to see where all her influences come in. ” ‘Light me up’sounds a bit like what might have happened had Led Zeppelin been fronted by a chick,” as quoted from their Biography (http://www.theprettyreckless.com.bio/). I think that’s a bold claim, but I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Noctura recently enlisted the help of Producer Dan Certa (www.dancerta.com ) who you might be more familiar with as the producer of: We are the Fallen, Hana Pestle and Kelly Clarkson.They are currently working on a new album which is projected to be released sometime in 2010.Latest on the update list is that Jeremy has already finished the guitars for the newest song.  In the mean time here is a YouTube clip (sadly no video) of their single, ‘My Last Goodbye’ for you to listen to:

If you are a fan of Evanescence or have a feel for rock, this band will definitely tickle your fancy. It’s eerie but not in the way that makes you hug your pillow when you go to sleep at night. Their lyrics are something you can relate to and this chick has killer vocals.

The vibe set out by this band makes me think of Nightwish (www.Nightwish.com ), for you that don’t know; they are a metal band with a very strange but intriguing female vocalist. Noctura might just be a little more commercial and by that I mean that they are the perfect blend of mystery that will suit any weirdo, but gentle enough to suit the fancy of those not so in to black, skulls and strange behavior.

Unfortunately (I think) this band has never performed live before but have built up quite a fan base and have received quite a response. They are the #2 highest ranked artists on Jango (www.Jango.com ); having that in mind I think that they might be the space to watch in the future. Considering that they are two doing work that usually requires a few more people,I would say Awesomeness… I hope we get to see a lot more of them.

If you want to check out more of this band go to www.facebook.com/nocturamusic

(Go to their “My Store” page thingy)

There you will be able to listen to some of the following demo tracks, or even buy them: “Don’t save me”,  “Bleeding Truth”,  “My Last Goodbye”,  “Fall to pieces”,  “for you” and “the Blackening Begins”

Here are some more links.

www.Myspace.com/noctura

www.Twitter.com/noctura

www.nocturamusic.com/store.html

“Those who laugh last, thinks slowest.”

Laurinda

You can check out most of their music on the Wrestlerish Myspace page – and it’s well worth a listen.  But for now, have a look at their excellent video for the song ‘Oliver Tambourine’

For those of you unfamiliar with Wrestlerish, they’re a South African soft-rock band with a lot more to offer than meets the eye.  I could compare them to something like Badly Drawn Boy or maybe even Deathcab for Cutie – but that would actually be kind of mean.

More plaid than you can shake your stick at

Instead all I can say is that they have their own sound, and their album is well worth a listen.  Even if it’s not your style, take a moment to drink in the musicality of Wrestlerish’s offering.  Go into your room, close your door, put their Myspace playlist on and think about how sad you were to break up with your girlfriend.

All jokes aside, Wrestlerish are excellent, original, interesting and very entertaining, with a musical depth that puts the lie to the near-bubblegum feel of some parts of the album.  Here’s how Hunter Kennedy (aKING, Die Heuwels Fantasties and Fokofpolisiekar) described them:

“When I listen to Wrestlerish I think of driving in the passenger seat and losing out under streetlights and I think of bicycles and glitter and I think of girls and the way hearts used to break so well in the old days. A quarterlife crisis is a ridiculous thing to have, but he’s making the soundtrack to mine.”

And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, here are the words of The Daily Discharge’s favourite (non-staff) photographer, Liam Lynch

“His modern, Pretoria take on country is more pick-up lines than pick-up trucks, more hug-your-dog than kick it… But still. Imagine an old midnight cowboy gazing down a city street while lighting a Lucky, and saying “that there’s Bear country.” – He’s talking about Wrestlerish.”

No, I don’t know what he means by that either.  But if you like the sound of them and you want more information or to find out where you can see these guys play live, go become a fan of their Facebook page

This is the second of the MK Unplugged series we’ve featured here. currently showing on Channel MK Mon – Sun 00:00.  Check out their current Captain Stu video, ‘The Journey’ Unplugged.

The album version is also good, but there’s no video, sadly. You can download the entire album from eMusic with  25 free downloads you get when you take their free trial , or you can get a good chunk of their music on their Facebook page.

They’ve done a live, unplugged recording, and here is a video of the performance:

From what you can see, Captain Stu deliver a melodious ska sound. But this doesn’t really convey the depth of variety that the band is capable of. Their make-up has shifted and changed as members came and went, with only bassist Ryan McArthur remaining of the original four who started Captain Stu and the Llamas in 2002.

Their style represents this, and listening to their latest album end-to-end you’ll find a range from mellow ska to new-school jazzy rock. Their live performances are electric, and very few bands inspire new listeners to dance around with the hardened fans.

Taking over on vocals after founding frontman Nick Key left for Korea, guitarist James Klopper adds a new dimension to Captain Stu’s sound. He claims that the band’s sound is in a constant state of flux, and that they all contribute their creative energies and influences, regardless of whatever those may be. James also drinks a shitload.

The Only Man Standing

Nevertheless, Captain Stu is The Business.  They play awesome jams, have a great live presence and can be seen on just about any weekend in Cape Town.  To give you a taste of some of their other music, check out the excellent video for ‘More Than Friends’:

This time however they have decided to do things the right way. On Friday Hog Hoggidy Hog, the greatest ska punk band in Cape Town (and perhaps the country), will be joined by Half Price, The drunkest band in Cape Town (And almost certainly the country), and a bunch of gingers, at ROAR where they will be recording their latest attempt at a live album. The usual vibe is to be expected with everyone in attendance going all out for the occasion as well as ROAR rolling out specials normally only available downstairs at Gandalfs such as 3 beers for R10.

If you miss it you’ll be kicking yourself and if you’re there you’ll be able to sit around years from now smugly reminding people when listening to the album that you are actually on that album, one indistinguishable voice among many raised in salute to pork rock, but most certainly on the album. You will essentially be a member of Hog Hoggiddy Hog for a night.

You'll also be this cool.

So bring along your friends, your allstars, your mosh arm and your incoherent shout along voice and prepare to spend the next week whispering all your spoken communications cause this one is gonna be big.

Where: ROAR, above Gandalfs, Lower main road, Obs

When: Friday 12/02/2010

Cover: R30 (fuckall)

Facebook Event

I listened, and I was intrigued. I wanted to know more.  So I went to find out about the two South African DJs behind this show, Shaun Holiday and Scott Small, and their company Mixed-up Productions.  Shaun graciously took the time to answer some of my questions:

Tell us about yourselves.  Who are you, where are you from, and what is Mixed-up Productions all about?

Nothing too extravagant to report here. I suppose we’re just two ordinary guys that have, what some (Scott Small’s Girlfriend) may describe, as an unhealthy obsession with Trance & Progressive music. Its just a form that moves us in a profound way. The only variation to the stereotype, is that the obsession is very separate from, some would say inconsistent with, our day-to-day activities.

I am a qualified chartered accountant (queue: destroy preconceptions about accountants please) and Scott Small is a Businessman / Entrepreneur, working for his family’s Marine Electrical Supplies company. Both of us were born and bred – and still live in – Cape Town. Our love for the music developed independently of each other. We have a mutual friend who, about a year ago now, suggested we meet up for a drink, as he thought we had a bit in common.

A bottle of Johnnie Walker was demolished and during that time we decided that Cape Town – and South Africa –  had forgotten about arguably the most popular electronic music genre in the world and that we would start MixedUp and simultaneously do our events (“Halo”) and our radio show (“Come Down Monday on Soundrepublic.co.za) and promote the DJs and artists who we feel deserve as much exposure as they can get.

How did you get into this, and why decide to podcast your show?  Is it available on regular radio?

Come Down Monday is not an altogether-new concept. I started Come Down Monday on UCT Radio 104.5FM, whilst doing my Business Science undergraduate degree. Leaving UCT once I’d graduated meant the regular radio had to stop (unfortunately) and another outlet found.

South African terrestrial radio has disowned Trance and Progressive music, even though the likes of Armin van Buuren’s “A State of Trance” and Above and Beyond’s “Trance Around the World”, are the most popular and listened to radio shows on the planet (+ 30 million listeners every week apparently). Podcasting became the only available option, which in South Africa, with bandwidth limitations and high associated costs, is a real disadvantage.

Ultimately being able to do a show available on the FM band would be fantastic and I truly believe it would be successful, but in such a regulated industry such as that in South Africa, it’s highly improbable. Here’s hoping! But podcasting does give us an element of creative freedom that we exploit to the full. I’m not the most politically correct at the best of times! And it allows us to add a dimension of humour that I believe is fundamental to making any radio show a success regardless of the music played.

Bummer. What are your influences/favorite artists to play

Gosh, I think it varies over time.  My intial influence was Paul Oakenfold and his legendary “Essential Mix” World Tour sets that became the soundtrack to my late night varsity study sessions. Then PvD and Tiesto were it (though now Tiesto is in my humble opinion the Third Anti-Christ with the Yankee pop-trance he is now trying to “pioneer”). Now …it’s not so much the established artists, but the up-and-comers who stand out.

Frankly I would prefer it if Oakie, PvD, Tiesto and even Ferry and Armin would just retire and let the younger, fresher guys, whose music the big boys use, but who the big boys seemingly don’t do enough to promote, take over (but that’s my opinion).  Gareth Emery is on fire at the moment after an almost five year lull, after smashing onto the scene with ‘GTR – Mistral’. We play an awful lot of his stuff right now, as he has almost created an entire subgenre of trance all by himself. First State has put out some great records recently, but I think this year for both Scott Small and Myself … it’s Markus Schulz, in particular, everything under his “Dakota” alias. We hammered everything on the 2009 Dakota album and will continue to do so well into 2010.

Do you guys perform live anywhere, and if so where and when can we catch you?

We both have DJ dates, but Scott Small in particular is in demand and plays a fair amount. I’m not as committed to playing at 3am on a Sunday morning as my hard working (and more talented) co-host and am comfortable with restricted appearances and at our branded “Halo” events, which is Cape Town’s only concept dedicated to Trance and Progressive.

The past few months, we have hosted some awesome talent including Daniel Wanrooy (who mixed the prestigious new In Trance We Trust 014 compilation) and First State (If I was BRAAAAAAAAVE!!!!!!!). We are working on bringing some more guys in the coming year.

You can find links to all our shows at mixedup.co.za (we will improve the website for launch in the new year as we recruited some talent there). We also put up numerous bonus mixes that will make your ipod very happy so check it out!

The electro scene has been gaining a lot of ground recently, and seems to be attracting a lot of the kids we used to see at trance nights.  We know it’s not a competition, but how do you see the future of progressive dance music in SA?

Fuck, it certainly is a competition. And it’s gained ground because it’s promoted. As a genre, I think it’s about as deep as a tadpole’s pond and as fun as a prostrate exam (Ed: I’m inclined to agree.  I’m sorry Electroboy, but I still need more convincing.)

But its on 5fm with Roger Goode (though he doesn’t play it exclusively) and that other “Studio 55” bird and they (especially Roger), do a top job by combining the music they like with an on-air personality that is entertaining and, it’s been perceived as the full length and breadth of electronic dance music, which is nonsense. How can you expect people to relate to things they have never heard or seen? (Faith only works in a religious context!)

In Cape Town, 5fm is not a particularly popular radio station (official listnership figures) either and there really is nothing dance-orientated anywhere else (a little fidget stuff on GHFM). So it’s going to be tough until something different is given a crack to a wider audience. But, there is this stigma that dance music shows are not “entertainment”.  (Nick E Louder really fucked it up for everyone with his attempt at a dance music show on GHFM a few years back.)  That’s why I hope that on the next dance show that is given a real chance, the presenters bring more to the show than just “track A by artist B and remix by artist C”.

A dance music show cannot work by the music alone. It must be funny, it must be broad, and the presenters need to be genuine. If that happens, then I believe Trance and Progressive will be hugely popular, because it is a community that many can relate to, an addictive sound that brings you in and evokes emotion. The 6 000 people at Armin Van Buuren (Cape Town) earlier this year, can’t all of a sudden not like trance anymore! (Unless they were all there to get high as kites!) I believe there is massive potential: It will only take a small amount of exposure.

Thanks guys, that certainly sheds a little more light on a scene I think a lot more people would be interested in, if they knew it was around.  You can catch their show tonight on Sound Republic Radio (at 14:00, 22:00 and then on Tuesdays at 06:00), or you can download it from mixedup.co.za.

In the meantime, become a fan of Come Down Monday’s facebook page if you want them to let you know when they’re about to broadcast their pirate signal!

They are just a few of the hundreds of images he took over the course of the weekend.  When he could remember which way to hold his camera. Most of these are shown as-shot, with little or no alteration.

This will (hopefully) be part one of a two-part series of images taken by extremely talented friends of mine.  We hope you enjoy them.

If you’d like to see more of Cameron’s art, you can find him at http://cameronrichards.com, or you can visit his page on facebook.

The Hogs Live at Synergy

Our crew was there to see Hogs, if we missed anything else. And despite any incapacitation or hallucinations, we trooped down to the stage to jam to our heroes.  Check out Kyle’s post to get a feel for what the pit was like.

If you weren't there, you can't understand

Being in that crowd, when you know the words and your friends are around you, is what everyone there came for. And we got it for three days solid.

The Rudimentals put on a jamming set.  Which I sadly missed, because it was 40 degrees Celsius and we were all passed out under the gazebo farm. Fortunately one of us was there to capture it.

Fokofpolisiekar were one of the most exciting bands of the weekend. Unfortunately they swapped their set with the band before them, and we got there late.  But at least we saw most of it. Francois seemed to put just about everything into that performance, and the effect on the crowd was awesome to see.

It might seem like we’re romanticising it, but we’re not. It was every bit as cool as it looks and if you missed it, you missed out.

And finally, the shot which I feel pretty much sums it up. Two crazy characters, as happy as you can imagine, streaked with sweat and dirt, popping up in front of the camera just before the shot was taken.  This is exactly how it came out, and if you want to know in an image how Synergy Live 2009 was, here it is.