Ryan Calder Band » Blog

Life in South Africa: Politics

Doodle — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:22:08 +0000

If there’s one profession that the majority of citizens in any country are sceptical of, it’s politics. I think it’s got to do with our obsession with power and control.

Go on, tell me you don’t want to have some control over the circumstances around you… that you don’t want just a little bit more in your bank account…

By definition, politics is the process of decision making among many people. But that’s a bit of a mouthful, so let’s simplify it:

…the word “politics” is derived from the word “poly” (meaning “many”) and the word “ticks” (meaning “blood sucking parasites”).

To illustrate the point, if a minister of a certain portfolio gets fired, before he leaves he returns the government cell phone, but keeps the personalised number-plated BMW.

You can see why it’s a sought-after profession. I mean, simply seen to be doing an activity is the politician’s substitute for achievement! Bliss! One senior politician gave the following statement to his cabinet of ministers: “I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I’m in a cabinet meeting…”

Of course, it’s only desirable if you’re not worried about your reputation or what savvy citizens think of you.

“Political cunning should never be mistaken for intelligence,” a university professor told me. “Honesty in politics is much like oxygen,” he elaborated. “The higher up you go, the scarcer it becomes.”

One of my mates came out of rehab the other day. “The government is sneaky,” he said. “They raise the tax on alcohol, then make sure that the country is in such a mess that you drink more.”

As a result, he’s done with politicians during election time. “Don’t vote!” he campaigns. “It only encourages them!”

Politicians are like ships... noisiest when lost in a fog.

You have to admire his logic though: “Nobody can fix the economy. Nobody can be trusted with their finger on the button. Nobody’s perfect. Vote for Nobody!”

Speaking of election time, it seems to be the only time you notice things getting done. Potholes gets fixed, road signs are ammended and the streets are cleaned. It’s great!

“That’s just because the current governance wants to be kept in power as the time for voting creeps closer,” the professor told me. “Politicians are much like ships: noisiest when lost in a fog.”

As a result of course, most citizens are wary of politicans and consider many of them as dodgy characters. It seems to be a common denominator worldwide. For example, in countries where there are political T.V. commercials, one thing is apparent: some candidates can tell all their good points and qualifications in just 30 seconds.

“There are two sorts of politicians,” my professor reminds me. “Those who can talk nonsense on any subject under the sun, and those who don’t need a subject.”

The reason they bury politicians 26 feet under is because deep down they’re nice guys. It’s true, especially in South Africa. If the Protection of Information Bill gets passed today, I’ll probably have to take this down. They don’t want everyone knowing the truth.

If Rudi Engelbrecht was my psychiatrist…

Ryan — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:16:20 +0000

As you know, I am intrigued by people’s stories. I much prefer autobiographies over anything else. There’s nothing more interesting, I find, than hearing someone’s story and their own personal journey: what they’ve been through and what are the things that have made them who they are.

And if our drummer Rudi had a biography, it would be well worth the read. But rather than delve into the Benonian’s history (I’ll leave that to him to blog) I’ve once or twice found myself engaged in conversation with aforementioned Roo, and pondered his advisory role, both in my own life and that of the RCB.

If Rudi Engelbrecht was a psychiatrist, Dr Phil would be out of business. If he was MY psychiatrist, there would be drastic changes to certain aspects of my worldview.

For the uninformed, Roo and I agree on the main things: we’re both sinners saved by grace, nothing beats family time, and the answer to most of the world’s problems can be solved around a braai or over a popular Irish stout.

That said, it’s the finer details… and here’s where certain nuances in my value system would be instructed to change with regard to life on earth. For example:

• I’d probably have to trade in my Nikes for Doc Martins. You see, Rudi is fundamentally old school in many ways, and hails from the era where there was nothing more to radio than Barney Simon, and hard-rocking grunge was paramount. Doc Martins were, and still are, par for the course for any self-respecting, anti-establishment rocker.

• The sabbath would be observed concurrently with the broadcasting of F1 Grand Prix. Nothing, and no-one, interferes… no matter how big the crisis is. End of story.

• If the money became available, I would go out and buy a trok (bakkie). ‘Tis the way of the Dutchman.

• While driving my trok, talking to other drivers on the road as if they are a part of the discourse would become a way of life.

• A variety of gadgets are key ingredients to a working day. Keeping up with bits of electronic innovations which make your life easier – like voice-activated GPS for the car, hands-free bluetooth ear-pieces… the list continues to grow.

• Android over iPhone. (Sad, but true.)

• Two staple diets (along with lots of coffee) would be Discovery Channel and Car Magazine. These are modern-day masculinity trademarks for white boys born before Bieber. You watch. You read. You live by.

I really could go on and on… but I’m sure that you get the picture. Rudi brings some fundamentals to the RCB besides solid beats. Where would we be without him?

Forget Chuck Norris… Jon Calder is the man for the job

Ryan — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:05:42 +0000

They say that Chuck Norris grew a beard at the age of 18. Seconds.

Now, I’m not here to diss Chuck (we all know what kind of suicidal mission that would be)… but I just can’t help wondering whether Mr Norris ever considered world domination?

“Stupid question,” you’ll tell me. “World domination considered Chuck Norris.”

But Chuck is kinda old news now, isn’t he? I mean, the world needs a new hero. Chuck’s proven ability shows that there’s zero chance of failure, no suspense, no room for error. It’s all predictable and the hero is – essentially – old and boring.

The RCB is, like most other musicians, out for world domination (of course). And while we could use a skill set like Chuck’s, we figure our story will turn out pretty boring in the end if we employed him.

Besides, that’s the other problem: emplyment. The RCB can hardly employ themselves, let alone Chuck Norris.

But Jon Calder… now THAT’S a different story.

Basically, Jon has no choice. He’s forced into the RCB. And in the absence of Chuck, we needed a more-than-ample, suitably-fresh substitute.

I hope you are appreciating this. Take this website, for example. We like it. And it didn’t happen with Chuck’s help… if you catch my drift. (If not, refer to the paragraph above.)

Another example: if you put sheet music in front of the rest of us, we’d feel flattered and admire the patterns. But we’d go about our business like REAL modern musicians. I mean, who needs sheet music in the modern era? Pffft.

Jon, on the other hand, would not only play whatever was on the score… he’d also run data tests and algorithms to analyze whether it had the making of hit song structure or not. Okay, that’s a bit extreme… he lets uPlaya do that.

But still… in an age of modern rock stars, where all a real band needs is a decent measure of self assurance and – at the MOST – four chords, we’ve got an analytical dot reader. Now, this might be cool in some circles, but you try walking into any popular night club to gig with a sheet-music-reader-keyboardist.

We’re thinking of disguising him with tatoos. Anyway, let’s compare beards…

Every genuine modern musician needs at least one beard going on in a five-piece band. Now, if you’re gonna make us choose between Chuck and Jon based on beards alone, well… there’s no contest.

Look at that picture above. There’s plenty of beard going on there. Jon Calder didn’t need the beard. The beard needed Jon Calder. And in fact, Jon Calder gave some of his beard to Chuck Norris.

So what if Chuck Norris won American Idol using sign language? So what if Chuck Norris died 20 years ago and Death hasn’t built up the courage to tell him yet? Given all of the above, we think it’s a no-brainer. When it comes to RCB, forget Chuck Norris… Jon Calder is the man for the job.

Five reasons I would invite Roberto Hemmero to dinner

Ryan — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:12:40 +0000

We often get asked at gigs (mostly by white people) where Roberto comes from. The answers are wide and varied.

Rob, Berto, brother, bass ou, bruin ou… whatever you want to call him, seems to have mystifying power over our audiences.

But besides his ability as a musician, he is also – and this may surprise you – a wonderful human being. Yes. Seriously. So herewith, five reasons I tend to invite him round for dinner as much as possible.

Reason #1: A good excuse for curry
In the Calder household, we don’t really need an excuse for a curry dinner, but it’s always nice when you’ve got guests arriving who you know will be down with a bit of flavour. That said, we usually end up doing chicken (butter or roast) and if it’s ever just Berto and I, we go for french fries on rolls. Okay I’m joking. Just rolls.

Reason #2: There’ll be leftovers
Given the size of his physical frame, there’s usually a bit of extra food. Even when he’s “starving”, his two helpings still don’t deplete the main tray. So there’s always leftovers, which means inviting Berto around for dinner is economical!

This is never the case when Jon “hollow legs” keyboardist comes for dinner.

Reason #3: No-one re-enacts a funny story like a bruin ou
Beneath that mostly quiet exterior is a very perceptive and observant student of human behaviour. On one occasion, I had instructed each of the band mates to get the audience clapping along. After the show, Berto reinacted how one of our fellow bandmates did it. I have never laughed so hard. He exaggerated it EXACTLY. I know few people who can openly make fun of you and make you laugh at yourself. And lets face it, we all need to laugh at ourselves a bit more. Especially Rudi.

Reason #4: Cori
I asked Tam why we would invite Berto to dinner, and her answer was simple: “Cori”. If ever there was a demystifying power to our bassist, it’s his wife. One of the most delightful and fun couples you will ever meet, she keeps his feet on the ground while his head is in the clouds. (Hahahahaha!)

But equally so, Berto married someone who is as adventurous about this life as he is. Ayoba.

Reason #5: You’ll feel better about the world
It has been this way since I’ve known him. Hanging out with Berto and the rest of the band, listening to their ideals, their dreams, their own realities… it all makes me feel a bit better about the world and that someone besides Jesus has a clue about this life. You’ll benefit from hanging around this guy too.

Music industry observations by Niall Doorley (Future Music Forum)

Ryan — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:55:36 +0000

The Future Music Forum, which I attended in September in Barcelona, is the brainchild of events co-ordinator Niall Doorley. Niall is an energetic personality, and has created a important space for the music industry to come together and share ideas.

Niall Doorley.

Niall also very graciously agreed, as part of the RCB winning the We Love Your Songs competition, to allow the band free access to the FMF. I chatted to him following the second annual Future Music Forum.

Ryan Calder: How did the Future Music Forum come about? What was the inspiration behind it?

Niall Doorley: First and foremost I’m an events guy, besides my passion for music I saw an opportunity to host a niche conference on a certain aspect of the music industry that is growing at a mind-boggling pace. Both my professional & academic background in recent times has been focused on the area of social media, digital marketing & online branding.

With this I had been visiting events in the U.S. that were giving much more emphasis to the cutting-edge developments of the music industry rather that the usual bland topics. There are certain events around Europe that do similar things but I thought with a couple of tweaks here and there, and using Barcelona and the Merce festival (held during the event) as the idyllic backdrop, that something could really grow… and here I am, looking forward to the 3rd edition.

What positive feedback did you get from the second annual FMF?

Niall: We have received fantastic feedback, it’s really encouraging as an events producer to have senior bods from the industry come and congratulate you on the event, and actually seem sincere about it. Above all I believe it’s the personable aspect of the event that leaves a lasting effect with people. With the size and the team’s organisation, people really feel comfortable at this event. Apart from this, it’s the cutting-edge topics that really capture people’s enthusiasm… with so much doom and gloom around the industry it’s hard not to be inspired by some of the companies presenting at the FMF and how they trying to add new life to the industry.

The second annual FMF grew from the first one. What plans are on the horizon for 2012 and how will it be different?

Niall: We are already looking at how we can improve for the 3rd edition. Our mission from the start was to put this event firmly on the agenda of the music industry, more for people involved in how the new business models, or new business in general within the industry, is progressing. Personally I feel we still need another year of hitting the right note, tackling the most cutting-edge issues, but we are already looking at doing something like a bootcamp for new music technology and businesses to gain more awareness about their product.

We would also like to continue with support for new upcoming artists. For example, one of our competition winners from this year is now fully enrolled in Berklee College of Music online course, one of the most recognised in the business. With the event taking place during Barcelona’s biggest free music festival The BAM Festival, we already have that live music aspect to the event. What we would like to do now is add our own FMF Music Stage to that festival. Fingers crossed we will have a presence for next year.

What are some of the more innovative music business models you have seen recently?

Niall: For me, I’m really interested in how gaming and music progress together. Not many people are aware, but they have a long history together – stretching back to the late 80s where in Japan video games music was being sold on cassette. Fast forward to 2011, and with the hugely popular games on Facebook now converting into a serious channel for pop stars to reach their audience, PS, Xbox, etc etc are now signing some major deals with record companies for music rights.

I think its a great development for the industry, MXP4, who actually spoke at the 2nd FMF, are well worth checking out to understand where that particular avenue for the industry is going.

How would you go about a career in the music industry at this point? What areas would you focus on?

Niall: Depending on what area exactly you are looking to get into. If I were a musician now I would be either focusing on getting a team around me who are familiar with the power of social media & how to engage with your fan base online or schooling myself on the best practices, there are lots of great examples out there with Ok Go, Bjork, obviously Radiohead and others being great examples.

If I were looking to get into the music business side I think being bang up to date on how Music Synch can develop your catalogues is a must.I think with the industry splintering into so many different avenues right now, it’s wise to look at a certain area and say, ‘yeah, thats me’ and pursue that avenue, music content for mobile, Music Branding, Head of Synch, so many interesting areas to choose from.

* Keep in touch with the Future Music Forum website, as well as links and updates on the Facebook and Twitter pages.

Future Music Forum – a social business

Ryan — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 07:52:46 +0000

One of the wonders of the modern world is that we’re all so connected, and yet also not. To illustrate the point: here I sit, typing this blog post on my Blackberry, in a cafe full of people. Go on. Judge me. But this is the world we live in.

However, I have wondered about John Mayor deleting his Twitter profile. I have wondered about how effective this whole thing really is.

Let’s face it: social networking and the Internet are great tools, but there’s something to be said for taking time out to think and speak with your contemporaries about what kind of business you’re actually doing.

Angel Gambino, the 2011 FMF keynote speaker.

Such is the great benefit of the second annual Future Music Forum, in which this year, around 70 delegates gathered to chat through models of the music industry, ideas going forward and where the future of successful music making, management and publishing lies.

The irony is that the FMF is a meeting of minds about social media to fulfil a function which, I would argue, social media cannot.

The keynote address by U.S. entrepreneur Angela Gambino (pictured right) addressed two key issues in business success: velocity and scale. In other words, the capacity of a business to grow quickly and grow large.

“How easy is your business to contemplate? How easy is your business to copy?” she asked delegates. Food for thought.

Marc Marot.

One of the highlights for me of the FMF was the collaboration of Marc Marot and Ian Neil on two different panels. The first panel was How To Get Your Music in TV and Film and the second was a broader focus on Music Synchronisation – which is the association of music with different brands (TV adverts, clothing, etc).

Ian Neil.

Both Marc and Ian have worked in the industry over the past three decades and their casual approach at the FMF and anecdotal reflections were a real treat. But beyond that, through the discussion with other panellists, they were able to give a perspective that innovation is still key to the future of the music industry, and the area of synchronisation is one which Ian maintains has continued to give a reasonable return in profits and other benefits.

I was wondering when it would happen, and Marc brought it up: the case of Adele – an independent artist who has become a global sensation, and will have sold 20 million albums by the end of this year. “That tells us something,” he said, “she’s an interesting case.” It was comforting for me to hear that there is still a sense (be it romanticized or otherwise) that there is still a market for unique, quality music.

Finding a compatible fit with a brand and an artist is fundamental, but it was interesting to hear from professionals that being in the personal collections of writers or directors is sometimes more fundamental. When you’re in their minds, things happen…

For example, the wife of the CEO of a major film company in the U.S. will step out the shower and say “You know that band that sings [insert tune]‘? I really like them!” Next thing you know, that band is on the soundtrack of the latest Hollywood blockbuster.

It’s not all about who you know… it also depends on who knows you.

FMF director Niall Doorley also highlighted synchronisation. “I’m really interested in how gaming & music progress together,” he said. “Not many people are aware, but they have a long history together stretching back to the late 80s where in Japan video game’s music was being sold on cassette. Fast forward to 2011 and with the hugely popular games on Facebook now converting in to a serious channel for pop stars to reach their audience.”

Mike McCready.

The other interest for me was the area of A&R, something which many independents nowadays take for granted with the advent of social media, but someone who seems to understand the nuances and psychology of it all is Music X-Ray CEO Mike McCready.

The website describes the company as “21st century A&R”, and profiles and offers opportunities to artists with industry professionals across the board. Worth checking out if you haven’t already.

One thing that really stands out: get to know people. It helps.

Other notes: Make awesome music. It helps. Think out the box. Then demonstrate your ability to do so. It definitely helps!

Locals, music and the city of Barcelona

Ryan — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 22:00:17 +0000

Barcelona is intoxicating. Several times I have come close to getting a tattoo, and every night I have ended up in some obscure little carrer (street) after mixing it up with the locals. I have butchered their Catalan (the native language) to death, but I am obviously enough entertainment value to warrant the amount of free drinks I have garnered from them.

Apparently this is rare, so I am told. If it is, I consider myself grateful.

Coming to the end of the summer and coinciding with the La Merce music festival, my trip here was to attend the Future Music Forum, plus a few extra days to catch the sights, sounds and smells and get lost in translation.

"Salud!"

It’s no small miracle that I’m here, as you regular readers will know. It was my birthday last week, and yes, I celebrated in style… even found an appropriate place (pictured) to have lunch on the given day.

...

I miss my wife and family back home, but there’s enough gypsy blood still coursing through these 30-year-old veins to have well and truly indulged the city and all it has to offer.

The Mediterranean climate is glorious. It’s 11.19pm as I type this, sitting in shorts and a T-shirt on a street corner outside a local bar with wi-fi, two blocks away from Las Ramblas. I naturally gravitate there every day. I’m not one for too much of the tourist vibe, but Las Ramblas is an entity all it’s own. It’s where the people are.

The other natural hangout has been the gothic centre of the city, which is what locals call the dodgy part of town. It’s characterized by small walkways, small curio shops and plenty of local homes stacked upon each other. I had wine with a local couple inside one such type of place. I struggled – the walls are saturated with the smell of smoke, and there’s little ventilation. Seems as though the Spanish are oblivious to the effects of smoking.

I got warned beforehand that the darker side of Barcelona is that pickpockets are rife, especially in the city centre, and so the advice was to be diligent. I had a quiet chuckle after my first day here. If you know your way around the streets of Mzansi, you’ll be fine here.

Of course a major attraction of the city is the incredible work of Gaudi, the esteemed artist and architect. It was quite something to finally see for real what I had studied in my fine art degree seven years ago. What an extraordinary person he was.

Right, time to find out what that music is about coming from the block next door. Later.

Spain and the future of the RCB

Ryan — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 14:33:14 +0000

Well, it turns out that five years on and two albums later, that’s beginning to happen.

It’s been quite a process and a learning curve in faith for me, but still the story unfolds. Last week the UK visa was approved (for the journey home) and we are currently awaiting news of the Spain/Schengan.

Currently, our campaign looks like this:

We had aimed to have everything sorted out by now, but even though we are a few thousand rand short we came pretty close and we’re in too far to back out now! So we continue riding it out on faith.

Keep watching this space, because the Future Music Forum in Barcelona will no doubt yield some interesting outcomes for us, and all of you RCB devotees are in for a special treat following Spain.

Donate towards the RCB here.

The international doors open

Ryan — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:49:56 +0000

I am normally circumspect when it comes to statements such as “living by faith” or “God will provide”. But as I type this, I find myself in the middle of an unfolding miracle. You may or may not believe it, and I am still trying to come to grips with it myself. It all started on Monday.

Monday night, 7.30pm, our get-to-Spain graph looked looked like this:

My flight to Cape Town having been booked for Tuesday, Monday night was spent deliberating with Tam on the pros and cons of purchasing a plane ticket to Spain, with no money in the bank account. (Incidentally, KZN residents can only get a Schengan visa in Cape Town – not Pretoria.)

Us being the praying kind, I prayed. Feeling a strange sense of peace, and aided by the symptom of partly-stupid-and-mostly-gung-ho, I booked the plane ticket. The only person who knew I’d done it was Tam, and she promptly went to sleep (probably as a coping mechanism).

Four hours later, having not told a soul, the graph suddenly looked like this:

A couple of anonymous donations made in the space of 4 hours. I have no clue where those donations have come from (if it was you, a very heartfelt and large Thank You!). I have come to the realisation that it’s not actually important. We’re taking it as a sign. The Future Music Forum beckons, and with it, a new future for the RCB.

P.S. For those still following our progress, we still have a way to go, as you’ll see in the graph below.

If you’d like to donate, click on any one of the graphs or click here.

A week in Cape Town

Ryan — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:22:14 +0000

I’ve spent the past week in Cape Town as travelling salesman for the band, getting to meetings, doing general PR, sorting out Schengan and UK visas… and would you believe, performing a couple of shows.

My Sea Point view... hard life as a working muso.

As any South African knows, Cape Town is a very seductive city when the weather plays its part. This past week consisted of blue skies on most days, showcasing the mountain in all its iconic glory. Staying in Sea Point didn’t hinder the effect either. I don’t know how anyone gets any work done here, but anyway…

I had two confirmed shows for the week I was in the Mother City. The first of which was at Mercury Lounge, one of the longest-standing live music venues. There was a smallish crowd for the gig (following the public holiday on Tuesday), but my set went well, the songs were well received, and it was great meeting up with some old friends from Maritzburg who are now living in Cape Town.

Other bands on the line-up included Sam Jam, a Kenyan now based in Cape Town with some real raw rock talent. He showcased some of his newer tunes as a three-piece act. Rounding up the evening was the Ghostbane Collective, a five-piece hard rocking band who I kept thinking our drummer Rudi would’ve really appreciated (as the former frontman of hard rock act 2Flye).

Monday night was a stop in at the Barleycorn Music Club, which meets weekly at the Villagers Rugby Club pub – a great venue (it’s carpeted!) with good sound and an attentive, appreciative audience. Discerning, but appreciative. I followed on from Sam Jam (this time performing as an acoustic solo artist) and my long-time friend Matt Allison, whose tunes brought back many good memories from gigs at the old Red Door (in PMB) and at my folks’ old house.

The set went so well that I actually managed to sell albums, which all help get us a few centimetres closer to Spain in September.

Just to say a very big thank you to all who came and supported and met up during the week. It was good to see so many of you again, and for all your support of this band and this music.