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. (more…)
Web Buddies
Music industry observations by Niall Doorley (Future Music Forum)
Posted on October 17, 2011 by Ryan in
The Future Music Forum director gives his insights on the music industry and how he sees things shaping up.
Mark Haze: Cape Town rocker talks music industry
Posted on August 2, 2011 by Ryan in
The rocker from Cape Town and Idols finalist shares his thoughts on the music industry and his life in general.
From the outset it was clear a certain Mark Haze wasn’t going to be on the fringes of M-Net Idols. We’ve enjoyed watching his journey so far, but also how well he has engaged with his rapidly-expanding fan base. He’s used the internet to communicate regularly and connect with people while on his Idols journey. We caught up with him to chat about how he views music and life in general. (more…)
Web Savvy: Website development by the Bache Brothers
Posted on March 14, 2011 by Jon in
The Bache Brothers are proud founders of a web design business called Smashing Web Development based in none other than the sleepy hollow itself.
We figured it’s about time we featured some web buddies from our hometown, Pietermaritzburg (a.k.a “the sleepy hollow”). But don’t be fooled. The Bache brothers don’t mess around. In fact, with people like the Baches operating the way they do in PMB, we’re surprised it still has a reputation as the sleepy hollow.
The Baches are ‘true web buddies’ for us in the sense that we haven’t yet got to know them in person, but rather exclusively by means of online interaction (strange given that we’re from the same place – maybe PMB isn’t that small after all…). We admire their initiative and entrepreneurial spirit, and we respect their desire to create and add value to the online sphere. We caught up with them recently to hear their insights on web development and online trends. (more…)
Radio and music: Damon Beard
Posted on March 8, 2011 by Ryan in
Damon Beard of East Coast Radio is well-known around KZN and further afield. We spoke to him about South African music, radio and his typical working week.
The band first met Damon at the Golden Horse Casino last year. I’ve bumped into him on a number of occasions before that through media work. We’ve found Damon to be one of the most approachable guys in show business, and he’s been very accommodating of the RCB and our ideas. His show on East Coast Radio broadcasts from 3 to 6pm every weekday and you can check out his blog here. We asked him a few questions about the radio and music business. (more…)
Pixie Bennett on music, management and twitter
Posted on March 2, 2011 by Ryan in
Meet Pixie Bennett: singer, freestyle vocalist, dancer, musician, marketer and general fun-loving dynamo. We chatted to her about the music business.
Pixie is one busy lady. She has various spheres to her music career, all of which keep her fairly busy. And sheesh-like, does she get around. Fast. Besides taking the initiative, we like that she’s applied herself in full to her music by being a great multi-tasker, managing all aspects of what she does. Here’s how she goes about life… (more…)
Gareth Wilson: The SA music industry
Posted on February 17, 2011 by Ryan in
When it comes to rock ‘n roll acts in South Africa, Southern Gypsey Queen is right up there. Frontman Gareth Wilson gives some perspective on the local industry.
There’s nothing quite like unadulterated rock ‘n roll, and in South Africa, there is one act which stands head and shoulders above the rest – the Southern Gypsey Queen. They understand what it is to put on a show and that touring gets you in the face of the fans. The band consists of Paul Wilson (drummer), Tammy Wilson (bass) and Gareth Wilson (guitars). All three of them sing, and all three have been mates of ours for a number of years. After 10 years in the industry, Gareth gives some perspective on the SA music scene. (more…)
John Ellis – music, insight and advice from an honest rocker
Posted on February 14, 2011 by Ryan in
John Ellis gives some insight into the music business, what’s important and what makes up his ideal weekend.
Famed as the front man of legendary South African rock export Tree63, John Ellis has performed around the world and decided that there’s just no place like home – Durban, South Africa! He’s come out fighting, in every sense of the word, on his debut solo album, and stirred up important discussion about SA politics and Christianity. But what we like the most about John is that he’s our KwaZulu-Natal homeboy who continues doing what he does best – thrilling audiences with cool tunes. (more…)
::Harbourlight::
Posted on February 10, 2011 by Jon in
Meet melodic rockers Harbourlight, a band based out of Joburg who have just released their second album entitled “Mystery Story”.
::Harbourlight:: is a band from Johannesburg, made up of 5 guys who work hard but have a whole lot of fun making awesome music together. Their first brilliant offering, entitled Come Home, was initially released in July 2008 and subsequently re-released in late 2010 after they secured a distribution deal with Maranatha Music. Their second album was recently released and has already been well received, with the single Closer being playlisted on local radio stations KFM in Cape Town and OFM in Bloemfontein.
But that’s not how you know they’re cool. You know they’re cool cos we think they’re cool. We like the fact that they’re a five-piece (and there are some awesome five-piece bands in SA. *wink!*). And we like that they love God. We think they are a band destined for great things…
Check out our interview with them below:
Shannon Hope – indie musician
Posted on February 7, 2011 by Ryan in
Shannon Hope – vocalist, pianist and all-round hard worker. Loves making music, loves the road and loves South Africa.
Shannon Hope is one of the best examples we can think of when it comes to “how to make it as an indie musician in South Africa”. Shannon is hard-working and manages all aspects of her career – from writing songs to booking gigs to marketing and using the online sphere to enhance her own unique and awesome brand of “art pop”, as she calls it. Check the interview with her below. (more…)
Mike Saunders: Social Media and Marketing
Posted on January 18, 2011 by Ryan in
Mike Saunders is an internet strategy consultant and social media coach. He’s a passionate guy, energetic about his work and basically a pleasure to be around.
Mike Saunders and I go back to 2004, where we were both involved in the production team of the annual Just Jesus Music Festival held over each new year. Mike also played drums and percussion for the track Can’t Wait To See You on my first solo album Better Days. In recent years Mike has moved his marketing expertise into the online realm, and helps businesses get to grips with social networking. (more…)
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