John Ellis – music, insight and advice from an honest rocker

Ryan — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:32:21 +0000

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.

"It's business first, second and third out there."

Name: John Ellis

Age: 38

Family: Wife, two children, cat, two brothers, one sister, 537 guitars

Hometown: Durban, bra

Music as a career is a fairly saturated market – what things do aspiring indie musicians in South Africa have going for them?

A ‘nothing to lose’/ ‘the only thing left to do is do it anyway’ mentality. Music used to be about music, so when the business end of it dries up, do you make music anyway or just walk away? Saffers seem to be making music regardless.

You’ve journeyed around the world and seen the music industry in various countries and in various forms. For up-and-coming musicians, what’s the best advice you can give?

Get a BCom! It’s business first, second and third out there. Marketing fourth. Branding fifth. Popularity contest sixth. Music tenth.

How do you use the online sphere to aid your new musical career?

It’s all about online now. In one way it’s the salvation of music, in another way it’s the end of music for music’s sake. Or is it? You now have to compete with everybody and their dog to get an audience, but you can find your niche and reach people directly without having to rely on a massive faceless corporate BS campaign.

"It's all online now."

Generating debate – in politics, religion and any other aspect – is something you’ve encouraged. Why?

I personally don’t feel it’s enough to entertain. I’m not Christina. Obviously. Music has a social function. I just feel this urgency to encourage people to step out of their media-induced reveries and engage their brains again, and rock ‘n roll is an urgent medium.

What potential pitfalls should SA musicians steer clear of?

Dumbing down their music to get on national radio.

What does a typical working week consist of for John Ellis?

Getting kids to school on time, avoiding gym, trying to finish 18 half-finished songs, planning English lectures, driving around in a songwriting-trance breaking traffic rules, fetching kids…

Music has a social function.

Who or what is the most important thing to you?

My family. My wife Tracy and my two children are everything.

Describe your ideal weekend.

Sun, sea, books, duvets, chocolate, mates, braai’s, more books.

Links: Check out John’s website, find him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter.

Open Strings in Westville

Ryan — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 13:43:34 +0000

Rod and Karen Nichols are the owners of a venue which has recently started up in Westville, and they’ve called it Open Strings. Once a month Rod and Karen open their home and host a major South African act performing an acoustic set. On the bill thus far has been Farryl Purkiss, John Ellis, Syd Kitchen and Nibs van der Spuy. To date Farryl had the biggest crowd of 65, which would see the venue full, although the Nichols say 80 would be maximum.

The Nichols’s back yard is made up of a rock feature surrounding a pool and a big open space under a thatch roof where musicians perform from. It’s a different set-up, in the sense that the audience sits around the performer and in segregated pockets as the landscape of space dictates.

Syd Kitchen

I took the opportunity to perform a solo set opening for SA legend Syd Kitchen, who is currently enjoying the success of Fool in a Bubble – a documentary film about the singer/songwriter/guitarist which debuted at the Durban International Film Festival.

My first encounter with Syd was six years ago at the Forgotten Falls in Howick. I had just finished soundchecking under a marquee where the stage was, and had moved to the back and was chatting to the venue owners. As we were speaking, a long-haired silhouette appeared across the field. He had a guitar case in one hand and his other arm around a young brunette.

As he got closer, I recognized who it was. “We’ve come to play for red wine,” he announced to the owner. “I’ll play first.”

Ryan Calder at Open Strings.

I remember feeling quite intimidated at this arrangement… here was an acoustic legend who was offering to open for me. It just didn’t seem right. But that’s always been Syd. He was very respectful of this young musician plying his wares, which made a big impression on me.

On Saturday night, however, the roles were reversed, and rightly so. Syd is a consummate musician and entertainer royale, and I feel more comfortable opening for him.

The set went well and included old favourites and songs off the new album On The Edge. The small crowd was a mix of ages and races, but they were all engaged and attentive. I really am looking forward to performing with the band again in the coming weeks.

It was a real treat to have Tam’s older brother and his wife at the gig, which I must confess, was the best part of the evening for me… seldom do people travel all the way from the UK to listen to these tunes!

Ryan Calder Band » Durban

John Ellis – music, insight and advice from an honest rocker

Open Strings in Westville