Category: music

Back II Life

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And so, as was mentioned yesterday, Cape Town is slowly getting back into the swing of things. As with everything Capetonian, it’s a glacially slow process, and while managers will be encouraging their charges to hit the ground running, deep down, they’ll be well aware that it will basically be February before anyone here is up to speed.
This process will in no way be assisted today by the dichotomous circumstances of the rain (currently washing most of Cape Agulhas off my car) and day 4 of the SA v West Indies test match at Newlands.

And so a little Soul II Soul is called for to ease us back into this working life. Remember back in 1989 when this won the (somewhat niche) Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals? No. Me neither. But “Back to life, back to reality” very much sums up the sad situation we find ourselves in this morning.

If you are back to work today, stay strong. It’s only 345 days until December 16th 2015. And one or two of them are public holidays.

Loadshedding EP

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Once again, it’s dark. Well, it’s not, because it’s light, but if it were dark, it would be dark. Yes, we’re being loadshod once again.

There was plenty of warning this time around and yet some people still seem to be confused, despite the best efforts of the City Council and Eskom to keep them informed. These individuals then react with anger. It’s proof that you simply can’t legislate for stupid people, I guess.

Me? I react with creativity. It’s been a while now since I’ve written any music and I’ve decided that I’m going to write an EP with loadshedding as my muse.
It’s early days, but already, there are song titles forming in my mind. I sense that a mixture of genres will ensure mass appeal.

The folk classic: Peggy, Don’t You Open The Fridge
The rock ballad: I Never Knew I Wanted Coffee (Until The Power Went Out)
The electronic dance piece: Generator X (Dubstop Remix)
The boy band pop hit: Solar, So Good
Some hip hop: Crap Traffic –  It’s A Four Way Stop Thing.
Oh, and obviously a death metal tune about Eternal Night, or something.

Like I say, this is just the bare bones. Now I’m going to hang some riffs and one (or more) soaring vocals on them.

You’re probably going to love it.

Intermission blog

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Beatenburg done and now we’re awaiting Jared and 30 Seconds to Mars. The spotlights are on…

image

… the scene is set.

Last time out, Jared climbed to the top of the stage. He was a bit mad back then. But that was 5½ years ago.
We’ve all grown up a bit since then, right? Although I might go a bit mad again tonight.

Review tomorrow. Possibly.

Where Is My Mind?

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It’s a question that I have asked myself for years, pretty much on a daily basis. Often more than once daily as well.

It was also a question that The Pixies asked in the late 80s. And one that Placebo covered on their album Covers. Here is Brian et al performing that very same song, live:

And with them, Frank Black, the writer of Where Is My Mind? and lead singer of The Pixies.

It’s rough, seemingly unrehearsed, and just brilliant.

It Was Love That Laid Us Low

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Chilled out vibes from these guys for a Friday afternoon:

I’m not sure what effect the placed wallet has on the sound of the drum? And does it make a difference if it’s filled with credit cards or cold hard cash? Does the character of the music change as the band becomes more (or less) successful?

I’m over-analysing. It’s a lovely song, and it’s Friday afternoon.