Current mood:touched
Well…Miss T’s been up to her usual tricks again…
The British Association of Composers and Songwriters asked her to write a feature on South African music for their latest fourfour newsletter…such exciting stuff! Here’s a peak at the article…if you’d like the full-blown, colour PDF – please just pop an email back saying ‘Miss T’ and we’ll send it across. We must also mention that the cartoonist is just brilliant and his details are Howard Gardner – www.hgillustration.co.uk, so check it out. Thanks to BACS for the support!
in my view: lisa theunissen
Grassroots of Africa
It was just over 20 years ago that Paul Simon’s album Graceland was released. With the sounds of Africa bursting out of the vinyl, it took the world by storm … truly representing not only South Africa, but the entire continent’s culture, people and viewpoints.
Other greats who emerged and closely followed in his tracks were Jonny Clegg, Claire Johnson, Alison Moyet, and Jonathan Butler. However, as the years have rolled by, the number of South African releases that have successfully reached the UK and USA – the two largest selling markets – has been reduced to a trickle.
I’m not sure whether it’s the acceptance of another culture that is responsible for this comparatively poor performance, a familiarisation with the genres that have dominated sales; whether it’s a lack of marketing budget, or whether the songs are just not big enough hits. However, these ethnic (and fantastic) songs are not moving up the charts as fast as others we are used to hearing, which also capture a culture, its people and its viewpoints. So where does the Great Trek lead us to now?
Almost two decades on from You Can Call Me Al, Freshlyground’s Doo Bee Doo, makes an impact on the charts and receives substantial airplay. The track incorporates all the juiciness of African drums and the raw sense of sitting out in the bush, but still has the essential mainstream hook. Not that it’s a bad thing, but the album tracks are the ones that really capture the essence of Africa. Yet these are not getting airplay nor climbing the charts.
Is it true to say that the classic US/Brit style of writing hooks dominates the records that make it into the charts – or is it all down to budget? With the current state of the South African exchange rate, how does a record label or publishing house launch an act with the same investment and strategy as in the USA and UK – unless, of course, they are linked with the ‘Big Four’ global companies to help fund such a venture?
It will be interesting to see how SonyBMG South Africa breaks its artists in the UK and America over the coming year. At MIDEM in January, the company showcased its latest profile and the word is that it received massive commendation. It will be especially intriguing to uncover what genres these artists fall into, how they keep the essence of Africa and which singles enjoy chart success.
The artists SonyBMG is currently promoting include Soweto String Quartet, Vusi Mahlasela, Semisane, The Usual, Jurie Els, Patricia Lewis, TKZee, James Stewart, Freshlyground, Niemand, Zamajobe, and Judith Sephuma.
Do artists from different countries need to keep their identity? Do they need to keep their roots in the hook? I’m not trying to state the obvious here, but it certainly distinguishes one country from another, exposes listeners to different instruments and different sounds, and it certainly raises the bar competition-wise!
Hopefully, we as South African songwriters will have a new insight to explore, inspiring and driving our songs straight to number one.
Bring on the bare drum-roll of Africa.
Lisa Theunissen, (pronounced “Tennyson”) is a singer-songwriter. HerRoots are from South Africa, although she has been living in the UK for nine years. HerSound incorporates the soft soul of Norah, with an element of the heavy blues grinding of Aretha. To listen to the album HerStory, go to www.lisatheunissen.com.
page 04 fourfour issue17 march 2007
Other than that, HerShow rocked on Tuesday night in Cheltenham, check out TheirSay:
“Food for the soul!” – Jessica
“Immensely enjoyed” – Bad boy(!) Luka Banks
“Massive!” Tim Corke
“Beautiful!” – James Bennett
“Fabulous!” – Mark Wilkinson
Just fab…AND…we’ve squeezed in a gig next Weds near Earls Court, so c’mon down to MyPlace:
Wednesday, 4th April 2007 @ 8pm
Address: MyPlace, 1-3 Trebovir Road, Earls Court, London, SW5 9LS
Map: www.playroomlondon.com
Looking forward to seeing you next week!
HerTeam
XXX