Current mood:inspired
HerStory of a South African Singer-Songwriter Abroad
Afrikaans Editorial Piece for SA Promo Magazine, July Edition
Being a musician abroad is no different to being a musician in South Africa. As we are mostly on the road to the next gig so we can be heard, leaving everything behind. Whilst we are on the road, days roll into nights and nights into days so it is vital for us to keep head-strong. It is also important that we have a solid foundation of family, friends, partners and fans that understand what we are trying accomplish, encourage us and help us keep the faith. Endless SMS messages and calls do help keep us on the straight and narrow path!
We have to be focused because before record labels or management even look at us really high expectations are set. Nowadays we are expected to release an album on the likes of iTunes and sell. As well as perform at the best venues with a fanbase (that we build/maintain) – who have signed our names across their hearts, religiously are at every gig and continually send messages of support.
Besides talent, dedication and stamina, a lot of money is required for rehearsal studios, transport, photography, website development/maintenance, recording/mastering, equipment, CD production, merchandise, plugging, distribution.
Finance often prevents us from moving forward faster as we have to wait until we have raised enough funds to put a professional package together. This is one of the reasons you will find singer-songwriters putting out singles in stages then releasing and/or remastering an album – this can take years! We are also often not paid for playing original music when starting out; often have to pay promoters to play at bigger venues or to support big acts; and most of us have 2-3 jobs to fund what we love doing leaving us with little time to concentrate on being artists. Ever signed into MySpace.com at midnight?! You will find millions of flashing lights of artists online networking and promoting their music.
Through it all though we can all vouch that it is something that rushes and runs through our veins and haunts us when we are not doing it. So if you know you can, then do it…Making and sharing music is so worth the ride – the blood, sweat and tears of joy!
Here’s a little helping hand if you are an artist starting out: http://www.facebook.com/pages/London-United-Kingdom/Artist-Starter-Pack/19750331801.
And remember “‘n boer maak a plan”, regardless of the country we are in!
With love from Africa
Lisa Theunissen
XXX
Lisa Theunissen has soul to raise the roof, rhythm to shake your soul and smooth melodies to make you go ‘aahhh…sweet’. Catch HerBand at GuilFest 2008 from 16:45-17:15 on 5th July at Stoke Park in Guildford, Surrey and shout ‘Howzit Theunissen’! Discounted tickets available from http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lisatheunissen. HerStory album is now available from iTunes or Amazon.