It’s time once again to journey headlong into the crazy-wonderful world of RAMfest. 2010 is set to be the “Year of the Spectacular”.

RAMfest IV will take place on the weekend of 26- 28 February 2010, at Nekkies Holiday resort, Worcester.

Tickets are available from Computicket from 01 November 2009 (country wide)

Earlybird special (01 November – 04 January) R320

3 day weekend pass: R350 outlets. R400 door

2 day Sat/Sun pass: R350 outlets. R350 door

1 day Sunday pass: R100 door only (entry from 08:00).

They have secured a phenomenal line up, including Pendulum from Australia (yes, the Pendulum) Johnny Foreigner from the UK and top SA acts including Fokofpolisiekar, Taxi Violence, Jack Parow and The Dirty Skirts. RAMfest is also proud to present performances by much loved bands that have not performed in SA for a while such as Lark, Boo! and The Narrow.

There will also be a Metal 4 Africa Stage with bands such as New Altum, Betray the Emissary, Cold Hand Chemistry performing. To satisfy the electro fans there will be an Electronic Stage featuring the likes of Yesterday’s Pupil, Haezer, DJ Sassquatch, Richard the 3^rd, Niskerone.

RAMfest IV is said to “surpass its predecessors, both in scale and in skandes.”

Everyone is going gaga over Lady Gaga’s new music video  for Bad Romance. It’s got leather body suits, video games, silly hats, fire, polar bears, poison and coffins. What more could you ask for?

xx

yours in musical madness

“Fronted by Sinead on vocals, with just one guitar, bass and drums, they create a lovely bed of noise pop over which they have draped super sweet melody lines and harmonies. Pulling their punches and using clever song-writing, a crafty use of dynamics and a strong sense of irony instead of sheer grunt, Fire Through The Window have created a rare gem: a band that is truly pop, radio friendly and accessible without being crap, dull and boring.” – David Chislett (www.thechiz.co.za)

Fire Through The Window is a Durban based rock sensation.  They are: Sinead Dennis, Marc De La Querra, Sheldon Yoko, Keagan van Rooyen and Peter Babol.

They have recently released, HEY!, their second album.  This album includes 5 re-recorded, re-mixed and re-mastered tracks from the first album.

Their music can be described as “feel good” and a form of escapism.  The lyrics do not pretend to be too deep, but they tell stories of themselves, “young silly fights and awesome nights” as Mark puts it.

Their first single ‘Just Like You Are’ received massive radio play on stations across South Africa. The single has also been featured on commercials as the chosen song and video to be used for the first ever Apple iPod television campaign in South Africa, as well as the chosen song for a Mr. Price advert in October 2008.  Their second single ‘Last Week’ has also featured as the chosen track for the SL Magazine television advert in January 2009.

Fire Through The Window will hit the road this summer on a Rock Summer Tour with Taxi Violence and Ashtray Electric. It’s going to be awesome.

xx

yours in musical madness

“Live and Direct from the Honky Tonk of Electro, comes three shit-faced extra terrestrials known amongst the elite simply as Donny, Preston and Holly. The trio formed Hyper Crush, a Doo-Hop, Electro, Death-Core super group, destined to be acclaimed in epic proportions.”

 Hyper Crush began with Donnie and Preston. Originally, the name of the band was the Bel-Airs, but the name changed along with their style. They sought a female vocalist to go along with Donnie, and their long-time friend Holly took the job.

Their song, “Keep Up,” has been described as “a dance floor banger, sure to make you dance so fast you can barely see your sneakers.”  They have a Clinton Sparks mixtape out and there is a  Benny Benassi remix of the hit song “Sex & Drugs”. To top it all of they have an upcoming full length album in 2010.

Check these guys out. Hip Hop, electro awesomeness awaits.

Enjoy the video for The Arcade below

xx

yours in musical madness

 Steven Tyler has reportedly quit Aerosmith.

The 61-year-old frontman is said to have walked out on the ‘Crazy’ rockers after a performance in Abu Dhabi last month and his bandmates have not heard from him since.

Guitarist Joe Perry told the Las Vegas Sun newspaper: ‘Steven quit as far as I can tell. I don’t know anymore than you do about it. I got off the plane two nights ago. I saw online that Steven said that he was going to leave the band.’

Perry claims Tyler – father of Hollywood actress Liv Tyler – has refused to take his phone calls to let the rest of the band know what’s going on.

He said: ‘He has had no contact with me or the other band members. He’s notorious for that, that’s one thing I’ve learned to live with. I try to overlook it

‘Obviously he hasn’t been giving 100 per cent to this thing for a long time. He’s obviously had this planned for a long time. To disregard his brothers to the point where we have to find out about it on the internet. I still care for him as a person, or at least the person I used to know. But things change.’

Perry says the band – who were forced to cancel shows earlier this year after Tyler was taken to hospital after falling ill during one concert – are now looking for a replacement.

He said: ‘As far as replacing Steve… We’ll probably find somebody else that will sing in those spots where we need a singer and then we’ll be able to move the Aerosmith up a notch, move the vibe up a notch.’

Thanks to MSN for the info.

xx

yours in musical madness

Hugo Da Conceição Chichava, aka HC, is Africa’s most versatile new artist. Born in Maputo, Mozambique he incorporates hip hop, soul, rap, rock and house into his unique musical style.

Rapping since the age of 13, HC started off as a young freestyle rapper and lyricist. He’s infiltrated the music scene and HC’s music has spread across Africa, Europe and the USA…

Ameen Harron is one of South Africa’s up and coming producers, having worked with a range of the best local musicians, garnering local and international attention. It has been said “the only possible direction for this exciting young man is up.”

Vote for both Ameen and HC in the 2009 Hype Awards:

Best Mixtape - Vote for HC - HC- Method to my madness

Best Song – Vote for: Zubz feat Ameen – “Part Time Lover”

Lets make it happen.

xx

yours in musical madness

]]> http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/hype-awards2009/feed/ 0 musicalmover hype http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/hype-awards2009/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MusicalMoverShaker/~3/aVoz7VaibEA/ http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/08/for-our-hero/#comments Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:26:08 +0000 musicalmover http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/?p=4125 ]]>

Skinny jeans. Check. GHD’d hair. Check.  Modern pop-punk crooning similar to that of Fall Out Boy and All Time Low. Check.

For Our Hero is a pop rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The band is a six piece, consisting of Jay Taplin, Beau Taplin, Dave Tran, Geoff Taylor, Leon Blair and Nax Vee. They burst onto the scene with their EP ‘Threw The Looking Glass’-with it’s tales of teen angst and heartbreak.

Here’s Looking At You Kid, “Curtain Calls on Walkabouts are standout tracks. In fact all their songs make for easy listening and have the ability to get stuck in your head.

The band, have the majority of their album available on their MySpace page, and are already working on B-sides and remixes many of which are available on their Tumblr site.

Keep an eye out for these guys. They make sweet tunes.

Thanks to Lee for the heads up about the band!

xx

yours in musical madness



“Music is a powerful thing that can change and inspire, so I would be happy if I can give people something good through what I do-but more to use music as a tool to speak about things. I was greatly inspired by Fela Kuti’s Music is the weapon. Where he said, music is a spiritual thing and anyone that is given the gift of musicianship should use it for something great. To make a difference, to influence positively…”

His name is Gazelle. Gazelle is an “eclectic mix of mysticism from the dark continent, psychedelic visions of Afro-futurism, theatre and music.”

Xander explains “I’ve been always busy making music. Since I was a little kid playing on a drum that was made for me by my other mother Aysa” he continues “I think it is a natural thing when people start with some sort of expression…”

His influences range from “Boney M, Beegees and Goombaye Dance Band” to “the more traditional and pop side of South African music like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Johnny Clegg and the Savuka, Brenda Fassi and Stimela.” He says “I found a lot of inspiration in the theatrical side of music and was astonished by the great stage performers of our time like Bootsie Collins, George Clinton, Prince and of course like millions I stood in front of the mirror studying the moves of Micheal Jackson.”

He picked the band name Gazelle although he had “previously performed as reggae artist in a soundsystem with Dubmaster China and Teba and was given the name White Lion-so I figured Gazelle is the opposite, the prey, the vulnerable, but with hidden strengths. Maybe its the place that I’m from, growing up in the bush hunting or a strange name that ringed in my ears from seeing too many National Geographic documentaries…”

He lived close the border of Mozambique and it influenced him musically as “I grew up in a rural place where I went to bed some nights with the sound of drums in the distance. So I guess the beat has always been in my blood. It was surely a strange mixture between the music I heard from lying on the carpet as a kid listening to my parents disco vinyls and hearing all the traditional music from the farm workers that played a big part in my life.”

He met band mate Nick Matthews “through a mutual friend Brevan who shared a studio with Ricardo Moretti. I tried to convince Ricardo to help me on the project that I started but then Nick saw the potential and we went from there…we also usually work with Grenville Wiliams on bass and Dubmaster China on percussion (whom are two musicians that I had met through various missions in music)…”Working with Nick has it’s ups and downs as “he’s my partner and my friend. A band is like a relationship with lots of passion…good times and bad times. But we make a great team and compliment each other very well…”

They are preparing for a “European tour Kalahari Safari in January in Europe and have  new project called Dicoco which is a gathering of some people. Dicoco is a monthly event that we are holding until march next year-a gathering place for movers and shakers to mingle socialize and come up with new things…communication..creating a space for the Rennaissance to manifest…The first we are having is this November…it’s gonna be a special event.”

In rather exciting news he will be moving to NY in March to take up some recording deals that have come up with “a really amazing producer”…whom will be mentioned in months to come when they are “done with it”. If that is not enough he is “also working on a television show that will be filmed in various countries.” This is all in preproduction so he “can’t let too much out…”

He has been featured in the Italian Rolling Stone Magazine and played Rome Fashion Week, of such illustrious events he said “I had such a great time in Rome, Marcelo Burlon the Editor of Rodeo Magazine organised this event where Gazelle and Jerry Bouthier, the creator of Boombox in London,  performed…it was crazy, a fancy car with a driver in the suit picking us up from the airport, we immediately said to him to take us to every major tourist spot…”

Bob of Bloody Beetroots, “is a good friend of mine and I did a few shows with them, the craziest one surely in Razzmatazz in Barcelona during Sonar. He phoned me up one day and said he wrote a song for me and I had to be the voice. It is on their first full length album called Ramborama and the song is called Theolonius the Voodoo King.”

Recording the album ‘Chic Afrique’ “was an amazing experience where we worked with so many amazing musicians and beautiful people. We locked ourselves up in the Red Bull studios for a week and brought in about 20 traditional musicians to create the album. He continues “the studio is a free space, it is a place of expression ….so crazy shit happened!” He proclaims “it’s gonna be the Graceland 3000, the Paul Simon on Acid.”

Recently ‘She did me In’ (their first single) was playlisted on 5FM (although the tune has been the feature song for one of the biggest fashion brands in Spain Berskha) he explains “it was quite a hit there and we are working on various releases with different people internationally. We are also working on a remix album called The Revolution will be Remixed which feature some of the most amazing people like Boody B from Palms out sound and Bjorn from Fettes Brot (the biggest hip hop group in Germany).”

He opened for the incredible Santogold and said of that “It was an amazing festival in an old fortress in Oslo. We made a collaboration show with our friends Sweat X and did a collaborative show called Azania 3000. It was quite a night. We ended up DJing at the after party and kept on going even when the cops tried to shut us down…” he laughingly adds “what happens on tour stays on tour…”

Performing “is a time of expression, a moment where you can let go..the perfect moment to use all the ego that you have within you. I like to save my ego rather for the right moment like performing than just in ordinary daily socializing.”

He has played extensively over the globe and his favourite place to perform is hard to choose as “we have had so many countless amazing experiences….I feel so fortunate that I can truly live my dream in that sense. Some of the favourite places was surely the strangest..like Warsaw for instance…where we lost our luggage but when we found out we would perform in the Palace of The culture, the most amazing building in Warsaw…we had to go forward and do it…and it was the craziest crowd we ever had….Other favourites is probably because we have such amazing friends in cities like Copenhagen and Barcelona…So each place is different…but we try and make the most of it…give it our all and take all we can from it…”

They are set for another European tour next year and will be performing in Hamburg, Paris, Stockholm and Zürich to name a few of the many tour destinations. Knowing Gazelle’s flair for live shows, they will undoubtedly be mind blowing.

Their wardrobe is quite intensive and “getting 18 people dressed before a show” is not uncommon. Within the band, Nick works on various projects like Iridium Project and Xander also does various collaborations (like that of 340ml which he is busy with and Fagget Fairies from Copenhagen in the near future)…The collaboration with Fagget Fairies could only be a very interesting one!

One of the craziest things that happened at a show was “the one time in Transkei where two girls swam across the river to come jump on stage during our New Years gig…..well that is a mild one….some others I prefer not to share…” to which he laughing concludes “I’ll let the columns deal with that…”

Gazelle is “colourful part of the African Renaissance promoting the growth and worldview of any African born art.” and will continue to do so, internationally promoting a positive outlook for Africa.

He explains of the band “We strongly believe in our goals and aims. We would like to remove African music from solely being described as world music, but to have it on the same stage and be respected as music of the world like any other.”

They are Gazelle. Preparing for world domination.

]]> http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/gazelle-2/feed/ 2 musicalmover Gazelle Gazelle band Gazelle dancers Gazelle http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/gazelle-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MusicalMoverShaker/~3/n5HYa0ej2v0/ http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/2009/11/07/vanfokkingtasties-2/#comments Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:18:08 +0000 musicalmover http://musicalmover.wordpress.com/?p=4100 ]]>

Take Van Coke Kartel, Fokofpolisiekar, aKING and Die Heuwels Fantasties and you have Vanfokkingtasties, the guys are set to rock at D`Aria in  Durbanville Winevalley.

D’Aria is hosting a series of all ages summer concerts. One of these concerts is a Vanfokkingtasties show on 27 November.

 The cost is R100 and gates open at 18:00 and the show starts at 19h00 and ends at 23h00.

Tickets are available at here as well as at D’Aria on 021-975 0421.

It’s going to Vanfokkingtasties.

xx

yours musical madness

The EMA’s a time to see who Europe voted the for as the pinnacle of the best music around. It was also a time for Katy Perry to swing about, talk rubbish and mayhem in general.

The EMA’s  had Green Day opening the show. They thought they were rock stars. Oh wait, they are. In all seriousness they had attitude-which is not very endearing, plus they weren’t all that good. 

Then it was time for Katy Kat Club. Where Katy did a cabaret style of recent hit songs,it was short sweet and pretty cool. After that the winner of the Best Live Act was announced and the winner was none other than U2. Jay-Z picked up the award for Best Urban. Gangsta yo.

Beyonce’s performance of Sweet Dreams was brilliant, it started with a slower intro and then faded into the usual song. She has an amazing voice…

The Hof announced the Best Rock category, the winner was Green Day. It was kinda hard to take the Hof seriously in a shiny suit. Actually it’s hard to ever take him seriously.

Then Jay-Z and some arb chick (who wasn’t Alicia Keys) performed Empire State of Mind. I loved it. Whoever the girl was, she could sing!

Beyonce proceeded to win best song for Halo. Interesting choice and she had a rather interesting outfit but she rocked it. She is Beyonce after all.

The Best Alternative Act went to Placebo. they beat Muse. hmmm…

The Foo Fighters took to the stage and lead singer Dave Grohl could have passed for a girl with his hair. It’s prettty. in a girly way.

Lil Kim then presented and award (causing many to wonder exactly what she was doing at the EMA’s) She channelled her inner Letoya Jackson. It was odd. In other news the Best New Act went to: Lady Gaga. who wasn’t at there to recieve it.

U2 then performed and caused me to concede that they deserved the Best Live Act. Ya hear that? (I’ve not been much of a U2 fan in the past)…

There was a Frenchie announcing the award for Best Male, the winner was a surprise choice, that being Eminem. He like Lady Gaga was not at the show. tsk, tsk.

Shakira performed ‘Did It Again’ she rocked dreads and a crazy beaded outfit. It was rather cool.

Then it was time for the Jobros to introduce the tribute to Michael Jackson. They needed to learn to read off the teleprompter. It’s legacy Kevin, not le-g-gaacy.

Although the Jobros killed the intro, the actual tribute to the late and great MJ was amazing.

Tokio Hotel then performed. Their lead singer, Bill is rather androgynous looking, aside from that I must say they were really good live.

The Best Regional Act winners were an amazing bunch. Loved it. The Backstreet Boys then took to the stage. They were back alright. minus their hair and a band member. I think.

I thought Deep Insight should have won Best European Act, but the winner was MaNga. The guys sounded like Borat and Bruno combined. Needless to say it was funny.

Tokio Hotel beat the Joho’s Jobros and took home the award for Best Group. Good on them!

Leona Lewis was phenomenal. She sang Happy (one should note the song isn’t very happy). She has talent y’all. Best Female went to Beyonce. Fierce. She also won the award for Best Video for ‘All the Single Ladies.’ Who would have guessed? She thanked Jay for ‘Putting A Ring On It’. Classic.

The EMA’s came close with Katy Perry on a moon and then faded to U2. I’m sure there was some symbolism in that…right? right.

The EMA’s had some WTF moments, but all in all was an entertaining show, as it was supposed to be.

xx

yours in musical madness