DECEMBER STREETS release debut album + announce tour dates

Photo taken by Lisa Stayt

It's been an album 2 years in the making with the December Streets already claiming multiple radio hits across South African radio stations in 2011 and 2012, but it's finally here. The December Streets launch their debut album "This Is" next week with a nationwide tour following throughout August. Fans can finally have all the hits ("My Name", "Fire Through The Window", "Got That Feeling", and more) all on one album.

The band returned to the studio in April and May 2012, working once again with Jacques du Plessis and David Grevler (who both worked with other great SA acts such as Wrestlerish, Dance you’re on Fire, Fire through the Window and the City Bowl Mizers), re-recording all their hit songs, adding loads of brand new tracks and creating one of the best debut releases of 2012.

"'This is' features the best of the old and the very best of the new. As the album title suggests, This is what we've got, This is our best... Till the second album of course." Corneil Clasen, Drummer for The December Streets, proudly explains when asked about their debut.

Album track listing and cover art:

1.            Avvio

2.            Coming Home

3.            Fire Through The Window

4.            Breathing In

5.            Who Needs Shoes

6.            My Name

7.            Thief

8.            Dance With Somebody

9.            Slow Down

10.          So Fine

11.          Josephine

12.          Got That Feeling

13.          Wazungu (African Jam)

14.          She Knows

BONUS TRACK:

15.          Papa Said

Along with the hit singles fans already know, "This Is" boasts a selection of incredible tracks, such as the brand new single "So Fine" (already receiving generous radio play on 5fm), the feel-good "Coming Home", vibey "Dance With Somebody", and party starter "Breathing In".

Trying to define their style is almost impossible. "Like our bio says 'Rock music met pop music and they had a baby. The baby of funk and reggae met that baby and THEIR baby is what you could be listening to right now!'", says Nico van Loggerenberg, Lead Guitarist for the December Streets.

To celebrate the release of their debut album "This Is", December Street will be touring throughout August, launching their album to fans nationwide on the following dates:

2nd August - Tanz Café, Fourways, Johannesburg

Band Line-up:    Supported by LACEY MAY

Entrance Fee:    R70 entrance or R120 entrance with a "This Is" CD

Ticket Link:          http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/index.php?mod=submain&SubPage_ID=44

For Bookings:     Call (011) 658 0277 or go to this link http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/index.php?mod=submain&SubPage_ID=19

Venue Address: Shop 27, The Buzz Shopping Centre, Cnr Witkoppen & Nerine Roads, Fourways

4th August - !Arcade Empire, Pretoria

Band Line-up: With BOMBAY SHOW PIG (from The Netherlands) and KINKY ROBOT

Venue Contact: TEL - 087 980 3531 (!Arcade Empire)

Venue Address: 265 The Highway Street, Pretoria

16th August - Memphis Rocks, Potchefstroom

Venue Contact: 083 444 4101 (Memphis Rock)

Venue Address: 12 ESSELEN STREET, Potchefstroom

18th August - LIVE - The Venue, Durban

Band Line-up: With FARRYL PURKISS and CATLIKE THIEVES

Venue Contact: 084 510 3107 (LIVE - the venue)

Venue Address: 166 Stamford Hill Rd, Durban

24th August - Zula Bar, Cape Town

Band Line-up: With FARRYL PURKISS

Venue Contact: 021 424 2442

Venue Address: 98 Long St, Cape Town

25th August - Aandklas, Stellenbosch

Band Line-up: With FARRYL PURKISS and DUIMPIE SE MAAT

Venue Contact: 021 883 3545

Venue Address: 43a Birdstraat, Stellenbosch

31st August - Tanz Café, Fourways, Johannesburg

Band Line-up: with THE GRAEME WATKINS PROJECT and KINKY ROBOT

Ticket Link: http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/

For Bookings: Call (011) 658 0277 or go to this link http://www.tanzcafe.co.za/index.php?mod=submain&SubPage_ID=19

Venue Address: Shop 27, The Buzz Shopping Centre, Cnr Witkoppen & Nerine Roads, Fourways

"We have put a lot of hours into preparing a new and fresh set for the album tour. Obviously giving the audience a taste of what they can expect on the album, and more. A lot of energy and dancing will be mandatory on and off stage." - December Streets

Watch the brand new music video from December Streets for "Got That Feeling" and get ready for an explosive tour!!!

"This Is" the December Streets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9YgnVu-An4

YGN: Spring is gonna rock

On Spring Day 2012 we're gonna be Rocking in Spring at Gateways Wavehouse with some of SA's top rock bands including multi'-award winners CrashCarBurn and The Graeme Watkins Project, Idols 2011 winner, David Van Vuuren and 2009 winner, Jason Hartman and The Catlike Thieves.


Tickets are available via computicket at R120 or on the day at the gate for R150. Ticket sales at the venue start at 16:00 and the gates open at 17:30. There is no age restriction.

David Van Vuuren winner of idols 2011 is originally from Pinetown, this will be his first performance with his full live band, 'Free the Animals', in Durban.

The Graeme Watkins Project are fresh from their USA tour and recording tracks for their new album with international producer, Jeff Blue who has worked with the likes of Linken Park.

Jason Hartman was also recently abroad performing in France and is excited to be performing in his home town along with the other idols famed stars.

The Catlike Thieves are also a Durban based band and are proud to open the stage for this spectacular event.

CrashCarBurn recently performed in Ballito and are back to rock Durban for all those who missed the show. They'll be rocking out classic hits like Twisted along with some new songs.

CHIANOSKY RELEASES HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED DEBUT ALBUM ‘HUNGRY’

The dream is just beginning for 19-year-old ChianoSky with the release of her highly anticipated debut album ‘Hungry’. ChianoSky’s mix of seductive jazzy pop has seen her racing up the airplay charts in South Africa, showcasing her as one of South Africa’s most exciting, fresh and talented new discoveries.

‘Hungry’ has already spawned the hits ‘Sick Sick’, ‘Walking Away’ and her current single ‘Home Sweet Home,’ all of which have enjoyed nationwide playlistings on top CHR stations like 5fm, Highveld and more.

“Hungry is such a powerful word. It summed up exactly how I feel about everything that is happening in my life at the moment. I am starved for experience, hungry for it, and I am willing to fight for it. That’s really what this album represents for me,” she says.

With influences ranging from afar afield as Nina Simone, Etta James, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Adele and especially Amy Winehouse. ChianoSky has found an original voice and style all her own. The album, which has been a year in the making, has seen ChianoSky collaborate with some of the top producers in the industry, including the famous UK based Pete “Boxsta” Martin.

Chianosky

“I was so nervous about working with Pete, because it’s a whole different game overseas, but it was one of the best experiences of my life. I discovered so many different sides to my voice, and really worked on bringing them all to life”, says ChianoSky.

ChianoSky is not an artist to sit behind the scenes and let other people create her story. She insists on being a part of the entire process, from vision and creative concept, music video, photo shoots, album artwork design and beyond. In perfect pop style, there are no half measures with ChianoSky, you get the entire package, all intricately thought out and planned.

‘Hungry’ is an album that highlights the journey of an artist who has paved her own path, from start to finish.  From the contagious blues pop of ‘Walking Away’ the intensity of the jazzy ballad ‘Believe’ to the bluesy inspired ‘Sugar Man’, this is an album with a striking maturity, sultry sexy vocals that transfix and inspire, and a sound that is filled with the optimism and full bodied lust of youth.

Great weekend of live music in Durban

This weekend saw a great selection of live music in Durban. Below are some photos of the bands we managed to see.

Customized at Live, The Venue

The Sunshine Band at Live, The Venue

Toxic Candy at Live, The Venue

Tina Redman at Live, The Venue

Andrew James at Durban Botanic Gardens

Freshlyground at Durban Botanic Gardens

GIG GUIDE - FRESHLYGROUND

Event: OLD MUTUAL MUSIC AT THE LAKE SERIES concert featuring ANDREW JAMES as the supporting act to FRESHLYGROUND.

Venue: The Durban Botanic Gardens, 9A Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, Durban

Date: 22 July 2012

Gates open: 13:00 for pre-sold tickets, 13:30 for on the day sales

Opening act starts: 14:00

Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za
Tickets prices:  R130 online, or at the gate for R150 on the day
Kids between 8-12 pay R50, kids under eight are free

Facilities Available:
All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games.
Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome
Everyone is welcome to bring picnic baskets and blankets.

Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground.  Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road.

Andrew James

Andrew James is the support act for Freshlyground at their upcoming concert at Durban Botanic Gardens on 22 July 2012. Here is some background info on him.


"Andrew James is a guitarist with the dexterity of Edward Scissorhands – it’s hard to believe he’s just one man playing one instrument."
Andrew has quickly earned a reputation as a folk hero at home  and his global audience is expanding, having recently featured on the cover of Indie Music Reviewer Magazine. He combines roots, blues, slide guitar and folk in an astoundingly unique and contemporary approach to songwriting.

A virtuoso (in the strict sense of the word), his capacity for creating music that compliments and augments his lyrical storytelling knows no bounds. Watching Andrew wield the acoustic guitar, lap slide and banjo, using a unique and mesmerising finger-picking technique, is an experience in itself. His relationship to his instruments, from which he can coax sounds as diverse as they are expressive, is one of obvious intimacy, even love. His voice is alternately plaintive, nostalgic, innocent and angered as he considers the consequences of our thinking and our actions in uncertain times.

Andrew James

Mr Price Pro Rocks Ballito

As the Mr Price Pro slowly draws to a close, they will be putting on two free concerts to celebrate the week's events.  Here is the line up for both Friday's and Saturday's concerts featuring some of the best local music around:

Friday, 6 July 2012:

16:30 - 17:15 Gangs of Ballet

17:25 - 18:10 Wonderboom

18:20 - 19:05 Ard Matthews Trio

19:15 - 20:00 Shadowclub

20:10 - 20:55 aKING

21:05 - 21:50 CrashCarBurn

22:00 - 22:45 Flash Republic

Saturday, 7 July 2012:

16:30 - 17:00 Toya Delazy

17:10 - 17:50 Lloyd Cele

18:00 - 18:40 Iscreamstix

18:50 - 19:30 Pascal & Pearce

19:40 - 20:25 Goodluck

20:35 - 21:20 Locnville

21:30 - 22:30 Dino Bravo

FRESHLYGROUND BRINGS A TOUCH OF MAGIC TO THE LAKE

Old Mutual Music at the Lake continues its commitment to bringing top acts to the Durban Botanic Gardens by presenting one of the most celebrated groups ever to come out of this country – Freshlyground, who will be performing on the 22nd of July.

The continued association with the Botanic Gardens allows Old Mutual to ensure funds are raised to maintain and improve biodiversity at this important public space.


Freshlyground formed in early 2002 and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band exudes a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success.


The experienced rhythm section of Peter Cohen (drums) and Josh Hawks (bass) is complemented by guitarist Julio Sigauque, keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla Rose Smith. Although hailing from diverse backgrounds, between them the band’s members weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy. They became a household name with the release of iconic songs such as Doo Be Doo and Pot Belly.


Freshlyground are passionate ambassadors for the environment and conservation. They say: “We are an Afro-pop band that has brought some of Africa’s magical music to the world. We are delighted to be performing at the Botanic Gardens, in such harmonious and beautiful surroundings –the magic of this green space is going to touch us.”


Freshlyground will be in good company on the day with Andrew James  also taking to the stage on the day. This folk hero is known as ‘the guitarist with the dexterity of Edward Scissorhands’. He combines roots, blues, slide guitar with a unique contemporary approach to songwriting


The Old Mutual Music at the Lake series presents live concerts at the Durban Botanic Gardens. Proceeds from the performances go towards an innovative people and plant development programme, the Garden Window Project, within the Durban Botanic Gardens and the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s Trees for Life initiative which sees community members growing trees to support their livelihoods.


For more information about this and other events at the Durban Botanic Gardens, visit the website – www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za or call the Info Centre 031 322 4021.


Tickets are available online at www.webtickets.co.za
Tickets prices:  R130 online, or at the gate for R150 on the day
Kids between 8-12 pay R50, kids under eight are free.  All children are welcome at the KidZone for some extra fun and games.
Drinks, cooler boxes and picnic baskets are welcome


Gates open at 13:00 for pre-sold tickets, 13:30 for on the day tickets. First act starts at 14:00.

Secure parking is available on the Juventus ground.  Entrance to all parking is off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road, adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and the Munies Hockey Field also off lower John Zikhale (Sydenham) Road.