--- Artist Feature --- "For me, what I do is about giving birth to an idea. I become obsessive about my ideas. I dream them; they live inside of me. But to be able to stay true to your vision until the bitter end? That's success – there's nothing higher than that." Her eyes light up. "Everything else is just bullshit." It’s been a while since I’ve done an artist feature, so, taking a break from politics and shifting gears but not toning down the mood at all that has been permeating on this blog. So here's an infusion of music; we all need it, even if we don’t know it. Lykke Li (pronounced Lick-E-Lee for those wondering) is synonymous with a variety of instrumental work and her wispy, oft sombre, retro, child-like vocals. She’s been described as being “sweetly melancholic”. Born to self professed hippy parents (a musician father and photographer mother) she says that although she was born in Sweden, she traveled so much that she doesn’t identify with the country of her birth. By the time she skipped out at 19 yrs old and go to NY to pursue a singing career, her family were living in Morocco. So, she’s Swedish without being Swedish… Personally I can’t place why I’m a fan of hers, but I suppose if I must say, then it has something to do with that trademark nostalgia to her sound. It speaks of things past – what we can never get back again, and this is evidenced within some of the song titles – ‘I Never Learn’, ‘Just Like a Dream’ and ‘Never gonna Love Again’. I was only introduced to her late (comparatively) via her second studio album ‘Wounded Rhymes’. The first song I heard was ‘Rich Kids Blues’ and the landmark ‘I follow Rivers’ which had an arguably longer life span thanks to the many dance remixes around (most notably by that of DJ ‘The Magician’). I like the fact that she’s somewhat stand-offish with both her music and her fans, perhaps its just me being a writer, but even though we know a lot of facts about Lykke Li, she still retains an enigmatic air. Otherwise, I just find her paradoxically refreshing. She says touring often pains her, where she was once even diagnosed with PTSD, because in reality, she’s an introvert, so becoming a pop star was probably not the best thing for her, health wise. Coming Soon: Her latest Album 'I Never Learn' (see cover art below) makes its world debut on 5 May. Lykke Li: [Image Credits: prefixmag.com, discodemon.net, facebook.com/lykkeli, followfrisby.files.wordpress.com, studiotota.com, wikipedia.com, ilistenbecauseican.wordpress.com, pastemagazine.com, wanttickets.com] “It's not a very sane thing to try to be great all the time. You want to make something magical; you want to make something wonderful; you want to give to everybody; you want to heal people; you want to still be inspired. That's not easy.”
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I thought of posting this video/song simply because its cool, but as so often happens, it does tie in well with a broader message and theme permeating in South Africa today, Madiba has been laid to a much deserved rest, but a huge part of his legacy remains within us - a part he fought and was prepared to die for: FREEDOM. Additionally, mandela always said that music and Dancing put him at peace with the world... The 'free' sung about in this video (by Rudimental featuring Emeli Sande) is complete in its openness - its the freedom we yearn for but so seldom exercise. We have been liberated, so don't live like you're still oppressed... it all starts in the mind. An African Myth A poem by Steven Benjamin From humble hills A heart starts to beat Walking begins From humble teachings Breaking a branch “Troublemaker” is born A mind grows No boundaries found, but what he sees. A man of blood and bone, and of the earth. A tormented land, thirsty Quenched, only with the blood of its own people. Within the division, He grows He is armed The land knows his name Shackles now, and resolve In the dungeons kept Land and frigid sea, between His blood, from youth, and love Reformed in the cold of night and blinding heat of day Behind high walls and in rocky quarries A brotherhood is sealed. And through the wire and the stone, his voice grows His spirit remains. But the body withers His name is known Bullets fly, bodies fall A nation walks to the edge The bloodied hand of the Abyss beckons The gates open with the chant of the people for the cage must be unlocked The man steps forth The world takes a breath. One last brother falls The Abyss steps closer... But, the boundaries seen are broken, My heart beats as yours To kill you, is to kill me His heart beats For his people, and rampant land. Peace He broke a branch once Perhaps from an Olive tree And extended his hand gracefully, To his fearful enemy ... - Years pass That fearful day nears When the land will reclaim a man The people will cry tears to soak the once bloodied ground And the heavens will cry too An old man’s heart stops beating... And the world stops, for a moment. He is sent back His body taken, Back into those humble hills - This is the story of a boy, a man, a husband, a father, a Chief, a lawyer, a leader, a soldier, a freedom fighter, a prisoner, a peacemaker, a reconciler, a liberator, a president, a humanitarian, a King, a legend, a hero, an icon… the father of a democratic nation, the son of an African land... the closest incarnation of that ancient African myth, where all hope, is in but one, an incorruptible one. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela 1918 - 2013 ... [God Bless all, 2013 is marks the first full year of publication of this blog, here's to a waaay bigger 2014. I'll be a little preoccupied in this end of year festivities and travels. Be safe, be blessed, hug your family and friends, and keep on reading and writing. thanks to all my first time visitors as well as dedicated loyalists, Cheers - I take my proverbial hat off to you!] Benjamin John Howard - aka, Ben Howard... is a man who knows how to make music. If you're tired of the superficial, overproduced, loud collaborations of the music industry today (despite many of them actually possessing some talent - only to be drowned out by commercialism), then I implore you to lend your ears to this man's sound. It's deep, it's instrumental and some might even call it an acquired 'genre specific' taste (only if you like this type of music) - regardless of your taste-buds, you will have to admit that whatever he does, he does it well. He's the sort of musician that's a rather rare or dying breed in the modern music landscape - a throwback to the acoustic artists of old. Rising to prominence in Britain in 2008 (at the age of twenty) with his first self released EP (followed by two more in the next two years), he finally released his debut album Every Kingdom in 2011. His early fame can be attributed to word-of-mouth advertising, gaining traction through the most personal of mediums. So, from humble beginnings in rural Devon, spending considerable time out on the waves surfing (when not playing music), to being featured on David Letterman's Late Show. Officially released late last year, his latest EP The Burgh Island (named after a tidal island off the Devon coast) is, in my humble opinion, a bold and intriguing step up from his debut album which is still entrenched in my playlist. I've played that album to death but it seems to never tire, and now this... The Burgh Island EP, which only contains four songs: Esmerelda, Oats in the Water, To Be Alone and Burgh Island - all of which I listen to on repeat. His new sound is rich, dark and brooding, and personally, I can't get enough - The contrast in album/EP covers is a clear indication of the change in direction he's taken. There is of course the similar sound to all his tracks - the common thread - (it is his voice after all), but each one has a distinctive personality; some will make you sit still and listen, others will be slower in drawing you in, while others still will have you with your eyes shut in plain appreciation. He has a variety of instruments at his disposal which sometimes flirts with a few jazz notes in the way his songs sometimes don't quite resolve, but he's never afraid to push the envelope whilst keeping everything centered on the strings of his acoustic guitar. This may sound corny or preachy, but at twenty five - one of the things most impressive is the maturity in not only his voice (both vocally and artistically) but also in his lyrics. But enough writing, lets get to the listening (and looking), so you can soak in the melodies... (FYI - I updated these videos - The previous vimeo vid I posted of 'Oats in the water' was a fan-made video - still beautiful mind you - but these two were taken from Ben Howard's official Youtube channel) Here's a (I think anyway) fan made video of the mesmerizing song Esmerelda of the Burgh Island EP. Ben Howard quotes: "'Black Flies' is the best song I've ever written" "We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments" "Anyone’s debut record becomes their greatest hits really... "It comes down to the mental space you’re in; the songs just depend on how much you invest in them. If you really put your heart and soul into them and believe in what you’re singing or what you’re playing, then it comes across. That slightly loose edge when you’re not overly conscious of what you’re doing, but you’re really in tune with what you’re singing about." "Once you get onto a D28, you don’t really go back" - (referring to his Martin guitar) We’re getting a bit more creative with the songs and I’m looking forward to doing some solid rehearsal days and adding a few new instruments "Ben brings a crisp freshness to the world of acoustic troubadours, he’ll make you feel like it’s the first time you’ve ever heard anything like it, but still having a rootsy lustre seemingly as old as the country side in which he wrote the songs Like on FACEBOOK Follow on TWITTER Link to BEN HOWARD's Official Website Ben Howard music channel on YOUTUBE Soul singer Laura Mvula Here's a cool song by a new artist, British singer Laura Mvula (nee Douglas). She released her debut album "Sing to the Moon" earlier this month. I decided to do a mini pseudo 'Artist Feature' spot today as I was really intrigued by both the song and the music video since they're both quite different from what (I believe) we've seen in the music industry recently. Give it a look & listen, just to experience something different, soulful and somewhat retro... For more from her check out the links below - with singles "She", "Like the Morning Dew" and the recently released "That's Alright". Laura was also a guest on the Graham Norton Show, so expect even greater things from her on the horizon as she carves out a niche in the ever more eclectic British music scene... Image from her official website. From his Facebook page - Daniel sporting a wet mullet. ... I am, however, a firm believer that some of the best people are. (Artist Feature - sort of - Guest post by Judith Benjamin) Two firsts for me here: 1) seeing Daniel Bedingfield live and in concert and, 2) attending a Kirstenbosch Summer Concert. I attended the carols by candlelight once and nearly burnt the place down (who decided that one should place a lit candle in a combustible brown paper bag anyway?). Daniel Bedingfield is supremely talented. His music would, I suppose, be classified in the pop section however, I believe that to be a great disservice to the artist he is. I’ve been a fan for many years owning both his albums (I bought them) and downloading his latest EP (direct off his site www.danielbedingfield.com - he gave it away). I was thus slightly disappointed that he did not offer up a few more tracks from the 23 on the CD’s. I believe there were only 3 and not one was ‘Wrap my words around you’. That said, I don’t blame him for not performing this track as it’s rather intimate (IMO) and would probably be better suited to a smaller and more appropriate room. I got the sense that Daniel (I’m going to forgo using his surname any further as its lengthy typing) was treating himself as a brand new artist, to a certain extent. It has been 8 years since ‘Second First Impressions’ and that time-lapse has seen his sister, the delightful Natasha, rise to stardom slightly eclipsing her brother (thus some may know Daniel as Natasha’s brother but I am one who knows Natasha as Daniel’s sister). He alluded to this during the concert by implying that we (the audience) just wanted her autograph and then he sang one of her songs - funny guy. But I digress. Back to the concert: The band was made up of SA natives, thus we were supporting our own and they did a stellar job. The audience was treated to a great deal of reggaesque sounds which I believe may have surprised some but as I pointed out to my sister, you can hear it in his CD’s. We were also treated to his beat boxing and beat making skills, which was a musical delight. Daniel is a very personable artist who enjoys connecting with his audience. This he does by begging for beer, complementing audience members who’ve piqued his interest, getting down from the stage and singing directly to the audience by weaving about through them and by being a fun picture taker. His cheeks must be in pain from all the smiling. Sadly, despite him walking past me numerous times, I have no picture with the man himself, only of him. All in all, I had a sublime time. Daniel is definitely worth seeing live. Testament to this is the fact that the day after seeing the show, I listened to all his songs again, looked at the short videos we took at the show and agreed with my sister that we wanted to go again. He’s a wonderful character and a truly talented artist with amazing vocal range and wonderfully lyrical songs, which we do take to heart. Also, due to his diverse musical style range, there’s a song in there for all tastes. To end off: an amusing moment which took place pre-show. When I took my grassy seat, I looked up and there he was looking at the audience from the stage ‘wings’. I immediately noted the sighting to my sister and friends who all looked about asking “where?” Daniel then proceeded to come down from the stage and wonder through the crowds to meet, greet and connect. It took a moment but people cottoned on, with a chap next to us cheerfully piping up “it’s DAVID Bedingfield!” Daniel, I beseech you, not to disappear again or allow yourself to be silenced for such a long period, and please come back to Cape Town and SA because I … er … we love you too. Thanks for the show. p.s. Check out his music video for ‘Secret Fear’ on YouTube. Be warned, it strictly 18+ and NSFW. For concert streaming: www.skyroomlive.com Kirstenbosch Summer Concert Series tickets and lineup info: www.danielbedingfield.com by Judith Benjamin Concert date: 25 November 2012 Okay, been a while since my last post so I'm using this as a news update if you will. 1st; I've been busy this week, finishing the second draft of my novel The Quiet Days - there's still a few kinks, but I'm quite happy with the progress. 2nd and 3rd... Last night I attended "a night of Jazz" with Zeke La Grange and friends. Granted it's a name unfamiliar to most, so let me enlighten you; He's a young talented saxophonist who was raising funds, with the help of some of his student friends (who also just so happen to be superbly gifted and award winning musicians in their own right) for his upcoming trip overseas. So, there we were in the dim candlelight, listening to, I kid you not, some top class jazz you would expect to find on any grand stage of the world, for a fraction of the price. There were classy renditions of some old favorite gospel tracks, to some Stevie Wonder greats and even a cover of Amy Winehouse's 'Valerie' complete with excellent vocals, guitar and piano solos - a night of pure music. Thanks to all involved for a memorable night, wishing Zeke all the best for what surely is a very bright future. And staying on the topic of music; my debut article on In The Kan is up, entitled: In the Kan Friday Top 5: Superhero Theme Tunes Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I hope you're supporting the Paralympics - it really is quite awesome!
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[Banner illustration by Joel Kanar]
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