Dear Reader at Assembly

So, on Thursday night I suppressed my longing for sleep and headed out to Assembly to watch the wonderful Cherilyn and her boys (Drummer and Bassist/Keys) perform songs off their new album, "Replace Why With Funny". They were dearlightful.

As I arrived a noticed a phenomenon so foreign to me, I had to look twice. Most of the crowd were sitting on the floor or a corner of one of the few couches that had been strewn across the venue. It was a sight to behold. Did they not know that people puke, spill beer and drop cigarettes on that floor? But eventually I succumb to the pier pressure. The opening act, (the name of which alludes me) was ok. The best part of their set for me was when the Daniel Craig looking bassist said, "Thank you for supporting South African music" in a thick German (or Eastern European at least) accent.

After a short break and a stretch of the legs, it was time for Dear Reader to charm a very chilled out but appreciative crowd. It really didn't take long. Even the Freshlyground crew were there to show their support. Cherry's voice and musical accompaniment were so lovely that we (most definitely I) were/was totally mesmerized. With subtle backing vocals from Mikey (as Assembly affectionately named him) and Darryl and looped backing vocals from Cherilyn. Confused? Well, she sings a line, Darryl records that line and loops it back into the mix. Then Cherilyn sings that line again over the first line, just as a harmony. Darryl records it as well. Then, loops both lines (melody and harmony) and Cherry has the freedom to sing other stuff over the looped lyrics. It added so much to the richness of the mix. Inge used to do it for Lark as well. Winner.

I was chatting to Cherilyn afterwards and they are now signed to a label in Berlin (possibly my favourite city in the world!) This means they hit European tours like once of a month. Their plan is to eventually move to Germany and be based in Berlin. Go team.

It was such a lovely evening and a nice change from the acts I am accustomed to viewing at Assembly.

Check out an EPK video for "Replace Why with Funny".

Listen to their whole album dearreadermusic.com

What to do, what to do?

Cape Town this weekend, is the place to be. With two large names in alternative rock gracing our city, we are spoilt for choice.

Tonight, Lark are playing. Lark at Assembly! They are ending there comeback tour with a bang. If you have not yet seen this band, or even if you have, you have to be there tonight. Inge's voice is captivating. It's going to be a historic event. Event Page.Then, Saturday night, Zebra & Giraffe take a break from playing at only cutting edge venues, and grace the once was greatest band venue in Cape Town, Mercury. It promises to be a good time. I imagine it will be packed to the rafters, so get there early. Remember, they were down here last month to play on Saturday the 14th of February, Valentine's Day? Now, exactly a month later they return to launch their dvd, Collected Memories. I am interested to see what it's like. I hope it is nothing like the teaser! Event Page.

Taxi Violence, Francois and Inge collaborate

On Saturday, Taxi Violence performed at Marshall Music in Cape Town with guest performers Francois from Polisiekar and Inge from Lark.
The weird thing about the show was that is was in the morning, about 11am. The event was to celebrate LMG's birthday. LMG is a music magazine in Cape Town.
Hearing George and Inge perform was certainly a highlight for the 25 people that had gathered for the show. Francois was still pretty under the weather from whatever he had been up to until the wee hours of the morning. Fun times.
After the show I had a chat with Francois. He is very handsy, and does not like blogs, maybe thanks to a word or two from good old Luca.
Fun morning but it was sad that so few people turned up for the show.

Yours in musical......kidding.

Lark...one last time

So, by now I am sure you have heard that Lark are on a come back tour they have called the "Brave Tour". It's all very exciting as they will be playing six shows around the country. Check them out at one or more of the following venues:

28th FEBRUARY - @ RAMFEST - Nekkies Holiday Resort - Woester, main stage - 23:00!

5th MARCH - PRETORIA - @ Tings n Times with Yesterday's Pupil, Humanizer VS Mr Sakitumi

6th MARCH - JOHANNESBURG - @ Back2Basix with Yesterday's Pupil, Humanizer VS Mr Sakitumi

7th MARCH - DURBAN - @ Burn with Yesterday's Pupil, Humanizer VS Mr Sakitumi.

11th MARCH - STELLENBOSCH - @ Klein Libertas Theatre.

13th MARCH - CAPE TOWN - @ Assembly

Click on the event that interests you for more information on that event. To stay up to date on the whole tour thing, click here to go to the group.

Inge's back at the Assembly

[They spelled Ferguson wrong on this poster]

Remember Inge (from Lark) played with KOBUS at The Assembly at the end of August? Well, she is coming back to Assembly to play with Lonesome Dave Ferguson this weekend. So, if you are into meaningful dark lyrics (Inge) and Americana blues (Ferguson), come down to the Assembly on Saturday night. I think it's going to be very interesting and experimental.

Check out Inge's Myspace and Dave Ferguson's Myspace. For more info, click here.
Doesn't Dave look like a young George Michael? Weird.

Paradiso + infereno aka The High Priestess vs. The Devil.

The evening was set. The apocalyptic rain storm and gail force winds set the scene for the rising of The High Priestess and Devil to collaborate in one of this years most interesting acts to battle it out on The Assembly platform.

K.O.B.U.S. (SAMA awarding winning Metal band) and none other than Inge Beckmann (lead singer of the former band Lark, also a SAMA award winner for Best Alternative Act) got together to collaborate for the Paradiso+infereno gig. This gig was a SA music fans fantasy, even if one doesn’t like metal, Inge is hot! The ethereal high notes and ground shattering bass notes that culminate and release from Miss Beckmann’s throat will raise the hairs on the back of your neck whilst the beastly demonic thrash-metal sounds of K.O.B.U.S. create a perfect juxtaposition yet equilibrium of harmonious and sinfully sensual sounds.

The crowd change at Assembly was a big change from the usual Nu Rave, skinny jean, Tommy takkie kids to what one could call “kids from the dark side”. Yes offense.

The change was needed. The gig was a breath of fresh yet alternative air to the usual indie-kid scene in Cape Town.

The black apparel and spikes were out with force on Saturday night along with some top SA performances and original sound. Let’s keep the collaborations coming. Support SA music kids.

PORRO AGO DIABOLOUS!

Post by Kate Roux

Lark's Last Cape Town Gig

Friday night marked the last time that most people would ever be able to see Lark perform live as they confessed what most already knew. Lark are soon to go their separate ways. Over the last 4 years, Lark has become a household name at many fine gigging venues throughout the Mother city and indeed the country.

As a music lover, one tends to try and compare bands, or find similar acts and put them into a genre. Lark are different. They take the very popular electro sounds and mix them with Inge’s HUGE vocal melodies and harmonies creating something hugely original.

This night was special. The evening opened with Spindle Sect showing why Lark chose them to commence the party. They are a tight hip hop band, fashioning massive vocal depth with four vocalists. But regardless of how well they did (and they did superbly), the night was all about one band.

Jeremy from the Skirts, Cokey Falcow (that super lame “comedian”) and hundreds of fans packed the huge Assembly venue with very mixed emotions to say goodbye to one of South Africa’s finest acts.

The Assembly is kitted out with foosball, a couple of styling reclining areas from where it is often possible to keep an eye on proceedings. It also has an exceptional oversized floor space for busting sometimes nocuous moves.

Inge and her boys came on stage at The Assembly to the sound of deafening applause and acclamation and said a few words that made even the most hardened of spectators a little teary eyed. As they explained the future (or lack thereof) of the band, one couldn’t help but be saddened.

But if sadness was to play a prolific role, it was going to have to wait for the final curtain. Lark found their stride as soon as they picked up their instruments, and had people letting go of their inhibitions or at least had the Indie kids moving one leg like a “Polaroid picture”. The stage was ablaze with obtuse lighting and loads of flash photography. There was the typical blend of professionalism and intimacy shown by Inge’s stage presence.

The evening ended or tried to end to the sounds of “we want more!” repeated “over and over and over, like a monkey with a miniature symbol”- Hot Chip. It wasn’t long before Lark conceded to “woo” the masses one last time. Emotion was all over their faces and one could even see Paul Ressel crying while Tim and Fuzzy tried not to show it.

They played. Cape Town loved. Then it was over…

Lark will be missed.