After years of listening online to your favourite garage recorded songs, it has arrived! Desmond & the Tutus have released Tuckshop, their debut album! About [expletive] time too! What’s more is they are on their way to the Mother of all cities (Cape Town) to launch it at two EXPLOSIVE parties at Evol and the Klein Libertas (Stellenbosch) this weekend. Desmond is well known for its African feel indie music creating possibly the most original sounding act in South Africa currently. They have even played in Cape Town with our (Cape Town's) very best, the New Loud Rockets. Check out previous posts for more pics and info on the band. To be at either (or preferably both) of the parties, click along to the Evol invite for Friday and the Klein Libertas invite for Saturday. Saturday night also boasts PTA act Kidofdoom and another Cape Town favourite, Unit R. Wow.
Athlete, an English indie rock act out of London released there 3rd Album in September last year, Beyond The Neighbourhood, which entered the UK charts at #5, not nearly as successful as the album, Tourist, which preceded it. Tourist set the standard as far as music and originality was concerned. When Beyond the Neighbourhood came out, some fans were disappointed. Some critics complained that the new music sounds like Coldplay (suddenly Coldplay's sound is exclusive?). Besides, Coldplay's new album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends, has a refreshingly new sound.
Anyway, the album is very typically Athlete, not too much new, a few new electronic sounds, but very safely put together. I am happy with my purchase.
Have a look at the their single below, Hurricane, and make your own mind up. When you are done with that, they have just released their latest EP, definitely worth having a look at. It's called Outsiders.
I recently had the privilege of travelling abroad to some beautiful countries and islands. I went to Greece and Croatia, and spent a day in Italy and London; hence the reason for the lack of blogging in the last month.
The one evening we were in London, Justice were ripping it up in the London rain at Somerset House. We went along.
Marlon, in his massive trench coat, Tyrell boasting new red skinnies and his terrorist scarf (so last year) and yours truly sporting my newly acquired shutter shades and borrowed neon peak cap.
We arrived just as the opening act ended, perfect timing. The Londoners were pretty nonchalant about the weather as the icy rain poured down on the open air venue while we (Marlon, Tyrell and I) huddled under our small umbrella for warmth and the thought of being dry. The rain did stop for a bit however and we gave up on the idea of being warm and embraced the elements.
Just then, Justice came on stage and stood in the darkness behind their massive tables and Marshall stacks. They started with what must be a popular opener, Genesis. They are a class act. They played many familiar tunes from their newish album, “†”, mixed with oldies like, We are your Friends and even a riff from the Klaxons. The lighting was out of this world as well and synced so very well with the music making the show run like a well oiled machine.
There has been some criticism of the songs D.A.N.C.E. and The Party. People are often of the opinion that they didn’t do enough with them. They talk about dancing and partying, but it’s very difficult to move violently to these songs. But, the live performances of these songs silence all critics, well certainly me. They were so huge, we didn’t want them to end.
The rain came down once again to try and end proceedings, but bye this stage everyone was warm and couldn’t care less if they got a little wet.
All in all, a good night out in wet, miserable London. Check out the "Never be Alone" video below.
Levi's Young Guns presents Howard Roark teaming up with class act Ashtray Electric. These two will be rocking out together at 14 Hope Street in Cape Town tomorrow night, 12 June. Go celebrate the end of exams with some quality music and friends. For more information about being on the guest list, click on the above event picture. Have a look below at the debut Howard Roark music video titled, "You Got The Moves". I shall keep my opinions to myself. You decide what you think.
"You Got The Moves"
Go along and support. From my experience, Howard Roark are much better live than recorded!
The famous rockstars from up North have just launched their new music video! Desmond & the Tutus are well known throughout South Africa for their original sound (huge African twist with a touch of Kings of Leon) and lively characters. The video was launched on Thursday, 29 March, at The Tokyo Star in Joburg. With familiar supports like DJ Data Takashi, DJ Sassquatch and others, the party could only have been huge.
Here is the video from one of South Africa's brightest talents, directed by Greg Rom. Desmond & The Tutus show off, "She Hangs the Pictures on the Wall"
Justice, the French electronica/dance duo sensation have recently released there latest album called † (aka Cross). It's full of their own stuff (no remixes).
Justice are known the world over for mixing acts like Digitalism, MGMT and many others. Have a listen to the MGMT remix below.
Friday night was one of the happiest gigging nights on Cape Town’s music calendar. Thanks to Zolani, Kyla and the boys who rocked out (or kwaitoed out/popped out/afro-fussioned out?) The Assembly this weekend, loads of chilly Cape Townians came down for a jol with a good cause. Freshlyground decided that all the proceeds from the gig would go to the fight against Xenophobia in South Africa. Zolani apologised over and over again for the way the Africans were treating the foreigners.
It was obvious that Cape Town appreciated this sentiment. Cape Town were getting down. The crowd was diverse; hippies, old folk, youngsters and even the odd indie kid who didn’t get the memo.
Freshlyground, arguably South Africa’s most well recognised band, couldn’t have asked for a better reception. It was huge, but intimate. In the words of the designer, Carly Morgan Ledward, “If you close your eyes, you feel like you are in a shibeen.”
This oversized shibeen was transformed (once again) for this gig. The conventional big stage was sacrificed for a stage against the wall on the left, creating a long hall effect, lined with Red Cross banners and flags. It worked, although (it must be said,) the sound wasn’t at its greatest.
But, big up to The Assembly for hosting one of the most enjoyable nights since Sovereign Academy.
I love music, and most things that relate to music. I also enjoy writing. So I have decided to create an amalgamation of my interests. Therefore, Smack Talk serves to entertain, create awareness and be an outlet for my interests.
If you have a band and would like to be seen, known and loved, you can email me. richardcoleking[at]gmail[dot]com
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After years of listening online to your favourite garage recorded songs, it has arrived! Desmond & the Tutus have released Tuckshop, their debut album! About [expletive] time too! What’s more is they are on their way to the Mother of all cities (
Desmond is well known for its African feel indie music creating possibly the most original sounding act in 
To be at either (or preferably both) of the parties, click along to the Evol invite for Friday and the Klein Libertas invite for Saturday. Saturday night also boasts PTA act Kidofdoom and another Cape Town favourite, Unit R. Wow. 
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