Wednesday, March 14, 2007
1st Project @ ICC World Cup!
This morning Angie came up to me and asked me why the flag wasn’t hanging out. It’s a small Dutch tradition we practice at the office, hanging the flag (both SA & NL) out on important days, public holiday’s or in memory or respect of events. I looked at her slightly dumb-founded, and then remembered that today is her birthday… Happy happy Angie (and a congrats to Alex on his mom!)So our flag is fluttering away in a slight breeze, which is thankfully cooling us on another stunning Cape Town day.
A little later we are meeting up with Arno Carstens (I am not going to tell you where, as I would hate for him to be embarrassed by the fans climbing over him to get me to sign autographs… (Being a 2007 Best SA Music Blog finalist is a demanding position!) We are going to be discussing the Springbok Nudies Cape Town launch of their new CD Peace Breaker, as they have asked us to handle to production from this side – but more of that later!
Angie sent through a YouTube posted video this morning of the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup, featuring 1st Project and the Drum Café.
The problem with it is, much to our irritation, that 1st Project wasn’t credited at all during their performance, with the commentators saying a number of times that the group appearing is the Drum Café.1st Projects industrial drumming style is a totally different style of performance, and sound, to the more African based rhythm of the Drum Café – as can be seen and heard when they collaborate at the end of the clip below.
My highest number of hits on my site occurred in December last year after 1st Projects show was broadcast on MNet – everyone wanted a piece of them. Their energetic and bloody funky show Play It to Break It, also out on DVD, is making a huge impact here and abroad. They have been signed to a US based record label, and will be moving there later this year to get this new path of their career on the road. Very cool!
Vote for Peak People at the 2007 SA Blog Awards
So here is their performance in Jamaica, but don’t forget to check out their other two video’s that I have presented here, and here.
Have an awesome day people!!!
Labels: 1st project, Arno Carstens, cricket, Drum Cafe, drumming, Springbok N*de Girls
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
South Africans shining all over the world!
Chris Gayle was the first cricketer to lose his wicket at the 2007 Cricket World Cup being played in the West Indies – we especially installed a television in our office so that Denise and I can keep up to date with all the cricket, rugby and of course MK 89 (our MTV in Afrikaans) – well, that was my excuse anyway!Go Protea’s!!! Go South Africa! (And go Jacques Kallis! Let's hope that his recent announcement of a new love in his life, Sharmone Jardim, is going to make him want to bat and bowl like a demon!)
Then, this weekend saw the 2007 South African Music Awards nominee’s being announced, and it looks like another great mixed bag of pap, wors, scones and chilli's!
Here are the nominee’s that we have been working with of late:Simphiwe Dana - The One Love Movement on Bantu Biko Street for Best Female Artist, Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Best Vocal Jazz Album and Best Producer for Bheki Khoza for the album.
Vusi Mahlasela - Naledi Ya Tsela for Best Male Artist, Album of the Year, Best Adult Contemporary Album : African
Mafikizolo - Six Mabone for Best Duo/Group, Best Adult Contemporary Album : African, Best Pop Album : African, Best Compilation DVD for The Hits.
The Moreira Project - The Journey Vol 1 for Best Instrumental Album, Best Contemporary Jazz Album, Moreira Chonguica and Mark Fransmar (The Moreira Project - The Journey Vol 1) for Best Producer.
DNA Strings - Live in Cape Town for Best Instrumental Album; Johnny Clegg - One Life for Best Adult Contemporary Album : English; Just Jinjer - Just Jinjer for Best Adult Contemporary Album : English and Best Rock Album : English; Chris Chameleon - 7de Hemel for Best Adult Contemporary Album and Afrikaans Best Alternative Music Album for Shine; and Kurt Darren - Lekker Lekker for Best Adult Contemporary Album : Afrikaans, Best Pop Album : Afrikaans, Best Dance Album : AfrikaansThen there is Amanda Luyt - Deel van my for Best Adult Contemporary Album : Afrikaans; Rebecca – Umthombo for Best African Contemporary Gospel Album; Steve Hofmeyr - Laaities & Ladies for Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans (and he is a SA Blog finalist... see the circles I keep!); Fredi Nest - Hey DJ for Best Kiddies Album: Afrikaans; and it's great to see Fokofpolisiekar – Swanesang for Best Rock Album : Afrikaans
Wonderboom - City of Gold for Best Rock Album : English; Danny K - This is my Time for Best Pop Album : English and Best R&B/Soul Album; Amor Vittone - Voluit for Best Pop Album : Afrikaans; David Fourie - Kom hier na my toe for Best Dance Album : Afrikaans; and because we don't like to compartamentalise, Shana - Iyo Londaba and Dj Cleo - Eskhaleni Zone 3 for Best Urban Dance Album.
We are very excited (especially Angie) that Best Live DVD sees 1st Project - Play it to Break it (who were ALSO at the opening ceremony of the ICC World Cup in Jamaica, but credited as the Drum Cafe... tut tut) is in the running against Ringo - Ringo Live 2, Hugh Masekela - Live at the Market Theatre and Nicholis Louw - Rock Daai Lyfie Live.Best Compilation DVD also for Ringo - Love Songs and Oliver Mtukudzi – Wonai, while Ringo was also nominated for Best Producer for Ringo - Ndim Lo.
Many of MELT's videos were made by Best Music Video nominee Lianne Cox with the late Lebo's Brand New Day chosen.
For a full listing of all the 2007 South African Music Awards nominee’s, please click here!
Finally, although I must admit that I haven’t heard of them before, Gospel musics Dove Awards, are happening on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 in Nashville, Tennessee USA. Di Rosen Productions from Cape Town has been nominated in the category Long Form Music Video of the Year: Alive In South Africa; Israel & New Breed; Israel Houghton; Integrity Music… pretty cool if you ask me…
It is definitely inspiring. Inspiring because its a time when the youth get lots of exposure of their idols, and hopefully those idols appreciate this power.Last week I was at Dizu Plaatjies house, with my Dutch family and Pops Mohamed (left). That's where I got to see how much power a mentor has; younger kids would arrive at his rehearsal room at the back of his house, pick out what ever instrument they could find, and play their hearts out! They had been inspired.
Later on the adults would arrive, all students of Dizu’s traditional & cultural lessons, and show the younger ones how music is really made. It's all part of the process. The young ones looking up at the older more experienced ones, hoping that they too will one day be able to play with such ease and rhythm; hoping to be up there some day. Watch the progression...
Winning awards, or just being recognised for the efforts and passion that you put into your work; we all live in hope of that. So make sure you inspire someone today, tomorrow, when-ever, and let's support those who inspire us!
Labels: 1st project, Chris Chameleon, Dizu Plaatjies, fokofpolisiekar, Lebo Mathosa, Moreira Project, Oliver Mtukudzi, Pops Mohamed, SAMA, Simphiwe Dana, vusi mahlasela
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
1st Project on Mnet
Tonight we were very proud, and excited if you had any idea of the frantic sms’s that were flying between all the girls from our office, to sit and watch an hour special on Mnet, of one of our favourite groups – 1st Project!The girl’s were drooling, as with much of the female population of SA I am sure, over one of the hottest live shows you can imagine! Industrial drumming at its most frenetic, and energetic, and a stage presence that had their live audience eating out of their hands, these guys are very cool!
We have been raving about them to a number of our clients, and have had a few bookings, so it is all the better now that they have reached a wider audience.
Play it to break it!
That’s their motto. And they look like they want to break it!
Lenny was commenting on what a great 'stage presence' they have, and that their show wasn’t only musically exciting, but they kept everyone entertained too… I think she was just getting sucked under the influence of the other girls who were fantasizing about all kinds of future ‘auditions’ that the Peak office would HAVE to conduct!
But then again – I do agree – with them having a great stage presence that is! They were very cool!
I know they are off to do some skiing in Switzerland over Xmas, and already the fan mail has started rolling in… but we’ll keep you updated about how you too can get hold of a copy of their new DVD - Play it to break it!
In the meantime – here is an ad I found of 1st Project promoting SA Music Week 2002 – they have been around for 7-years already… and it feels like your first time… Don’t worry – better late than never!
Labels: 1st project, drumming, industrial, mnet, shows
Thursday, July 06, 2006
1st Project - A Drumming Experience
Here's a group that we are very excited about - 1st Project. Let me tell you - these guys can get the blood pumping!1st Project is an industrial percussion act that has a pulse of pure primal energy that is uniquely South African! Combining elements of rock, traditional African rhythms, house and Latin, they have created a style of music that'll blow your mind!
And they have already done that to many celeb's and important people; Nelson Mandela, President Thabo Mbeki, Charlise Theron and even Jerry Springer - though I think his mind was blown long before he saw them! And this is not to mention all the big name stars that they have collaborated with; Westlife,
Ja Rule, Seether, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba, TK, Malaika and others.
This is a live performance to give you an idea of the power, the potential and the energy of their show! But that's why I am posting this - proudly South African energy!
Labels: 1st project, drumming, industrial, Johnny Clegg, Miriam Makeba
