Craig Pietropaolo (born 2 August, 1994) is an Italian South African songwriter, music producer and multi-instrumentalist. He is best known as the current lead singer of the Alberton-based rock band Kidnapped by Gypsies, and as the original bassist of the cover band Alchemy (also based in Alberton) from 2015 to 2018. He was also one of the in- house sound engineers at Sundowners Sports Bar & Live Music Venue from 2015 to 2020.

Pietropaolo was born in Alberton, Gauteng, South Africa. He picked up his first instrument, the electric guitar, at age thirteen while attending high school at Marist Brothers Linmeyer. It was during that time that he formed his first band - a thrash metal group called Thunderkill (later Martyry) and began writing songs. Martyry was unsuccessful however, having never performed live in the local gigging circuit and released only one single, "Redemption" in April 2013 which was recorded at Tritone Studios.

Pietropaolo got his very first taste of the stage at age seventeen as a stand-in guitarist for the thrash metal band Empery (members of whom now perform as Age of Indica) in 2011. He then spent the next few years teaching himself to sing and play bass guitar, performing small open mic and charity shows with musician friends, and studying audio technology (specialising in music recording) at the Academy of Sound Engineering.

In February 2014, he became the new bassist and backing/clean vocalist of the metalcore band Inceria, with whom he enjoyed many successful performances in the local metal scene - even taking part in the 2014 Wacken Metal Battle. Following the band’s break-up seven months later, he joined the Afrikaans electronic rock outfit Die Hartbreek Revolusie as a second guitarist. DHR had the honour of performing with local rock giants Prime Circle at the annual Academy of Sound Engineering student party at Roxy's Club Melville on 12 June, 2015. 
 
After a short bout with DHR, he was then approached along with drummer Nelis du Plessis (Truth and Its Burden, Parts X Fiction) to join the iconic local cover duo Alchemy on bass, where he performed as part of their reformed full line-up for the next three years. Alchemy performed at Emperor's Palace, went on a provincial tour, and supported numerous local giants such as Desmond and the Tutus, Fuzigish, and Shortstraw by 2018.

Pietropaolo launched his solo career on 26 June, 2015 with the release of his debut single, “Starting Over”, recorded at Watts Audio Recording Studio. He has to date released three singles, accompanied by three music videos. His music has received airplay on numerous local and international radio platforms including Tuks FM 107.2, Mix 93.8 FM, DStv’s DMX Campus Rock Channel 816, and KCR College Radio in San Diego, California.

Rough Recordings and Ideas in the Soundcloud link below
Since the age of 16,  Maddy Behrens has been gracing stages across South Africa. Growing up in Newcastle Kwa-Zulu Natal, her songs are inspired by small towns, big dreams, love and life. 5 years on, the young singer/songwriter/musician has played at venues across the country such as Park Acoustics, Oppi Koppi, Café Roux and Arcade Empire.

Her ethereal presence and folk-style acoustic playing bring about something different. She is a force to be reckoned with.

shortstraw make music. music that sounds like children laughing. music that sounds like unicorns feeding in a lush, green field. music that sounds like a rainbow. music that sounds like puppies being born. music that sounds like angels playing scrabble. music that sounds like a married couple fighting through the thin wall of your apartment. now doesn't that sound nice?

but seriously... shortstraw are a joburg based band making waves on the national indie music scene in a big way. with their simple melodies and catchy rhythms, the band has taken pleasure in rocking the most prominent live music venues and clubs in the country, and is well known for getting the crowd dancing.

WE ARE THRASH FOLK!

CreaThor is music production crew specializing in collaboration with young South African artists. 

Project 3 
We have a killer summer release coming soon.
The studio work's done, now it's time for our engineers to do their magic. 

Project 2
So we've refined our recording posting and now have our own home studio to operate from.  I must say, this time we got it right!

Featuring: 

Rob Crawford: music producer, guitarist and vocalist. 

Maddy Behrens: vocalist and songwriter

Danielle Fraser: vocalist and songwriter 

Blazey Lyrical Viper: rapper

Sean Ashmole: songwriter, saxophonist, guitarist and producer. 

Project 1
So lets see what happens when you lock 5 young artists that have never worked together before in the same room for 7 days...

Featuring:
Francois Smith: Blues and Rock guitarist; dub-step and house producer; drummer.

Neo Magale: cross genre vocalist

Madeline Behrens: folk vocalist and guitarist 

Danielle Fraser: alternative rock vocalist 

Sean Ashmole:  songwriter,  saxophonist, guitarist and bassist 

Special thanks to Cameron Macnab  and 4th Track Studios for the mix and recording; and big ups to Dyna de Silver for the beautiful artworks done at such short notice. 

himemononokesensei is following