VAN SMITH, a three-piece acoustic-based folk/pop band, released their debut album With the Wind via iTunes on Monday 16 September 2013.

The band's brand of funky, folksy, groovy, dancy, sexy music still manages to soften even the hardest of beards and proves to be as infectious as ever. Their catchy tunes and grooving bass lines satisfy everyone from the most discerning music lover to the most casual listener on the street.

The silky smooth trio, consisting of Willie van Tonder (bass, vocals), Jaryd Smith (vocals, guitar) and Reyno van der Linde (drums), have been hard at work for the past two years charming audiences across the country and performing alongside some of South Africa's biggest names at the biggest local festivals.

Entering Stone Studios' in-house recording facility in June, Van Smith made short work of the recording and mixing processes, taking little over two months to complete With the Wind, alongside producer/engineer Rudi Massyn. 

Whether the blossoms are blooming or the leaves are falling, Van Smith has crafted the perfect soundtrack to suit any season and lift any mood. This is a band South Africa has been waiting for.

For a taste of what Van Smith has to offer have a listen to the band's debut single 'Cupid Find Me', which has enjoyed airplay on various radio stations, on SoundCloud.

They Have also released a video for their song 'Beautiful World'


Mean Black Mamba: Raw foot stomping roots music that grooves your body and soul. Words of humor and hope sliding between writhing riffs and the insistent thump of a cowhide drum. This is afro swamp gospel, this is blues n’ roll. Gritty & hard hitting, the music winds you off the floor and twists you to your feet. Fresh. Cosmic delta juju. Like its name-snake, mean with a smile on its face.

Born on the southern tip of Africa, Guy Collins has been playing guitar for most of his years. His interest really took off when he was 15 on a warm day. The long distance groove  from somewhere in the American south, Howlin' Wolf on Highway 49, beamed into the living room. African roots, blues, rock ‘n roll.  A continual search for an elusive sound. 

James van Minnen can extract a beat from a feather and a shoe if it were asked of him; seated at his drums he appears as a blur of limbs and crashing steel from which infectious rhythms emanate in metronomic waves...he infuses African and Middle Eastern rhythms into songs with hypnotic effect”
Mahala Review (voted in the top 25 artists of 2012 by IMR Magazine)





Band from Potchefstroom, South Africa. 
We hope to make dirty love with your ears(with our music).

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!

The Black Cat Bones is a South African rock band formed in Pretoria in 2007. The group consists of members Kobus de Kock jr (vocals) and Andre Kriel (guitars) with Casey Rothman (bass), Gareth Bunge (Drums) and is considered to be one of the current top performing acts in South Africa.

Andre Kriel (Guitar)
Kobus de Kock jr (Vocals)
Chris ThunderVolt (Bass)
Jason Hinch (Drums)

The Black Cat Bones – ‘The Long Drive’ album release
‘Arguably South Africa’s top live band …’ - (The Citizen)

The Black Cat Bones’ second album ‘The Long Drive’ is set to be released on 1 October 2011.

The album is a culmination of experiences gathered from a demanding two-year touring and performing schedule, reflecting every emotion, every triumph, and every loss - on the road, on stage, and in life. Following their well-received debut release ‘Silverton Swamp Songs’ (2009), ‘The Long Drive’ combines both the timeless energetic blues-rock sound of the band with a new, mature and innovative approach to their music. Well known songwriter Koos Kombuis calls it ‘a fusion of Blues and Rock n Roll, but they do it so damn good that it sounds like something totally new..’

‘The Long Drive’ was recorded between May and September 2011 at Wolmer Records together with SAMA award-winning producer Lanie van der Walt, and combines the song writing skills of vocalist Kobus de Kock jr and guitarist Andre Kriel with the infectious rhythmic offerings of Chris van der Walt on Bass and Keyboards and Jason Hinch on drums and percussion. The album contains 10 original tracks featuring the breathtaking vocal harmonies of Tammy Wilson (Southern Gypsy Queen), as well as a slow but fervent version of Janis Joplin’s ‘Ball and Chain’ with Jacob Wulana from ‘Tidal Waves’ fame on Hammond Organ. The songs range from honest and soulful compositions that touch on everyday adversities to hard-driving Blues-with-attitude, unmistakably matching the intensity of their live shows.

The first single ‘The Long Drive’ is set to hit the airwaves in late September, followed by launch events at The Radium Beer Hall in Orange Grove, Johannesburg (01 October), and Cafe Barcelona in Elardus Park, Pretoria (14 October). The official Media launch will be held on Tues 4 October at Steak n Ale in Lyttelton, Centurion. (Media bookings can be e-mailed to andre.kriel@gmail.com)

MANAGEMENT / BOOKINGS / SALES:
Andre Kriel: 072 146 8819
E-Mail: andre.kriel@gmail.com
Web: http://theblackcatbones.co.za/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheBlackCatBones

Member of the RSA music crew 13GorillaS

Register Here: http://13gorillas.co.za

Group is here: http://soundcloud.com/groups/13-gorillas-music-rsa

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