"Few other indie bands - save maybe Arcade Fire or Interpol - are able to articulate the gulf between heartbreak and hope with such cryptic lyrical class or melancholic, minor key majesty." - Miles Keylock, Editor, Rolling Stone SA.

“Reminiscent of the best moments of bands such as REM and Interpol.” - Jon Monsoon, Editor, Muse.

“Honey Badger is the band’s third offering, after the EP Beautiful Mornings and Films for the Next Century. All three are superb.” - Chris Roper, Editor, Mail & Guardian.

The Black Hotels are an alternative rock group from Johannesburg. Formed in 2006 they comprised singer/guitarist John Boyd, guitarist Neil White, and bassist Lisa Campbell. Their first release was a 5-track EP called Beautiful Mornings.

In 2009 the group were joined by drummer Warrick Poultney and keyboardist Matthew Fink  to record their first full-length album, Films for the Next Century. The album was nominated for a South African Music Award for Best Alternative Album. The Star Tonight named it 'Album of the Year' and The Sunday Times included it in its list of 'Top 10 Albums of 2009'. 

In 2011 the group released their third record, Honey Badger. The album received four-star reviews in Rolling Stone, The Star Tonight, Muse Magazine and GQ. That same year they supported Kings of Leon at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town and FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. 

In 2012 Fink and Campbell left the group and in 2013 bassist/guitarist Lu de Pina joined to begin work on a new album. In April 2014 The Black Hotels released Holidays, their fourth studio record with Laurie Levine on backing vocals.

The Black Hotels have established themselves as one of South Africa's critically acclaimed alternative rock groups. Their music has featured in both television and film, most notably the feature films White Wedding and Jozi. Singles Natalie, Beautiful Mornings and No Sign Of Science have been national radio hits with a number of other songs featuring on local independent and regional radio stations. They have also performed at most major local music festivals including Oppikoppi, Rocking The Daisies, Splashy Fen, Aard Klop and Synergy Live.








Jeremy Loops is an award-winning musician from Cape Town. From cult live act status in his hometown, to a chart topping album domestically and a flourishing global touring career, his rise has been characterised by breaking through glass ceilings. With his new album, slated for a 2017 release, here’s a maturing, sophisticated musician preparing to see his vision of taking his music global.

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!

With a decade of chart-topping radio-singles under the belt including: I’ll Try, Can You Feel It, Stay By Me, Santa Fe & more recently: Magic, Wild Heart, Messed up & Summertime Vibe, the regular festival headliners December Streets take their career to an all-new high in 2020. Rising to success with their distinctive indie-pop sound and anthemic songwriting, December Streets build-up to the release of their latest sound exploration lead by the launch of their first new single ‘Haters’ in March 2020. 

The 6 piece outfit (known for their high-octane and dynamic live performances) continually push their musical & performance boundaries, blending the latest technology with their organic instruments to create the enthralling sound & show that has captivated the hearts of audiences and both locally and abroad.

Counter-Culture at its core means to go against what everyone else is doing, to differ substantially from mainstream society. South Africa is unique, and so is its music, and we are sourcing the best of the best just for you. Previously South African Tracks, we are currently re-branding and have a lot in store. Stay tuned.

user362622802 is following