VIDEOS: White Mountain Folk Festival Highlights

THE White Mountain Folk Festival strings off this year from 29 September to 2 October. The juicy 2011 line-up includes the talents of Aking, Dan Patlansky, Guy Buttery, Jesse Clegg and Rory Elliot.

The setting for the White Mountain Folk Festival is simply superb. Camping and lodges are available with the backdrop of the beautiful central Drakensburg mountains. A small dam is centre stage for boating, fishing and swimming. Food stalls, clean toilets and hippie trinkets are in abundance. There is also an outdoor playpen for the little ones.

The event offers a four-day programme of laid-back acoustic music, as well as a wide choice of outdoor leisure activities, arts and crafts and a beer market. Festival-goers can also make full use of the lodge’s facilities, including a restaurant, pub, games room, swimming pool and satellite TV.

The White Mountain Folk Festival really is one great, family-friendly vibe that (in my opinion) is the best acoustic music festival in South Africa. I’ve been an avid supporter for years and have attended the previous four festivals. I wanted to share my little video productions highlighting the event for anyone who is considering going to White Mountain this year. Hopefully see you there!

White Mountain Folk Fest 2009
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7nVZnuuPAk[/youtube]

White Mountain Folk Fest 2008
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axQ2KI1OaJ4[/youtube]

Aunty yo, a South African poi instructor, describes the history and origin of this colorful technique as her students demonstrate the art of poi at the White Mountain Folk Festival.

Poi People
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwtdtC7j_Bs[/youtube]

• For more information, visit www.whitemountain.co.za or contact Pedro Carlo on 082 892 6176. Or sign up for the event on Facebook

MUSIC AND SPOTIFY: To be free or not to be free?

IT amazes me how music stores manage to survive in the information age. We are already able to stream music online from websites and radio stations, watch music videos freely on YouTube (and download these), listen to hit singles by our favourite bands via their websites and share music with others using our cellphones, iPods and iPads. The number of songs that can be stored on an iPod or MP3 player is also so high that buying a CD with between 10 and 20 tracks just seems like a disappointment.

It is also not difficult to download songs illegally online. File-sharing websites such as The Pirate Bay and programs such as LimeWire have been under scrutiny ever since their launch, but are still around and remain popular. It has even been argued that people who download music are far more likely to buy original CDs than those who don’t. Being able to familiarise ourselves with a new band or artist by listening to more than just one promotional track allows us to make a more informed choice whether or not we want to support the group by buying their original work. It also reduces the risk of being disappointed and R100-odd poorer, so the arguments go.

There is no doubt that music corporations painstakingly attempt to protect their copywrite material. Using just a few seconds of a dated song in an online video could result in a hefty fine. What often happens in the case of YouTube videos that use copywrite music is that a stern e-mail is sent to the creator stating that the video will not be pulled but that YouTube has the right to advertise alongside the video. When this happens your YouTube channel begins to look like a corporate website with big, flashy adverts unrelated to your video content.

The games industry has already realised the value of offering dated games for free online. With the proliferation of new titles, it becomes nonsensical to try to sell older games. But game companies and developers still want us playing and appreciating their previous work and familiarising ourselves with their brands. Offering older titles for free may also muster new fans and potential buyers of their newer titles. So why isn’t the same done with regards to music?

Spotify - the free music website

Spotify is one of many websites that allow users to listen to and share music freely online. Their ultimate goal is "to have all the music in the world available instantly to everyone".

Spotify is one of many websites that allow users to listen to and share music­ freely online. It hosts more than 13 million songs and it is free to share everything you listen to on Spotify through social media sites and services such as Facebook, Twitter and even YouTube. The Spotify application is available for PC, Mac, cellphones and even home audio systems. “Just help yourself to whatever you want, whenever you want it,” it says on the Spotify website.

Spotify openly admits that its goal is “to have all the music in the world available instantly to everyone”. It also admits, however, that it takes time to arrange licensing agreements with record labels, which indicates that its goal is a legit one. Unfortunately, this does mean that Spotify is not yet available in every country, including South Africa. It’s no surprise that the countries where it is available are the most liberal when it comes to freedom of information and the Internet, such as Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.

What is great about websites such as Spotify is that they promote the consumer policy of “try before you buy”. Users are able to purchase songs or albums off the website, which can then be downloaded in MP3 format.

But one might ask, if it is entirely free, in theory, to listen to and share just about any song on the Internet, then what difference does it make whether the same songs are downloaded? We may wish to load up our iPod before a jog or create a music CD for our car — whatever 21st-century convenience tickles our fancy.

It seems a bit bizarre that we (or at least people in some countries) are able to consume the music of our choice to our hearts content all for free, but the minute we want to listen offline at our own convenience we have to pay for it — even if they are songs or albums that are no longer stocked in music stores.

Maybe they want us spending that time listening on their websites so they can build up a record of what we like and send promotions our way.

** More Web Developments & Absurdities **

ACAPELLA: Mike Tompkins beatboxes 'Firework' by Katy Perry

IT has to be said that Mike Tompkins is an incredibly talented acapella muso. His cover version of Firework by Katy Perry is thoroughly impressive and entertaining. Tompkins turns a song that's sentimental about plastic bags floating in the wind into something that, in my opinion, is far better.

Katy Perry Firework A Capella Cover Mike Tompkins Beatbox
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyepYaE_JS4[/youtube]

Acapella music is solo or group vocal singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. In modern usage, acapella often refers to an all-vocal group performance of any style, including modern pop/rock. - Wikipedia

Here's a bit about the talented Mike Tompkins from his new website:

"Mike’s novel ‘A Capella’ music has stemmed from over a decade of demanding and diverse musical and production pursuits, starting with beatboxing at the young age of 8. Confident yet amazingly down to earth, Mike’s goal remains to make great music, put a smile on people’s faces, and show his diversity as an artist. With over 200 000 YouTube subscribers and close to 30 million views of his songs, Mike is well on his way to achieving these goals, and it is just the beginning!" - www.mike-tompkins.com

• Make your own version of the song at beauty of the web dot com !

Related:

• Katy Perry: One of the Boys
• Acapella music group singing Africa by Toto
• Mike Tompkins talks to Seamus O'Regan on Canada AM

** More Happy Friday Videos **

TOTO AFRICA: Sung by acapella group Perpetuum Jazzile

SINCE writing an article on music therapy and discovering all the wonderful benefits that music can have on the brain, I have begun listening to all sorts of lyrical delights. I am also making an effort to see more live music as this can have the best effect on our brains and psyche. One of my current and favourite musical styles, however, is acapella. To put it crudely, acapella is a musical style performed without instruments - usually by a choir group. To put it more academically, here's a description from Wikipedia:

Acapella music is solo or group vocal singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. In modern usage, acapella often refers to an all-vocal group performance of any style, including modern pop/rock.

This particular acapella group hails from Slovenia. They're quite a talented bunch of vocalists that, in my opinion, do a sterling job of Toto's great hit Africa. The talent of their beat-boxer is also something to behold. The Perpetuum Jazzile video now has over ten million views. I'm responsible for just over half of that. It's a great listen that may even put a tear in your eye. Enjoy!

Perpetuum Jazzile singing 'Africa' by Toto
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjbpwlqp5Qw[/youtube]

If you enjoyed that acapella music group singing Africa you may find the following article interesting: Music Therapy: Tune in and chill out

Here's a little extract:

MUSIC has the power to play on our moods, fine tune our brainwaves, pluck at our heartstrings, and unite entire nations under song. It has even proven to have a positive effect on livestock. We all know the effects that music can have on reducing stress and promoting relaxation, but music itself is becoming increasingly popular in the modern medical industry — a concept being dubbed as “music therapy”.

** More Happy Friday Videos **

Music Therapy: Tune in and chill out - research & findings

MUSIC is a truly magical thing. It has the power to play on our moods, fine tune our brainwaves, pluck at our heartstrings, and unite entire nations under song. It has even proven to have a positive effect on livestock.

Last year a ten year old farm boy from Georgia won first place in a regional science fair for a project on how music improved milk production in cows. Daniel McElmurray tested the effects of classical, country and rock music on his father’s 300 cows. The experiment showed that their livestock preferred classical music over country and rock by producing 450 kilograms more milk.

Music possesses the power to reach parts of the brain that are not yet accessible to us, at least not on a conscious level. It almost makes one understand why so many artists and creatives turn to recreational drug use for inspiration.

We all know the effects that music can have on reducing stress and promoting relaxation, but music itself is becoming increasingly popular in the modern medical industry — a concept being dubbed as “music therapy”.

Music therapy studies and research

Research has shown that music has a profound effect on our bodies and psyche. Those who practice music therapy are finding it beneficial in helping cancer patients, children with ADD, helping ward off depression, promoting movement, calming patients, easing muscle tension and helping with pain management.

Many experts suggest that it is the rhythm of the music or the beat that has the calming effect on us, although we may not be fully conscious of it. One theory, found at www.holisticonline.com, suggests that we were likely influenced by the heartbeats of our mothers while still in the womb. The idea is that we respond to soothing music at later stages in our life — perhaps associating it with the safe, relaxing and protective environment we once lived in.

Several studies have found that selections of Celtic, Native American as well as various music containing loud drums or flutes are extremely soothing. More interestingly, any music listened to live, even at moderately loud volumes, seems to have the most beneficial response. Equally beneficial is the effect of playing or creating music oneself.

“The entire human energetic system is extremely influenced by sounds. The physical body and chakra centres respond specifically to certain tones and frequencies. Whenever the proper sounds were experienced, an amazing right/left brain hemisphere synchronization occurs” — www.holisticonline.com

Music therapy findings

Even if you are not a believer in holistic medicine and chakra centers, music therapy has yielded several measurable results in recent years, such as:

• An increase in deep breathing when hearing a particular tune
• The body’s production of the happy hormone serotonin accelerates
• Music has been found to reduce pain during dental procedures
• Playing gentle background music while working or studying has been found to reduce stress and improve concentration
• Music therapy can help counteract or prevent the damaging effects of chronic stress
• It has even been shown to lower blood pressure, boost immunity and ease muscle tension
• Music can also be used to bring a more positive state of mind, helping to keep depression and anxiety at bay
• It can help keep creativity and boost optimism levels higher
• Certain music has been found to reduce heart rates and increase body temperature — an indication that the body is entering a state of relaxation
• Memorable music from our youth appears to be a very good choice.

According to stress.about.com, “the change in brainwave activity levels that music can bring can also enable the brain to shift speeds more easily on its own as needed, which means that music can bring lasting benefits to your state of mind, even after you’ve stopped listening.”

I can’t live a day without listening to my own brand of tunes. If you are feeling stressed out, uninspired or down in the dumps lately, don’t pop a pill; why not rather put on your favourite golden oldie.

** More Quite Interesting Posts **

MUSIC: Das Spiegel music video by The Chemical Brothers

THERE are very few songs that give me goosebumps, but lately I have come across a few musical gems that instill feelings of euphoria within my dark, squishy center. Das Spiegel by The Chemical Brothers is one of them. It takes some time for the song to build up and really kick in (about 3mins in), but it is one that you can actually appreciate having stuck in your head.

The accompanying music video for Das Spiegel is a little weird, which is possibly in true Chemical Brothers fashion, but the tune is timeless. Give it a listen and I'll let you decide for yourselves. Enjoy!

Das Spiegel by the Chemical Brothers
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awZNqh5dUb4[/youtube]

This song got me through a three hour traffic jam the other week. Sitting in stationary traffic when it's 37 degrees outside is no fun, but I have never been more grateful to have aircon and good music. This song really helped too. I was actually having quite a good time while other people were literally hanging out their windows and panting with their shirts off.

Tensions on the highway were high. This one bicep-enhanced guy in a tank top even got out his vehicle and tried to moer a truck driver! I assumed he had being bumped while moving three feet every ten minutes. People who traveled between Durbs and Maritzburg last week might know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I'm assuming that Das Spiegel has finished playing now. So? Wasn't that great!? Yay or nay? Big ups to the Chem Bros for this great track! Das Spiegel FTW!

Related Sweetness: The Chemical Brothers Das Spiegel live in Montreux

• The Chemical Brothers: Dig Your Own Hole

And here's a little (censored) quote from one of their fans:

VIDEO: Interview with Mango Groove's Claire Johnston

CLAIRE Johnston of Mango Groove fame was at Gateway the other week promoting her band’s latest album Bang the Drum. The album is great – a little different in pace to what Mango Groove fans are familiar with but is still in vibey and Proudly South African Mango Groove style. A colleague and I caught up with Claire Johnston for an interview. The video supplement and article follows:

Interview with Claire Johnston
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MogcOuM1JDo[/youtube]

Ryan Calder

IT’S 9 am on Monday morning, and my colleague Galen Schultz and I make our way to the food court of Gateway Shopping Centre, carrying video cameras and dictaphones. Claire Johnston of Mango Groove is instantly recognisable.

Wearing a funky tartan cap, the famous blonde singer is sitting with her EMI rep Kevin at a coffee table in the food court as we approach. They stand to greet us and I immediately note her black and white jersey, which I refrain from mentioning, given the poor run of form of the Sharks in recent weeks. Still, I like that she’s thought about it. When in Rome...

We find the quietest corner of the busiest shopping centre in Umhlanga and get to the interview, which has come about after the release of Mango Groove’s latest studio album, Bang the Drum. The album is the band’s first in 14 years.

“Very good question, why now?” Claire Johnston reflects. “Mango Groove never split up, but we all took a break to pursue various projects which we had all wanted to do for a while. You get to a point where you love what you do, but probably don’t appreciate it as much as you should, and that’s a good time to take a break and explore different things.”

Johnston was 17 when she joined the group 25 years ago, and after Mango Groove’s success went on to pursue a solo career which saw the birth of three albums. “But slowly, over the past seven years, we had each started feeling those stirrings again, which was nice. It was nice to know that we were ready.”

Claire highlights the launch of the band’s website as a catalytic point in deciding to record again. “It was amazing once the website was up, we got responses from people asking where we’ve been and what we’ve been doing.

“We did some shows in Gauteng and people went crazy for songs like Hometalk and Special Star, and we knew the magic was still there. That’s why we’re in this industry: it’s a feel-good industry as much as it is a business industry.”

Claire Johnston knows the hardships of making a career as a musician, having recorded Fearless, a solo album in the UK, which she admits was very different from Mango Groove and “refreshing on a personal level”, but which wasn’t received well in South Africa. She then recorded Africa Blue, a collection of songs “which have influenced me and which I am fond of” which were closer to the sound of Mango Groove.

“I like to think of my solo career as running parallel with Mango. It can be done, you just have to be savvy about it.”

For now, however, Johnston’s focus is clearly on Bang the Drum, Mango Groove’s new 16-track offering which clocks in at close to 70 minutes. Recording the album “was like coming home,” Claire Johnston reflects, “because it was in the same studio where we recorded our first album. They’d changed some of the wallpaper and some of the technology was new, but it really felt familiar.”

Out of the studio has come an album that is typically Mango Groove. “People ask us who our target market is. I just say ‘well, everyone’. Perhaps I’m naive, but I like to think that music can do that, that it can stretch across all sorts of boundaires.” - www.witness.co.za

Related posts: Video interviews with ...

• Watershed • Magna Carta • Guy Buttery