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Crash Car Burn Interview

by Glynn Ryan Pearson on November 6, 2012 · 0 comments

in Artist Interviews, Music

Crash Car Burn Gravity 350x350 Crash Car Burn InterviewThe new album by Crash Car Burn was released on the 22nd of October 2012, and if you haven’t already got a copy, I’d strongly recommend that you do! Not sure who CrashCarburn is? Do song names like “Twisted”, “Serenade”, “Skin Versus Bone” or “Heroes” ring any bells?

The new single “The Light” was released and made available as a free download via the Crash Car Burn Facebook page and a mobile link on the 6th of October. The catch? Like the Crash Car Burn Facebook Page and send a tweet. What’s the harm in that? And in my opinion a very cool idea and clever way to promote the launch of the CD before it’s released. The new album is considered one of the band’s best albums to-date and has that typical Crash Car Burn sound to it.

The band is launching the album at the NuMetro in Montecasino, Johannesburg today, 6th November 2012! You can get tickets for the show by going to the NuMetro website.During the launch, the band will be releasing a 15 minute short film documentary based on their career for the fans to watch and get some intimate details on the lives of the band members.

I got a chance to have a chat with Garth Barnes, Crash Car Burn frontman, and here’s what he had to say:

So, once upon a time, back in the beginning… How’d you get together?

Bugs and I were living in the UK back in 2006 and we decided to get started there. At that time, Fabian was living on the couch (there were 9 of us sharing a 3 bedroom flat!!) in our flat and he was our live sound engineer! After our old guitarist Ian B emigrated to Australia, Fabian joined the band on lead guitar. Etienne went to school with Bugs, so we’ve all known each other forever.

Who’s the most likely to spend their entire paycheck in a day?

Hahaha! Ummm… Maybe me! I seem to have a knack for getting rid of money. Ironic since I’m in charge of the band bank account.

How’d you come up with the name of the band?

We thought it sounded awesome! And it’s the only thing that comes up on Google if you type it in… One word CrashCarBurn. If you type ‘crash’ ‘car’ ‘burn’ you will get a lot of formula 1 accidents:) There is a somewhat longer explanation on our website.

What’s your names? How old is everybody? What do you play?

Garth, Guitar and vocals, 32 (yes, very old)
Fabian, Guitar and Vocals, 29
Brendan, Drums, 27
Etienne, Bass, 27

Do you still get swept under the Tweak group comb and get thought of as younger than you actually are?

For sure! I’m told that’s a good thing though. Tried to order a beer at the spur the other day and the waiter asked me for ID.

Besides being in the band, what else do you do, work-wise?

Bugs is a cinematographer, he’s the brain behind our video for “The Light”. Fabian and I own a studio/music production company called Tigerfight which does TV, film and advertising music. Etienne is a photographer.

What got you as a band to use social media to promote your work? For example the release of the single from the new CD “The Light” and putting it up for free download from your Facebook page? Honestly I think it’s an awesome idea.

Well, anyone who is not using social media to promote their band, may as well throw in the towel right now! These days, everything is online, videos, interviews pics and the music itself is on the internet and to ignore that would be suicide. The free song idea was just a little something to give back to our fans who have supported us over the years. At the end of the day, we want our music to be heard, and the internet remains the best way to make that happen on a global scale.

Right, so the new CD, when exactly will it be launched and where can we expect to be able to buy it?

It’s out son! Hurry, go get one;) hahaha, yeah you can get it at and decent CD store, othewise online at kalahari.net or simfy.

Riiiiight. I’m just checking you know what day it is. What month is it? hahahaha…

What’s your writing process? Do you collaborate together or how does it work?

Every song is different, but for the most part, I will have a melody and some chords. I’ll take this to the band and they will either say ‘nah, that sucks’ or ‘cool, let’s’ give it a bash! Then we basically layer it. Bugs will add his drums, Fab his guits and Etienne his bass, the voila!: A platinum selling hit!;)

Was there any specific event/happening that added to the inspiration for some of the songs on the new album?

Sadly there was. Our part-time drummer and dear friend Kerran Yates passed away in the middle of making the record. You’ll definitely hear that coming through and we have actually dedicated the album to his memory.

Sorry to hear about that man…  Individually and as a band, which song off the new CD is your favourite?

Band – Probably Monsters and Angels. It’s basically a metal track and it’s a hell of a lot of fun to play live!

Garth – Get up and Fly

What’s the weirdest rumor you have ever heard about yourselves?

I’m always related to someone! People are forever like: “I know your sister” or “I know a girl that you dated in high school”… Only got my first girlfriend when I was a year out of high school, so I know that one is a lie!

Who’s is the pickiest eater?

Fabian, he’s always on some gluten-free-low-carb designer diet.

hahaha. Come now Fabian. You live once! Enjoy the food this world has to offer! … Who’s the most likely to over-tweet?

Not Etienne, he’s not even on twitter! Probably Fabian, he’s really good at trawling the internet and it always posting bizarre stuff!

Who’s the most likely to get lost when not using a GPS?

Me, definitely! I am absolutely useless with directions.

Where and when can we find you performing next?

We’re doing a coastal tour in December where we’ll hit pretty much every town between CT and Durban. Keep an eye on our Facebook for details!

With the launch being tonight, you can watch it live as it happens by streaming it from the MK Live streaming channel. The times are as follows:

Johannesburg – 8:15PM
London – 6:15PM
NYC – 1:15PM
Nashville – 12:15PM
Los Angeles – 10:15AM

Remember to like follow and subscribe to the CrashCarBurn’s social media accounts if you don’t already. You heard what Garth said, “These days, everything is online”… So check out the following links and click the that “Like“, “Follow” or “Subscribe” buttons. Or check out their website for more info on anything CrashCarBurn

You can also follow Garth Barnes, Brendan “Bugsy” Barnes and Fabian Sing on Twitter.

Remember to also book your place for the launch at NuMetro in Montecasino tonight if you haven’t already done so.

While you’re busy with all your following, follow me on Twitter too via @GlynnRyan :)

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Christiaan Kritzinger Interview

by Glynn Ryan Pearson on October 31, 2012 · 0 comments

in Artist Interviews, Music

Christiaan Kritzinger 350x350 Christiaan Kritzinger InterviewOn Friday 26 October, after working on the CD for the last 3 and a half years, the wait was finally over for Christiaan Kritzinger who debuted his new CD “Mal Vir Jou” at the Aula building in the University of Pretoria. The show had performances by Medu, ‘n Man Soos Jan and of course Christiaan Kritzinger and a guest appearance by Richard van der Westhuizen.

Christiaan performed the tracks off of his virtually all Afrikaans CD and gave those in the audience inside information on some the songs as well as the some of the events surrounding the writing of the songs that he himself wrote.

The track-list of the new CD looks a little something like this:

  1. Huppel In My Stap
  2. Mis Jou Meer
  3. Mal Vir Jou
  4. Asem
  5. Ek Onthou
  6. Kuier
  7. Wind Se Lawaai
  8. Meisie Sonder Sokkies
  9. Manne Bly Maar Slange
  10. Dansvloer
  11. Waarsku Venus
  12. Country Song

I got a chance to have a quick interview with Christiaan after the show… Here’s what went down:

Tell me something about yourself, your educational background, and how you turned to music?

The first time on stage I was 4, from there the stage became my home, singing everywhere. I have 2 diploma’s in jazz, 3 in Sound and 1 in theology. Life is so complicated , it helps to sometimes get lost.

What fills your day to day life?

Work work work. I am involved in 6 companies, mainly in the entertainment industry. so I work all day and play all night.

What inspires you the most in your work?

Challenges. If things where easy , what would be the point?

Do you write your own music? Where does that inspiration come from?

Most of it, but I believe a good muso can open his world to other possibilities. 5 Songs on my album I wrote, 5 colabs 1 cover and 1 of my friends songs. Inspiration is bound to emotion. When you can control your emotion , you can control your inspiration.

What are you currently doing & What are your future plans?

Working hard on the CD. I want to get this CD as far as possible. Recording a new music video in November and planning a Cape Town tour asap.

If you weren’t singing, what would you be doing as a job?

Mmmm, think maybe a janitor at the Royal Albert Hall.

Does anyone else in your family sing?

Oh yes. On my mother’s side we’re all a bunch of muso’s. My mom is a music teacher, my sis has 2 bmus degrees in music and the list goes on.

What’s your favourite song off the CD and why?

Asem. It’s very close to my heart. It’s one of those songs where I stood back and realised that this song could not be written by me. it had to come form somewhere else, ’cause  I don’t even understand the emotions involved.

In your opinion, Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

Somebody I used to know and baby black sheep has the same tune, it’s just inverted. Life is full of similarities. That’s how we associate with each other.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Everything except rave and techno.

Who/what CD is playing in your car right now?

It alternates between, Some Nights and Justine Bieber.

Best advice ever given?

Focus on what you’re doing right now, not what you have to do later.

Your favourite Quote?

Insanity is when you’re doing the same thing and expecting different results.

First song ever sung?

Twinkle twinkle little star.

Quick fire, decaf or regular?

Duh… Decaf is wack, should be banned along with fake sugar and skim milk.

Snow or sun?

A sunny snowy day

Angelina or Jennifer

Angelina and Jennifer

Bulls or Sharks?

Stormers!!!

Check out Christiaan Kritzinger’s social media accounts. Follow him, Like his page, listen to his music and subscribe to his channel!

 

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Dan Patlansky Interview

by Henno Kruger on December 8, 2011 · 1 comment

in Artist Interviews, Music

Dan Patlansky Dan Patlansky InterviewI’m sure that many of you reading this post who went to Oppikoppi Unknown Brother this year knows exactly who Dan Patlansky is. Who could forget his epic set on the main stage? David Batiste Senior (from New Orleans) has called Dan “one of the most renowned and fiery blues artists in the Southern Hemisphere”. After hearing him at Oppikoppi this year for the first time ever and re-experiencing his brilliance at Park Acoustics a few months later I am in full agreement with this statement. There is no doubt in my mind that this man knows how to play guitar. I actually think he was born with an electric guitar is hands (though this needs to be confirmed).

Dan Patlansky has been around for more than 10 years. He is one of the busiest and most respected blues artists to ever come out of South Africa. He was constantly touring as a teenager and won the hearts of even the most hardened blues critics. In the winter of 2001 Dan Patlansky released “Standing at the Station” and it achieved amazing success (despite the fact that it was a completely independent album).  In 2004 he released “True Blues” on the famed EMI Blue Note label. What Dan Patlansky could do with a six-string Fender Stratocaster at the age of 26, most critically acclaimed guitarists will never quite achieve in a lifetime.

In February 2005 and July 2006 Selwyn Miller (New Orleans based manager of David Gates and Bread, Randy Crawford and Petula Clark) invited Dan Patlansky to New Orleans to showcase his amazing talent. He performed at legendary venues like Maple Leaf, Rock & Bowl and Checkpoint Charlie. He performed with many Blues giants such as Henry Gray (Howlin’ Wolf’s Pianist), Snooks Eaglin, The Batiste Family, Rockin Dopsie Jr and others. He also performed live on television and WWOZ radio in the US. Touring was cut short due to Hurricane Katrina though, Dan & Selwyn had to evacuate New Orleans. Dan Patlansky returned to South Africa (and had to leave a lot equipment behind). The guitar manufacturer Fender recognised his fiery playing and offered him an endorsement deal to promote Fender Guitars and amps. He is one of only 6 Fender endorsed guitarists in South Africa.

Besides Oppikoppi, Dan Patlansky has played at almost every major festival in South Africa, including Aardklop (with guitarist Albert Frost), The Durban International Blues Festival (where he performed with veteran New York blues guitarist, Phillip Walker and Pat Savage), The North Sea Jazz Festival in Cape Town, Southern Cross Festival, the Walking the Blues Concert, White Mountain Festival, Up the Creek Festival, Cape Town Blues Summit, Splashy Fen and more. He’s also played at almost every major live music venue in the towns and cities of South Africa. I recently had the privilege to interview Dan Patlansky, this is what he had to say:

If you could jam with any guitarist in the world, who would you jam with and why?

Joe Bonamassa, besides being at great player, he is taking blues into a more modern era.

Some folks have said that you were born with an electric guitar in your hands, is this true?

No I only started playing when I was 14 years old. Quite late compared to some players out there.

You played an epic set at Oppikoppi Unknown Brother this year, which must have been an epic experience, did you expect the massive turnout for your set or did it come as a surprise to you?

I wasn’t expecting the amount of people that were in front of the stage, not at all! But what an awesome surprise!  That show will be with me for a very long time indeed.

What are your thoughts about the SA Music industry in General?

I think its a growing thing. Like a revolution still . Exciting times for SA music

What is currently on your iPod / CD Player?

Philip Sayce “Peace Machine” loving that album big time

What are you currently working on?

We are currently working on releasing my brand new album, new merch range, and of course I never stop working on the creative side of things.

We wish Dan Patlansky and his band the best with their future musical endeavors. He’s one of those artists that deserves a lot more attention in the media in South Africa. Dan Patlansky is more proof that Local is Indeed Lekker. For more information about this brilliant South African muso, check out the Dan Patlanksy Facebook Page. If you have not seen him live yet, do yourself a favor, you will not be disappointed. Dan will be playing at one of the Backsberg Picnic Series Concerts in the Western Cape soon. Get your butt down to his show and support SA Music.

Watch this space for regular Interviews posts and regularly updated posts in the Music category and SA Music section Running Wolf’s Rant. Feedback is appreciated and welcome here so feel free to comment on anything that you might find interesting on the blog.

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