Basson Laas: 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know

Growing up on a farm in South Africa, Basson Laas had a playful and happy childhood that fuelled his imagination.

Teaching himself how to play the guitar, he started writing his first songs at just 17 years old. However, after spending his 20s mainly pursuing other interests, he decided to take a leap of faith and try his luck as an independent musician, without the backing of a label, to see if it could bear fruit.

After his first year performing full-time in bars and restaurants, he had the opportunity to record his debut EP, ‘Good Morning Dreamer,’ which was released in August 2023 and featured his first single, ‘Tightly Bound.’

This year, he has two singles lined up. The first, ‘Worth Loving,’ (which was already released on Friday, 19 July), and the second, ‘Smile,’ is planned for release in November.

“I’ve learned a lot from the release of ‘Good Morning Dreamer,’ and I hope to push the boundaries a little more with the next releases,” he says. “I realise how difficult it can be to get music heard in this day and age, but if that’s the case, my only wish is that it remains fun to work with like-minded creatives and that my songs somehow reach and touch just the right audience.”

So far, his music style can be described as an adult contemporary mix of folk and pop with a dash of alternative. He has shared the stage as an opening act for many well-known names in the industry and recently started putting a band together, featuring drummer Jannie Labuschagne (Mantra, Ruiter Piet) and bassist/pianist Callie van der Merwe (Wolfgang Marrow, Kirkland).

They aim to showcase his songs at many South African festivals in the coming years.

There’s probably a lot that you don’t know about Basson Laas, but today my aim is to change that…

Here are 10 Interesting Facts You Might Not Know about Basson Laas

1. Basson Laas is the youngest in his family, having three older siblings.

2. From a young age, Basson mastered the art of making mielie-pap, a traditional South African dish, showcasing his early culinary interests.

3. Basson has impressively accumulated approximately 150 flight hours piloting small aeroplanes, highlighting his adventurous spirit and diverse skills.

4. A devoted fan of the classic TV series Friends, Basson has completed watching the entire series three times.

5. Since the end of 2010, Basson has been driving the same reliable Chevrolet Spark, reflecting his appreciation for consistency and reliability.

6. Since 2014, Basson has enjoyed the loyal companionship of his Labrador, Aramis, who has been a steadfast presence in his life.

7. With a deep love for diverse flavours, Basson Laas’ favourite cuisine is any type of curry, delighting in its rich and varied tastes.

8. This culinary preference may be influenced by his heritage, as his great-great-great-great-grandmother was of Indian descent.

9. Among his unique possessions, Basson proudly owns a piece of the Great Wall of China, symbolising his appreciation for world history and culture.

10. One of Basson’s aspirational goals is to one day fly a microlight aircraft around the coast of South Africa, accompanied by his wife Louise, combining his passion for adventure with his love for family.

Well, there you have it, 10 Interesting Facts that you might not have known about Basson Laas. If I’ve left out something important, feel free to comment below.

Watch this space for updates in the Facts category on Running Wolf’s Rant.