Over the years, the Eastern Cape has given us a number of great musicians. And now out of that comes the new breed; a bunch of musicians who are informed by their tradition, but who are not afraid to look outside. On the 26th of June, Monchhichi, on 23 Fox Street in Downtown Johannesburg, will be hosting three of these musicians: Nakhane Toure, Moonchild Sannelly and Johnny Cradle.
SAMA winner for Best Alternative album, Nakhane Toure was born in Alice and raised predominately in Port Elizabeth. His debut album, Brave Confusion owes as much to traditional African music as it does to recent Alternative music, ‘60s soul and ‘70s jazz. He may have taken the name Touré in homage to his idol Ali Farka Touré, but he is as likely to cite Morrissey, Nina Simone, Black Flag or Radiohead as influences. And he’ll as often pluck the strings of an acoustic guitar as play electric rock riffs or slinky, Prince-style funk. Nakhane will also be performing a few songs from his upcoming second album.
Moonchild Sannelly, the “Future-ghetto-funk”, blue headed girl was born in Port Elizabeth. Having being raised by a mother whose independence was ahead of her time, she possessed an unstoppable will with whatever she put her mind on. She studied fashion in Durban before turning her talents to music. Performing at myriad festivals in Kwa-Zulu Natal, she decided to relocate to Johannesburg where she started collaborating with the likes of Tshepang Ramoba (who eventually produced her debut album Rabulapha), Thandiswa Mazwai and Toya DeLazy. She has gone on to score chart hits with her singles ‘Rabubi’ and ‘Cut the Cake’.
Johnny Cradle (known to his friends as Sakie) has been making waves with a genre he has dubbed Roots Electro. His bio stipulates his disdain for convention. In this otherworldly music he summons elements from a myriad of musical styles. Born and bred in the Eastern Cape, his minimalist style has brought him to the attention of established media like OkayAfrica where he said that his music is “the journey of the DIY artist person of this day. I couldn’t afford tertiary education but have made a career in illustration with work for all the top banks and companies in the country. The I do it from my own pocket and knowledge write your music, play it, record it, shoot it, edit it and deliver it fuck ‘em all do it attitude.”
EVENT DETAILS
Date: 26th June 2015
Venue: Monchhichi
Address: 23 Fox Street, Downtown JHB (opposite Magistrate’s Court)
Time: Doors open at 20:00. First performance at 21:00
Entrance Fee: R100 (pre-sale tickets & before 22:00), R120 after 22:00
