Utrecht-based management, booking, label, and event concept agency, The Good Times Co (TGTC), was founded in 2019 by Blaise Janichon with the goal of serving as a catalyst for the development and promotion of Southern African artists across Europe.
Pierre Rommelaere is a familiar face for local musicians and their fans alike — even if it is only from behind a camera. From his humble beginnings photographing live music at venues in Stellenbosch and Cape Town, Pierre has risen to one of the most prominent live music photographers in South Africa.
[Sold Ash released his self-titled debut EP on 28 April 2020. PHOTO: Daniel Luckhoff-Wessels.]
What began as a performance in an 11th-grade talent contest has evolved into one of the most prominent acts on the Cape Town psych-rock scene. Ruan Vos, better known by his stage name Sold Ash, has been making waves locally with his muted yet extravagant showmanship, lyrical prowess and meticulously-curated sound.
Cistamatic, which began as a solo project by Gabbi le Roux, has since April evolved into a riot-punk trio, that has taken the Cape Town punk rock scene by storm. The band sum up their sound in five words, “Gutsy, angsty, punk, cheeky, and existential.”
Metro Villa, an alt-rock four-piece from Cape Town, was formed in late 2019 thanks to a Facebook ad and a guitarist with a penchant for railroads. On the heels of the release of their debut single “Sort Yourself Out” on November 18, we caught up with the band to learn more about their musical backgrounds, inspirations, struggles, and even dream future collaborations.
For years, Jonathan Stephen Simons and his bandmates performed under other names, but at the end of 2021, they began going by his birth name. He describes the sound as “expressively free, genuine heart music,” which sums up the style perfectly.
This afro-pop soul group has been together for over a decade, but they haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of their potential. The Muffinz, a five-piece from Johannesburg, have big dreams of making it onto the international touring circuit and helping younger local up-and-coming performers to do the same.
[Bam Bam Brown and The Wild Professors jamming it out at The House of Machines. PHOTO: Vanartist]
South African musician, Bam Bam Brown, has checked off a fair number of items on his personal and musical bucket list over the course of his career. Currently, he is most interested in environments and experiences from which he can extract his most authentic creative ideas.
[Angie oeh crowd surfing at Liefde By Die Dam 2022. PHOTO: Wayde Flowerday]
When talking about the Afrikaans rap scene, few are making waves like Angie oeh — the rebellious Pretoria-born mumble rapper. Angie has made it abundantly clear that she is coming to shake things up by releasing songs like “Big Booty Bitch”, rocking tank tops, bleached hair, and some stylish face tattoos. We spoke to her about where she draws inspiration from, her views on fashion, and even which of her lyrics she loves most.
With her undeniable vocals, instrumental skill, eccentric aesthetic, and poetic lyricism, Ellenie Eloff makes one reminisce about legendary female musicians such as Karen O, Kathleen Hanna, and Carrie Brownstein. As the frontwoman of local four-piece, Elle E, she and her band have been making waves in the local music scene, so we thought it only fair to sit down with her and learn more about her musical journey, travels, challenges, interests, and future goals.