Ten Questions With A Cool Person: Ben Sharp AKA Cloudkicker

Before we start on this, I have to say that if it wasn't for my great friend James "Flames" Irving, I would have never been able to do this interview and in fact I wouldn't have even known about Cloudkicker. Now that would have been a sad, sad story! 


For the rest of you that may not have heard of Cloudkicker, prepare yourself for something awesome. the first time I ever hear his music my life felt complete for a moment. I had never really given instrumental a proper chance until James ranted on about this guy, now I know why.


For one person to write such tasty music, and so much of it, takes a lot of time and a lot of skill. Every song has its own little story told through the music, and to me that makes it more powerful than anything.
If you haven't yet heard Cloudkicker, I suggest you give it a try, you never know what you might like... Play the track below while you read – two birds, one stone! 


Cadillac (C): Everyone I have played Cloudkicker to has loved it, no matter what their musical interest. What made you decide to write the music you do?

Cloudkicker's latest releas, Beacons

Ben (B): There wasn't ever any conscious decision to write the way I do. If anything, it evolved from actively listening to all the different types of music that I've been fascinated with at various times over the past ten years or so, and then sort of incorporating them in odd ways.








C:  When Ben Sharp is not Cloudkicker, what is he?


B: A dude that tries to maintain a healthy curiosity and skepticism about life.


C: how'd the name come about?


B: It's a reference to Kit Cloudkicker of Tale Spin fame. I don't really know why I chose that name, but I really enjoyed the cartoon when I was a kid and it has a nice ring to it.


C: Who influences you most?


B: Musically I'm in a weird place right now – I'm not really being influenced by any one person or band.


C: Tequila or bong?


B: A glass for Cabernet.


C: I love the fact that your music is freely accessible. Do you think there's a point in fighting the internet community? You can find anything for free on the net...


B: Generally I think that fighting anything is the wrong approach. People typically fight or force things when they don't understand why they find themselves in a certain situation. I think the best approach is to try to understand why things have become that way and then find a way to use that momentum to your advantage.


C: Where is your favourite holiday place?


B: Anywhere with good people and a friendly atmosphere.


C: What instrument is your favourite to play?


B: Well I'm best at guitar, but drums are pretty fun. I don't know, I don't really believe in the idea of a favorite anything. 


C: Slowly more and more instrumental bands are popping up. Why do you think there's this sudden need to scrap the vocalist?


B: I can't speak for others, but for me, I just don't really have a lot to say and I find words to be rather clumsy most of the time, a really narrow avenue of expression. With melody you have a much wider palette in which to express an idea or feeling, and you can communicate on a much deeper level.


C: What is one thing you can't live without?


B: Water...




Check this stuff out. It makes me so happy!

What. The. Fuck.

So the debate about Die Antwoord's coolness debate in much like that of the PC/Mac one – you either love them, or you don't. I personally feel the latter. This is why.

I first saw Die Antwoord at RAMfest in the Western Cape in 2009. The line-up for that show (one of their first shows as far as I can remember) was such: Yolandi, Ninja, Jack Parow (before he jumped on the lame-rap bandwagon. Although he's not too bad.), Isaac Newton and there may have been another. Pretty much everyone they featured on their debut EP. The show was insane. 
I loved it. But it ended there.


So they began touring, wank, wank, and they became popular and a lot more caught up in this urge to be the most disgusting people ever. A few months later they came to Johannesburg for the first time. Everyone was so excited, like teenage girl excited. But they didn't bring the noise as they did the first time. In fact, since then they have got progressively ridiculous and completely lame. But that's just me.


So now they're touring the world, wank, wank, talking a language no one understands but people try and speak because 'it are lekker to be zef'. 
And then came this... "Umshini-Wam" (AKA, for the non South Africans, "Bring Me My Machine Gun". A short film by Harmony Korine, an American director, producer, screenwriter and author. Although, after seeing this film, I am a bit skeptical about the writer part of his resumé. The film is about... well, I don't actually know.
If you haven't seen it, please do. As a South African I find it pretty damn offensive. The music makes no sense, the script makes no sense, the use of the K word for no apparent reason is just uncalled for. If anyone can explain what the fuck is going on, I'd love to hear about it.


I guess after all that ranting what I have to say is that although Die Antwoord may be the shit in some places, but in others it's just plain shit.
I give Waddy Jones (Ninja) credit where it is due, he is a very clever man. And it is due for projects such as Max Normal – something that people can enjoy, understand and not lose brain capacity over. I think any South African who falls for this act is, well, musically handicapped. 


Of all the local acts in all genres of music, is this really the best thing we have?

Ten Questions With A Cool Person: John Vlismas

If any of you know anything about South African comedy you'll know who the fuck John Vlismas is. Most Joburg dwellers will know him best as the more-regular-than-not host of comedy nights on Sunday nights at Cool Runnings in Melville, and may have experienced the wrath of his snappy comedy first hand.


To me he is one of the few comics that can actually tell jokes and not milk the cliché South African topics. But if you think his creativity stops there, you are wrong! John has hosted, and is yet to host, art exhibitions showcasing a whole bunch of his own art. So look out for the next one.

Here lies the speediest interview I have received yet. And for a man as busy as John Vlismas, that is something worthy of mention! Enjoy.


Cadillac (C): You are pretty much the face/man/hero of SA comedy. When did you realise you were a funny dude?

John Vlismas (JV): Hero? Face Man? Wow, I'm none of those things, but all together they sound like some cool Asia comic book figure. I've been interested in laughter since school.

C: You have impeccable style. Who cuts your hair?

JV: Miguel at PHD in Greenside.

C: What do you think your parents wanted you to grow up to be?  

JV: Happy.

C: Are you always as crazy as you are on stage?

JV: Nope, I can be devastatingly boring, quiet and sullen. But I try to save that for when I'm alone, but not always successfully.

C: Who are the easiest people to make fun of?

JV: The pompous, the judgmental and the over-confident.

C: Where's your favourite place to be?

JV: Home with family, or on stage with a mic and an open-minded crowd.

C: Is there a possibility that we'll be able to see more of your art exhibitions in the future?

JV: There will be more exhibitions, many more... Watch the press.

C: You've taken your comedy all over the world. How are overseas crowds compared to home? 

JV: The more I travel, the more I realise that we're all people, and no one crowd is different from another. Crowds are just random collections of individual personalities.

C: If there was no such thing as comedy, what would you be doing?

JV: Painting and teaching scuba, although comedy led me to both in a way.

C: What will you be doing on 21 December 2012?

JV: Watching "Extras"... again.


There we have it! If you guys aren't too lazy and live in JHB, or are in JHB for some reason, head off to Cool Runnings in Melville at 8pm every Sunday to catch SA top comics smashing faces.
This week's line-up:


MC - John Vlismas
Comics: Tumi Morake, Vittorio Leonardi, Ryan Whittal, Dillan Oliphant, Ashley Smith, Pravesh Munugaledave (line-up subject to change).

Fin.

C

Help me help you!

Yo, peeps.


As much as I think my judgement on how cool a person is is pretty good,
I think yours is too.

This is why I am writing to ask YOU who you'd like to see interviewed?
If you can post/mail your ideas, I will get onto it and find them! Or try my hardest to at least...


Give me your ideas!


x
C

General News

Good morning!


I just want to say thanks to everyone who has been reading my interviews! 
I hope you're all enjoying reading them as much as I am enjoying writing them!
And I have a bunch more lined up. I know I've been super secretive about it, but I have come to the conclusion that it won't really do me any good to keep everything quiet... So next week I'll be chatting to a fantastic musician, and the following week, an awesome local comedian! 


So while you sit and ponder who the fuck I am talking about, I need to get back to work.


Much love


C 

Ten Questions With A Cool Person: Mike Danese (Elitist)

When I first stumble across Elitist,  I was pleasantly surprised by the great combination of tasty riffage, sensual melodies and chest hair growth spurting breakdowns! How could I resist? 

Eager to know more, I sent the dudes a mail and heard back from their bassist, Mike Danese. He was kind enough to give me some history on the band and other random, but awesome info about himself and the band.

Read up good! 

Slappin' da bass!

C: I heard one of your tracks off "Caves" and the next week Elitist was everywhere, give us a little breakdown of (no pun intended) how  Elitist came about.

MD: Like most bands, we used to be different bands that we're all good friends who played locally around the LA metal/hardcore scene. Eventually our bands broke up and we all went our separate ways but remained friends. Julian was in The Fortune TellerThe Human Abstract. Their singer left and they had trouble filling his spot so they called it a day. Julian decided to test the waters with more progressive metal and he wrote the early version of  "Principles" and showed our singer Jake and he instantly was like, "dude lets a band together and do this for real!".  I was in New York going to school and my buddy showed me early Elitist with Sean and Robert playing some orchestral shred that was heavily inspired by recordings and I was instantly blown away. I talked to Julian a lot and he asked me if I could play bass and I was happy to oblige. Sean was asked to play guitar and Rob was recruited to play drums. I moved back to Cali and got down to business. (Thats the abridged story lol.)

C: What is your musical background? Did you and the guys study music? Your riffs are pretty insane but massively tasty.

MD: Thanks man! We all have actually. Julian and Sean have been classically trained by A.J. Minette from The Human Abstract. Robert was a student at Musicians Institute in Hollywood and I know basic music theory. Even our singer Jake can play mean guitar!

C: Nice! What is your view on the whole "Djent" thing?

MD: Honestly, we all have different opinions on the Djent subject. I think people naturally want to label genres mostly so they can convey to others what it sounds like. I think it's a new era in the metal scene and Djent is definitely taking heavy music into all kinds of new and groovy directions. Regardless how people feel about the term "Djent", the name stuck! Julian and Sean call it "Da Bow Bow".

C: "Da Bow Bow" makes sense. What else do you do?

MD: I work part time and hang out with good friends. I always have to be doing something musically. I write and play Acid Jazz and fusion stuff with other musician friends. One of my buddies is an engineer/keyboardist and he's got a Moog Voyager that can take you to outer space and back! I pretty much just try to do whatever makes me happy!

C: Your life sounds awesome! Tequila or bong?

MD: BOTH!!!

C: Where is one place in the world you have to go?

MD: New Zealand. Hands down!

C: Have you ever set foot in Africa?

MD: No I haven't, but I would love to go as soon as I can.

C: Pizza or burgers?

MD: Burger with avocado and bacon.

C: What got you into playing bass?

MD: I'v been playing guitar for almost 10 years and I started playing bass about half of that, but not as serious. I always noticed that bassists were hard to find so I just decided to focus on learning bass. My favorite band is The Mars Volta and their bassist, Juan Alderete, was a huge inspiration for me. I just learnt how to play my favourite Volta songs. I listen to a lot of Jazz (Miles, Coltrane, Chick Corea, Herbie, ect.) those are all big influences as far as technique and thinking in bass clef. Bass has always been something that felt natural and comfortable for me. I just groove. Bass is good vibes, bass is sex! nothing beats going to a show and feeling the bass in your chest, shaking your whole body. I think thats what got me into bass the most is the body and atmosphere. Ya dig?

C: I dig! What Elitist show will you never forget?

MD: Our first show was a lot of fun. I was nervous to see the crowd reaction, but they were amazing. Tons of energy and passion. We're still a relatively new act so we have a ton of shows and memories ahead of us. Speaking of which, our full length album will be out late 2011 and we're releasing a new single in the next 2 months entitled "Spectre". Keep checking up, spread the news, and stay tuned!

So there it is! An awesome dude from an awesome band! I will keep you lovely people posted on the advances of these guys. Remember: Elitist.

I made it!

So I got this new Macbook. The day I got it my dad asked me, "What can you do with this thing?" To which I replied: "Everything". And it's true, I have never edited a video in my life, well, not until this weekend. 


You see, this weekend we started tracking drums on my band (Facing the Gallows) and The Dead Will Tell's split album entitled, This Is Hate City. I decided at the last minute to film almost everything. Mostly what happens between takes, though. After all that, I chopped up all the videos, smashed them into one, added some tasty tunes and voila! A video. That I made. By my self.
Enjoy.


C

The End Is Naai.

It's been blisteringly hot in Joburg these past few weeks. Now, the rain has arrived. And with the rain comes the giant balls up of every traffic light not working. How is it that this problem hasn't been solved? For as long as I can remember traffic lights have stopped working with almost every rain storm. Not even bad ones.


I think on December 21st, 2011 the World won't end. There'll just be a lot of rain and then none of the traffic lights will work... ever.again.

Ten Questions With A Cool Person: Fabian Sing (CrashCarBurn)

Since the start of TQWACP things have been going swimmingly! I have been lucky enough to chat to some fantastic people! I wish I could release everything in one go, but then you'd have nothing to be excited for, right? I just thought I'd share my excitement with you.

This week I had a little chat to a local cool person. Fabian Sing of the awesome CrashCarBurn. Being a friend of mine, I know first hand how awesome this dude is. And that is why I bring him to you, so you can learn how awesome he is for yourselves! Although I do have a slight grudge against him... I auditioned for CCB a long time ago and never got the part. Oh well. I suppose that's a good things because then I wouldn't be able to interview him. Yes! 

This is what we got chatting about.

C: So you not-so-recently but not too long ago joined CrashCarBurn. How has it been?

FS: It's been really good. Not a massive change though, as I've been involved with CrashCarBurn in varying roles over the last few years.

C: Those who know you know that you like yourself a good party. What three things do you need for a good party?

FS: 1: A location. 2: An open mind. 3: A personality.

C: Complete the sentence. Fabian Sing is...

FS: a geek.

C: I have come to the conclusion that bass is exactly like guitar, but different. What is your opinion on this?

FS: I think it depends greatly on the genre of music. For example, in pop/rock music the bass should follow what the drums do very closely and solidify the rhythm section. In that respect it is more percussive than the "melodic" guitar. In genres like jazz, ska and surf rock the bass tends to play more rolling bass lines which work in between what the drums and guitar do. Then on the opposite end you get genres like dubstep and drum and bass, where the bass is central to the music. I suppose that would be more a bass synth though, but you didn't specify whether it was bass "guitar". :)

C: Touché! Tequila or bong?

FS: Tequila.

C: What is your favourite place in SA?

FS: Johannesburg.

C: If you could be anyone, who would you be?

FS: Myself 10 years ago... but with all of the knowledge that I possess today.

C: What is one band you have to see before they end?

FS: Blink 182.

C: I'm with you on that one. What is your favourite dish?

FS: Noodles!

C: Seeing as the world is going to end next year, what is one thing you have to do before then?

FS: Go on a holiday :)

Look out for next week's interview dropping on Wednesday (16th). amped!

A New Day

It is indeed, because that's when happens when the clock strikes 12...
Life is winning. Got my new gadget. I'm loving my writing, if I can say so myself, my music is sounding fucken A! Everything just seems to be going awesome, and with that comes a burst of energy and productivity.
After hating looking for jobs, it was decided that creating a job would be easier. Watch this space. Many more great things will come!
Much love to you all!
C

Ten Questions With A cool Person: Eric Morotti (Blind Witness/ Killitorous)

So I am trying to keep this thing as regular as I can... but it can be difficult to get hold of cool people.But this cool person was legendary on the communication front.

Ever since Blind Witness smashed their noise into my ears I have taken notice of this guy. He is one of my favourite drummers and one of the friendliest looking dudes I've ever seen. He was kind enough to answer ten awesome questions for us all, so have yourself a read and get to know about this awesome person!

Ladies. Calm down...

Cadillac (C): I've seen your videos, I've heard your bands, you shred! If drums had to magically be erased from the Earth, what would you be doing?

Eric Morotti (EM): Not much... haha. If drums were gone I guess I would just be skateboarding, or being normal, get a job, and all that jazz!

C: What is the one show/festival/tour you have to play before you die?

EM: Death Metal Europe tour with Lady Gaga! Haha.

C: How does it feel to tour with bands you grew up listening to?

EM: It's awesome of course! But you start to notice that they're all just people like us. But it is cool to share the stage with bands like Alexisonfire, who was an inspiration for me when I was younger, or being in the studio and having Dino from Fear Factory come in and check out the tunes is pretty awesome!

C: When you joined Blind Witness the sound changed in a great way. Was that mostly due to your handy work?

EM: Yes and no. Haha. I just showed the other members a different way of writing, different time signatures, poly rhythms and the proper way to blast and what not. They were kinda stuck in the metalcore style, and I brought out more of the deathmetal style because thats what I'm all about!

C: Tequila or bong?

EM: Vaporizer! Hahaha. But bong for sure! I don't drink.

C: How any questions about blasting have you answered?

EM: Haha. A LOT! It's always the first thing someone asks...

C: How are you enjoying your time with Killitorous?

EM: Killitorous is the shit! It's a band with all of my best friends and we just jam out and grind! Im really enjoying my time with these lads to say the least!

C: South Africa is slowly becoming a new on-the-way stop-over between Australia/Asia and the US. Have you considered it? We have great whites and lions...

EM: Hahahaha! Fuck sharks, man! They scare the poop right outta me. But of course, I would love to come to South Africa, man. I've only heard really good things of your beautiful home, and I very much look forward to blastin' in South Africa!

C: What's your favourite place in the world? Ever.

EM: Home.

C: Where to next for Eric Morotti?

EM: Always up to something! Haha. But big news for sure. I'm talking with Trevor Phipps and Buz McGrath if Unearth, and we've been working together recently, and we're going to see where it takes us!

Check out Eric's Vaudou Drums short film.

My Brain.

Today my brain is overloaded with online media strategy.
So much of it. So much so that I felt the need to just write shit and post it.
I believe that my slight neurological disorder may be having a larger effect on my life.
I love doing things, I just can't concentrate long enough at times... I suppose it's not the greatest
advertisement for me, but at least I'm for real....