Postmodernism is dead. Let’s dance.

Google Trends tells me that Postmodernism has been in the news again recently. Apparently, on the 24th of September, Postmodernism is officially over. This makes me very happy.

From the 24th of September 2011 to the 15th of January 2012, the Victoria and Albert Museum open “the first comprehensive retrospective” on the movement: “Postmodernism – Style and Subversion 1970-1990.” It’s about time too, Postmodernism has overstayed its welcome. In South Africa it was on its last legs when I finished art school almost 10 year ago. Evidently in the sea of confusion, those in the know assumed we were still in Postmodernism (woops). But regardless of whatever movement we’re in or have been moving towards, does anyone care about defining the beginning and end of Postmodernism?

I do, but only because I studied the bollocks and I want to see the ass end of it. This post is not a lesson on Postmodernism, go read the Wikipedia entry or this article. Postmodernism and its wide definition of art, where anything can be justified, became a self-fulfilling prophecy. If anything can be put forward as art simply by writing a paper with big words in it and making academic references, then nothing is art.

I used to care about art, but Postmodernism killed that for me. As a philosophical movement it was great, teaching us that commentary on society can occur anywhere (and so much more). As a movement associated with artworks I believe it had an unintended, negative influence on artists, the craft and the works produced.

The man in the street doesn’t care. He or she just wants something pretty to put on the wall. The casual art observer wants something that isn’t too offensive and is sure to be an investment. These days I get my fill of social commentary from the internet and Southpark, and I look forward to the next art movement that doesn’t contain the word ‘modernism.’

This comic proudly stolen from Dinosaur Comics

Advertisement

Waiting for Paul Simon… Couldn’t resist sneaking a photo.

And by sneaking, I mean I wasn’t actually allowed to, but I couldn’t help myself. I mean, I was about to see Paul Friggin’ Simon, the awesome legend. C’mon.

He played an intimate gig tonight at the SABC, which was recorded. It’s my understanding that this is for the 25th anniversary of Graceland (which is next year). It was pretty much a Graceland reunion gig with Hugh Masekela, Ray Phiri, Ladysmith Black Mambazo…all the greats. It was incredible, and even included a tribute to Miriam Makeba. The atmosphere was electric.

“Boy In The Bubble” was my personal highlight, but nothing beats singing along to “You Can Call Me Al” with 300 other people, including Paul Simon.

He released a new album this year, “So Beautiful Or So What,” and I think it’s his best since Graceland. In many ways it actually reminds me a lot of his debut album, check it out at his official website.

Hey online music services, over here!

I just don’t get it. Why hasn’t iTunes’ music offering, Amazon’s mp3 Store, eMusic or a kickass streaming service like Spotify or Rhapsody launched in South Africa yet? There’s so much happening internationally, yet promising developing countries like South Africa aren’t invited to the party. Why?

The most commonly used reasons are licensing issues and the insignificant size of our market when compared to Europe and the U.S. Whatever. This is a massive opportunity being overlooked by the Big Guns. Strikes, lack of infrastructure, and the costs associated with setting up shop in a new territory are not applicable. South Africa is the gateway to Africa, and as far as available music services go there’s very little competition.

Although the iTunes store is open to South Africans, only apps are available for purchase. The choices when using a mobile device are cellular networks and those fly-by-night companies that advertise on eTV. For desktop purchases, music consumers can visit the Nokia OVI Store, Omusic and the newly launched Look & Listen mp3 Store.

For some consumers this is okay, but none of these options excite me. I’m a wannabe tech geek and Apple fan girl with strange music tastes. I want to buy from a platform that I know and trust to just work. Why should I be forced to settle for less because of my geographical location?

It makes even more sense for RiSA to push for an iTunes launch, since the volume of legitimately paid-for sales through the US iTunes store must be staggering. There are many South African websites that make reference to opening a fake US iTunes account, and even more devoted to the sale of iTunes vouchers. Unfortunately, all that money leaves the South African economy… Also, it’s illegal.

There are dozens of forums and sites detailing how to mask a South African IP address to access legitimate music services currently unavailable in South Africa. There are also plenty BitTorrent networks to choose from if you want to rip off artists. In this day and age we’re able to take from cyberspace what we want when we want it, which is why I believe the key to reducing piracy is to make it easier to find and pay for a song than to steal it.

Sure, it takes time to get the licensing agreements and publishing in place, but other international companies have shown that getting local agreements in place can be done. From there the rest of Africa can be a cinch, especially where broadband penetration is better. Where there’s a will, and maybe some smart strategic foresight, there’s a way. Hopefully we’ll start seeing some more international competition in this space soon.

Ja.fm streaming radio launches. Ja!

Last night I went to the public launch of the new Ja.fm website, which is a streaming radio station for Afrikaans music, run by Jacaranda FM. It was a great launch where Coenie de Villiers and Die Heuwels Fantasties played fantastic sets. The crowd were totally into it, and there were good vibes all round.

Now I think this is just what the Afrikaans music community needs. It’s obvious that streaming radio and music services are the future (see the international success of Spotify and in South Africa, 2OceansVibe Radio is rapidly gaining market share). For one website to embrace ALL Afrikaans music is a great step forward, especially since listeners are empowered to vote for what they like. There’s bound to be some controversy surrounding the songs that get added…which of course fuels listener involvement. It’s a win all round.

Here’s hoping that Ja.fm opens up the boerewors curtain to everyone.

Well that’s a first. I just 404’d Google.

Oh Dear.

 

No one tell the band.

Park Acoustics. Legendary vibe.

It was a beautiful day at our new venue, the Voortrekker Monument. There were people of all ages, shapes, sizes and colours and it was beautiful. Then the rain came down in buckets. After a frantic effort to get everyone inside and set up, Die Heuwels Fantasties finished their set with an incredible performance. All the excitement and energy of a hot African day listening to Rock was in the room. You had to be there, it was legendary.

Park Acoustics is ready to rock Pretoria!

I’ve just come back from the Voortrekker Monument and tomorrow’s gig is going to blow Pretoria’s hair back! There are awesome braai facilities, shady trees and a lot of lush green grass… This time around there will also be a full bar, food for sale as well as a loaded merch shop. All ages are welcome as this promises to be another brilliant family friendly Sunday picnic with good vibes, smiles and of course, excellent live music!

*The Line-up*
11:00 – 12:30 Gates open
12:30 – 13:30 Toby Benko
13:30 – 14:30 Tim Burns
14:30 – 15:30 Die Tuindwergies
15:30 -16:30 Die Heuwels Fantasties

Tickets will be sold at the gate:
R65 Adults, students, pensioners
R45 Scholars (valid ID needed)
Children 6 years and younger get in for free

Follow @parkacoustics on Twitter or check out more at facebook.com/park.acoustics

The Naked And Famous: 2011’s Sonic Boom!

New Zealand’s The Naked and Famous are, so far, my favourite new band of 2011. Their debut album Passive Me, Aggressive You pulls together everything that’s good about popular music at the moment, while at the same time not coming across as commercial. Whether you hear their first single “Young Blood” in a club, at a friend’s house or on 5FM, the track is the epitome of cool every time.

Their sound is a mixture of dreamy dance-pop, dark sonic psychedelia and ripping up-beat melodies, as well as a healthy dose of noise. There’s definitely a lot in common with MGMT and LCD Soundsystem, but also hints of Radiohead, Animal Collective, Portishead, The B52’s and NIN. Yes, really.

Each song on the album is alive with youth and party, colliding synth-rock with dirty, edgier grooves in amongst the many memorable hooks. From the opener “All Of This,” you know you’re in for a road trip. There are brilliant ups and introspective downs along the way until arriving at the triumphant “Girls Like You.”

My favourite track at the moment is “No Way.” It oscillates between delicate female vocals with a restrained drum beat and an agitated guitar held in a wall of sound that reverberates over your ears… A lot like when you’re driving a little fast with the car windows completely open:

You can find out more about this fantastic band at their official website. Do that after you’ve bought or ordered yourself the album though, because Passive Me, Aggressive You will go down in history as one of those truly brilliant debut albums.

The Howlin’ Shibanski at Pandora

The Howlin’ Shibanski is a rootsy, energetic blues band, and one of the best I’ve ever seen. Check them out on Facebook: http://goo.gl/NwQA5

It was also my first time at Pandora Art House, and it’s a great venue. With a view out over the Pretoria city skyline, this big old house is the perfect place to have an intimate yet loud evening. Unfortunately, it seems as if they won’t be around after the end of this year, so check them out while you still have a chance. http://www.pan-dora.co.za/