What drives them?
- From our Newsletter April 20, 2011 -
They arrive here after the previous night’s gig in another town – which was after another gig in another town. Then they unpack, they set up, they test their sound for hours. They go for a quick shower and come play great music like they are back from a fresh island holiday. Afterwards they chat tirelessly with the fans, sign CD’s and pose for photographs. Then they pack all their equipment and travel to the next show.
They are all like that. Last week is was Mean Mr. Mustard and Meri Kanaz . These guys had fascinating stories to tell. Where they played and how they were treated. About the food and accommodation they had to live with in the start-up days– pie, gravy and chips for days on end. They paid their dues, but they just carry on and on. On stage they transform. I have lots of photos as evidence – have a look at our photo albums on Facebook.
On stage they transform ...
I watched Andries Botha and the guys on Thursday and just shook my head. What is happening on that stage? It is like a fire is lit inside when they get on stage – like the furnace of a steam engine. Unstoppable once they get going and just the tweep-tweep whistle, the choo-choo and the cluck-cluck of the rails. Happy travellers! Teeeep-tweeep, chooo-chooo, cluck-cluck. Non-stop! The second last note from previous song was already the second note of the next song.
Meri is still paying her dues – merrily so, if I must say. The previous night a gig in PE. Then at Potters. Next day lunch time in Walmer. That evening another spot and the following day in Grahamstown. She travels by herself, unpacks, does her own sound checks and then she sings – beautifully! Then she chats with the fans, signs CD’s, packs up and continues with her tour.
And they are all like this – Steve Hofmeyr, Mel Botes, Dozi, Stef Bos, Dan Patlansky – you name them, male, female, the lot. What people tell you about Eddie Eksteen’s state of health and what you see once he gets on stage are not related by any stretch of the imagination. Some are lone-stars and some travel in groups. From somewhere they receive an inner charge when they get on stage.
And then I catch them in December – in relay teams night after night. It is exhausting beyond description to live with them. One thing I tell you. They inspire me and have my deep respect.
I hate it if they arrived at Potters and I was not there to meet them. And I stay until they have packed up at the end of the evening and have left. I love it when they come around to say good-bye the next morning.
Next time you watch a show and you really love it – mix it with a feeling of deep respect and inspiration. There is more than just music happening on that stage! Somehow mere mortals receive an inner fire from somewhere which they have the ability to express.
Be grateful to be a witness!
What these people would REALY appreciate homecook meals! One thing nothing could make up for. . . Most of us “travelers” suffer from bad indigestion!
You are so right! Some of them are starving by the time they arrive here. At least we offer them anything on the menu and it normally helps to get them through the evening.
What kind of traveller are you?
The band would like to thank Callie and his team at Potters Place for hosting Mean Mr Mustard last week and for all his kind comments. His hospitality towards us was awe inspiring and it will be such a pleasure to perform at Potters Place again. Many Many thanks. Garth, Andries, Louwrens and Kirsten.
Thanks for your comments. You guys were so a lot of fun and great entertainment! would like to have you back here!