Matters – Details, episodes & analysis

Milky Chance recently announced their long-awaited return to South Africa with their “Living In A Haze” tour in February 2024 which will see them perform in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. I chatted to the German duo in December to talk about their rise to fame ahead of their South African return. Their 2019 single “Life Without Fantasies” reached the top of the South African viral charts amassing millions of streams in 2021 during Lockdown. The band connected with tens of thousands of fans online which led to their first sold out headline tour. They have continued to cement themselves in the industry here, having toured the country a number of times over the past few years and return in February 2024 to share the stage with Milky Chance in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Sean Koch is one of SA’s most-loved indie-folk artists who brings a mixed bag of African and western, influence alongside messages of home, a connection to nature, the ocean and the people around him; to his storytelling, feel-good music. While rooted in his flowing-folk style, his music is diverse. From dance infused songs like ‘Lift You Up’ the standout single from his collection (including the Double MZK & G DOM remix) to the dreamier songs like ‘Feel the Energy’ that carry deeper messages of connection to the natural world and the people that surround us. There is something for everyone in Sean’s catalogue. Tickets are on sale from https://breakoutevents.co.za/ and are selling fast, so get yours now! Milky Chance “Living In A Haze” South African Tour Dates: 15 February 2024 – Green Point A-Track, Cape Town (supported by Neon Dreams and Sean Koch) 17 February 2024 – Marks Park in Emmarentia, Johannesburg (supported by Neon Dreams and Sean Koch + final opening act to be announced) 18 February 2024 – Durban Botanic Gardens uMphafa Field, Durban (supported by Neon Dreams + final opening act to be announced) Milky Chance “Living In A Haze” South African Tour 2024 details: For more info, go to: Ticketing link: https://breakoutevents.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abreakoutevent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abreakoutevent Twitter: https://twitter.com/abreakoutevent

Australian singer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd returns to South Africa in February 2024.
Before launching his solo career, Rudd began playing music as part of the band 'Xavier and the Hum'. He drew inspiration from artists such as Leo Kottke, Ben Harper, Natalie Merchant and multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, as well as music from diverse sources such as Hawaiian and Native American music.
Rudd's songs incorporate socially conscious themes, such as spirituality, humanity, environmentalism, and the rights of Indigenous Australians.

This interview with the one-time member of Savage Garden and celebrated solo artist in his own right, Darren Hayes, was captured in December 2001 and focused on the release of his debut solo album, Spin.

Fast forward some 22-odd years later, and he’s back with a new album, his fifth, titled Homosexual, validated by longstanding fans, the LGBTQIA+ community and everyone in between.

Give this interview the time, if only to get a sense of this man’s complete professionalism and absolute commitment to his craft, and perhaps you’ll understand his 2023 intent even better. 

Darren Hayes, Savage Garden, Homosexual, Darren Hayes Homosexual, Insatiable, Sony Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Roadshow Music Pty Ltd, To the Moon and Back, I Want You, Truly Madly Deeply, Affirmation, The Animal Song

In 1997 Jon Bon Jovi was in a good place, but had something to say as a solo voice was ready to deliver his second chapter.   

New beginnings, fine collaborations and serendipity, AKA Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) producing, this is Jon's story of that time. USA meets UK, Jon knew how to make records and Dave knew how to experiment, together they were strong.

Finding the sandcastle inside of yourself. Spontaneity is key, Yello’s Dieter Meier spoke to me about his and Boris’ journey in music – not as pioneers, but as authentic artists making music that matters, circa 2 May 1997.

Influenced by the sounds of nature, diesel engines and the music Boris heard, it’s a conglomerate of the planet’s sounds.

"We are who we are." Yello never tried to fit a format.

Frontman Huey Morgan in the room, dropping the dirt on what made 100% Colombian, great!

Wilco multi-instrumentalist, John Stirratt in May 2007 spoke frankly and openly about the Chicago-based band’s journey to Blue Sky Blue’s release.   

Six albums in and still riding on the coattails of 2001’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and 2004’s A Ghost is Born, listen to an interview that sheds light on a journey filled with being overly self-aware, lacking objectivity and the joy of being in a band that could have happily coexisted alongside Pink Floyd, Dylan or Jonathan Richmond.

Staying true to themselves, Soft Cell returned in 2002 with the group’s fourth studio album, some 18 years after their last, 1984’s The Last Night in Sodom. Cruelty Without Beauty was their triumphant return, and I had the privilege of interviewing one half of the duo, Dave Ball.

Another of my legacy interviews, this one being of equal age as Soft Cell’s hiatus was, all dusted off and resuscitated for those curious to hear their journey in music whose contribution fundamentally influenced and shaped pop music made in the 80s, 90s and nulls.

#daftpunk #chemicalbrothers #tainedlove #crueltywithoutbeauty #thelastnightinsodom #

Tim, Jules and Ben, Up Close and personal, circa May 2021.

The year was 2002, 22 years into his career when I first got to speak to the one-time Hüsker Dü and Sugar lead singer and equally successful solo artist, Bob Mould. 

Over that year and the next, Bob delivered no less than three albums. I caught up with him just after the release of the first of the three, Modulate.  

* Disclaimer: Due to the poor sound quality on this one, it's intended for the die-hard fans, if only due to a buzz on the line I simply don't have the tech to remedy, and for that, I apologise.   

Nonetheless, I loved the interview and thought it only right to share it with those of you who can listen past the buzz and enjoy this rich, humble and engaging artist at a critical stage of his music career.