MUSICIANS OF JOBURG
MEN BEHIND THE BAND
FOR Wonderboom founding member, lead vocalist, songwriter and guitarist Cito (Martin Otto), music is his life. He has been involved in the music industry since he was 17 and wouldn’t change it for the world. “When I’m not on stage or in the studio, music continues to pulse through my heart. I love the role that music plays in this bizarre existence. Music has the power to make or break you,” he says.
As for finding inspiration, he never runs short: “Sometimes it’s a groove that I hear in my head, other times it’ll be a line that someone has said that just sticks and demands to be elaborated.”
Martin Schofield, founding member, lead guitarist, songwriter and vocalist, is a British-born and African-raised lover of dogs, guitars, travel, tattoos, bacon and 50s culture. Having worked in the industry since the age of 16, he has a long list of career highlights but cites “being in Wonderboom with my brothers and paying the bills from music” as his personal best. Schofield is working on several side projects with Cito.
Bassist Wade Williams has also been with the band from the very beginning. He has loved music from a very young age and, while his style is akin to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea “because of my funky rock white boy thing”, it was George Michael’s special combination of production and emotion that got it all started for him. To him, playing live is an incredible privilege.
“There are few better experiences than playing a show where you feel completely connected, as a band and with the audience. That’s what I live for.”
Drummer Jonathan Bell grew up in a musical family and has wanted to be a drummer for as long as he can remember. He started playing at the age of 12. He enjoys all kinds of music, from the Beatles to Elton John, and everything in between. While he lists playing Oppikoppi 2014 in front of a massive crowd and winning gold at the Silk Road Indie Music Festival in China as career highlights, he believes the best is yet to come.