Arno Carstens
The musician on partying, painting and making babies
DURING his career as lead singer of Springbok Nude Girls and subsequently as a solo artist, Arno Carstens has released 10 studio albums, had over 20 top 10 singles, won 5 Samas and shared the stage with U2, the Rolling Stones and REM. He has toured extensively in SA, UK, Europe and the US, headlined every major South African festival and performed at international music festivals, including Glastonbury. He lives with his wife, Melanie, and their one-year-old son in Kalk Bay, Cape Town, where his latest means of expression is on canvas.
In 1991, I was in the army.
I was in Bethlehem for six months and then I was posted to the Mozambican border where I got to know about the war between Renamo and Frelimo. When my time ended I got back home and all I wanted to do was party, party, party.
Going to printing college was totally different for me.
I had been at a whitesonly school and the army was also segregated. Next thing here we all were, sharing the same dormitory, eating in the same kitchen and attending the same classes. That was my first taste of being in a “mixed environment”.
I got a job at a printing press in 1994 and started my two-year apprenticeship.
I wore overalls and grew comfortable in them. My trainer was a nice guy we called Uncle and he treated me well as his appie. After two and a half years, I did my trade test but my plates were out of register and I knew I didn’t pass. I suspected my bosses were going to fire me for failing so I quit before they acted.
The world changes around you; it’s not you changing around the world.
Having been in the music world as long as I have been, I’ve seen music change, radio change ... I’ve made 10 albums: five with Nude Girls, one with electronica and four solo. I’ve always done music, and now I paint. I want to do something different.
I’m a terrible actor.
But I’ll be appearing in a TV soapie soon, sort of a cameo. I’m looking at acting in a movie later this year. When I was a laaitie, I did a bit of theatre acting and I’d like to try again. But, you know, as soon as they say “action!” I turn into a pumpkin. In this movie, I’ll be playing a quiet guy killing a lot of people. I’m going to give it my best.
I’m spiritual but not religious.
I embrace all religions. I believe there’s some truth in Islam, some in Christianity, Hinduism, Sufi …
I’ve been involved with the artwork on all my CD covers ...
but it’s not always a positive outcome. After Life Satisfaction was voted one of the worst CD covers in the world by FHM, but that was in the ’90s and everything was kind of surreal.
People who know me know I’ve got a good sense of humour aligned with a dark side.
I realised after my first exhibition that most people don’t like certain paintings hung on their walls — a demon with a big smile doesn’t work. It will scare people away. So I’m more into surrealism.
When I write music, there’s always a melody.
You get a melody that is different and stands out from everything else. But when I use a guitar, it’s just guitar and vocals.
I don’t write Afrikaans music, although it’s my first language.
I’m no good at it because I think there are people who can write beautiful Afrikaans music. I write well in English because I grew up with English music.
As soon as you become successful, you get critics.
I don’t react. I’m not going to do anything differently because of a critic.
I’m the music man and Melanie takes care of the business.
In most cases, women are more organised. They help to keep us men grounded.
For seven years we tried to have a baby but nothing happened.
Then we booked a trip overseas just to chill and enjoy life. And it happened.
I work around my son.
I feed him, play with him and put him to sleep. I make use of the time when he’s snoozing to paint a little, play my guitar and sing.
My son will have to search ...
and search until he discovers that which will make him live life to the fullest.