Plug in to top SA band
Zebra & Giraffe sightings at a venue near you
ALTERNATIVE rock fans can look forward to an up close and personal experience with a South African band that has proven it knows how to connect with an audience.
Award-winning rock group Zebra & Giraffe will hit three centres in the Eastern and southern Cape this week as part of their midyear “unplugged” national tour.
Having just won their second SA Music Award for best rock album and watched their single, Sons, climb the charts, the alternative rock outfit will be making appearances in Knysna, Port Elizabeth and East London at the weekend.
The band says it will play in- timate, acoustic shows, featuring songs from all three of their albums.
Vocalist Greg Carlin said yesterday this was their second unplugged tour and it was a “totally different vibe” from their normal shows.
“Fans can expect to see stripped down versions . . . It’s a much more intimate show where fans can get up-close and personal with the band and songs.”
Asked about their successes and finding the right formula, Carlin said the group was totally focused on the music they wrote and released.
“As a band, you only have a few ways of connecting with your audience – recorded music, live shows, music videos – so you have to make sure your core product is strong,” he said.
There were a few changes the recording of the last album.
“Our drummer got married and moved to the US and our bassist also decided to call it quits on music, so it was a tough time,” said Carlin.
“Luckily our keyboardist Mike [Wright] is a multi-instrumental- ist and drums are actually his main instrument – he moved onto the drums and we got a great new bassist, Stefan Henrico.
“In July we’re starting to write some new material for a possible EP release towards the end of the year.”
Zebra & Giraffe recently released their new single, Yesterday, after Sons reached No 5 on the 5fm Top 40 and stayed on the chart for eight weeks.
ý They will perform on Friday at Zanzibar in Main Road, Knysna. Doors open at 8pm and entrance is R40. On Saturday they are at The Music Kitchen in Mangold Street, Newton Park, Port Elizabeth. Doors open at 7.30pm, entrance R80, and bookings on (041) 364 1964. And on Sunday the East London venue is the Murambi Country Kitchen in Sunrise Drive, Sunrise On Sea. Doors open at 1pm with entrance R80. For bookings contact James on 084 600 5716.