22 Jul 2013

Award Winning Album & stuff…
by | posted in: Fun and Games, The Journey, The Music, Things That I Like | 2

A few months ago my Manager Lady (Marcee) told me about the Wawela Music Awards. “Wouldn’t it be cool if you were nominated?” she said. I shrugged and moved on with life. You could say that I am not exactly an ‘award artist’. It’s just not something I consider. I spend my time dreaming up fantastic songs, videos and performances.

A few months later I heard via Phiona, from Afripop Mag, that I was nominated for 2 awards. This all happened on Twitter.

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I excitedly called Marcee to let her know that I was nominated. She LOST her damn mind ha ha ha. I called my dad and said “I’m nervous because I am up against Lira in both categories.” My father responded “Lira is great but she is not unbeatable”. Knowing that my parents thought I could win was enough for me.

On the 28th (June 2013) we were all dressed up and ready for the big night.

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Marcee in the waiting area. She kept saying “My Afro is so well behaved tonight” ha ha ha. LOVE that Melody Ehsani neck piece she is wearing

Honestly, I was more concerned with my performance than I was about winning. Whenever I perform I focus all of my energy on the performance. Once that is done, I become normal again. I had just finished my performance when I heard “Black Porcelain”. It was for Best Creative Album.

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I don’t remember what I said. I hope I thanked all the right people. (pic courtesy of SAMRO)

Everything after that is a bit of a blur. I went and posed for a pic (forgive the crazy look).

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My mom always tells me not to pull funny faces. She says this smile makes me look crazy ha ha ha. (Pic courtesy of SAMRO)

I had to get out of my performance dress and as soon as that was over I thought I could relax. While I was looking for a wine glass, I heard “Black Porcelain” again. I couldn’t believe it. It was my second award. TWO BLOODY AWARDS!!

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Well this smile is not so bad (Pic courtesy of SAMRO)
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Aaaaand back to the crazy smile ha ha ha. I was the biggest winner that night. Surely that’s a good excuse for the crazy eyes? (Pics courtesy of SAMRO)

Needless to say Marcee and I partied (like it was 1999) and then took one last picture before we passed out (promptly)

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2 Witches. 2 Awards. We were exhausted at this point. Exhausted & happy team :)

So there you go! I can now say Invincible Summer is an award winning album and so am I. Ha ha ha ha. This silly post has taken me much longer than I thought it would. Love & strength to professional bloggers. I need a nap.

25 Dec 2012

Get The Album (Invincible Summer)
by | posted in: The Journey, The Music | 0

So… Pre-orders close on the 31st of December. Have you pre-ordered your copy? It comes with a free (limited edition) t-shirt and the price includes shipping. AND you could win a private performance by me and my band (if you’re in South Africa).

invincible pre-order

This past week I was in studio taking care of those things that caused the album delay. It was so lovely to hear all the songs. Sometimes when I create, I forget to step back and actually enjoy what I’ve done. This album has almost been 3 years in the making. We took a lot of breaks in between (mainly because the project is self financed). There were times when I was certain that we would never complete the album.

We spent many late hours in the studio this week. On Thursday I wore my sexy ‘blue’ shoes. They were disrespecting my feet in a major way, by the end of the night. I had been wearing them ALL day. No matter. They are still pretty. I just won’t wear them from 8am to midnight next time.

They are Errol Arendz. Saw them in a magazine and stalked them for 2 months :)
They are Errol Arendz. Saw them in a magazine and stalked them for 2 months :)

Thank you to all the people who have pre-ordered the album so far. If you haven’t yet…. Watchu waiting for? ;)

Enjoy the holidays and tell someone you love how you feel. I have already. Not with my family this Christmas (because of album stuff). But I am going to Christmas lunch with a close friend and her family. There is love everywhere.

Black Porcelain. Out!

28 Nov 2012

18 days to go
by | posted in: The Journey, The Music | 0

There are 18 days to go till we print the album and start sending out. Which means you only have 18 days left to pre-order Invincible Summer. You can do it via PayPal (shipping included in the amount). Go HERE to pre-order.

Today someone pre-ordered FIVE copies! FIVE!!!! I almost fell over. Also, both my parents have pre-ordered the album. I’m so excited and so grateful.

We are sitting at 117 pre-orders right now. I know we can do more in the next few days. Don’t forget that you could win a private performance by me and my band (anywhere in South Africa) just by pre-ordering the album.

Thanks to everyone that has pre-ordered the album. Please keep spreading the word.

9 Nov 2012

100 BABY!!
by | posted in: The Music | 2

100 BABY!!

Yes! This morning I woke up to a notification that the album had been pre-ordered by someone. This someone happens to be person number 100 to pre-order Invincible Summer. What an awesome way to start Friday :)

Image via Are You Finished Yet (click on it to go to the blog)

8 Nov 2012

SO CLOSE
by | posted in: The Journey, The Music | 0

When I first started the pre-order gwan, I did it because I was TIRED. I was tired of old ways of thinking. You know; make music, send it to radio, shoot an uber expensive music video, it gets played on TV, the people know you, the music stores stock your album, people buy your album and it might even be certified Gold.

I thought ‘there has to be a different way to do this’. I didn’t know what the outcome would be. Manager Lady has always been confident that people would be pre-order the album (Invincible Summer). She believed that the Serenades would be a hit. She was right. And I love her for that.

Look at that beautiful number!!!

99 AWESOME people have pre-ordered Invincible Summer. I am FLOORED. I am honoured. I’m scared and I am crying. You have no idea how much rejection and BS, I’ve dealt with. This journey has been lonely and exhausting sometimes and I am so very grateful to the 99 people who have pre-ordered my album. Thank you for making this D.I.Y artist happy. Thank you :)

Have you pre-ordered the album yet?

We’re so close to 100 pre-orders. So close! Please keep spreading the word. If you want the pre-order information, just sms/WhatsApp ‘Invincible’ to +27826436020 and we’ll let you know what to do next. SO CLOSE to 100!!

4 Nov 2012

Serenades 3 (and some radio)
by | posted in: The Music | 0

This week was lots of fun, I was interviewed on 2OVfm and I serenaded the One Small Seed and Entertainment Africa teams.

Hanging out with Kamini at 2OVfm
I don’t know how to be normal
They have a podium and a ‘fake’ dog. Why wouldn’t I do this?
Singing for folks at One Small Seed :)

Launching a new single is much more fun this way. I can actually see how people react to the song. Instead of just sending it off to radio and then being sent on a wild goose chase. Woza Album!!

Manager Lady tells me we have a few more exciting serenades and radio interviews lined up.

Have you pre-ordered the album yet?
1 Nov 2012

Is The Album In Stores?
by | posted in: The Journey, The Music | 1

“When is the album going to be in stores?”

“Why should I pre-order the album?”

“Can’t I just go to a CD store and get it?”

I’ve been asked these questions a lot lately… So I’m going to explain why the album is not in stores (yet -Inshallah).

I am not signed to a (record) label. My Manager Lady and I ARE the label; 2 Witches (yes that is the ACTUAL name of our label). We have financed every aspect of this project. Every. Single. Thing. That’s why I call myself a D.I.Y Artist. Remember the remix video? It was shot in my dungeon on my BlackBerry (9900) by the Manager Lady & edited by my big bro.

WHEN IS THE ALBUM GOING TO BE IN STORES?

Music Stores are business, so they don’t just accept all albums released in South Africa. I don’t blame them. They usually accept albums from established labels because they have been doing business with them for years now. And they trust that those labels will do the necessary marketing to get people into their stores and buy the albums.

2 Witches is a tiny label and this is our first release. We already know that I have had very little support from SA Radio, for whatever reason (I stopped caring). I AM however playlisted in 36 countries and people enjoy my music. I put my last few singles up on iTunes etc and people from many parts of the world downloaded them almost immediately.

WHY SHOULD I PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM?

Manager Lady and I would like to get the album in to stores. In order to do that, we need to prove that there is demand for the music/album. This is where you come in. If by 16 December 2012 (when the pre-order process stops) we have (let’s be ambitious) 1500 pre-orders… Then we can run along to the music stores/distributors and say to them “Ey yo! Look here, you can’t keep a good woman down. We got 1500 pre-orders for an album that got no radio love (locally) and isn’t even out yet.” I imagine the Music Store/Distibutor person will say “Eff off! I don’t believe you. You should be ashamed of yourself for lying.” And then I will show her/him the proof. And then the CD will be in stores. Who knows maybe even SA radio stations will get on the band wagon (he he).

So you see why this pre-order process is so important? Let’s get this album into music stores. VIVA Pre-Orders VIVA!

Go ahead and send (via sms or WhatsApp) ‘Invincible’ to +27826436020 and get the banking details. Go on.
12 Oct 2012

Today Is The Day
by | posted in: The Journey, The Music | 0

Since I’m sharing music… Thought I might as well share some of my own. Below is the music video for my song Today Is The Day, from my upcoming album Invincible Summer. You can actually pre-order the album starting today. If you pre-order the album you could WIN a private performance by me and my band ANYWHERE in South Africa. If you’re not in the country, don’t be sad you also get a FREE limited edition t-shirt with the album.

So, if you are interested in pre-ordering the album just WhatsApp/sms ‘Invincible’ to to +2782 643 6020 or BBM ‘Invincible’ to 297A1643 for more information.