(Steve Fataar is included in the line-up)
Jack Rabbits in Morningside has become a
firm favourite place to go to check out the local talent – and at times,
visiting talent. Music and good hospitality is a passion of owner Lee Colbert
who has teamed up with LYD Productions to create the first Into the Night Festival .
“We are
running four music ‘heats’ during the month of February ,as an extension to our
well known Open Mic evenings where each evening one or two acts are chosen to
join the line-up for the main ‘Into the Night Festival’ on March
2,“ says Colbert.
The brainchild behind the festival is local
record producer Ruben Thomas. Himself a
musician, he also owns the successful LYD Productions recording studio in
Hillcrest and has recorded and produced
some of Durban’s up and coming bands. “This festival is an invitation to Durban
and other venues to come and listen,” he explains. “An opportunity for
non-musicians to come and clear up some of their confusion about the industry.
On-musicians are always confounded as to why musicians struggle so much for
their art. If you look at it logically, there's really no reason why some of us
(musicians) would give up promising careers in 'legit' businesses to grovel for
a few bucks in an effort to keep on grovelling for one more day.”
What Thomas is ostensibly saying is that musicians are not taken
seriously or seriously enough and it has burnt him to hear people ask him what
his “real job is.” As a result, they have to grovel not only for the pleasure
to play but also for pay!
Ruben
Thomas’ idea is simply taking into consideration that
artists are heavily dependent on the community. “Durban artists sing about
their experiences living in Durban. Instead of seeing this as boring, like so
many people here do, the community should take pride in their musicians and its
creative heritage and the only way we can bring about these changes is by
educating them,” he says.
“I believe the biggest problem for
musicians in Durban is that they are actually not listened to, but are
regarded as backing band and that surely only the bands from out of town could
be worth their salt?” This is certainly true. Apart from a handful of truly
appreciative music followers who support almost every gig, a large part of the
general public has a tendency to regard local art as inferior.
LYD
Productions and Jack Rabbits (Morningside)
extend an invitation to you to listen!
“When an artist sets foot on the stage, he
or she wants attention, because they have something to say, something unique
which they are feeling. Going out to watch a concert does not mean going out to
get drunk and not paying any attention,” Thomas says passionately.
March 2 sees 14 artists performing from 14h00
and included in the line-up are some of the finest local talent
Durban has to offer. The entire Festival will be filmed and recorded live and every person supporting this event
will be eligible to a free DVD
copy of the Into the Night Festival which will be burnt the following week.
Some of the artists performing are The Sir Walrus Band, Avade, Rae G, Customized, Steve Fataar, Shotgun Front, The Kickstands, Quintin Isaiah and more.
The event will be all acoustic, with the
venue artistically dressed. Jack Rabbits is situated at 302 North Ridge Road,
Morningside, Durban. There is good food and quality sound as well as a safe
environment with great staff and ample parking. More information from Lee
Colbert on 083 797 6666.
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