Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.
The next MiTH evening happens on November 20, 2024.
20h30: JahWorX
JahWorX was born in 2015 by singer-songwriter and live sound
engineer, Juanne Steenkamp together with a 6-track experimental EP.
Juanne has been active in the music industry since 2000, composing music and performing in bands such as Boink!, Fride Inc., and SoulJah, and sharing stages with top SA bands like The Narrow, Fuzigish, Wonderboom and many more. It was only with the forming of SoulJah that Juanne took a drastic step away from pop-punk and into the world of reggae.
JahWorX toured and performed mainly as a solo artist at first, but was soon joined by several session players and guest artists on stage. It was only in 2019 when he merged his music on a permanent basis with his partner and very talented percussionist and fashion/costume designer, Alicia Boshoff, that they began touring SA as The JahWorX Duo.
Shortly after this, a talented guitarist and photographer friend, Derius Erasmus, picked up a bass guitar at a gig just for fun. Little did he know that he would settle into the role of JahWorX’s bassist permanently.
Since then, JahWorX’s impressive footprints have trodden all over the country, identifying as a very active touring live-act band. Even though not much of JahWorX have been heard of on radio stations and music platforms, there is a vision, mission and strategy set in place for bigger things to come.
JahWorX is working!
19h30: Painting So Severe
Painting So Severe is the indie-psych rock duo, ready to
bring you the highest of rock ballads and the trippiest slow jams. When
performing live, they are backed up by two more wonderful musicians.
Seth Hutton, the vocalist, lyricist, and trombonist, is the band’s charismatic frontman. Joshua White, the lead guitarist, backup vocalist and co-songwriter, is usually the one randomly smiling in every photo. James Cunningham, the bassist and glue to the group, always looks relaxed even when things are going wild. Stu Hancock, the drummer and an absolute machine, was born with a metronome in the room and holds down the groove.
They have strong influences from groups like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Queens Of The Stone Age, and a myriad of different jazz influences. They write and perform original music for the most part, incorporating some covers that they enjoy from bands like The Rolling Stones, Sixto Rodriquez, KALEO, and others.
19h00: JRat
Jonathan "Rat" Handley, born on June 5, 1954, in
Tanganyika (now Tanzania), and moved with his family to Springs, South Africa,
where he learned to play guitar. He later studied medicine at Wits University
and started his first band, Warehouse Rats, in 1976. The band evolved into
Slither with John Griffiths, who later recorded as John Ireland. Through
Slither's drummer, Niall Bell, Handley met vocalist Dave Davies, and Radio Rats
was born. The Rats drew inspiration from David Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Stooges,
The Rolling Stones, and The Sex Pistols, focusing on original music.
After GRC rejected their demos, including the hit ZX Dan, Cheryl van Blerk introduced them to her brother, Patric, owner of Jo’Burg Records. Patric loved the band, noting Handley’s talent and Davies’ charisma. Radio Rats released several records, including Yeoville Canticle, which celebrated the lively Rockey Street music scene.
Today, Radio Rats remain active, with Handley at the helm. They’re currently promoting Moordenaars Karoo, a musical and love story set in a haunted Karoo farmhouse, and are preparing to release Vampire Weekends.
Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact mithbookings@gmail.com for slots
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 18h00 and the music will kick off at 19h00. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available. For more information contact 082 331 7271.
DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.