It’s that time again… after spending 2 years touring non-stop, i am finally in the other place that i love so much; The Studio. “Second Album Woe’s” you might think, but really it’s turned out rather different i’d say. I have always said that making music, is the most fun a person can have. While this obviously excludes a lot of other of my favorite things to do, when it all comes together, it is in fact a wonderful feeling. We have been working full time since early 2010 on what is to be the follow up album to Collected Memories.
Yes, it’s different. It’s no longer just one, but now five. Five minds, ten hands, & ten ears. Im about to spill over with excitement for these songs to be out there, on the interweb, in your car’s, and on your iPod’s. It has happened before, where great albums are capable of dying a horrible death. And how will our’s be different? It won’t, we can’t guarantee listenership or a fan base bigger then what we have already…but we can guarantee that we have put absolutely everything into making this album, and i hear that very same sound in my favorite albums.
Where do we go from here? We can’t come out the same, no surely not! We have to do more, better and with a difference. This is what i am going to spend the next few months thinking about.
I’m not sure if you have ever been in an Anechoic Chamber of sorts, but its basically a room that is without (ane) any sort of reverb or even ambient sound (echoic). In other words, it is completely DEAD in there. There is absolutely NO room noise. It’s purpose is for testing microphones and speakers. I can’t really explain it, but it sure is the craziest place you will ever be in. Anyway, it’s a great place to hang out when we’re in studio and feeling like disappearing for a while. I like it there. Here’s the proof, by Greg Carlin:
What an unfortunate start to a possibly super rad year. My favorite company, Apple, failed me horribly. On the 3rd of January, my brand new iPhone 3GS died a horrible death, logic board died… i was in Durban. Two months later, the logic board of my MacBook Pro, also died…….. in Durban. WTF?! Thanks to my insurance, i now have a rad brand new uni-body MacBook Pro and iPhone 3GS. I say, if you can afford to buy expensive stuff, you can afford to pay the insurance on it. So now that im all back up in the interweb, its time i blogged…about something, about anything.
I’m a thinker, constantly thinking… what does that person think, how does that person see me, how do i see that person. Is my perception only capable of negative perceptions? Or do most people just seem to disappoint us all the time? When asking someone to work with us on the artwork for our new album, they reacted…overjoyed, amazed and completely crazy about working together with us on something, and are still jumping with excitement. That’s the kind of response we want from people all the time…but how-come we don’t get it? We constantly interact with people that appear so lifeless, and it’s got me thinking about the times we live in.
There was this uber clever cat on Radio 702 (yes, i hear enough music to actually listen to talk) the other day speaking about social networking, and how our identity’s or perceptions of ourselves are formed through social networking, and not through real interactions. Be aware, this is not a negative… its just a crazy adaptation, evolution if you will. It’s really interesting because, it made me wonder if these perceptions of our selves, and the mediocre responses we get from people have anything to do with each other. And I’m thinking they do and don’t. Some people react. Some people retract. Some people’s perceptions of themselves help them react, whilst others help them retract. Then it got me thinking, this has nothing to do with it at all. The bottom line is passion. Every now and then we meet people who are passionate about something; Music, Clothing, Artwork, Running. These things, these people, and their passion are truly what makes life interesting for me. Some believe in something so much, and some people believe in nothing.
Back to my favorite company, Apple. They made this ad in 1997, and it is still such a powerful ad. The Crazy One’s. The Crazy Ones, are passionate people. The Crazy One’s…. they REACT!
Wow, i am continuously amazed at the beauty of South Africa. Claire and I drove to St Francis Bay today and it is so so beautiful there. It was a nice way to finish our mini holiday. Now its… J-Bay - Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg - Rehearsal - Cape Town - Assembly (Z&G Live on the 29th Dec) - Durban - Ballito (Z&G live on the 31st Dec @ The Ballito Street Party - Johannesburg! xxx
Zebra & Giraffe were asked to open for The Killers on their South African tour… it was an awesome experience and we love how professionally these gigs are put together! It sucks that some people forgot how to have a good time despite the traffic issues in Cape Town…but either way, we had the best time & that was my favourire gig ever!!! This is one of Marcus’s photos…check the rest out here: Marcus Maschwitz
We are super excited to announce today that we will be supporting The Killers on all 3 of their South African Tour Dates. The show is supported by Heineken and 94.7, and will be held in JHB and Cape Town. We are really stoked on this opportunity and can’t wait to share a stage with a band like this… we hope you all come out and enjoy the show!
The kind people that represent Monster Cable in South Africa, have given Zebra & Giraffe a Monster Deal! They make really amazing gold plated jacks, that are super long and keep your tone the way it should be…exactly the same when it leaves your guitar, through your pedals and to your amp….the Rock cable is our choice, but they also make jazz cables with a ‘rolled off’ tone kinda sound. Yes, cables do make a difference… and yes we love using Monster Cables!
WOW! What a beautiful guitar. Like most Fender Custom Shop’s, its made to the best standards. Precise measurements, and meticulous attention to detail. Its a N.O.S finish (New Old Stock), California Beach series and is no. 127 of 150 ever made. Alder body, maple neck, with medium jumbo frets….yes, its a players dream!!!!
Words always come short at times like these, but Herman left a wonderful memory all over South African television and in the hearts and minds of bands and fans alike. Check out the great work that Herman pioneered - Vrede Foundation.
