Cape Town is filled with a number of talented musicians, bands and producers. Often, these are individuals you’ve seen out and about while hanging at one of the local watering holes.
Several industries have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of the least acknowledged industries is that of music. On an ordinary day, it’s difficult for an artist to catch a break, but during the pandemic, many major venues have not reopened or are not yet permitted to host shows in the traditional capacity.
Here is your chance to explore some of the musical talents you’ve been passing by each day, and how to help them get the money they deserve for their creative output.
RxSolo
The rapper, producer and DJ has been silently grafting on the Cape Town music scene since 2016. While he had been making music since 2011, he began gaining popularity years later by DJing at local parties such as Crayon Stings.
His work is regarded as experimental, and deals with a variety of themes – such as being a person of colour (POC) in South Africa.
RxSolo has released several albums on various streaming platforms, and recently released his latest project called D. Love III: Escape Into Love.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/rxsolo?utm_content=4G4bw44sG39ZivPYa2nFwZ&utm_medium=null
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4G4bw44sG39ZivPYa2nFwZ?si=PI75STx_TpuTAj-qzvfKug
Casual Sex: https://casualsex.store/pages/seller-profile/rxsolo
TZARA:
TZARA is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who creates dreamy soundscapes from her bedroom.
She describes her music as “genre-fluid” and while experimental, it is cinematic.
She has shared stages with international punk feminist band P*ssy Riot, and frequently works with a number of other local musicians. Tzara has also been featured in publications such as Bubblegum Club and Texx and The City.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.me/tzaraboring?utm_content=2I5zCYo8qbaW3T8agBzNo6&utm_medium=null
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2I5zCYo8qbaW3T8agBzNo6?si=6fokNuRgQ9KKXxJrTQMsIQ
Hartleyvale:
This four-piece band launched an album mere days ago titled For A Little While, and creates a wonderful blend of psychedelic rock-inspired guitar and neo-soul.
With vocals that are soothing to the ear, the band has been gaining popularity in Cape Town for their easy-going sound.
The band members James Kevin, Ryan Stopforth, Luke Verrezen and Keagan Van Wyk met while at school together in 2017 and began bonding when they started playing jazz together. As their musical horizons broaden even more, we recommend that you keep an eye on this band.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1ydURocr3DQwW3lc0PXJFj?si=HuIOly5mS7GZRiVobCrNSA
Casual Sex: https://casualsex.store/search?q=hartleyvale
Yndian Mynah:
This band has been a staple on the Cape Town music scene for a few years now, and is well-known for their cinematic instrumentals and dreamy psychedelic sound.
They released their debut album in 2019 through their own independent label called Mount Wave Studios, and could be counted on to fill venues before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and hard lockdown ensued.
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/yndianmynah?utm_content=5vPZcy1yojk3MN9D2g1c0C&utm_medium=null
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5vPZcy1yojk3MN9D2g1c0C?si=yjUuX9nmR82BbWyLF-ERGw
Casual Sex: https://casualsex.store/search?q=yndian+mynah
Velvet Palomino:
Velvet Palomino is a post-western rock band based in Cape Town, who were previously known as The Dinosaurs. They describe their music as a “whisky slice of desert oasis”, and we couldn’t agree more.
While their current catalogue of music isn’t extensive, keep your ears peeled for any new work that may crop up.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2yyYFAvnqKrJqboK8pDkL0?si=HS356w6rStGsWotK31L9yw
Casual Sex: https://casualsex.store/pages/all-artist-stores/velvet-palomino
While it is general knowledge what platforms such as Spotify or PayPal are, not many are yet aware that Casual Sex exists. This platform is South Africa’s first fully online artist market. While there are other platforms that work similarly, there is not one dedicated site specifically to uplift South African musicians by ensuring they are able to make money off their labour and artistry.
On Casual Sex, you can find merch for sale by musicians and bands, as well as digital singles, albums and EPs. Some also have vinyls and CDs for purchase.
As the platform is still in a process of expansion, many more musicians will be joining its ranks. Local artists and photographers also sell their work on the site, and if you are able to purchase the work of local artists and musicians, please do so.
The platform gets 10.5% of the money from the sale of each product, allowing the artist to walk away with 89.5% of the money they make, and also handles all worldwide shipping to ensure the products get to their new homes safely.
Artists and musicians from across South Africa are listed within the Casual Sex index – check it out to expand your musical horizons and plough back into the community of artists we often forget about.
Picture: Pixabay