Original People:

In every city or country we visit, part of our job is to create a short film as well as other creative content reporting back on all the factors that make original nightlife, such as these blogs, photo streams of our travels, Top 10 lists, magazine and TV content.
In each city, someone is responsible in part of an aspect of our objectives.

In South Africa, Ben and I were the directors and producer of the short film about original nightlife in the country. I was very eager to play this role, but also a little scared. I hadn’t had a chance to be in this role before, my forte being the co ordination, research and conceptualizing content, but I was very open to take on this challenge.

The idea around the video was to continue with the premise original nightlife, and take it one little step in a slightly specific by focusing mainly on original places and people.
Defining original, which is open to varied definitions is a challenge all by itself, the trick is to find an angle and find something unique to focus on, ask the questions what makes it different? What makes it interesting? What makes it a cut above the rest? And other such questions in order to get to the holy grail of Original nightlife and unique experiences.

The main people we selected to be a part of the video are involved in the music industry in South Africa and each unique in their own way. So here’s the story

So we started off with an amazing band called Goldfish. They had a 12 week only show an awesome club in Camps Bay called Ignite. A slick and trendy beach bar cum nightclub. In the afternoon, cocktails served to consumers out in the terrace area overlooking the spectacular ocean, glimmering in the sunshine, the sun sets and the party animals come out to play, the lights stay dim, and the fire light feature against one of the walls is ignited and the crowd comes together in the heat of flames. On Sunday nights we got to experience the talented Goldfish at the Sunday Session.
What makes Goldfish original to me is the way they represent Cape Town’s chilled and diverse vibe, I wouldn’t be surprised to find Goldfish in some smoky London bar or a sun drenched Barcelona terrace. The crew has had a residency at the rather grand Mount Nelson Hotel which says a lot about how respectable their music is, though it gets right down funky as well times. Every DJ slipping one of their jazzified beats into a set would get slinky looks from a swaying dance floor, cause Goldfish are just so sexy! Dominic and Dave sound like a whole band (dj’s included) with their live instruments and electronic music making thingys.

Next stop was a club called Miam-Miam, hidden away from the bustling Long Street. Through a narrow concrete passage from the street we discovered one of Long Street’s many secret surprises. Once inside we arrived into a paradise like courtyard lounge area with cool blue light features against the rough concrete walls lined by palm trees and leather couches, the lighting perfectly compliments the star filled night sky, past the lounge area is the indoor club, with a large bar in the centre, above which is the DJ booth. The shiny unpainted concrete floor subtly reflects the tiny ceiling lights that look the stars in the sky. So whether you’re enjoying the pumping music from inside or outside you feel like you’re dancing your heart out under the African sky.
At Miam-Miam the team was meeting and interviewing DJ Coco Loco


The final phase of featuring original people of music in original venues, we were going to my favourite spot, The Zula Sound Bar. Here we were going to listen to music by an artist I’d recently been introduced to and whose sound touched me immediately and deeply; Teba, the Original Social Poet. Teba is a Rasta brother from my other Mother, the Mother City of course. I loved how his rich background is muted by his humble approach, but a conversation with Teba reveals what the term Mo’ Fire! Really means while on stage it’s Mo’ Magic! Music is Teba’s life, having played as well as taught at various times before he turned to being a performer. The brother is a solid cocktail of 2 parts talent, 1 part quiet determination, 1 part clear purpose and a generous dash of that African Spirit we like to call Ubuntu. Garnished with a killer smile. He is down to earth and conscious, plus stylish… but aren’t most Rastafarians just oh so style conscious! So Cape Town different, laidback and soulful.

PS, Tid bits on Teba.
Europe is no stranger to Teba, who has been to Germany where he taught conversational English while waiting on gigs and attending Rastafarian festivals and Reggae music concerts. He tells of the profound effect Italian Rastafarians had on him while he was attending a Reggae Splash in that country. The focus, purity and authenticity of The Nyabigis and Boboshanti (Rastafarian groups) made him realize firstly the power of the belief and also how in Europe people had time to follow beliefs fully, unlike us in Africa where we also have to fight to survive as well as practice our beliefs. He learnt a lot from fellow Rastafarians in the most unlikely of places which makes him a solid artist who believes in himself and what he is about.