Crowd Capella drums up a storm
Chippa Legodimo | Tuesday June 10, 2014 17:16
The band performs and records music live. Each member specialises in a particular instrument, which the group considers their strong point.
Ernest ‘Dr Matona’ Kebareng uses his keyboard to provide the rhythm that links up the heavy drums and the bongos in their songs.
Vincent ‘Professor Thina’ Botlhoko is the band’s percussionist, combining, different drums and shakers in their compositions.
The ambitious trio aims to sweep music lovers off their feet.
Interest in their recently released single Thando Lwakhe has added fuel to their flaming desire.
The youngsters are optimistic yet cautious when they talk about their plans. They are well aware that the music world is tough.
Ikanyeng Ncube also known as DJ Boza is the most experienced of the trio and mix master for the crew.
The Mahalapye-born DJ Boza has been in the game for four years now. He started as a resident club DJ near Soweto, South Africa in 2010. His talent later took him to Impress Club in Krugersdorp.
He has shared the stage with House giants like Zakes Bantwini, Black Coffee, DJ Fresh, DJ Kent, Jah Seed, and DJ Cleo. DJ Boza has been part of RB2’s Urban Flavour’s show since 2012, which airs daily on the commercial national broadcaster.
The Utimixer, as fellow band members call him, however, does not see himself as the band’s frontman.
“It is a collective effort. Each of us possesses a special talent and that makes us a great team,” DJ Boza said.
The trio believes that they have what it takes to create a great legacy and revolutionise House music.
“We want to create the kind of music that can compete internationally and we hope Batswana will reward our hard work with invitations to major events. If you have locals who give you the same stuff international stars provide or even better why go abroad?” DJ Boza asked.
Keyboardist Dr Matona who hails from Lotlhakane East near Kanye told Showbiz that since he returned from Malaysia where he completed a Bachelors Degree in General Psychology, his focus has been on creating music.
His meeting with the youngest in the crew, Professor Thina revealed a common interest, in House music. Dr Matona then introduced his two partners to each other last year and Crowd Capella was born.
Unlike most young musicians who often try to be jack-of-all-trades, the three decided to find someone to manage their band and contacted another young man,
Kitso Kgengwenyane of EnHoties to sign them.
“I was impressed by the way Dr Matona was doing his thing. He knows his stuff and when I heard their demo I really wondered if it was indeed their own creation because it sounded like it was from some high profile House maestro. I immediately decided I was signing them,” he said.
The band recorded its first single Thando Lwakhe in April. Because they wanted to create a good first impression, the group decided to take their recording to DJ Kuchi who mixed and mastered the single prior to its release, and the popular Gaborone DJ did not disappoint.
The good instrumentation makes the track quite tasteful. Shari has her melodious vocals adding spice to the mix.
Her Shona, Zulu and English lyrics make the track an attractive Afro-house piece. She is set to climb up the popularity ladder given that the group manages to crack it.