The video for the song, “Staan My By” by Die Radio Kalahari Orkes, a South African band that count among its members the controversial author Rian Malan and the actor Ian Roberts (his credits include the movie, “Tsotsi“). Some might easily dismiss it as a vanity band. So I asked my friend Herman Wasserman, who knows his Afrikaans music, for his opinion:
I am somewhat ambivalent about this band’s previous work, but this song (off their forthcoming album ‘Heuningland’) is quite interesting for its use of folk elements in the music (less self-consciously so as in their other stuff – they have on occasion been billed as similar to Bruce Springsteen doing Pete Seeger, somewhat of an oversell.). Maybe it’s the cross-generational picture of Afrikaner vocalists, set in a somewhat nostalgic yet not quite easily defined (and therefore innocent and ahistorical) past that is strangely appealing. There is Ian Roberts, the korrelkop old man, a fine actor but probably best known for his laconic character in TV commercials for motor oil, the writer and journalist Rian Malan (My Traitor’s Heart), once a hero for the now fortysomething generation but of late dabbling in dubious politics, including AIDS denialism, and Chris Chameleon, musically much more interesting than the other two, known for his role in the experimental ‘monki punk’ group Boo! in the 90s and lately a solo artist performing adaptations of Afrikaans poetry. A motley ensemble, but endearing perhaps precisely for their nonconformity and heterogeneity which goes some way in undoing Afrikaner stereotypes. Although there is a vulnerability in the lyrics which is refreshingly un-macho for Afrikaans music, its call to ‘stand together’ and ‘not give in’, together with the stirring anthemic chorus, might again give cause to the usual suspects to appropriate it as a neo-nationalist battle cry (the word ‘bittereinde’ in the lyrics evokes the Boers in the South African war who refused to concede defeat). But let’s hope not.
Ek is mal oor staan my by my bra! kry egter nie die CD te koop by by Musica te Jeffreysbaai nie – wat n teleurstelling.
I got it Look & Listen in Polokwane.
Musica hou meestal nie die goeie musiek aan nie. Daar is tonne totale snert op die rakke (na my mening) en plaaslike ware kunsterenaars (nie CD produseerders nie) kry maak min promosie.
Probeer dit online koop, dit gaan dalk makliker.
Herman Wasserman’s opinion/revue of Radio Kalahari Orkes is not worthy of attention because it is way too narrowly focused. It’s places RKO strictly within the confines of “Afrikaans Music” and evaluates it and them from that standpoint. It ignores the truth that they are a damn fine band putting out some awesome music, irrespective of genre. I too am no fan of some of Riaan Malan’s social and political weirdness but there is no questioning his talent. The RKO album “Opgestook” is a gem.
I heard through the grapevine that the band is coming to Namibia and would relly love to go to one of their shows so how can and where can I get tickets and where is the show being held Thanks and best wishes Basil
Please ask on their facebook page where you can also buy tickets it seems: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Radio-Kalahari-Orkes/7759462058?id=7759462058&sk=app_277112852299042
They’re on the 27th!
The Goose’s Nest Beergarden
March 27 at 8:00pm
Plot 62, Brauwater, Windhoek
You lucky man, you, Basil! I wish they would come to Polokwane.