His original music leans towards a combination of funk, blues, folk and pop. Recently, he has also incorporated a loop station, which allows him to perform as a one-man-band.
Red’s 12-track album First Take is out now with the first single, “Toxic”.
His performance – at a sold-out Youngblood Gallery in Cape Town – was electric two weeks ago. This could be his breakout year after a four-year journey to become a household name.
I spoke to him last week.
More virtual performance spaces and online collaborations.
Being known by both fans and ‘haters’.
Well, to me, music will always be part of my life so I don’t really see myself retiring.
I don’t like to ‘pander’ and suck up to people.
The constant in my life, even when I’m lost or uncertain, music will be there, rain or shine.
My expression of my creativity and emotions. When I write original music, I can fully lose myself in the process and just see what comes out at the end
I sit down with my guitar in an open space.
Seeing how the music I perform affects people.
“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran.
Seeing a middle-aged lady running to tip me with a whole bag of coins, whilst playing at the Waterfront.
Bruno Mars.
Ed Sheeran. He has shown that it is possible to have a ‘public persona’ and still have a personal life that isn’t surrounded by drama.
Tanglewood acoustic guitar.
Double vodka and lemonade.
I think it’s my ability to connect to the music I perform, every song ‘gets’ a piece of me when I sing.
D, Red or Mr Red
A lawyer
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, if I were to ever work out at the gym properly I’d look like him.
Proud, empathetic, passionate, level-headed, dreamer.
Nomvula – Freshlyground
Jekyll & Hyde – Prime Circle
Civil Twilight – Civil Twilight
The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg – Beatenberg
3T – YoungstaCPT
“Someone Like You” – Adele; it was the first song I sang in front of a crowd when I was in grade eight.
Sonder - the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.
An old-school overcoat.
To release an album of original music.
There is no job security in the music industry and the lack of rules and enforcers for the industry in South Africa especially.
Having to give up music and do a nine-to-five desk job.
For me, it would be being able to do and focus on music full-time without having to worry about anything
Avoid talking as much as I can. I have a weird sort of stage-fright that only hits me when I have to talk to the audience.
A jam session with like-minded musicians.
For music to be recognised as a respectable profession and have it regulated so that it can actually be a respectable profession and that musicians can get adequately compensated for their work.
