Today we grill hard working
South African musician Graeme Sacks in our increasingly popular series
10 Questions for South Africans .
10 Questions for SA Musician Graeme Sacks
- What place (in SA) do you call home, and why?
I live in a beautiful
Art Deco flat in Houghton, Johannesburg. It is important to me that my home is walking/cycling distance from good restaurants and coffee shops. As for
Johannesburg: I love the
creative energy, chaos and pace of this city.
- Favourite place to have breakfast near(ish) where you live?
Zahava’s, Norwood. Aside from the standard (and rather large) English breakfasts, they do Mediterranean zivas and have the best coffee in town. The atmosphere is relaxed and sort-of reminds me of
old Yeoville.
- What, exactly, do you do?
I’m primarily a composer and freelance guitarist. My guitar playing has allowed me to play in productions such as the Lion King, work on cruise ships, perform and record with many South African artists. I’ve composed and record music for radio/TV commercials, local singers, and theatre productions and have an ongoing project writing and recording children’s music.
- Your CD for kids, The African Alphabet, is a rare thing of beauty – a children’s CD that parents actually enjoy! What gave you the idea to create African music for kids?
In a word: “
Barney”. I watched my nephews grow up listening to some
really irritating music that drove me nuts every time I visited. My songwriting partner and I decided that there was a need for some
“adult friendly” kids music, and for kids music in African styles dealing with African topics. Basically kids music that I wouldn’t be embarrassed to put my own name on!
- What inspires you (in your work, every day, in life)?
I carry a notebook with me at all times. I’m inspired by so many things: Sometimes a phrase I hear on the radio triggers something. People-watching is a favourite pastime – I often dream up stories or situations involving the lives of interesting strangers around me. I also love traveling and I’m a bit of a tourist nerd: Museums and galleries are an essential part of my travels.
- To date, what has been your most rewarding (work) project and why?
Most work projects are rewarding in some way or other, but I would have to say
The African Alphabet has been rather special to me. My songwriting partner and I have been involved in every aspect of it, from the composition and recording, to packaging, marketing and distribution.
I can’t wait to release the next album! (Ed: See bonus question 11 for more on that!)
- You travel a lot especially to other parts of Africa. Relate a personal African travel story with us from beyond our borders (I know you have many!)
Lagos has to be the craziest city I’ve ever experienced. I realise in retrospect that you can’t fight that city. You have to accept its craziness and just relax into it or go insane with frustration and exasperation.
Here is a list from my Lagos experience:
- yams & plantains
(Image: Graeme & band members)
- roads with enormous potholes
- church services through the night
- Ju Ju bands at my hotel playing from 9pm to 3am without a break
- open sewers and ‘environmental sanitation days’ when residents clean them up
- things taking ten times longer than expected
- power cuts and the hum of generators
- chickens in the street
- sprawling markets
- scooters carrying up to four people
- scooter passengers holding helmets above their heads so they don’t mess up their hair….
A crazy city!
- You previously shared with us about your South African road trip with your brother. Tell us, briefly, about another positive or unique South African holiday / travelling experience.
I used to be strictly a city boy. I understood Woody Allen when he said
“I am at two with nature”. About 4 years ago I was dragged kicking and screaming, and in mortal terror of surviving without electricity, on the
Otter Trail. It was an absolutely awesome experience and I am now
hooked on hiking. I’ve been on many hikes since including going to the
Drakensberg many times, I’ve hiked in
Swaziland and
Mpumalanga, I’ve done
The Whale trail, and others. But since it was my first, the Otter Trail remains special to me.
- Who is your South African hero, and why?
Tough question and I’ll avoid
the obvious as I’m sure we all know he’s first on everyone’s list (including mine). I’ve been reading
Max Du Preez lately, and I’d say he’s up there. From Vrye Weekblad (Afrikaans anti-apartheid newspaper) to
Special Assignment and beyond he has never been afraid to
speak his mind when faced with injustice from both the left and the right. I also love the fact that he is doing something so positive by
researching and writing about South Africa’s amazing history.
- When you’re away from SA, what do you miss the most?
Highveld thunderstorms. The prolonged drizzle that you get in much of Europe drives me nuts. I want thunder & lightning!
Bonus Question for Graeme
- What project(s) do you have in the pipeline?
My songwriting partner and I are currently working on a series of story CDs based on the African Alphabet CD, as well as another kids music CD called
“African Numbers”. I’m also planning on
starting a band, purely for fun….watch this space.
More about Graeme Sacks
- Buy Graeme's African Alphabet CD online or at Look & Listen stores around the country. (Ed: I did, for a neice and my god daughter who were both turning one, and they love it)
(All images courtesy Graeme Sacks. All rights reserved)
