In August 2006, when Potchefstroom was accustomed to having cover bands playing at weddings and pubs, a musical revolution started in the small university and mining town when the rock band Straatligkinders emerged. Lightning up the streets of Potchefstroom with their fun-inspired Afrikaans rock, they soon became a nationwide phenomenon with their creative strategies and fresh offerings to the music industry of South Africa. The town had rarely, if ever, seen a band actually making a name for themselves, and their rise was quick and unexpected – turning them into a rock powerhouse as they racked up thousands of views on YouTube while securing themselves a loyal fan base across the country.
To date they have released four full-length studio albums and twelve music videos, while topping video charts on the MK Top 10 and radio stations nationwide.
They have also been playlisted on MTV Africa with their collaboration on “Desvalido” with African hip hop giants Koldproduk. “Desvalido” was featured as the main downloadable track on the Nokia Music Store in September 2009. The video also spent four weeks at number 1 on the MK Top 10, topped campus hit parades on TuksFM, MFM and PukFM, and was also nominated for a Campus Hit Of The Year Nomination at the MK Awards.
 |
| Photo: Werner Botha (Plastiek) |
Since Potchefstroom is a predominantly Afrikaans town, the decision to sing in their mother tongue when they formed Straatligkinders played a huge role in connecting them with their public; and playing a genre associated with a youthful audience they couldn’t have found themselves in a better niche. Their mass appeal to the youth of South Africa is ascribed mainly to their honesty and admission of their own frailty in their lyrics and music. But after four years of extensive touring, three studio albums to their name (at that time) eight music videos charting on national television and numerous radio hits later, the band reached their prime. As with all things, the band had an “expiry date”, but instead of waiting for the date to arrive, Straatligkinders made the decision to take a creative break for members to venture into other music avenues.
During this time, lead singer Bouwer Bosch formed part of Dans Dans Lisa and also released a solo album; drummer Ruan Kruger formed part of Ekhouvanjou,okay! and together with bassist Hein Kruger and guitarist Benjamin de Jager, Moses Metro Man. Hein Kruger also joined Winterstasie. Both Dans Dans Lisa and Ekhouvnjou,okay! have previously participated in the Sanlam Sing 'it competition. Dans Dans Lisa won the first Sing 'it competition with the song "Die ouer ek".
While fans were sure it was over, Straatligkinders knew that in this case their break did not mean “break-up”. Two years after the release of their last album, Straatligkinders returned wiser and more mature to the South African music scene in 2012 – bringing with them the accumulated knowledge and creativity gained from working with various other musicians and in other genres.
Video not loading? Watch it on YouTube.
The band reinvented themselves with a new, fresh sound and an objective approach in songwriting. They learned to put more effort into the composition of their music, as opposed to just throwing verses and choruses together, and have all grown into their own different writing styles and are more focused on perfecting their songs rather than just writing and recording tehm. The band signed with EMI Music South Africa for the release of their fourth full-length studio album, which was recorded during August and October 2012 at Lightstain Studios in Potchefstroom, and released in November 2012. The album is titled Konings met verskonings and was produced by Ewald Jansen van Rensburg and Francois de Klerk. In March 2013, Straatligkinders received two Ghoema Award nominations for Best Group and Best Rock for this album; they won the Ghoema 2013 award for Best Rock Album. The album also received a Tempo Award nomination for Best Alternative Album Of The Year in June 2013. To date they have released four music videos from the album, for their singles “Duiwel Dans”, “Voete van Klei”, “Petrus” and “Sketse”.
Become a fan on Straatligkinders Facebook page: www.facebook.com/straatligkinders
Send them a tweet @straatligkindrs
