Reflecting on CTEMF 2014

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx5tR3cnv8CuKTxVijEqzqoGpleK6a4XzmnA1JAB9ZvLvM2OYu3OmzkGJJgl_IrClmumk_Ao55BP_6zT1BYx2r3GMnEuHYzrSVHkjYwhGd2X0tcOsmtLWWpWx-sPwa3Y0bJkTGHGI_wo/s1600/CTEMF_2014_+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjx5tR3cnv8CuKTxVijEqzqoGpleK6a4XzmnA1JAB9ZvLvM2OYu3OmzkGJJgl_IrClmumk_Ao55BP_6zT1BYx2r3GMnEuHYzrSVHkjYwhGd2X0tcOsmtLWWpWx-sPwa3Y0bJkTGHGI_wo/s1600/CTEMF_2014_+Cover.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div> <div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>What started out as a vision back in 2005, finally became a reality this past weekend. 7 years after the initial spark and only in its third edition, The Cape Town Electronic Music Festival took on its full form between 4 – 9 February 2014.</b></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">All the elements combined perfectly to produce what can only be proudly described as Cape Town’s very own world-class electronic music festival.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> The CTEMF’s tag line - <b>Rearrange Your Sonic Geography</b> rang true as the bar was set and the status quo turned upside down. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Never before has such a diverse line up of pioneers and newcomers from both local and international scenes been brought together under one event.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Preceding the three-day music festival were three days of <b>workshops</b> - two at the new re-launched Red Bull Studios Cape Town and a final day in at Guga S’thebe in Langa. Nine wide-ranging conversations touched on an array of topics including Applications of Audio – Sound Score & Design; Behind The Scene – A look at what goes on behind the artist; and Africa Abroad – the influence of African Culture globally.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Speakers included a long list of industry leaders, expat protagonists who are pushing boundaries abroad (Portable and Lerato Khati) and vanguards Caspa (UK) and The Original Jazzy Jay (US) who played a role in defining dubstep and hip hop before these genres even had a name.  <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Through this exchange of knowledge CTEMF hopes to contribute towards an aspiring music industry from town to township. The goal is opening up the possibility of opportunity for all who wish to be a force of positive change with in this industry.</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">For a month lead in CTEMF’s ‘satellite’ events had connected the dots between much of Cape Town and South Africa’s clubbing and event scene. Paying homage to those that keep the scene in motion all year round.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Then came three days saturated with the best local and international electronic music –</span><span lang="EN-GB"> the core of <b>The Cape Town Electronic Music Festival</b>. The workshops lay down the theory and the festival is the practical application. It is our scene in action. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">At the festival, local stars held their own against a long list of international guests and celebrated our own sonic identity through stellar performances from all who were involved. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rain did not deter a hungry dance floor on Friday, when Crazy White Boy, Justin Martin, J.Phlip, Protoculture and Hobo provided the sublime soundtrack in the latter part of the evening.</span></span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">On Saturday the sonic trajectory shifted into hip-hop, deep house, and live electronics. This all built up to the phenomenal closing sequence that saw UK bass pioneer Caspa prove unequivocally why he is still as relevant as when he forged his sound over a decade ago. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"> Hometown hero Haezer showcased exactly why he is an act to watch on the global circuit. </span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">Dutch drum & bass crew Noisia launched an hour of full frontal audio and visual assault on what many have called the biggest D&B floor in South African history - a stand-out finale on Saturday night.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span lang="EN-GB">Sunday </span></b><span lang="EN-GB">was marked as the day to really get to grips with the shining lights of the South African electronic music repertoire. Local house is the global calling card piquing the interest of countless onlookers - but how many of us have really seen it in action?  Sunday was a roll call of the torchbearers. </span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">From upstarts like Sir Vincent and Trancemicsoul to legends in the making Jullian Gomes and Culoe de Song, we represented magnificently. The audience were treated to a rare live set on home soil by ‘expat’ star-on-the-rise Alan Abrahams AKA Portable. Second last set of the night was owned outright by now legend Black Coffee showcasing overtly why he is the figurehead of South Africa’s charge into international waters.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">The closing set of CTEMF 2014 could not have been left to a better mind than Dixon.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> Berlin born, Steffen Berkhahn laid down an audio tapestry that would be undersold to call it poetic. Its by no stroke of luck that he was named RA’s number 1 DJ for 2013 and it was evident for all to hear just why Dixon is considered the best of the best when it comes to the art of a true DJ.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">All in all a diverse and inclusive 6-day programme, which from anyone’s perspective, ticked all the boxes - and in an industry known for its harsh criticism this speaks volumes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">By paying respect to the originators of various global scenes that have had untold influence on our own development; by spotlighting up and coming South African acts that will lay the foundation for the future; by creating a platform to carry forward the CTEMF ethos and, crucially - by using electronic music to breed substance and contribute to the positive development of South Africa's youth, CTEMF has set the tone for how all events and artists should move forward.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The CTEMF 2014 team turned an indigenous concept into a showcase for our country and its deep and diverse pool of music makers and players. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <div class="MsoNormal"> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">“Let’s position this right in the middle of Cape Town for all to see, and lets bring an array of international guests to interact, engage and exchange with our pot of gold waiting at the end of the rainbow. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">T</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;">hen let’s see what happens…”</span></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="EN-GB">There are key companies, government bodies and brands that have had the faith in this vision to make it a reality. Well-earned respects go out to Red Bull Studio, British Council & their Connect ZA Project, The City of Cape Town, The Western Cape Government Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports, Kilowatt AV Ma55ive, Beanstalk Productions, Made Digital, Makhulu Productions, Say Thank You Sound Design, Bridges for Music and Uber amongst a host of others that played their crucial role in the realisation of this vision.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"> <span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watch this space for the CTEMF Aftermath Video coming soon.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div> </div>

Reflecting on CTEMF 2014

What started out as a vision back in 2005, finally became a reality this past weekend. 7 years after the initial spark and only in its...

Knife Games Throwing Daggers With Christian Burns

<span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Hello Christian, thank you so much for doing this interview with us, its such a pleasure to be doing it .</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey no worries, thanks for having me!</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Ik2uNL_muXSovMDJAeEGZ5AObhtFIsJnAwYobtqHNVP_Ff5kcyBctk_ntkVr5ZrYeTfCdOg00y9cHtRBhJhTPALIxujJiacRhUoqinRhhBuH3u5V5iSlrpIAjXnBRyLy8QATwaisJs/s1600/Christian+Burns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Ik2uNL_muXSovMDJAeEGZ5AObhtFIsJnAwYobtqHNVP_Ff5kcyBctk_ntkVr5ZrYeTfCdOg00y9cHtRBhJhTPALIxujJiacRhUoqinRhhBuH3u5V5iSlrpIAjXnBRyLy8QATwaisJs/s640/Christian+Burns.jpg" width="470" /></a></span></b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></b></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <b style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></b></div> <b><span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;">How are you doing and what did you dress up as for Halloween?</span></b><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> I am currently in the middle of finishing a new track in the studio, sadly I missed out on the fun this year because of work! : (</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>We are from South Africa, and we ask all of our “guest” this what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear South Africa?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">An amazing time I had in Cape Town, my old band BBMak shot a video out there. What a great city!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Who is Christian Burns on a non-musical front and what would a good theme song for your life be?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Christian is a secret worshiper of anything that contains chilli peppers and is fascinated with technology.  The Pink Panther theme tune.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="266" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HhHwnrlZRus?feature=player_embedded" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="320"></iframe></span></div> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Looking back at your early childhood, what was your first experience with music like? What song stands out the most from your childhood?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The fist band I ever got into was The Beatles, my father would play their music all the time. I am so happy that my father had good taster in music! Tracks that stand out for me from my first encounters with music are 'Yesterday by The Beatles and ELO - Mr Bluesky</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>How did your musical career in EDM start? Was it by chance or was it something you worked towards?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The first track I did was in 2007 with Tiesto, he contacted me on Myspace and asked if I wanted to do a track with him. I said yes and the rest is history, I was hooked!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>You have worked with legends in the EDM scene, BT, Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk what has the experience been like for you, is it all you expected it to be?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">It has been amazing getting to work with all these such amazing producers, I have learnt so much from working with them in the studio, watching how they build a track from scratch.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>This is a generic question but your tracks are always so touching, where do you draw inspiration from when writing lyrics to a track?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I draw all my inspiration from love and from life, inspiration is everywhere. I often get ideas for lyrics out and about at anytime… Great I always have my iPhone to write them down!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b> “Simple Modern Answers” has just been released it is your debut solo album - were there moments in the production process where you couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel?</b></span><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tW4sVv5xXuenetFh0fFmUi9VHGt3v73AcZoYdYa2pJMDs2EvuQfADexAMh7AREOEOQ0G55ZfG19YdP1rGdRQ0Zzyw43Dx-zQioypIs0ZdOPi72WVVHKGQ7_HAwvN3-EZ3O_rfjvMkGo/s1600/jXCOTY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tW4sVv5xXuenetFh0fFmUi9VHGt3v73AcZoYdYa2pJMDs2EvuQfADexAMh7AREOEOQ0G55ZfG19YdP1rGdRQ0Zzyw43Dx-zQioypIs0ZdOPi72WVVHKGQ7_HAwvN3-EZ3O_rfjvMkGo/s200/jXCOTY.jpg" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">To be honest, it went smooth, there was a time after I did the first 4 or 5 tracks and I started playing with different styles of music, I did for a min think about the album sounding disjointed with all the different styles of EDM on there but in the end all was great. I have been lucky to be able to use my voice as the common thread to bring all the songs together to sound like they are all from the same album!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>How has Simple Modern Answers been received by your fans, what have the reactions to the album been?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been blown away by the positive feedback on the record from all over the world!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>The album title is striking ‘Simple Modern Answers’ –How did you decide on the title and what is the meaning behind it?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">The name? Well, all the tracks are answers to questions in my head at some point in time, that's where the name comes from.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Of the album which is the one track that “drove you up the wall” and why?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I have to say 'We Are Tonight' I had to learn the song in reverse for the video shoot, that was one of the hardest things I have EVER had to do!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>What’s the one thing you always wanted but never managed to get?</b></span><br /> <a href="http://woldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stretch-armstrong-toy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><img border="0" height="200" src="http://woldfitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stretch-armstrong-toy.jpg" width="175" /></b></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">A 'Stretch Armstrong'. It was a toy when i was a child. He had stretchy arms. I wasn't asking for much! ha</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>As we mentioned above you have worked with BT, BT is an inspiration to many he is so wise, what has been the most valuable lesson you learned from Brian?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess one of the great things I have learnt from BT is to have a really open mind when it comes to sound design and production. Some of the processes he goes through in the studio are insane.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Happiness is something we all strive for, how do you define happiness?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Happiness for me is family.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span> <span style="color: #f1c232; font-family: inherit;"><b>Any last messages for your fans?</b></span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Thanks for the great questions! And hello to everyone, thanks for all your support and hope you are enjoying Simple Modern Answers!!</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for taking time out to answer our question who hope to see you performing somewhere around the globe soon…:)</span><br /> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <br /> <div style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">For news and more info visit:</span></b></span></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://newsletter.armadamusic.nl/link.php?M=212296&N=1059&L=3662&F=H" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #1155cc; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.facebook.com/<wbr></wbr>christianburnsofficial</span></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://newsletter.armadamusic.nl/link.php?M=212296&N=1059&L=3661&F=H" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #1155cc; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr>christianburns_</span></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://newsletter.armadamusic.nl/link.php?M=212296&N=1059&L=3663&F=H" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; color: #1155cc; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">http://www.christianburns.com/</span></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; color: #464646; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://newsletter.armadamusic.nl/link.php?M=212296&N=1059&L=31&F=H" style="color: #1155cc; display: inline; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.armadamusic.com</span></a></div> <br />

Knife Games Throwing Daggers With Christian Burns

Hello Christian, thank you so much for doing this interview with us, its such a pleasure to be doing it . Hey no worries, thanks for havin...