‘Closing The Chapter’ is the second single announcing drummer and composer Peter Gall’s upcoming album ‘Love Avatar’, to be released by Compost Records. The nostalgic ‘Closing The Chapter’ is actually the prototype of a love song and, according to Gall, perhaps the most emotional and personal piece on the album.
Listen to “Closing the Chapter” here
In an electrifying fusion, Gee Lane and Blurum join forces on the track ‘Dancing With The Evil’, including a remix by Cee ElAssaad, issued on his Ensouled imprint.
Gee Lane – A luminary in the Barcelona music scene, Gee Lane has spent over 20 years shaping her craft with passion and innovation. With two acclaimed EPs on Toy Tonics, ‘Metamorphosis’ and ‘Synesthesia’, Gee Lane’s unique sound has garnered significant attention. Recognized by DJ Mag as one of the eight emerging artists to watch in 2024, she continues to push the boundaries of music with her fresh and dynamic approach.
Blurum – Known in the underground realm as BluRum13 and Killa Platypus, Blurum (James Sobers) is a distinguished American rapper and producer with deep roots in New York and Washington, D.C.
The release package for “Dancing With The Evil” features two distinct versions. The Original Mix offers a compelling fusion of strong, groovy peaktime Afro House with Blurum’s impactful English rap vocals, delivering a robust groove and heavy bassline. In contrast, the Cee ElAssaad Remix transforms the track into a Groovy Elegant Deep House masterpiece, characterized by smooth keys and an irresistible rhythm, making it a perfect fit for the dance floor. Both versions highlight different facets of the track, showcasing a diverse range of musical expressions.
Listen to “Dancing with the Evil” here
Crooked Man’s forthcoming, future-facing Transmission Towers remix album, Crooked Transmissions releases ‘My Shadow / Mega’.
Served up here are two completely reimagined, dancefloor reworks, of ‘My Shadow’ and ‘Mega’. A club-crafted double header that harnesses a lifetime’s worth of experience and expertise from one of dance music’s icons, Crooked Man.
Released on Luke Una’s É Soul Cultura label, in partnership with Mr Bongo, Crooked Man aka Richard Barratt has been handed the keys to Transmission Towers’ critically acclaimed debut LP, Transmission One.
For this release, ‘My Shadow (Crooked Shade)’ sees Crooked Man morph the original into a firestarter.
Listen to “Shadow / Mega” here
That’s the name which is seemingly on everyone’s lips in our fashion industry at the moment. Fresh from debuting their collection–‘Deterritorialization AW25’–at the prestigious New York Fashion Week, and with personal accolades such as GQ’s Best Dressed Young Creative 2024 also recently streaming in, Samkelo exhibits no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
So what exactly is the story of Samkelo and the eponymous Johannesburg-based contemporary luxury clothing brand which is BOYDE? During our virtual conversation–I felt my understanding of this brand’s vision & mission transcend into a state of heightened awareness and sensitivity. I attribute this not only to Samkelo’s eloquence and well-researched approach, but also to humanity which exists within their core DNA.
Something I picked up during our engaging conversation is that he treats each and every collection like some form of Academic study. Having been naturally inspired and gravitating towards African architecture, the discovery of Deterritorialization came about. Samkelo explains:
“Basically the colonisers are the ones who were dressed in suits–stylish–and they influenced South Africans at the time. In order for the locals to be recognised as well, they had to dress in full tailored suits, coats, etc. And also, this influenced the style change in Sophiatown.”
Photography by @tatendachidora
I liken Samkelo’s latest work with Deterritorialization to the genesis of pre-and post-Apartheid South Africa–along with its core ideations surrounding segregation, separation & colonisation. I draw parallels between such political commentary meshed with clothing when I view BOYDE’s designs and this is further complemented by the amounts of dedicated research which Samkelo’s team churns into the Art direction, set design and production. Interestingly enough, Deterritorialization was shot on location of the first-ever Parliament in South Africa–in Pretoria in Paul Kruger’s former office.
Zooming back into Samkelo’s backstory, after successfully obtaining his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), he ventured head-first into the fashion space–with a journey seemingly more fortunate than most. Citing his early inspirations growing up as “people-watching old grandpas who were effortlessly stylish”–I feel as though this development within his upbringing has proven paramount to the heights he has elevated the brand. For example, looking at the Deterritorialization AW25 lookbook, I could easily draw parallels between this aforementioned Grandpa aesthetic and looks such as the wool latte brown double breasted classic fit tailored suit with white classic Egyptian cotton oxford shirt, or even the wool oversized tweed storm flap trench coat, paired with our wool tailored tweed classic pants.
In my journalistic opinion–Samkelo has somewhat mastered the Art of the Perfect Cut. The tailoring on his latest collection indicates exceptional patternmaking abilities. Many may not know this but even the great late Alexander McQueen started off as an exceptional tailor who understudied on Savile Row–the historic centre of British menswear tailoring. This played such a crucial-yet-understated part in his eventual success as an incredible couturier and one of the greatest luxury fashion designers ever. So as I mention this, I think of Samkelo and how he innately manages to capture the essence of “The Man’s Silhouette” through BOYDE–a sartorial New Age luxury brand which values and emphasises African aesthetics. As a self-professed “Multidisciplinary creative who is a Fashion designer by profession”, Samkelo manages to hone in on his personal fashion taste and aesthetic and earnestly apply specific codes of dress into BOYDE. It feels like a privilege to be privy to some of his most recent personal achievements too–like how his dainty & elegant tailored two-piece suits managed to land him this year’s prestigious award of GQ’s Best Dressed Young Creative 2024. Asking him about how he feels about the award, Samkelo mentions:
“When I do my work I don’t necessarily do it in order to receive awards or accolades. I already know what I am capable of. I’m also really chilled about it, but with the nomination, and winning – it still meant alot to me. The recognition and the urge to work harder when you see your work recognised.”
As we fast-forward to present-day BOYDE, it’s incredibly evident that the future is brighter than ever. From some of Samkelo’s earliest accomplishments, such as winning the SAFW Menswear Scouting Competition a few years back, to now having conquered a showroom at New York Fashion Week–he continues to maintain his cool and calm demeanour about the meteoric rise of BOYDE. Albeit countless social media taglines telling the tale of how Samkelo Boyde Took New York, this young designer remains fixated on the work which is a true testament to their hardworking nature. So what’s next for BOYDE you may be thinking? Closing off, I asked Samkelo the exact same thing and he told me:
“To break into the Global market with South African luxury design–and to stand for Africa globally.”
Written by: Odwa Zamane
For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za
It’s currently ‘fashion month’ — the so-called “January of the fashion industry” — and coincidentally the time of year that I find myself the least interested in being engaged online. I don’t know if it’s a sense of avoidance —an attempt to escape the intense feelings of ennui and listlessness born from my desire to covet fashion — or if it’s just that this month, above any other, feels the most energetically bombarding and my body and brain, independent of my mind, have decided that engaging in a small dose of apathy is actually a useful kind of protective barrier that they biologically employ.
I don’t really know why, but it’s a bit irreconcilable considering fashion has been one of the central loves of my life since, well, I attempted to klomp around in my god-mother’s kitten heels circa 1997 as one of my first acts of achievement.
I don’t think we weren’t meant to be so frequently exposed to such an overwhelming barrage of digital stimuli. Ironically, a TikTok arrived on my FYP that resonates with a very specific kind of psychological hygiene we all have to begin to integrate, one way or another: Digital Feng Shui.
An ancient Chinese practice, Feng Shui has traditionally been applied to material environments with an intention rooted in harmonising people with their surrounding space. The term ‘feng shui’ translates to ‘wind’ (feng) and ‘water’ (shui), representing the flow of energy (or ‘chi’) in nature. According to Feng Shui, the layout, design, and organisation of a space—whether a home, office, or garden—can affect the health, happiness, and prosperity of the people who occupy it.
Imagery by Pixabay, via Pexels
Imagery by Karolina Grabowska, via Pexels
It is the ritualisation of arranging the material objects that surround us, and like much of the innovative realisations arising from the East; it’s all about guiding unseen energy, positively, throughout our experience and within ourselves. Applying the approach of Feng Shui, as @Arca.so explained in their aforementioned TikTok, could be the difference between chaotically navigating digital spaces and actually forging a dynamic, principled approach to our relationship with the fastest growing environment that we exist within. Between endless social apps and switching between devices, how can we approach these meta-realities with more balance? As CEC editor and content producer, Grace Crooks, so poignantly said, “we need internet ecologies that are nourishing to us.”
One of the first to coin this phrase, writer Tracy E. McDowell wrote in her piece on Digital Feng Shui that “In the digital age, we are bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information, and our attention is constantly divided between different devices and platforms. This “digital overwhelm” can lead to a feeling of burnout, dissociation, and distraction, and negatively affects mental health and well-being. Creating balance in the digital world can help us to navigate this overwhelming landscape and find a sense of calm and focus. Just as in feng shui, the goal is to create a harmonious environment that promotes well-being and prosperity.”
Digital Feng-Shui is about clearing out the clutter, and making intentional efforts to bring balance to the digital environments that we occupy. We want to create a purposeful approach to online engagement, and focus on curating a digital environment that brings joy, peace, calmness, and curiosity to our lives.
Let’s map out how we might be able to do this:
We can start by observing the emotions triggered when consuming digital content and noting which apps, websites, or publications genuinely enhance our well-being. Once we identify these positive sources, the next step is to create a space that encourages positive engagement. Similar to feng shui’s focus on arranging spaces to direct energy, setting up bookmarks or app folders specifically for these resources will make them more accessible. This intentional organisation helps prevent us from slipping into passive habits like doom scrolling by giving us a purposeful entry point when we reach for our devices.
Dedicating mindful time to engage with this content, supported by screen time trackers, further helps limit exposure to draining material. I don’t know about you, but my weekly screen time update on Sundays from Apple is a competition I set with myself each week to reduce. By consciously replacing mindless scrolling with content that aligns with our interests, we can nurture active engagement and regularly reassessing our digital habits ensures that our choices continue to bring joy, curiosity, and balance into our online experience.
In the world of platform and app creation, developers are increasingly recognising the demand for soft, calm, and low-stimulus digital environments—spaces that stand in contrast to the high-intensity, overstimulating digital landscapes often found in social media and other attention-driven platforms. These digital spaces focus on reducing mental strain and encouraging more mindful, intentional interactions. Are.na, for example, is a minimalist, creative platform that is committed to being ad-free, in which users curate and collect information across the web, collating them into individual projects and group collaborations. Purposefully so, Are.na is very bare-bones in its design; intended to provide users a blank, decluttered canvas that can weave together visuals, texts and other inspirational build-blocks for nourishing creative ideas.
Then, there’s Cosmos — one of the latest mood-board apps that titles itself as a ‘discovery engine for creatives’ that ‘brings order to your creative universe’. Similarly, the intention of the platform is visually-centric and ad-free. Uniquely, Cosmos and Are.na feel like their own portals; both platforms prioritise simplicity and user autonomy, making them feel like distinct, immersive digital universes where creators can focus on their ideas without the overstimulation common in other digital spaces. Their UX is designed to evoke a sense of exploration and creative flow. By allowing users to seamlessly collect, arrange, and share content, these platforms act as gateways to a personalised creative experience, one in which users actually gain control – rather than give away control — over how they interact with and structure their digital environments. In this way, they offer a quiet refuge from the intensity of traditional social media, cultivating a slower, more thoughtful form of digital engagement. Very Digital Feng Shui!
Imagery by Castorlystock, via Pexels
Imagery by Anton, via Pexels
We’re not about to become monastic in our digital use and in fact, we’re going to continue seeing the integration deepen between ourselves and technology. It’s ironic, of course, that we’re trying to solve digital dependence with more apps. Yet, we also know there’s no true replacement for getting into nature, moving our bodies, or connecting with our community.
Technology alone can’t substitute those essential human experiences. However, if we can create intentional digital spaces that nurture us rather than drain us, we can avoid falling into the trap of listlessness that comes from mindless scrolling. It could be as simple as finally cleaning up your Spotify to include playlists for every kind of mood (maybe add some meditative, binaural tracks?) or limiting yourself to structured tech-time, for leisure and self-nourishment. The idea is to take small steps that transform how we use technology, allowing it to support our well-being rather than becoming a source of distraction or stress.
After all, technology has arisen from us, and while it may sometimes feel like an abstract, behemothic force looming over our lives, we still possess immense agency in how we can interact with it. We have the power to create boundaries, harness its potential wisely, and ultimately take personal responsibility for shaping our relationship with it. Digital Feng Shui feels like a profound navigational philosophy for understanding how we interact with technology in the present and future. By applying the core principles of feng shui—balance, flow, and mindful arrangement of spaces—to our digital environments, we’re intentionally designing our digital ecosystems to enhance the flow of information and minimise the clutter of overstimulation.
Whether it’s through decluttering our app interfaces, managing notifications, or curating content that nourishes us, it’s about making the digital world a more harmonious extension of our lives. This philosophy acknowledges our deepening relationship with technology while reminding us of our capacity to create balance within it — we’re curious, how might you take steps to employ more balance in your digital experience?
Written by Holly Beaton
For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za
Born in Durban and raised in Johannesburg, Lusanda’s earliest memories are filled with music and movement. She grew up dancing (a classically trained ballerina since age five), playing marimbas, and singing in choirs before eventually enrolling in choreography studies at the University of Cape Town. Music was always in the background, but it wasn’t until she started posting TikTok covers that her voice found its way to the forefront.
In 2023, one spontaneous upload in particular – a rendition of Outkast’s modern classic “Hey Ya” – set the wheels in motion for a new chapter in her life. The video garnered millions of views in a matter of weeks. Offers started pouring in from music producers including one to collaborate on a track, “Echoes”, with rising R&B singer/songwriter Manana and Amapiano it girl Uncle Waffles. By January this year, Lusanda found herself in the studio recording, honing her voice and learning the art of songwriting.
“I’ve spent the last year really figuring out how I wanted my music to feel – focusing on my pen, finding my sound, and working with incredible people who push me creatively,” she says.
Listen to “When You’re Around” here
The second single taken from Magro’s forthcoming ‘Tokyo Tree’ EP features vocals from Rapturous, otherwise known as RAH (of RAH & The Ruffcats fame) rapping and singing over shuffling broken beats and warm jazz-tinged keys.
Magro originally hails from Ludwigsburg, close to Stuttgart, in southern Germany. Having grown up around music, and learnt both piano and drums as a child, this musical prodigy moved to Berlin in 2015 to take in its vibrant music scene and feed off of his love for hip hop and soul music. It was here that he honed his craft as a producer, and Magro was born.
“Producing has opened up a new musical world for me, because I’ve learned to listen in a completely different way.” Magro
The aptly titled Need A Friend was originally produced by Magro as an instrumental cut, until RAH wrote lyrics and added his distinctive, smooth part-sung, part-rapped vocal, somewhat reminiscent of Anderson.Paak. It’s a song that sums up the pair’s relationship and celebrates the joy of having a friend who understands you and that you can rely on. RAH’s flow sits perfectly over Magro’s tight rolling drums and optimistic keys.
Listen to “Need a Friend” here
Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff
With new remixes from Rocco Rodamaal, ‘Breathe’ is the second single from Fred Everything’s album “Love, Care, Kindness & Hope”, featuring UK singer/songwriter James Alexander Bright.
The original connection came from a Groove Armada song that Fred remixed (Talk Talk) which featured James on vocals. James is known for his work on !K7 and more recently with a new album on Athens Of The North. ‘Breathe’ was built around a shuffly broken beat, a driving bass line and deep chords. The track also features Wayne Tennant on backing vocals and Pete Whitfield on Strings. The original was championed by Colleen “Cosmo” Murphy on her Balearic Breakfast show as well as supported by Black Coffee, Jazzanova, Peter Kruder, Rainer Trueby.
Listen to “Breathe” here
Press release courtesy of Only Good Stuff
Managing money can be daunting, right? Especially as a freelancer or entrepreneur. It’s hard enough navigating work finances, let alone finding the right mentors to guide you. Enter Craft.
Craft is a platform for financial management specifically for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. They’ve partnered with Joburg-based agency Mamakashaka to create ‘Crafted Conversations’ – a series of monthly interactive talks and workshops which aim to demystify the financial side of business management, inspire and inform business practices.
Tebogo Malcolm Mokgope, co-founder and creative director of Refuse Clothing, will open the series as the first speaker on 27 September 2024. With extensive experience across various roles in the fashion industry, working for major brands, he is known for pushing the boundaries of design while prioritising environmentally responsible practices. His focus on sustainable and Afrofuturistic fashion, coupled with his insights into innovation and understanding of the industry, kicks off the series.
Next, Natasha Lorde, a highly skilled and expert tax specialist and property advisor, will offer valuable guidance on financial planning, business strategy, and wealth management.
Rounding off the sessions, Dr. Anesu Mbizvo and Banesa Tseki from The Nest Space will share how their inclusive, sustainable business practices have helped establish The Nest Space as a leader in the wellness industry, building a powerful brand while promoting conscious living.
Craft believes in unlocking financial freedom as a key to entrepreneurial success. Their platform is designed to provide gig workers and small business owners with equitable access to essential financial tools that simplify and enrich day-to-day operations. Craft has a variety of plans depending on your needs—from a no-fee option to R500 for premium services.
With over 7,000 gig workers already using Craft, the platform offers quoting and invoicing, payment tracking, a gentle reminder system, and more. Their core values are being human-centred; challenging the status quo; being experimental and data-driven, and encouraging entrepreneurship. This drives them to continually innovate and provide tools that make financial management easier and smarter.
Attendees to ‘Craft Conversations’ will have the chance to engage with the Craft platform firsthand through a personalised live experience at their Craft Booth. This interactive space will allow guests to explore the platform’s features and intuitive tools, and discover how Craft can integrate into their business practices, offering real-time solutions to their financial management needs.
Craft is committed to fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs and freelancers who are passionate about their work and driven to succeed. By attending ‘Craft Conversations’ on 27 September, 1 November or 29 November, you’ll gain valuable insights, practical tips and also connect with like-minded individuals who are on the same journey.
Register for Craft Financial and RSVP for the first event here.
For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za
Following the success with ULTRA at the National Arts Festival, Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre presents a new full-length work titled ‘autoplay’ by Louise Coetzer.
Autoplay is produced by multiple award-winning Darkroom Contemporary Dance Theatre and will be performed until 28 September at a uniquely transformed site within Longkloof Studios in Cape Town.
This hybrid work blends dance, Live Art performance, sound installation and digital art to bring dance theatre to a range of alternate dimensions. Autoplay is a surreal encounter between human and machine. The performance conjures a moving landscape that ebbs, shifts and transforms as it frames the experience, presenting a
breathtaking and multi-discipline production, with the calibre for which Darkroom Contemporary have become renowned.
“We wanted to create an expressly contemporary experience, set in the heart of the city, that dovetails into our desire to present dance out of traditional spaces,” says Louise Coetzer, co-founder and Artistic Director of Darkroom Contemporary, and director of autoplay.
She continues, “We confront traditional notions of identity and autonomy, in an era where our lives have become intricately woven into the fabric of a digital landscape. Through its interaction with Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, this charged game of musical chairs confronts questions of agency, autonomy, influence and the blurred boundaries between free will and manipulation in a digital age.”
The performance features a new original score by renowned music artists Brydon Bolton (Benguela) and Njabulo Phungula, with vocalist Inge Beckmann (Lark, Beast).
Combining organic and manufactured soundscapes, the score fuses digital and analogue processing which invite the audience into this surreal game, while experimenting with the viewers’ perception.
Choreography, direction and set design are by Louise Coetzer. autoplay is performed by Bronwyn Craddock, Darion Adams, Vuyelwa Phota and Gabrielle Fairhead.
Upcoming show dates and times: 20, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 28 September at 8pm
22 and 24 September: 4pm
Tickets: available on Quicket at R250
Press Release courtesy of Darkroom Contemporary
For more news, visit the Connect Everything Collective homepage www.ceconline.co.za
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