FOTO NA DANS
PHOTO BY: Jacques Koudstaal  l  WEBSITE: www.fotonadans.co.za

EVERYBODY PROBABLY WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE RECORDING AND RELEASE OF YOUR NEXT ALBUM?

We’ve just finished recording our 2nd full-length album. It’s called “Die Vloed” which is also a track on the album and will be available in stores nationwide in August.
   
WILL THERE BE A FEW MUSICAL SURPRISES ON THIS NEW ALBUM COMPARED TO WHAT YOU GUYS DID ON YOUR LAST RELEASE “PANTOMIME OP HERWINBARE KLANKE”?

“Musical surprises” is quite a relative term. The album takes you on a joyride with unexpected clever twists and turns which will thrill one listener and terrify the other. This is the closest we’ve come to writing a well-rounded album. There’s something for the ballad enthusiasts, electronica for those who like to hit the dance floor and rock and roll which forms the majority of the album.

IS IT HARD TO KEEP YOUR INNER PERFECTIONIST AT BAY SOMETIMES WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING IF A SONG IS DONE OR NOT?

It depends on the song. Some songs are best left in their pure form and need no frills or fuss and then again some songs you can struggle for days on end and end up right where you started. It’s even harder these days with the unlimited amount of virtual instruments available. With a click of a button you can have the backing of a symphony orchestra.

HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE THE WRITING AND RECORDING PROCESS FOR THE NEW ALBUM WITH PREVIOUS EFFORTS AND HOW WOULD YOU SAY EACH OF YOU HAVE GROWN AS SONGWRITERS OVER THE YEARS?

We recorded all of our previous material in Boksburg, which isn’t much of a pleasant experience seeing as for one its Boksburg and secondly being away from home. This time round we recorded in our hometown and with the freedom to record when we felt like it. We realised that, when it comes to composing, too many cooks can spoil the broth, especially when there are 5 members with careers or studies. We left the writing and producing of the new material almost entirely to Neil. The poor man hardly left the studio for six months.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU HAD A GREAT SONG IDEA BUT FORGOT IT?

Every other day! One day it’s a lyric, one day it’s a melody. For some reason it always happens when you least expect it and obviously there’s no pen or stray guitar lying around.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE WRITING MUSIC WITH THE SAME VIBE THAT HAS WORKED IN THE PAST WITH TRYING SOMETHING NEW WITH THE BAND’S SOUND?

There are certain personal characteristics that, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t escape them. It’s just who you are, for example the colour of your eyes. It’s the same with writing songs. Certain progressions are just the way you hear music. Writing new material is influenced by what you’re currently enjoying to listening to. That’s the formula, combining what you currently enjoy with the way you hear the music progress.

A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE BAND EXPLORING NEW MUSICAL AVENUES WAS THE COLLABORATION YOU DID WITH FLASH REPUBLIC CALLED DANS REPUBLIC. HOW DID THAT COLLABORATION COME ABOUT AND WILL THERE BE MORE DANS REPUBLIC SONGS IN THE FUTURE?

Dans Republic was born in a venue in Jo’burg thanks to an equal appreciation for Jagermeister. The project was a great success and thanks to it we allocated a lot of English fans, who’d never listened to Afrikaans music beforehand. We’ve made jokes about collaborating for an album. Both bands are launching new albums and hopefully we can collaborate again in the near future.

ARE YOU GUYS LOOKING FORWARD TO HITTING THE ROAD AGAIN ONCE YOUR NEW ALBUM IS OUT AND BRANCHING OUT TO AS MANY PLACES AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE COUNTRY?

Absolutely! This new album has been in the developing stages for almost a year now, so we’ve been dying to get the new material out there. 

IN YOUR OPINION HAS THE BAND REACHED THE LEVEL LIVE THAT YOU ORIGINALLY WANTED TO WHEN STARTING OUT AND IF SO WHAT ARE YOUR NEW GOALS WHEN IT COMES TO LIVE PERFORMANCES?

Starting out we didn’t have expectations about our live performances. We started because we felt an urge to jam. It was only after our first album that we realised how big of a challenge it was to play our material live and maintain an energetic presence on stage. We are quite happy with what we’ve achieved so far, but that doesn’t say anything about how the new material will sound live. Our goal is to put on a production that is tangible in quality. That is performing professionally with high levels of energy and ensuring high quality of production (lights and sound). 

SOME MUSICIANS LOVE THE ATTENTION THAT COMES WITH PLAYING IN A BAND BUT OTHERS LOVE IT IN THE BEGINNING BUT HATE IT LATER ON; WHERE WOULD YOU SAY YOU FALL IN; AND WHEN YOU THINK BACK WAS IT WEIRD AND FUNNY IN A WAY TO SEE YOURSELF ON TV THE FIRST TIME?

I think all musicians appreciate and welcome attention. You’re putting yourself “out there” playing in a band and opening yourself to the attention and criticism. Otherwise you would’ve continued jamming in your garage/basement. I have to add that things do get weird on occasions. Mostly kids forget that you’re actually a person and tend to do out of the ordinary things.

I get the same sensation seeing myself on TV as I had as a kid recording my friend and myself on a tape deck pretending to host a radio show. At first you can’t believe your voice is so screechy and irritating, but after a while you get used to it and become more comfortable with it. To be honest, it’s still pretty weird.    

ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR ANYTHING ELSE FANS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR?

We’re kicking off our nationwide tour in September. Starting in Bloemfontein on the first of September and working our way through the northern part of the country and finishing off with a coastal stretch back home to Cape-Town. Go check out our website www.fotonadans.co.za, our Facebook (www.facebook.com/fotonadans / www.myspace.com/fotonadans) profile or our Myspace page for details on our upcoming tour. While you’re there make sure to check out our 5 part in studio documentary! The documentary will also air on MK starting July 26.

INTERVIEW BY NEIL VAN ZYL