freshlyground

Based in Cape Town

Freshlyground formed in early 2002, and is made up of seven talented and diverse musicians from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Fronted by the diminutive but dynamic Zolani Mahola, the band exudes a live performance energy that has been the bedrock of their success. The experienced rhythm section of Peter Cohen (drums) & Josh Hawks (bass) is complimented by guitarist Julio Sigauque, keyboardist Seredeal Scheepers, Simon Attwell (flute, mbira, sax and harmonica) and violinist Kyla Rose Smith. Although hailing from diverse backgrounds, between them the band’s members weave a musical magic that is highly infectious and undeniably groovy.

In 2003 Freshlyground launched their debut album, Jika Jika under their own Freeground Records label, the immediate success of which firmly cemented the band as one of South Africa’s most successful young acts.

Freshlyground released their second studio album Nomvula in July 2004. Nomvula was recorded and produced by JB Arthur and Sibusiso Victor Masondo. The album sparked interest from Sony BMG Africa, who signed the band and released Nomvula in September that year. Radio quickly picked up on the single ‘Doo Be Doo’ and the catchy song went on to become a crossover favorite amongst a diverse spread of stations and their listeners. ‘Doo Be Doo’ was the most played song in South Africa in 2005. The major success of ‘Doo Be Doo’ was followed by the singles ‘I’d Like’, ‘Zithande’, ‘Things Have Changed’ and the title track of the album Nomvula.

The album sold 300 000 units in South Africa alone- earning it multi-platinum status. The success and broad appeal of the band was celebrated in November 2006 when Freshlyground won the MTV Europe Award in the category Best African Act. The award placed the band firmly on the international music map and earned them further recognition on home soil as significant South African cultural exports.

The success of Nomvula was followed by Ma Cheri - Freshlyground’s third studio album, released in September 2007. The album’s release was followed by a major South African tour attended by over 25 000 people across four cities. The tour was produced by Freshlyground and supported by Volkswagen South Africa. The tour successfully raised the performance and production standards of local touring, putting the band on par with international acts in terms of production scale and value. Ma Cheri has sold 80 000 units to date in South Africa and the single Pot Belly is another major crossover success, and is play listed on all South African radio stations.

Five years on Freshlyground are a still a sensation. In South Africa audiences of every race cram in to see them. Old people get up and dance. Hip black teenagers sing to their lyrics. White kids emulate their moves. The very presence of this band in South Africa is a promise for a harmonious future. But they don’t sit still for the picture.

Freshlyground are currently in studio working their fourth studio album due for release late 2009, as well as preparing for their 25th European tour in May, making the band one of a handful of South African acts to have a successful and sustainable career both internationally and at home. Expect them to draw crowds as they go. Bridge historical divides. Defy musical stereotypes. That’s what they’ve done all along. And it’s about time an Afro-pop band brings some of Africa’s magical music to the world.

ZOLANI MAHOLA-   LEAD VOCALS
JOSH HAWKS- BASS GUITAR, VOCALS
SEREDEAL SCHEEPERS-   KEYBOARDS, PERCUSSION
KYLA-ROSE SMITH-   VIOLIN, VOCALS
SIMON ATTWELL-  FLUTE, MBIRA, HARMONICA, SAXOPHONE
JULIO SIGAUQUE-  ELECTRIC & ACOUSTIC GUITAR
PETER COHEN-  DRUMS

AWARDS:

SAMA AWARD – Album of the Year , Freshlyground for Ma Cheri, May 2008
SAMA AWARD - Best Duo/Group Freshlyground for Ma Cheri, May 2008
SAMA AWARD - Best Adult Contemporary English Album for Ma Cheri, May 2008
SAMA AWARD - Best Engineer for Ma Cheri, May 2008
MTV EUROPE AWARD – Best African Act Freshlyground, November 2006
METRO FM AWARD- Best Group, November 2007
METRO FM AWARD- Best Album, November 2007
METRO FM AWARD- Best African Pop Album, November 2007
METRO FM AWARD- Best African Pop Album, November 2005
CHANNEL O AWARD – Best African Band Freshlyground, 2008
O MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS NIGERIA – African Video of the Year for Pot Belly, April 2008
GOOD HOPE FM SA – Best performing Group Freshlyground, September 2008

INTERNATIONAL NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES :

• Rome Auditorium, Rome, Italy, November 2008
• AVO Sessions, Basel, Switzerland, November 2008
• Barbican Centre, London, United Kingdom, November 2008
• Theatre Royal Carre, The Netherlands, September 2008
• Toast Festival, Kensington, United Kingdom, September 2008
• Arrezzowave Festival, Livorno, Italy, July 2008
• Zeltival, Karlsruhe, Germany, July 2008
• Kultursummer Festival, Oldenburg, Germany, July 2008
• Salisbury Festival, United Kingdom, June 2008
• Roots in Ooster Park, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, June 2008
• Lugano Festival De Jazz, Mendrisio, Switzerland, June 2008
• Masala Festival , Hannover, Germany, June 2008
• Mawazine Festival, Rabat, Morocco, May 2008
• Spring Festival, Cairo, Egypt, May 2008
• Harare International Festival, Harare, Zimbabwe, May 2008
• Lagos International Jazz Festival, Lagos, Nigeria, April 2008
• Maputo International Jazz Festival, Maputo, Mozambique, April 2008
• Jazz Café, London, United Kingdom, July 2006
• FIFA World Cup Handover Ceremony, Berlin, Germany, June 200
• Branderburger Tor FIFA 04 event, Berlin, Germany, June 2006
• Cannes Film Festival, NFVF, Cannes, France, May 2006
• Aichi Expo 2005, Nagoya, Japan, March 2005
• Pukkelpop Festival, Belgium, August, 2005 Berlin, Germany 2004
• National Theatre of the Arts, Windhoek, Namibia, July 2004
• Villa Celimontana Festival, Rome, Italy, June 2004

SOUTH AFRICAN NOTEWORTHY PERFORMANCES:

• HIV /AIDS Awareness Conference, Durban, April 2009
• Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Cape Town, April 2009
• Macufe Festival, Bloemfontein, October 2005 and October 2008
• Chris Burger Charity Fundraising Concert, Cape Town, August 2008
• Oppikoppi, Northam, Pretoria, 08 August ’04, August 2005 and August 2008
• 46664 Nelson Mandela HIV Fund, Johannesburg, December 2007
• Desmond Tutu HIV-Foundation Benefit Concert, with Vusi Mahlasela,
• September 2005 and July 2006, with Sipho Hotstix  August 2008
• Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Grahamstown, July 2005
• Standard Bank Arena, with Kenny Latimore and Chante Moore, September 2005
• 10 Years of Democracy Closing Celebration, Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, February 2005
• Standard Bank Jazzathon 2005, with Selaelo Selota, Cape Town, January 2005
• Reconciliation day Festival, with Letta Mbulu, Cape Town, December 2004
• Spier Arts Summer Season, collaboration with Oliver Mtukudzi and Mahube, Stellenbosch, December 2004
• Olympic Torch Ceremony, Grand Parade, Cape Town, June 2004
• North Sea Jazz Festival, Cape Town, April 2004
• Freedom Parade, 10 years of Human Rights, Athlone Stadium, March 2004
• The Design Indaba, CTICC, Cape Town, February 2004 and February 2005
• Celebration of 10 years of Democracy, Green Market Square, Cape Town, February 2004
• Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concert, National Botanical Gardens, January 2004, March 2005, December 2006, December 2007, December 2008
• Robben Island African Music Festival, Heritage Day, with Oliver Mtukudzi, Jonathan Butler, Judith Sephuma, V&A. Waterfront and Robben Island, September 2003