In this third AlmaCast episode of 2024, Jono and I sit and discuss the early years of Steve Newman's career. As one of South Africa's virtuoso guitar players and a member of several renowned bands, most notably Tananas, he has many a story to tell in this in-depth reflection on a truly remarkable career.

He reflects on his journeys between the UK and South Africa in the 70s and then how things started to really pick up between Johannesburg and Durban in the 80s at Tansnas forms with Ian Herman and Gito Baloi.

In the hour that we had with Steve we only scratched the surface of the Tananas story and not at all on his post-Tananas collaborations and solo work. So, the good news is there will be a part two to this conversation that picks up where this leaves off.

For now, here are 40 minutes of gold from the man himself, continuing with the track "In a Dream" from his solo album, "Flavour" released in 2008.

We hope you enjoy this conversation with one of South Africa's most unique talents.

In May last year Jono, Sarah and I had the chance to sit and discuss the music business, life and everything pre-, post and during the Springbok Nude Girls with Arno Carstens.

The interview was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories and perspectives on one of the most acclaimed South Africa. 

When Jono told us he and founding band members and producer-in-chief Theo Crous were coming for a double-trouble acoustic show revisiting more than 30 years of the Nude Girls we simply had to revisit Arno – this time in tandem with Theo.

And what an afternoon and evening of entertainment followed. A reminder of the power of a few simple chords and the imagination and ambition to transcend a “normal” life and live alongside the biggest names in pop and rock. Whether it was reflecting on hanging out with the penguins and Charlize Theron at Boulders Beach or mixing it up on stage with Bono, Dave Grohl or Michael Hutchence there was rarely a dull moment in this classic AlmaCast interview!     

Later in the evening, the two of them blew the roof off the Alma!

We end the show with their first number from that night - Horizontal Landscape - and I hope we were able to capture the energy and enthusiasm of that day via this second of our podcasts of 2024. 

Recorded Sunday, January 14th 2024

Welcome to our first AlmaCast recording and episode of the year.  

We kick off 2024 with a bang and the wonderfully mercurial musings of Wonderboom duo, Cito Otto and Martin Schofield.

Prior to them playing a stripped-down - but nevertheless electrifying - set at the Alma, the dynamic duo reflected on a career that spans almost three decades, numerous albums andSAMA nominations and a reputation as being one of the hardest working and hardest rocking bands in the country.

It was Wonderboom's very first night playing at the Cape Town's Premier Live Music Venue, but I have little doubt, it won't be the last you've heard from the 'Boom at the Alma!

 As always we hope you enjoy our episode and would welcome any feedback or reviews on your respective podcast platform.

Recorded at the Alma Cafe - Sunday 7th January 2024)

Arno Carstens should need very little introduction to most South African listeners of the AlmaCast.

As the front man for the Springbok Nude Girls, he and his band led the line of the new wave of South African alternative music in the 1990's. We met at the Alma Cafe three hours before his latest show there. What followed was a whirlwind of perspectives and anecdotes. From the halcyon days of the mid to late nineties, to the doubt of his early solo career and his future aspirations.

From the Rolling Stones in Barcelona, to the dog bowls of Linden, Johannesburg! It's all here!

Structured, it was not. But insightful, it most certainly was.

What I enjoyed most about our conversation was the willingness of Arno to share his ideas: about the state of the music industry and his passion for his craft.

It's infectious. It's raw. And, it's another unique conversation with one of the Alma's most recent, favourite sons.

The episode concludes with an acoustic rendition of "About a Girl" recorded that night and taken from his album "Out of the Light and Into the Night".

Recorded May 19th 2023

 Welcome to the latest episode of the AlmaCast, our regular deep-dive into the people behind Cape Town's premier live music venue and the guest musicians who grace the Alma stage.

In this episode, we are back to a guest artist profile: our guest SA "king of the blues" Albert Frost, prior to another of his stripped back solo shows. It would prove to be another unforgettable night where pedal loops abound, and the sweat was coming off the ceiling! It's a wonderful chat covering Albert's three decades of professional music. There's plenty to marvel at and reflect on as well as some unforgettable moments of mirth. The episode concludes with Albert's song "Everlasting" which is discussed in the episode.

Thanks to those of you who have been listening and supporting our initiative. You'll have seen we've shifted platforms, across to Spotify. We hope the transition hasn't impacted on your enjoyment of our content and the guests we've been bringing to you. 

If you enjoy what we are doing, please do follow us and spread the word. There's plenty more to come and we're looking forward to growing the fun and the following.

Enjoy the episode. 

Recorded: April 23rd 2023

As our Easter gift to our listeners, this episode takes us down memory lane and behind the kitchen door as we hear from the Queen of the Alma: Retha Tait.

It's a wonderful tale and insight into the history of the building, neighbourhood and venue.  The story begins with tragedy and trauma, skirts disaster and ultimately ends in the Alma magic we've come to love.  

The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast of Cape Town’s Premier Live Music Venue

Good Coffee, Good Food & Good Music!

The Alma Café: Live Music Venue

20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

Instagram: the.alma.cafe

Show Bookings: [email protected]

Mailing List: [email protected]

A wonderful deep-dive of the development of The Alma Cafe and the transition from corner shop to music venue! Owner and mainstay of the front of house, Richard Tait, talks about the formative years, the people and nights that have shaped the Alma. It's a charming and frank conversation that highlights passion, sacrifice and hard work. It's a special 30 minutes. Hope you enjoy!

The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast of Cape Town’s Premier Live Music Venue

Good Coffee, Good Food & Good Music!

The Alma Café: Live Music Venue

20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

Instagram: the.alma.cafe

Show Bookings: [email protected]

Mailing List: [email protected]

In this episode the AlmaCast we check-in with regular guest artist, James Stewart.

James reached the top of the charts back in the day with SA band, The Usual and continues to perform and collaborate across genres and continents.

His reflections will delight those who grew up with the local music of the 90's and the SA music scene.

His description of The Alma - from a performer's perspective - is worth the download alone. Enjoy!

The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast of Cape Town’s Premier Live Music Venue

Good Coffee, Good Food & Good Music!

The Alma Café: Live Music Venue

20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

Instagram: the.alma.cafe

Show Bookings: [email protected]

Mailing List: [email protected]
The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast of Cape Town’s Premier Live Music Venue

Good Coffee, Good Food & Good Music!

The Alma Café: Live Music Venue

20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

Instagram: the.alma.cafe

Show Bookings: [email protected]

Mailing List: [email protected]

A warm and insightful conversation with Alma "newbie" and SA music legend John Ellis forms the basis of our second AlmaCast episode. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it! 

Listen & join us on our monthly "deep dive" into the guests and stories behind the renowned live music venue in the heart of Rosebank, Cape Town: The Alma Cafe.

The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast of Cape Town’s Premier Live Music Venue

Good Coffee, Good Food & Good Music!

The Alma Café: Live Music Venue

20 Alma Road, Rosebank, Cape Town

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063510402784

Instagram: the.alma.cafe

Show Bookings: [email protected]

Mailing List: [email protected]