Shotgun Story

"It's not just about the money, it about a sense of self-worth"

Andre Le Roux is the Managing Director of IKS Cultural Consulting, head of the Concerts SA Project, on the board of the Market Theatre Foundation and the Audit and Risk Committee of Music in Africa, as well as the Southern African Focal Point for the African Culture Fund.

He is considered a highly regarded African cultural activist, and this week on the podcast we're talking about funding opportunities for musicians!

In this episode: what's been lost in the sector over the last two years, the Concerts SA Digital Mobility Fund (and best practices!), how the act of applying for funding can get 'some people out of that dark place of being alone', sharing information with other artists, unlocking the nighttime economy in our cities, and the importance of visionary leadership.

This should be required listening for any independent artist invested in their careers.

To find out more about funding opportunities, head to the Facebook link below. To get in touch directly with regards to the Digital Mobility Fund, email [email protected].

For general questions, email [email protected]

Outro music: Supa Tsela by Kgomotso Le Roux featuring DJ Clap.

Music used with permission from rights holders. IKS Cultural Consulting on Facebook · Please complete the streaming models survey · Connect with Andre · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"If you have kids, love them, have fun with them, and show them all of you."

Welcome to Episode #10 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from the Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Justin Sasman is a musical contractor, a brass player, and an educator at Northwest University in Potchefstroom. He plays in a band called Bombshelter Beast, and in the local orchestra. He's also a dad.

In this episode Justin talks about being selective about the work you take on, the self-esteem that comes from doing what you love (despite what anybody else thinks), remembering what is feels like to be a child, and how developing your craft makes you a better parent.

We also chat about how child-friendly venues could better support musicians who are parents, the importance of maintaining a sense of child-like wonder, and the perspective shift that comes with having kids (hint: all the things we think are important, aren't!)

Outro music: 'Taka Takata' by Bombshelter Beast.

Music used with permission from rights holders. Bombshelter Beast on Facebook · Brass Collective on Facebook · The Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra on Facebook · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"This industry is unstable unless you have your feet firmly on the ground."

Welcome to Episode #9 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from the Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Mama Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a musician, a philanthropist, and a lover of life. She's also a mother.

In this episode Yvonne talks about being a mom at 19, signing to a label, recording an album and becoming an overnight success. She talks about children as a gift from God, bringing her son on tour (and the artists who look after each-others kids backstage), being present as a mother and the importance of front-liner artists paying decent salaries to those behind the scenes.

What an incredible honour it was to have this conversation.

Outro music: 'Kulila' by Yvonne Chaka Chaka.

Music used with permission from rights holder. Mama Yvonne on Facebook · Mama Yvonne on Instagram · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"Just brace yourself. It’s hard but it’s also beautiful."

Welcome to Episode #8 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from the Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Mapumba is a singer/songwriter and a guitarist who's into music, sound and life. He's based in Cape Town, and he's also a dad.

In today's episode Mapumba talks about the differences between raising a teen vs. a young child, how his refugee background taught him the value of giving your children a sense of security, the emotional support systems required for artists, how your wealth is the love that you put into your creative practice (that's the only thing you have any control over!), and being prepared to take whatever comes with being a parent.

Outro music: Mountains by Mapumba

Music used with permission from the rIghts holder. Mapumba on Instagram · Mapumba on Bandcamp · Mapumba on Spotify · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"I didn’t know my own strength until having a child."

Welcome to Episode #7 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from the Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Tamara Dey is a creator, a manifestor, a mother, an entertainer, and a magic-maker.

In this episode Tamara talks about being a ‘crazy, silly, embarrassing music fan’, finding spaces where all the aspects of you come into play, ageism in the music industry, disco therapy, and bringing a child into the world on your own.

We also chat about how having kids shows you what you’re made of, the stigmas attached to having a baby when you’re a musician, making bold choices, importance of self-care and teaching your children that you CAN make money doing something you love.

Outro track: ‘Fire’ by Tamara Dey ft. Craig Massiv.

Music used with permission from rights holders. Tamara Dey on Instagram · Tamara Dey on Twitter · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"Rather embrace parenthood AND your status as a musician and creator."

Hagen Engler is a word artist, a singer, a guitarist, a spoken word performer, a writer, the author of a book called The Trustees, frontman for a band called The Feel So Strongs. He's also known as Inspector Ras. And he's a dad.

In this episode we talk about co-parenting (and finding practical ways to make it work), leaving a lasting legacy, stressful experiences as fuel for creative material (and relaxing as a form of self-love!), understanding your own work through fresh eyes, the importance of prolonging a musicians career and the rich, nuanced art that comes with age.

He also talks about being an extra in his daughter's TikTok videos, band dynamics like a five-way marriage, the skill of aging, and living intentionally.

Outro music: 'Glimmer of Light' by the Jedi Rollers.

Used with permission from rights holders. Hagen Engler on Twitter · The Feel So Strongs on Facebook · Hagen's Blog · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"If you want a family, just do it!"

Welcome to Episode #5 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Jennifer Eaves is a songwriter, an artist, a poet, a painter, a pianist, a teacher, a singer, a guitarist, and one of the composers of a band called Jenny and the Jameses. She's also a mom.

In this episode we talk about being a full-time musician when you're also a single mum, recording an album after everybody has gone to bed, helping your children develop a sense of appreciation for the arts, and the beauty of how the folk music community rally behind each other.

Outro music: 'Old Days' by Jennifer Eaves.

Music used with permission from rights holders. Jennifer's website · Jenny on Instagram · Jenny & the Jameses on Facebook · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"You're walking around with your heart walking around next to you."

Welcome to Episode #4 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Zolani Mahola’s mandate is to have fun and to play in this next incarnation in her life. She's a singer, a storyteller, an actress, an artist and a mum. She's also The One Who Sings.

In this episode, Zolani talks about the creativity that comes from the vulnerability of parenting, dreams that include bringing children on tour, the necessity for 'tag team' parenting when both parents work in the creative industries, the advocacy that we can do for ourselves as artists, and the importance of doing things that bring you closer to yourself.

Outro music: 'Lullaby for Zen' by The One Who Sings.

Music used with permission from rights holder. Zolani's website · Zolani on Instagram · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"You're a migrant labourer that goes into the sky, not into the ground."

Welcome to Episode #3 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut. Guest: Siyabonga Mthembu (The Brother Moves On)

Siyabonga Mthembu is a performance artist, a curator, the vocalist from The Brother Moves On, and the first returning guest on our show. He's also a dad.

In this episode we talk about what it means to be a parent when you're on tour internationally for 30/40 days at a time. Siya talks about exposing your children to the arts (but not putting them on tv!), about kids writing catchy songs, having a village to raise them, being a safe place, and getting older. He also talks about the importance of knowing what KIND of artist you are, and he poses some incredibly important questions to South African artists.

Outro music: 'Elders' by The Brother Moves On.

Music used with permission from rights holders. Siyabonga Mthembu on Instagram · The Brother Moves On on Instagram · Siyabonga Mthembu on Twitter. · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist

"You don't have to give up everything."

Welcome to Episode #2 in a 10-part series on "Parents in the Music Industry" - made possible with funding support from Music in Africa Foundation, the German Federal Foreign Office, Siemens Stiftung and Goethe-Institut.

Guest: Shane Durrant (Desmond and the Tutus)

Shane Durrant is a musician, a songwriter, a creative director, and a dad. He's also the frontman of the band Desmond and the Tutus.

Tune in to this episode to listen to a delightful conversation about whether (or not) you HAVE to give up your career in a rock band when you become a parent (and how being the primary caregiver could impact that choice). We also chat about MySpace and the (crazy cool) opportunities it manifested, 15 years of being in a band, how having kids can change the creative process, the value of culture and music and how financial support for artists is an investment.

Outro music: 'Ladybug' by Desmond and the Tutus.

Music used with permission from rights holders. Desmond and the Tutus on Instagram · Desmond and the Tutus on Facebook · Desmond and the Tutus on Twitter · Music in Africa Foundation · Siemens Stiftung · Goethe-Institut · German Federal Foreign Office · website · Facebook · Twitter · insta · Spotify Playlist