South African folk punk band The Shabs discuss their new album, their latest music video and what’s next for the band
By Emily May
South African folk punk band The Shabs have been have been wowing audiences across South Africa and Europe over the past 6 years with their fun and energetic live show and songs that blend melodic, sing-along folk tunes with the raw energy and DIY ethos of punk rock. Counting artists such as Frank Turner, Erik Peterson and Against Me! as influences, they are known for their honest, raw and easy to release to lyrics. The band released their debut album “Folk Is Dead” in February of 2016 and have toured extensively throughout South Africa, performing at festivals such as Rocking The Daisies, Mieliepop and Park Acoustics, as well as 3 successful 6-week European tours that included Germany, the UK, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic and Belgium. The band also released a split album, Deja View, in 2018 with fellow South African band Rambling Bones, and released their second album Can You Hear Us At The Back this month. The band recently wrapped up their European tour in support of the album and are heading into their South African tour, with a series of album release shows and festival appearances planned! You can stay up-to-date with the band and all upcoming music and tour dates, as well as stream and purchase their music via the following links. Check out their video for “Can You Hear Us At The Back”, the title track from their new album, below.
Website- https://theshabs.com
Facebook- https://www.
Instagram- https://www.
Twitter- https://twitter.com/
Spotify- https://open.spotify.
iTunes/Apple Music- https://itunes.apple.
YouTube- https://www.youtube.
Bandcamp- https://theshabs.
Your new album Can You Hear Us At The Back was released this month. You worked with Simon Ratcliffe and his team at Sound and Motion Studios, which you’ve mentioned was a game changer for the band. What was the recording process like for the album and in what ways do you feel it’s been a game-changer?
The recording process was super intense but the most enjoyable one we’ve ever done as well. When you work with someone as experienced as Simon it really helps bring out the best from the band. I think the main thing that changed the game for us is that we managed to record the core of the album live which was always something we’ve wanted to do and that was really rad for us. It really helped capture a sense of energy and dynamics that we really wanted to deliver.
You also joined forces with the label Just Music for this release, which you said will move the band forward at an even faster pace. How did you come to join the Just Music label and how do you feel it will impact the trajectory of the band?
We reached out to the Just Music guys for some advice about what we could do with this release. As a team they really liked it and saw potential in adding it to their catalogue and one thing led to another. There are certain parts of the music business that we are either not good at or just don’t know anything about. It felt really natural to partner with Just and let them handle those aspects of our bands development. Within the first week we could tell that their strategy and ethic is totally in line with ours and we’re super excited about this relationship.
You released the vinyl version of the new album a week early. What led to that decision and what made you decide on yellow vinyl?
The pre-release was just to make a bit of noise around the upcoming digital release. The yellow vinyl with the green and purple was designed as a bit of a throwback to the 90’2/early 2000’s and fits the nostalgic theme of the album artwork.
You feature some special guest musicians on the new album. Did you have those specific musicians in mind going into the planning for the album or was that decision made later?
We had them all in mind when we went in to record the album. They are all friends of the band and musicians we really respect and admire.
What can you tell me about the making of your recent music video for “Can You Hear Us At The Back”, the title track for the album? What inspired the idea to use stickers of bands (mostly 90’s punk bands) that you love and that have inspired you over the years to showcase the lyrics?
The sticker idea came from the album artwork. Can You Hear us at the Back is the title track off the album so it made sense to keep that association. The sticker were designed by Ryan McArthur and the video was animated by Richard Bolland at Studio Bolland. Richard is an old and very close friend of ours and we had been talking about doing an animated video for a long time. We finally found the right time.
Along with The Shabs, you also have a solo project on the side and released your second solo album, Speak Your Mind, last year. Do you plan do write and release another solo album?
I always plan to write and release solo material in conjunction with my career with The Shabs. It’s important to have as many creative outlets as possible.
Having spent many years doing multiple tours across Europe and South Africa, both as a solo artists and with The Shabs, you’ve fully embraced the challenge and experience that comes with life on the road. What lessons do you feel you have learned over the years and how do you feel it has shaped you as a musician, as well as your perception of the industry as a whole?
I think there have been way too many lessons to put them all down here but a hard one we’ve learned is not to cut corners. Commit and do things properly. We also really feel like relationships are a very important
thing on the road. We have allies around the world who are very crucial to the success of The Shabs and we need to make sure they always enjoy working with us. Travelling as musician really does help make you a better musician. It’s also really cool to measure up against bands in a totally different scene. As far as the industry is concerned, we are still learning all the time how to navigate our way around it but the learning really helps.
How did you become involved with Sit The Folk Down and how do you feel that the organization/platform has helped the local music music scene in South Africa and other artists navigate their way through the industry? Did you consciously set out to involve yourself in the business side of the industry or was it necessary to learn over the years as a way to advance your own career as a musician?
Sit the Folk Down started as an idea to provide more venue options for acoustic musicians and people who want to watch music in intimate environments. Over the years it has become a small but fully-fledged business offering all sorts of services to help and develop the local music industry in SA. It was a very conscious decision. I’ve always been passionate about the business part of the industry and always want to end up in it. STFD and performing go hand-in-hand really. I learn so much doing both that I can apply to other one.
You just wrapped up your current European tour to promote the new album. What were some tour highlights? What led you guys to post a daily car selfie while on tour?
Tour highlights were amazing shows in Berlin, Prague, Bern and Pilsen. Not breaking down for the first time ever was a big one as well haha. The car selfie thing was an idea we had to engage with our fans on a daily basis and give them a sense of what we’re up to. It was a lot more boring that we thought it would be though. Next time we’ll figure out a more entertaining daily update.
You will be heading home to South Africa to do a series of album release shows in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well as a few festival performances. What can people expect from the album release shows? Do you have anything special planned?
I hope that we’re tight after this run of shows in Europe. We think our set is put together quite well and even though there is a big emphasis on the new material, we also have a healthy dose of favourites off our previous 2 releases. We’re really amped to get back to SA and play some shows around our home country.
What else is coming up for The Shabs? What’s next for the band?
We’ve got 2 or 3 more videos coming out over the next few months plus shows in the UK. If all goes according to plan we’ll be heading back to EU for some more shows before the end of the year. Keep an eye on our FB and Instagram to find out everything you need to know.
