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Think South African Music, and one of the first bands that comes to mind is Bittereinder. One of the few Afrikaans bands that has had their singles playlisted on national English radio stations like 5FM and 94.7. With catchy lyrics and cleverly matched colab’s most of us are familiar and fans of Bittereinder’s music.
We caught up with the band and spoke to them about their recent success, their upcoming tour to the Netherlands, party tricks and more.
Band Name meaning: A much-needed end to all the Saffer bitterness. Die-hard.
Years playing together: We’ve been jamming together in various projects since the late 90’s, but Bittereinder started in February 2009.
Band Members: Peach van Pletzen, Louis Minnaar and Jaco van der Merwe.
Band members instruments of choice: Drums, pens, cello’s, laptops, keyboards and guitars feature prominently.
Best gig played to date: Probably a tight contest between our first show ever – 25 Feb 2011 at Hotbox in Pretoria; our first Oppikoppi in August 2011; Lowlands festival in Netherlands 2011; or a pumping gig we played in Potch right between Kongos and VCK in 2012.
Sponsors: Noah Sunglasses and Redbat.
Being one of SA’s top bands at the moment and recently nominated for 4 MK Award as well as 2 SAMA. What would you attribute your recent success to?
In total we’ve been nominated for 8 awards, but only won one. Still sure you want to talk about success? Kidding. We know the nominations are also accolades. We work hard and each band member understands his role. We focus on the lyrical, musical and visual aspects of the band in more or less equal measure.
You are one of the few Afrikaans bands that have had their singles listed on nationwide English radio stations like 5fm. What would you say is different about your music that has made that possible?
We’re not quite sure. We think it helped a lot that we featured Shane Durrant on a song about the comic relationship between English and Afrikaans, and the song got playlisted like a month after Shane’s band, Desmond & the Tutu’s, had a number 1 song on 5FM. Timing and good-choice-of-colab was probably the difference. And Shane’s amazing rap skills, of course.
What Bittereinder single do you think will be the next to climb South African charts?
We’re currently pushing our second single from the new album, the title track DIE DINKDANSMASJIEN, which has already reached number 1 on TUKS FM.
You guys will be touring overseas in Netherlands next month. Tell us about the tour and what you looking forward to most?
Last time round the Dutch people were very open to Bittereinder’s approach, so we’re looking forward to meeting some old fans and hopefully making a few new ones.
Touring with Van Coke Kartel and Jack Parow, we can only imagine how out of hand the tour can get. How will you be preparing for this?
Meditation, rehab, medication, self-help books, yoga, listening habitually to Sting and/or The Police.
What would be your ultimate Festival / Bar/ Club to play at?
Guess it would differ for the three of us. We’ve already ticked that awesome venue Paradiso in Amsterdam off the list, played there in August 2011. I’d love to play somewhere rural in Iceland, like Sigur Ros.
What can Bittereinder fans look forward to from you guys during 2013?
Whole bunch of new videos currently brewing in Louis’ head. We shot a cool scene for Die Slagting in our recent mission to Mozambique.
How would you guys explain your friendship within the band?
Intense. Complex. Brilliant.
Do any of you have any rad party tricks? Explain?
Yes. We plug in our equipment and microphones and melt faces.
Any shout-outs?
Our publicist, Rachelle Crous, of course! All the insanely gifted musicians we’ve collaborated with. Our parents, who are awesome. Albert du Plessis, Riana Wiechers, Laurissa Vergottini and Anneke Villet who kickstarted our first album at Rhythm Records in 2010 and 2011.
Follow Bittereinder on Facebook and Twitter.
BITTEREINDER – Kwaad Naas feat. Shane Durrant – official music video
Photos by Louis Minnaar and Christo Jansen Niemandt
