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Filming, editing and music selection: Jurgen Otto

Matthew Silver

Matthew Silver

Matthew Silver

Words by Alice Paulse

Q: So, what went down in that hotel room?
A: 3, 2, 1… Here’s what:

So on your blog, it says that you, Erik, came to South Africa recently to go mango-picking…
Erik: Well, I came to Cape Town for Jose Gonzalez but I didn’t pick my mangos until I got to Joburg…

Is that the reason you decided to come down here to perform?
Erik: Well actually I’ve been here many times, and we played here before… there’s a fresh source of good music and interesting things we found on YouTube from South Africa. So we’ve been very interested in South Africa for a very long time.

Brilliant! How long have you been in Cape Town now, a day or so? We hear you had a surprise performance last night at Fiction. How did that go?
Yukimi: Yeah we got here yesterday! The guys booked their own show. They wanted to DJ…
Erik: We were at Royale – that burger place – and somebody slipped up and told! We were looking for a place to DJ… so five minutes later we were in there playing a set.

You were saying that you were working with Jose Gonzalez, what else have you been into in terms of the music scene in Cape Town?
Yukimi: We want to discover more. The only ones we know about really are the ones we found searching on YouTube. Honestly yesterday, we went into a music shop and we were like “woah!” There were rows and rows of music, and we didn’t know what was good and what’s not; someone introduce us to the fresh new thing! We’re curious. We’ve been influenced by a lot of the South African house music, checking out stuff online, amazing dancers… Stuff’s mind-blowing! We want more.

Do you know about kwaito?
Erik: Yeah we do actually!
As such an original local beat, has that inspired your styles at all? It seems to be a rhythm that everybody understands…
Yukimi: Yeah, it has that repetitive vibe, where it’s not like you’re waiting for the hook, or waiting for anything really. In the end, you can just get lost in it and dance your life away to one beat.
Arild: I like kwaito because it’s not as dark as European house music, it has an uplifting feeling. You can get pumped up and happy on it.
Erik: We love that song ‘Jezebel’. Proffessor? Oskido? That’s a hit.

So what did you grow up listening to? You’ve been together since you were high-schoolers, what brought you guys together and inspired you to form the band?
Yukimi: Hip-hop! Lots of hip-hop.
Erik: We still do. Yukimi wasn’t a good rapper…
Yukimi: I’m still not, but I’m better!
Erik: No she’s not! …But we were all so driven and passionate, we all went to music school and we were very outside-of-the-box people. We didn’t fit in but we were striving for something new. We were very into jazz at school, and when you study music you either do classical or jazz… but we loved hip hop and soul and synth music, so we slipped slowly but easily out of that “school” vibe.

How important is it then, for a modern band to have a musically educated background? How much importance do you put on your background?
Yukimi: It’s not important to me at all. I really feel that anyone who is curious and wants to learn themselves, will learn by copying stuff for example, or listening to music and if you have the ear for it you will pick up the technique anyway. School allowed us to find each other, and it gave us time together. From a very young age I was determined; all I wanted was to do music… This is who I am. There was no one in my class who had that feeling about what they loved to do before I met these guys… no-one could relate. This connection is why we’re still together now. Music is who we all are.

Arild: Sometimes I feel that with music school, learning certain things like scales and theory holds me back in a way, because it doesn’t feel natural. I could never have come up with certain things based on music school alone. The more you learn, the more you have to break those boundaries, and with less boundaries music has a different twist to it.

I admire people who create beautiful melodies without that musical background.

Yukimi: I love classical music, and obviously that comes with a bunch of rules. I respect that, but as an individual I think the best teacher will not tell you how to do what you do, which is a tricky thing to be… like use your breath this way or not close your eyes too much, or something like that. The best teacher will tell you to be yourself and embrace that self.

And with so many different collaborations you’ve been part of, like the new song with Big Boi, and Raphael Saadiq, SBTRKT and Gorillaz for instance. How do you keep the music your own without losing the Little Dragon essence?
Yukimi: It’s hard, because we are who we are and we never really think too hard about what we’re doing. We don’t have a conference and decide beforehand. We just go with it, and it always just comes out sounding like us. WE love to challenge ourselves, and it is trying not to repeat yourself all the time, and to just surprise people and surprise ourselves really.
Erik: It’s getting easier. The more people appreciate who we are as we are, we don’t have to worry about breaking rules. We do what we like; we’ve made it so far and worked so hard.

We’re in a period where we’re going from one label to the next, and it’s the confidence in ourselves that drives our music.

There were a lot of question marks when we first started…
Yukimi: Yeah, like “are we going to do radio songs or not?” “What genre are you on now?” etc. And we tried to, but when we did it, we brought the track in and it was crap! But now, we’re more confident in our sound and if the radio wants us, they come to us;

we don’t compromise our sound for radio play.

When you’re in studio not thinking, it sounds better and the appreciation of that helps.

Speaking of appreciation then, you have a Little Dragon documentary in the works. Is that a milestone of where you guys have gotten thus far or is it more showing appreciation for your fans?
Yukimi: Yes, we do. But we’re not sure where that’s going to go yet. We’ve had so many fans from the artistic communities, doing covers of our songs and things. And we want to use it as a way to accumulate more support. There’s a link on the website where fans can send in their submissions too. We want it to be something artistic and special.

Do you have any advice for young South Africans who want to go the creative route?
Yukimi: We’ve seen so much on YouTube… We do realise that South Africa is different from Sweden in that you can get free music lesson if you want there, and it’s not as easy as that for everyone here because of the gap between the rich and the poor. Just get involved in terms of doing the YouTube thing; I found these amazing dancers getting down in their back yard from South Africa –

so get your Twitter on and reach out to people because people want to see it, and it needs to be seen.

Little Dragon are set to perform on Friday August 31st, at The Old biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town, and again the following day at MOAD in the Maboneng Precinct in Johannesburg. To find out more about the shows, click here.

Image: © Complex Corp. c/o of Sony Pictures Classics, Inc.

During the infamous ‘Summer of ’94’, downtown Manhattan witnessed Supreme’s flagship store opening its doors. Lafayette Street saw its pavements littered with artists, skaters and punks; a crew that subsequently still happen to be the brand’s biggest followers. Fast-forward eight or so years and the label has worked with some of the most innovative photographers, designers, musicians and artists globally. Enter Daniel Johnston.

Born in 1961 Sacramento, California, Johnston spent a lot of his childhood drawing, before taking up music and listening to the sounds of Bob Dylan, David Bromberg, Neil Young, the Sex Pistols and especially The Beatles. As a teen, Daniel and his friends would record their own tapes and tastefully trade them amongst each other. ‘Songs of Pain’ and ‘More Songs of Pain’ were filled with his anguish for Laurie – his long-time crush who eventually married an undertaker. Johnston is well known for his music compositions featured on films as Kids and Where The Wild Things Are.

Image: supremenewyork.com

Image: © Complex Corp. c/o of Sony Pictures Classics, Inc.

Artistically, Johnston’s sketches are overwhelmingly-abundant symbolized drawings, which remain impish. Johnston suffers from manic depression (Bipolar Disorder) and Schizophrenia; albeit manifesting itself in demonic obsession – Johnston continues to create art and music, becomming an icon of strength and inspiration for many.

I believe in God, and I certainly believe in the devil. There’s certainly a devil, and he knows my name.

© Daniel Johnston

© Daniel Johnston

© Daniel Johnston

Several months prior to his death Kurt Cobain was numerously pictured wearing a t-shirt with one of Johnston’s illustrations, who on the other end was being institutionalized fully unaware of the publicity he was receiving. In 2005 Director Jeff Feuerzeig went out and shot a documentary titled The Devil and Daniel Johnston which showcases with sincere respect the many faces of Daniel Johnston. The documentary went on to win the Documentary Directing Award at the Sundance Film Festival of that year.

Johnston has maintained an admirable plethora of work which continues to inspire and move people, gaining fans wherever he treads. After surviving several mental institutions, Johnston still regularly performs gigs, opting to stay at home and focus on his art. His once turbulent lifestyle has been traded for one of more stability, at least for the moment. A collaboration between Supreme and Johnston should undoubtedly intrigue the counterculture of both today and yesterday. Here’s to still fighting those demons.

 

 

Image: Kevin Mazur

Words: Kurt Mullins

Sources: hihowareyou.com; supremenewyork.com; youtube.com

images: © Complex Corp. c/o of Sony Pictures Classics, Inc.; © Daniel Johnston

Filmography : The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)

image: vigilantcitizen.com

Kony 2012 is a film and campaign by Invisible Children that aims to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest and set a precedent for international justice.’ This is the description under the Kony 2012 YouTube video, which has received more than 75 000 000 views in only a few days after it was made public. Jean-Paul takes a look at Kony 2012, questioning you to ask ‘Is Kony the world’s worst war criminal or more a media sensation?’

Until just recently most of us had not even heard of Joseph Kony, but now his misdeeds are amongst the choicest of topics. His rise to fame, or rather infamy, through the use of social media networks, has been so rapid and has sparked so many comments, that if you googled ‘Kony’ today you would have a hard time sifting the facts from opinion and conjecture. Everybody has something to say, and with so much chatter it is easy for the voices of those who are properly informed to get drowned out. The following article takes a look at the big picture and attempts to sort the facts from the chaff.

Kony 2012 is the name of a campaign and film that is being run by media-based charity group Invisible Children. Headed by Jason Russel, the non-profit organization released its film, Kony 2012, on 5 March. With its high-gloss pathos it quickly spread through Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube until every university student with a laptop or smartphone knew of the Kony 2012 cause. It looked like Kony 2012 was going to be an overnight success, but then Invisible Children came under scrutiny and some awkward questions were posed. Investigations revealed that some of their information had been misleading and that, after spending, only 30% of donations reached the people they were intended for. Soon there were hundreds of Kony videos on YouTube, some of which were posted by conspiracy theorists who sought to refute the claims made by Invisible Children in order to bolster their own sensationalistic speculations.

On the Kony 2012 website, Invisible Children has stated that Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group which started in Uganda but now operates in South Sudan and the Democratic republic of Congo. It also stated that he has abducted 30 000 children and has displaced over two million people. It accuses the LRA of murder, rape, and the forced enlistment of children as soldiers. These facts have been confirmed by the African correspondents of several media networks. Invisible Children has also, however, claimed that Joseph Kony is the world’s worst war criminal. Since he is but one of many modern despots and Invisible Children’s claim is pure opinion, it can never be proven or refuted that he is the most terrible of all tyrants.

"Kony 2012" Video

Kony commentators now run the gamut from talk show hosts to political science students and from the rather ignorant to the well-informed. Even hactivist group, Anonymous, has taken a stance and has stated that, even though it stands by Invisible Children in their attempt to bring down Kony, it is suspicious of Invisible Children’s motives. Most of the criticism aimed at Invisible Children concerns its budget, transparency, and release of misinformation. Last year the organization spent $8 676 614, of which only 32% reached the people on the group. The rest was spent on staff, awareness, and filmmaking. They were also never subjected to external auditing which, with their poor budget plan, gets them only 2/4 stars with Charity Navigator, a charity evaluator.

Though this might cause dissatisfaction with supporters who have made donations, what irks me is their support for the Ugandan Army and how they have tried to portray themselves as purveyors of freedom and justice. On Kony 2012 posters and on Invisible Children’s website, the organization has referred to itself as the rescuers of Uganda. Also on their website is a photo of the founders of Invisible Children posing with weapons and soldiers belonging to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Both the Sudan People’s Liberation Army and the Ugandan Army have been accused of atrocities similar to those perpetrated by Kony and his forces. Invisible Children has stated their support for the Ugandan Army, which, in light of their goals, seems a little hypocritical. Still, I don’t believe that Invisible Children is funding a new terror campaign by the Ugandan Army.

image: communities.washingtontimes.com

While most observers and commentators take a relatively objective view of Kony 2012 and try to see both the good and bad in the campaign, there are also those who swing to one of the two extremes, though there are obviously more who choose to attack Invisible Children and its efforts. I have seen more than one YouTube video in which a self-proclaimed expert on African affairs claims that Kony 2012 is a scam or conspiracy aimed at ensuring U.S military intervention, involvement that would ensure access to Uganda’s oilfields. These individuals have said that Invisible Children claimed that Joseph Kony was still active in Uganda. Invisible Children said no such thing but stated that his forces are in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, which, according to people on the ground, they are. One conspiracy theorist also claimed, with much authority and derision, that Kony has not been a threat for six years, even though experts think otherwise. What really alarms me is how public media, such as YouTube, allow such uniformed people to make their opinions known to so many people so easily.

This guy gives quite a ‘hearty’ opinion, one which is against Kony 2012 and sees it as pro-propaganda. Check it out…

Let me state the facts as reported by those in the know. Jose Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. He has abducted 30 000 children and displaced over two million people in the last 26 years. He started the LRA in Uganda over six years ago but then moved his forces into what is now South Sudan and The Democratic Republic of Congo where he continues to spread terror. Invisible Children has been working on public support for the cause for nine years, and, in October 2011, Obama dispatched 100 troops to the region to help in the hunt for Kony. The search is still going on and there is currently no sign that the US task force is going to leave soon. It has also been reported that the threat of the LRA is lower than previo.ly perceived and that it probably only numbers in the hundreds. The LRA is only one of many problems in Central Africa and the war situation is more complex than Invisible Children makes it appear to be. Ugandans, especially, show astonishment at the attention that has been drawn to Joseph Kony, and cite the number of other problems afflicting the area.

image: communities.washingtontimes.com

Malaria, sleeping sickness, and HIV, have all killed more people than any African despot. Though less horrifying to all except those who deal with them, the pain they cause their victims is longer lasting and no-less acute. Disease, however, is not nearly as sensational as pangas and child soldiers, and will likely never see the kind of publicity that Kony has been granted. If viewers only want wars, Africa offers quite a menu. The continent has not seen peace since before the arrival of King Leopold II in the Congo. Some of the more newsworthy atrocities include Idi Amin’s massacres, the ’94 Rwandan genocide, the blood diamond-driven civil war in Sierre Leone, the oil-fueled conflict in Sudan, Apartheid, and the arms deals that followed the end of the Cold War, an exchange in which shiploads of arms were dumped on a continent whose warlords were just waiting for something that more reach than a big knife. Today they are still wars in 24 African countries including Angola, Chad, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Nigeria, and Sudan. For more information see www.warsintheworld.com.

Still, people grow tired even of war. First the bloody scenes make the highlights. Depending on the public’s perceived interest level the story may be followed closely for a few weeks or even a few months, but, after that and as public interest wanes, it is given progressively less coverage until, finally, it is resigned to the African section, where it gets only an occasional mention. When images of the conflict in Dafur first reached the international community, we rallied together to bring an end to the fighting and suffering. People were fervent and optimistic, but like most African wars it was complicated, messy and drawn out. After several months people started losing interest and the media networks reacted by giving it less coverage. Several years later and even though it is no longer a full-out war, the conflict continues, but the once constant media coverage does not. Efforts were not in vain and much has changed, but things in the two countries are far from ideal. Problems like that in North and South Sudan require constant support even after we consider the issue to have lost its appeal. My question is what will we do once the Kony phenomenon blows over? Are we going to give ourselves a pat on the back once he has been brought to justice and leave it at that, or are we going to take a broader view of Africa and the problems that it faces?

"Kony 2012" Video

My suggestion is this: If you want to help, do so in one of the following ways. History has taught us that a country’s natural resources can be both a boon and its greatest source of misery. In those conflicts where natural resources such as blood diamonds and oil are at stake, pressure needs to be put on policy makers to make decisions that put the people in those countries first. Then it must be accepted that even after the right decisions are made, they are not always easy to implement. Wars in Africa spill across borders, and, on a continent as poor and desperate as Africa, violence and lawlessness easily become a way of life. If people want to make donations they should first do some research before giving money to a charity. Charity Navigator can help in identifying those charities that are making the biggest difference.

Kony parody from The Juice Media:

Invisible Children has raised awareness that is unprecedented, and in doing so has given us a model for future awareness campaigns, but the awareness of millions of college students, well intended as they are, is no longer going to make a significant difference in the campaign to bring down Kony. They were implemental in getting U.S forces into Uganda, and should be commended for doing so, but there is not much more they can do now. I argue that it would be better if they turn their attention to the hundreds of other causes in Africa. Not all of Africa’s problems exist in war zones, and it is quite possible to spend a few months to a year lending a hand to the charity workers who work tirelessly even after the cameras have been trained on other issues. There are many volunteer programs for those who want to give hands-on help, but, like charity organizations, some are better than others so do some research. People I know who have done this and have had a positive experience say that it was one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences of their lives.

"Kony 2012" Video

Lastly I ask that you question your sources. Be wary of a non-profit organization that puts itself on a pedestal. Charity and self-glorification are mutually self-exclusive. Social media networks are also not the place to get hard news. For informed opinions consult the experts. Every major media network has a foreign correspondent in Africa. Practice close reading. Invisible Children never intended to mislead people. It stated that Joseph Kony started the LRA in Uganda but moved his operations to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo six years ago. Some viewers only heard ‘Uganda’ and, without checking their facts, simply assumed that Invisible Children was trying to mislead them.

If there is anything we can learn from the Kony 2012 experiment it is the power of social media networks. The people that use these media to express their views need to start assuming responsibility and should do some careful research before making their opinions known to millions of viewers whose power of judgment might not equip them to make qualified decisions. I am not talking about Invisible Children, but the individuals who posted YouTube videos claiming that their country was going to use it as an excuse to invade Uganda and steal its oil. Such alarmists need to do their homework. Oil was discovered prior to 2009 and, since the 100-strong task force that Obama sent did not include any engineers, the U.S government hasn’t shown much interest in the country’s oil.

"Kony 2012" Video

Relevant links:

Invisible Children

Kony 2012

words: Jean Paul de Villiers

images: vigilantcitizen.com, cnn.com, chinasmack.com, communities.washingtontimes.com
video source: YouTube