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CONTENTS 5 ED’S NOTE
6 HOW TO Make Cannabutter 8 MISS INFORMATION
The War on Consciousness Part2 - The Call to cut interest
12 ASK ANNABELLE
Lagony Aunt
16 THE SIGHT OF THINGS
Philosophy meets Hip Hop
22 NEW YEAR’S RE-SOLUTIONS
42
86
Ditch your resolutions, stick to these...
28 SCOTT “KARTOON” MC FADDEN
Featured photographer
40 DRIVE MY CAR
Like the King
18 ELECTRIC GUITARS
Featured instrument
66 SATANIC DAGGA ORGY
80
56
Remember them??
70 HIGH COURT
What did the law say about Mary Jane?
72 ARTISTS’ OPINION...
Should marijuana be legalised in SA?
What is
Editor
Yolande Gypsychild - Editing, Design, Concept, Layout, Web design,
Content Strategy, Advertising, Marketing, PR Y lucid.lanz@gmail.com
Team
Christelle Scheepers - Sub-Editor, Art, Across the bar Y christellescheepers@ymail.com Kamal Kweku Yakubu - The Sight of Things Y kymals@hotmail.com Nicole Nel - Miss Information
Cover
Dean Fuel Photographer: Matt Geeling
Advertise
To advertise or request our rate card, email info@digitalsoulmag.co.za
DIGITAL SOUL Artistic Passion is our Inspiration. DIGITAL SOUL showcases an eclectic appreciation of the Creative Arts.
?
DS recognises the Artist’s potential to define an entire generation with a single piece of work... Therefore we provide our artists; designers, animators, producers, dancers, DJ’s, photographers, musos and free-thinkers with a virtual platform to stand up and say: “Shut up and Listen!”
connect
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EDITOR’S NOTE
2016
is the year Welcome to it! Irrespective of how you spent the last seconds of 2015 , all superstitions aside, I encourage you to to take control of your thoughts, take control of your life, find yourself empowered and find yourself the Master of your Universe!
I would also like to introduce you all to Annabelle - our v ery own Agony Aunt who is eager to answer all your questions and assist with your dilemmas that this new year may bring.
As you will see on page 22, I urge you to avoid the self-loathing and disappointment DS kicks off the new year with this “Marijuana and forget about any of those ridiculous new issue”, featuring the ever so talented, years resolutions you may have lay down evgorgeous Dean Fuel on our cover. We show rather opt for my list of re-solutions! you how to make cannabutter - the base ingredient for cooking with marijuana, take a My wish for you all in 2016 is only true love, look at the history of hemp and revisit several pure joy, the ability to appreciate the small artists previously featured in our pages by things and not sweat the trivial... asking them to share their thoughts and feelings on the legalisation of Mary Jane. Peace. Love and Beautiful experiences...
Yolande
How to make
CANNABUTTER Cooking time: 60mins Servings: 1/2 cup cannabut-
For more recipes or how to use your cannabutter, visit http://www.thestonerscookbook.com/
MISS INFORMATION
THE WAR ON CONSCIOUSNESS - PART 2
The
call to cut interest:
The Global Economic system; Their declaration called for a restructuring of the global economic system to remove the rigged, built in, subservience of developing countries to the industrialised world. It also demanded a resolution to the debt crisis which was swamping these countries in hunger and disease. The United Nations did nothing. Is the global money system a controlled form of further suppression on our freedom? Was the recent recession a natural flow in the economic cycle? I wish to challenge the limitations of our freedom. I believe that true freedom is limitless otherwise it is not real freedom. The commercial bankers are our true enemy and the concentration of their power is incredible.
contract of collateral, giving the bank permission to repossess actual possessions of monetary value. These belongings are your house and your car; credit is but ‘nothing’ and you have given, with full consent, permission to take ‘something’ and add it to their mountain of wealth.
How do we enter a state of recession? People The truth behind the global economic system don’t just stop needing work and needing food will never be taught in schools or universities; it or needing money? What could possibly collapse is never discussed or truthfully publicised. When and starve millions in this world of plenty? I’ll asked about the details and their decisions in explain how; The Commercial banking system: it trade sanctions, those who know the truth just is controlled and manipulated by a very elite few. shy away. The credit system is just another form Should any of these elites’ have the itch to cause of conditioning, but you will never hear this from an economic catastrophe, they certainly yield the people involved. enough power to do so and they have. There was The “War on drugs” (The War on Consciousness a ‘great depression’, a complete economic collapse Part 1 in DS December 2015) proved that there which starved millions of people, women and always seems to be money available to fight a war. children died, leaving men and women without Which of course there always will be, because work and homes. the bankers who control the world economic This recession left one man in absolute awe: system want those wars! Why would they want Robert H. Hemphill, a credit manager at the people well-housed with full bellies and a proper Federal Reserve Bank in Atlanta, said: education? They would be much harder to control. “This is a staggering thought. We are completely The whole house of cards, and the control of the dependent on the commercial banks. Someone human race, is based on the charging of interest has to borrow every dollar we have in circulation, on money. cash or credit. If the banks create ample synthetic To understand any of this, I must quickly revert money we are prosperous, if not, we starve. back to the beginning of your world economics We are absolutely without a permanent money lessons. The banks are given authority to ‘create’ system. When one gets a complete grasp of money. Money ‘created’ for a loan is called credit. the picture, the tragic absurdity of our hopeless Credit is the clever manipulation and debt creating position is almost incredible, but there it is. It is sickness which is crippling the world as we speak. the most important subject intelligent persons can investigate and reflect upon. It is so important The money has no actual value until you agree to that our present civilisation may collapse, unless pay it back, with interest of-course and you sign a
it becomes widely understood and the defects are remedied very soon.” In South Africa: we have just recently ‘worked’ our way out of a recession. Thousands were retrenched and even more were struggling to find work. The hard years that followed are still being felt all over and it appals me. The by-products of this national catastrophe were in truth, completely unnecessary, why? A recession is caused by the banks withdrawing money from circulation; by refusing loans; people were simply unable to buy food because money was artificially taken out of circulation. The subject of interest is crucial. There is nothing wrong with money, unless it is used only as a measure of exchange for goods and services. It is when you can charge interest on money, most of which doesn’t physically exist, that enormous dangers arise. You can then make more money from manipulating pieces of paper and electronic numbers than you can from producing essential goods and services for people who need them. With the charging of interest, the money chases those who already have money and ignores those who have not. Social and financial divisions in the world are caused by the charging of interest on money. Often it is not the cost of a house that prevents people from buying a home; it is because we have to buy three or four for the right to live in one! Nothing would improve the lives of people quicker than bringing an end to the charging of interest on money and for governments to print their own money, interest free, or to make the banks pay interest to the government. President Abraham Lincoln began to do this with his so called ‘greenbacks’. He was assassinated soon afterwards… Production is geared to greed, not need, and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
HOPEFUL HIPSTER Dear Annabelle, I am a 20 year old guy from Pretoria and a student at TUKS. As you know it is very fashionable these days to be a “Hipster”. I got the shoes, the slacks, socks, suspenders and hat, I even have the slang down. problem is: I don’t have any facial hair! I cannot grow a beard or moustache! What could be the cause of this and how can I resolve it? Hennie
Dearest Hennie, As soon as you have e reallised that you do not need to fit into any category, you will realise: WOW! You are a man! Once you hit your (obviously) delayed puberty and start sprouting pubic and facial hair. Simply shave over and over that area daily and before you know it, you may regret it.
GAP YEAR - GAP HERE Annabelle, I just matriculated and have decided to take a gap year. I plan on following a band, like Van Coke Kartel across the country. Do you have any advice to a future roadie? Sexy Samantha Slutty Samantha, 1. We weren’t being serious when we said “Support local music, sleep with a musician” 2. Aren’t all those guys married? 3. Never take a gap year if you plan on studying - I am 29 and still on my gap year 4. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY: If you decide to “fok voort” as our Afrikaans counterparts would say - please - BIRTH CONTROL AND CONDOMS ARE ESSENTIAL!!
SEXY EX-IE Stacy, My boyfriend has naked pictures of his ex on his computer, am I allowed to be upset? Stacy
Does he still have contact with his ex? If yes, you have reason to be upset, if no, delete them. But first, send them to us and we'll be able to give you more insight.
Letter of the month: BITCHES BE CRAZY! Dear Anna, Our group of friends has evolved over the past 10 years through school friends, work colleagues, marriage and so on. One of my oldest friends from school does not quite gel with another woman in the group who I introduced. They both like to be the center of attention and are probably more alike than they would be happy to accept. Both like to be dramatic and outrageous but it’s getting boring watching the one-upmanship and back-biting. My oldest friend blames me for introducing her rival. The problem is that we’re all booked for a weekend away over the holidays but I am getting really anxious about keeping the peace. I initially tried to keep the outing quiet, but they have both invited themselves. How can you tell someone that they’re a liability? It’s making me nervous. What should I do? Taryn Taryn, Accept people for who they are Why would you be concerned about two chicks getting into a bitch fight? If two women don’t get along, remove yourself from the situation and let them sort it out. As you have alpha males, you have alpha females. Stand back and let them fight or bark it out. if they still can’t come to a compromise then it is between those two and not between your entire group of friends, if an entire group of friends hang in the balance because of two women, how many men are there in that group?
Submit your questions to: Digitalsoulsa@gmail.com Subject line - Dear Annabelle
FOKN Bois - Three Misters- www.foknbois.
the
The Nonce ‘Mix Tapes’ | 1993 - tumblr.com
WORDS BY KAMAL KWEKU YAKUBU
sight things of
Rerun
Is there philosophy in hip-hop?
Chords - Into the night (Looped state of mind) - youtube
Dedication
... Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win. The world looks for greatness but lies in sin. A contradiction from the very top. You want to live a life of happiness but you are still friends with that which keeps you away from self… What does the line you walk down represent? The time that’s gone? Or the time that’s well spent? The time that is lost, you spent most of that bent. And you won’t get shit back… You need to listen up and grab a hold of yourself because I don’t know anyone who knows themselves, many are living from day one, to day two with a mentality that is twisted as such. The NONCE, 1998 The title of this feature, taken from a rap song of “The NONCE”, is an example of the juice of nourishment and the sun of hope which I have found in many Hip Hop songs over the years.
Hip Hop is a culture with many different elements, it all depends on ‘your sight of things’. In the same way, the life you live and the experiences you have, also depend on your sight of things. The American philosopher, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), is one of the widely mentioned persons known to have made such a deep and yet obvious statement about life. He said that “the life we live is very much imagined in our heads”. Thoreau is recognized as a thinker, and a philosopher. Even though the NONCE cultivated the seed of this very idea in my mind, with songs such as the “sight of things”, only a few people are aware of the hidden philosophy in hip hop. These days many hip hoppers enjoy the “swag” or should I say the feeling of cool that the music gives them, the head rush that it provides in a club, or the ability it has to make many a woman, twerk to a hip ‘booty’ song. Some people enjoy the sound, but don’t
listen. -And a few others, like myself, an adventurer of ideas, enjoy the philosophy, ideas and experiences portrayed in the music. You see, Hip hop to me is the modern variation of oral history, or at least, it has that element to it. It is the embodiment and the acknowledgement of past personal moments as well as public events, with its many lessons passed down from one generation to another. One person to another. “Each one, teach one” The Boom Bap says. Hip hop thus is Global, it binds us all. I remember meeting people from all over the world, such as Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt to mention but a few, that I got on with immediately because we all identified as sound travellers, running through the corridors of underground hip hop, observing on with immediately because we all identified as sound travellers, running through the corridors of underground hip hop, observing
Black Star -www.theransomnote.co.uk
The Nonce - www.charlesjgao.com
and learning something from each beat heard. Where shall I start? Last night for instance, I watched the first ever hip hop musical theatre video in the world, shot in Ghana, West Africa called Coz ov Moni. This was after I had spent the evening listening to Swedish rapper, Chords talk about the matrix of slavery and oppression he sees around him. I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the lived human experience in Sweden and Ghana, expressed in the music. “Sometimes it’s like this city is a beast. Looking up from down below, when I’m walking on the streets and the people that I meet, never look me in the eye. They are too busy with the bills and they lack their nine to fives” - Chords “Seven to seven, I am wasting my whole life at work. People are greedier than Pigs and why do our African judges wear white wigs? And parcel land to army bases from America? When it is time to mourn, take out your white handkerchief and hanky panky with college girls because the parents are dressing fancy while their children are hungry” - Coz Ov Moni (Ghana) Here is a longer snippet. “Looks like we have reached the age to reflect on a lot of things. To see past your features and the colours of your skin. I have
travelled the world and I have seen the struggles of the people, the women and their offspring. It’s got me asking questions; I must do something to contribute, to build, positive construction. I won’t sit here and act like some ‘goody two shoes’ or like I am about to save the world like some Scooby Doo dude. I have my own ways, we often forget our blessings for being here today. We forget that we have a mission and we behave like it’s just a game. Look at our leaders, look at our teachers. Look at all these so called friends who claim they came to relieve us. Many hundred years ago, they came in the name of Jesus. The same people turned around and enslaved non-believers; along with the believers, the same things happen today headed by strong deceivers.” – Coz ov Moni “I just crack a little smile, tip my hat and then I pass. I have been practicing a while, I’m a master at the craft, and I’m guessing so are you, but it doesn’t make a difference. The city got us cramped up but it doesn’t make a difference. The city got us cramped up and the city makes us distant. Just another misfit, robbed of his ambition. Falling off the radar, drifting off into the distance. Always on some mission, always searching for a purpose. Whatever he does,
a long time to wake up to the fact.) Equally disconcerting, but far more agreeable, is the discovery that we are susceptible to enjoyments that others don’t share; that we derive, for example, an intense pleasure from digging, or being on the edge of the last floor of a sky scraper, or sitting alone in a forest on a late Summer afternoon, when the sun’s rays slant and the still air shimmers in the haze, listening to hip hop recorded in 1983 by a group that perhaps only a few hundred people have ever heard of. These then are the pleasures peculiar to the self. There is a fairly recognizable type of man who never quite gets over his surprise at finding himself mildly at odds with his society. He wants to be respectable and esteemed but somehow, and it is typical of him that he doesn’t know how or why, society does not in fact esteem him. However hard he tries to stand well with eminent and respectable persons, his efforts are in vain. All around him, he sees efforts result in failure. All around him, he sees men being elected, appointed, and promoted, given positions of trust, emolument and distinction…. But nobody ever promotes or appoints him. He cannot quite
forgive Society for these. To him, unaccountable slights, and does his best to get his own back by joining the rebels and pulling faces. Or he snipes from a safe position behind a hedge. But the rebellion is not very serious, the faces not very ugly, the sniping not prolonged. For on the whole he likes his fellow men, wants to be liked by them and enjoys himself pretty well, so that with the best will in the world he simply can’t keep hostilities going. To this type I belong. If I venture to recognise Socrates, Montaigne, Samuel Butler and H.G Wells among my spiritual ancestors and all the hip hop rappers I will write about as my most eminent living contemporaries, I hope that I shan’t be thought to liken myself to these great men in any other respect. It is of such men and women, who snipe at society behind the hedge of hip hop, within the security and ambiguity of philosophy that I write about. Until next time, check out the following albums: Mos Def and Talib Kweli “Blackstar”; Fokn Bois “Coz ov Moni” (Album and musical); Chords “Looped State of Mind” (Album) the NONCE “The Sight of things” (Album) All the videos and songs mentioned are available on YouTube.
Re-SOLUTIONS for
2016
DITCH YOUR
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
Each
December, as we approach New Year’s Eve, some, possibly, most of us invest time and consideration into our resolutions: changes that we plan on implementing in our lives during the year to come; whether it be losing weight and sticking to a rigorous daily routine at the gym after spending a small fortune on a membership, eating healthier, working harder to earn that promotion or cut down on alcohol intake, it is safe to say that 99.9% of us fail at these goals by mid- to late January - if we even start them! Therefore, I would like to pose you the following question: why set yourself up for disappointment and failure? Instead, we propose that you ditch your resolutions, give them no more consideration and, if you feel the need to implement some changes, consider the items on our list of re-SOLUTIONS.
WORDS BY YOLANDE GYPSYCHILD
As Osho states in his book “Zen, Zest, Zip, Zap and Zing”: Sure, smoking cigarettes is a bad habit and detrimental to your health, so if you are not a smoker, it is probably not a good idea to start, but if you already smoke, there is no point in putting yourself through the struggle and punishment of trying to quit. If anything, you may extend your life by 5 years, these five years will be at the end of your life, which will suck anyway, so you may as well carry on smoking.
LAUGH MORE Shall we all agree that we won’t take life too seriously in 2016? Laugh more, enjoy more, be more.
PIRATE LESS Piracy is an obvious issue within the industry and an inconvenient reality which is dealt with by artists, producers and agencies daily. So many artists offer their music for free online these days, consider obtaining all your music art, imagery, software and movies legally, After all, it is just like paying your TV license - “It’s the right thing to do”.
DANCE MORE Dance! Dance like nobody’s watching! Dance. Whether you are doing “air-flares”, a waltz, twirk, twist or simply squeaking a takkie - it does not matter ! Not only does dancing release endorphins, which makes us feel happy, it also has many other health benefits such as improved muscle tone and strength, weight management, stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis, better coordination, agility and flexibility, improved balance and spatial awareness, increased physical confidence, improved mental functioning, improved general and psychological wellbeing, greater self-confidence and self-esteem, better social skills... If not for any other reason, dance because it’s fun, goddammit!
WATCH THE SUN RISE Sunsets are overrated. Watch the sun rise in the mornings and note the motivation and inspiration it provides.
SUPPORT SOUTH AFRICAN BANDS AND ARTISTS
I decided to start supporting local, on the “condition”, of course, they would have to be good bands... Naturally. To my delight, the talent I have come across, simply by streaming soundcloud has been unbelievable. Most of them, you will find, offer free downloads and generally, if not free, entrance to their gigs are super affordable. So show your support and if you got in for free, buy some merch!
OCCUPY MORE Somewhat of a trend developed around the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, making peaceful protests more commonplace and giving the
“Anonymous mask” power, giving our generation a voice and a “face”. We are the 99% and it appears that for the first time in recent history, we are actually being heard and we might just be able to make a difference. Therefore, this year, occupy something! Occupy anything... Occupy everywhere!
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS Whether you believe (in) it or not, the Law of Attraction exists and simply boils down to physics. Like attracts like. What you put out, the ‘Universe will give back. Therefore, the true pollution in the world is our thoughts. With all the negativity which has become commonplace in this day and age, it has become our nature to be and to respond in a negative manner. We bitch and we whine and even, on occasion, when we bite our tongue (kudos to those who have mastered this art), we still think those negative thoughts and wish negativity onto others. What do we expect? Naturally, by doing this, you will attract negativity to your own
TAKE RESPO FOR YOU THOU
ONSIBILITY UR OWN UGHTS
life. Therefore, the more we complain, the inevitabilithy remains that the worse it will get. Unless you are able to become the change you want to see, accept others for the people they are and mean what you say, say what you mean - let your “yes” mean “yes”, your “no” mean “no” thus elimanating all potential confusion. We cannot misunderstand each other this way, can we?
TRAVEL MORE... SEE MORE... OF YOUR OWN COUNTRY Everybody wishes to travel. Many of us do. We spend thousands, tens of thousands of rands travellling abroad when most of us haven’t even seen the Transkei or the Lowveld. Invest that little nest egg that you planned on spending on Dubai or the Seychelles in beautiful South Africa and familiarise yourself with Tsitsikama, Maboneng Precinct JHB, The Maluti Mountains, Sutherland, Oudshoorn, Paternoster, Sabie, Clarens, Tiffendell Ski Resort, Simonstown, Gordon’s Bay, Wilderness...
Scott
William “Kartoon” McFadden is a young South African freelance artist and 3D generalist with a keen interest in photography. Whilst travelling through Europe, Scott realised that he had a talented eye and has fallen in love with photography again since moving back to South Africa. “We have the scenery, the amazing wildlife and beautiful people. It’s a photographers dream with all the possibilities that we have here in S.A.” His journey through the lens started off by doing mostly event photography at local events and festivals in Pretoria and Johannesburg. Of late he has tried get out into nature as often as possible, resulting in his portfolio consisting mostly of landscape photography and long exposure shots. “I take my camera and my thoughts and go out with the intent to capture something specific but, with light and weather that can change you never know what you might get. The thrill of the chase for that one photo is what keeps me going and will for many years to come.” kartoonartitech@gmail.com https://gurushots.com/S.W.MPhotography https://www.facebook.com/ ScottWilliamMcFaddenPhotography
DRIVE
MY CAR LIKE THE KING WORDS BY CHRISTELLE SCHEEPERS
Whilst
The King’s pink Caddillac parked outside his residence, Graceland
our January theme might be celebrating the wonders of Mary-Jane in all her splendour I have decided to opt for something a little different with our first DMC edition for 2016. The initial idea was to do a look back on 2015 piece, but then the King came a-calling. So why Elvis and why January? It’s the King’s birthday month. Paying homage to one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived, is an absolute must. Besides, can you think of better way to start off the new year than to gyrate your hips to some “Jailhouse Rock” or “Blue Suede Shoes”? Another obvious reason for choosing the King is the fact that he had quite the impressive car collection. Elvis Aaron Presley was born on 8 January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi a twin-less twin. Being thrown one of life’s inevitable curve balls with his father being arrested, he and his mom moved in with her parents and his family eventually relocated to Memphis, Tennessee when he was 13 years old. Although he was initially said to be rather shy as a singer (take note all you sufferers of stage fright), his talent was picked up on when he was still young and with the right chiselling a legend was sculpted. Making his musical start in the church, Elvis received a guitar for a Christmas gift his mom and while he may have been dismayed by not finding a bicycle from Santa at the time one could say that the guitar was the second best gift he ever received. During his high school days he lived what could only be considered as a fairly average story: told he is not a good enough singer by his music teacher, having his own peculiar style that was not exactly the norm and of course not being too popular. Then in true Hollywood fashion, he entered a talent show. His life story had become tantamount to the blueprint to your classic Hollywood “High School Hero” movie. “Heartbreak Hotel” his first major hit, Elvis took the first of many milestone steps in his stellar career. As one of the highest rankings in the greatest ever sales figures and the recipient of numerous awards, including a lifetime achiever’s award from the Grammy’s before hitting 40, it is safe to assume that the King had a Guttenberg
printing his paper, running full steam. One of the perks of deep pockets, is the ability to buy the things that you love. For Elvis, it was cars. According to Elvis Australia’s website, he had a lifelong love affair with cars, and can we blame him? Undoubtedly the most famous of his collection, possibly one of the best known cars in the world, is the pink Cadillac that he gifted to his mother. The second of his pink Cadillacs had colourful life including an accident that led to her sporting the white roof that she still rocks today. Bought in 1955, a Fleetwood 60, the pink Cadillac was in fact blue with a black roof and was repainted by Elvis to the specific shade of pink which that was dubbed “Elvis Pink”. The car is a permanent part of the exhibition at the Graceland Museum and has even had a sister duplicated which is being used to raise funds and awareness in Breast Cancer campaigns across the US. Other cars in his collection included two Stutz Blackhawks (his favourite the 1973 230bhp mark III), the BMW 507 of which he also owned more than one, a few limousines including one given to him by Col. Tom Parker, his manager for over 20 years. There were
Ferraris and even a Messerschmitt, but a proud patriot, Elvis was a huge fan of American made cars and it was reflected by the contents of his garage. While he may have dabbled in various American marques, Cadillac was reportedly his favourite of the lot. The last Cadillac ever bought by the King was a 1977 Seville, the two tone car is now owned by a private collector. He gave us rockabilly (the name given to his fusion style of RnB and Country music), he taught us that the belief in self is of pivotal importance to ensure success as incessant rejection and failure are the inevitable stumbling blocks of any pathway to a successful summit and his incredible story will be an inherent part of the legacy that he left. A legacy of hip shaking, a legacy of music and movies and of course a legacy of the love for cars. Submit your years/songs/albums/artists for Drive My Car by tweeting me @BlkKnyt83 and DS @digitalsoulsa. ‘til next month… “Keep your foot on the accelerator, your eyes on the road and always leave a bit of rubber on the tar. “
e
ctr e l ic
guitars
During
the past three months the instruments we checked out may have been a little bit more on the chilled side of things, I thought it a lank kief idea to rather switch direction for this month, albeit in a similar lane, it is time to up the ante. There are not many of us who do not get chills when listening to an onpoint guitar solo or who can sit still when we hear our favourite riff being jammed by the likes of the Dave Grohl’s of the world. The electric guitar may have many musical applications, used in genres across the musical spectrum, but it has totally become the poster instrument of Rock. In my live concert experiences I have seen acts like Toto, Live, Korn and Foo Fighters, to name but a few. All of those acts have inspired and spawned off new musos and left my lazy ass wishing I could get off the couch and have the discipline to practice. But I don’t and so be it, those who can’t Rock, write. But okay okay, enough air guitar playing for now, let’s get down to business… the electric guitar, although now the weapon of Rock gods across the globe started as an instrument of jazz artists in the 1930s. This was necessary to facilitate the big band sound that jazz musicians wished to portray to their audience. By the ‘50s and ‘60s the electric guitar was adopted by pop musicians which green flagged the start of the evolution of the electric guitar in terms of style and sound capabilities and uses. The most pertinent of the genres where we have seen it dominate has included the Blues, Rock ‘n Roll and that’s just the tip of its musical iceberg. Its versatility in sound and styles is directly correlated to its versatility in design and build options. The options in term of body shape and type include, whether it has a hollow body or not, a fixed bridge or a springloaded bridge which allows players the ability to play vibrato thanks to the tremolo arm found on certain models like the mac daddy cool of electric guitars, drum roll please, the Fender Stratocaster. The material used to create the guitar body can also have a significant effect on the sound type and quality. These materials have included different types of wood such as alder and basswood, metal and even plastic. As for the basic construct of all electric guitars comprises certain setup parts that are needed to make it work just right, like the elements of periodic table used to ensure certain reactions in
WORDS BY BENJAMIN SHEPHERD
a science lab, remove one element from the guitar equation and it is invariably bound to lead to the experiment bombing. These instrumental parts of the instrument include: the Headstock; the Neck; the Body and the Strings. Each of these sections are further broken down into smaller parts, the Headstock for example is where you’ll find the machine heads, the Neck holds the frets which collectively makes up the fret board, the body houses the bridge and the pickups and the Strings are well, uhm the strings they are treble and bass strings. The most important difference between acoustic and electric guitar is how their sound works. The acoustic has the hollow box which amplifies the string’s sound but, since the electric guitar has no ‘box’ it makes use of pickups. Which brings us to the answer of the question how the Axe works, quite simply put, the electric guitar works by means of converting the vibrations of said guitar’s strings into electrical impulses thanks to the use of a pickup. Like there are different construct styles of guitars, so too there are different types of pickups. These include “humbucker” pickups, these were initially created to minimise the hum sound caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI), Piezoelectric pickups make use of quartz crystal placed below the nut or string saddles, optical pickups work by means of infrared LED lights to pick up string vibrations and are by no means affected by EMIs. It is also possible to use a hybrid of pickups depending on the intended use and need of the musician. Since the signal created by the guitar is too weak to be picked up by a speaker and therefore is in need of amplification. From the amplifier the boost sound is sent to the loudspeaker and that kids is how your fav band’s set could leave you with ringing ears post gig (special shout out to Stoker). One of the many things that make electric guitars so fucking cool is that the converted signal previously referred to can also be manipulated to create a plethora of different sounds. Now that we know how these fantastic instruments work we can take a moment the next time we hear that favourite riff to thank Apollo for making it all possible. To those of you who play, we thank you for hours of entertainment, to those of you who are still learning or wishing to do so we look forward to hearing you make the guitar scream.
“Inspirational”
is the first word that comes to mind once I had familiarised myself with Adrian De Dominicis aka Tranzl8tor. An Italian-born Progressive Psychedelic Trance DJ, raised in Johannesburg and currently residing in the beautiful Mother City. In his 30 years as a DJ, Adrian has overcome many obstacles and seen an industry progress, develop and change, always adapting and reinventing himself, all-the-while fighting a two year long battle, which he won with the help of Cannabis oil, against cancer. He has featured on line-ups all over the world and currently hosts an online radio show for two hours every Friday evening on Stomparamafm. DS: How did you decide on your stage name? TL: It’s a long story …. I grew up in Johannesburg as DJ Adrian. I had my first gig when I was 16. I played at private parties and was smuggled into clubs to play my sets. I owned a record shop so I could get the hottest new tracks in town. I started the first DJ College in Johannesburg in 1996. I played locally and internationally and alongside many great DJ legends of our time. I was living the life I created. I had it all and my destiny began. My life changed, I had to let go of the past, adapt to the present and give in to the future. I used the number 8 in my stage name, as it is the symbol of infinity and its frequency lets me share my music to merge with millions of souls around the world. So come closer… to the speaker. Now children of the night, step into the light and follow me. I am Tranzl8tor. DS: What type of music did you hear the most while growing up? How does is differ from what you play? TL: Jean Michel Jarre the pioneer of electronic, ambient and new-age genres. Mike Oldfield blended rock with electronic, ambient and newage music. Kraftwerk was a German electronic music band. Back then they used electric instruments now we use electronic music technology. These musicians pioneered the electronic music revolution to what it is today. Inspired by these musical geniuses I began my journey mixing high energy dance, house, garage, minimal and various genres of trance. I prefer to call it Intelligent Dance Music.
TRA WORDS BY YOLANDE GYPSYCHILD
Matthew Withers(Soundpix)
ANZL8TOR
Matthew Withers (Soundpix)
DS: What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music? TL: Music is my first love I was born to be a DJ. I started drumming at age six and at the age of 14 taught myself how to mix on reel to reel, tape decks and vinyl, I never want to stop mixing as nothing makes me happier than uniting people through the sound of music. DS: If you had to describe your music in three or four words, what would you call it? TL: Sexy, funky, stomping basslines. DS: Tell us more about your experience with Mixmag 1989? Were you playing trance back then already? TL: I was featured in Mixmag Magazine. I entered the DMS SA and represented South Africa at the world DJ championship in London. I won the technical DJ championship and was placed fourth overall. That is when my international DJ career took off. I played my first unofficial psytrance track in 1993, I was featured in a few magazines and a few SA television shows. DS: What has been the biggest challenge for you within the industry? TL: Re-inventing myself and getting into the Cape Town trance scene, for the first time in my DJ career I was requested to hand out a lot of demo discs. DS: If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry what would it be? TL: Everybody wants to be a DJ and in today’s world standing out takes a lot of hard work and good luck. Technology has taken the art out of tuning your ears to adjust mixes and somewhat made mixing, phrasing and beat mixing obsolete with a SYNC button. There are too many unqualified DJ’s and not enough parties for DJ’s to bank on a reliable source of income. I would like to see a governing DJ agency that certifies DJ’s according to their skills and what they can bring to the party. An agency that represents and recruits SA DJ’s, which will cut out DJ politics and people will get booked for their skills and experience. I would also like to host an annual DJ competition for the most popular genres of music in SA in order to get more international bookings for DJs. DS: Are you the only musician in your family? Do
they support your decision in career? TL: My dad is a drummer and my brother plays piano and flute. They stopped supporting me when my DJ career began. DS: Do you have other interests or talents you would like to share with us? How do you like to enjoy your relaxation time away from the music? TL: I am a qualified Adventure guide and Bungee Jump Master. When I am not creating music I like playing games. DS: What has been your strong influence to continue performing? TL: God’s gift to me is and always will be to unite people in dance. I will stop performing when God wants me to spin my magic in heaven. DS: How do you rate your live performance ability? Do you feel better performing live or in the studio? What would you like to change or improve? TL: I am a natural born performer indoors or outdoors, I live in my studio as I am always at one with the music. DS: Does anyone in particular influence your work? TL: God, my wife, my fans and Carl Cox DS: It is said that one should write what you would want to perform over and over. With that in mind, which track do you love dropping the most? TL: My all-time favourite is “Tubular Bells” by Mike Oldfield. It tells no story and has no meaning but the sounds he composed makes me feel like I am in heaven surrounded by angels, “Insomnia” and “God Is a DJ” by Faithless. But at the moment I share two very special and beautiful tracks with my wife: “Devotion” by Liquid Soul {Protoculture Remix} and our number 1 track forever is by Microlin – “The Calling”. DS: Any freaky fan or good groupie stories? TL: My freakiest fan moment came up to me whilst I was djing and instead of just saying your music makes me horny she translated it in Afrikaans and it is way too shocking to publish! DS: What has been your worst nightmare careerwise? How did you get through it all? TL: I used to earn R2500 per set and was booked up to two years in advance, playing gigs all around the world. Whilst I was resident DJ at Ministry of Sound, Gatecrasher, Sunnyside-up and Camden Palace, I was diagnosed with cancer and had to resign from the clubs to come back to SA.
“...Spread the Love, the journey of trance with anyone and everyone who stops, listens and starts to dance. May 2016 be the year filled with many blessings, much abundance and let’s stomp our world to a new dimension and an extra-terrestrial mind blowing journey. Much love, light and Respect To all of you and May the everlasting force be with you.” -Tranzl8tor
Matthew Withers (Soundpix)
WORDS BY YOLANDE GYPSYCHILD
On
Tuesday, 15 December and I arrive at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to watch a live performance by Van Coke Kartel. “Amazing,” I think “how Francois van Coke finds the time to perform with his finger in so many pies…” But please, don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining.
People start filtering into the gardens, lay out their blankets, start unpacking their picnic baskets and get ready for the performance. Alright, confession time: I have never seen VCK live before, so, honestly, I have no idea what to expect… The band start playing and my first thought is: “Nice system!” You know that feeling when music is so loud, that you can feel the vibration in your chest? This was the moment I knew that I was right where I should be. As an Afrikaans child, raised in South Africa in the 80’s, I am very familiar with Carike Keuzenkamp. Having been raised on Carike’s cassette collection of children’s songs… admit it, you know exactly which cassettes I am referring to. Apparently, so do the boys from VCK as they rocked out to their rendition of Carike’s “Dis n land”. What a pleasure it was witnessing them perform this track. Bassist, Wynand Myburgh, especially, what a performer! In my opinion, a bonafide rock star. Clearly living in the moment and giving each track his all as he kicks up his left leg, his foot reaching above his head, before he spins around. Guitartist, Jedd Kossew, also an incredibly talented young individual who rocked several guitar solos, never lacking in enthusiasm or theatrics. Lead singer Francois van Coke, pure emotive when singing “Buitenkant II”, of which the chorus translates to: The winter children are dancing with China tonight Money in hand! Buitenkant! I may not be worth one cent but I feel like R300 Lyrics to which I am sure many can relate. The band also performed another well-known rendition, “Help!” originally performed by none other than The Beatles. “Here man”, a single from
Gypsychild Photography
Gypsychild Photography
their award winning album “Bloed Sweet en Trane”, released in 2013 and with more than 26 000 views on youtube, appeared to be one of the crowd’s favourites as most of the audience sang along, banging heads and some even getting up from their blankets and hopping around. In VCK’s video diaries “Eendag op ‘n slag” brought to you by Jagermeister, Francois shares the inspiration behind the lyrics to “Here man”, saying that he was arrested and while in holding a homeless man or “bergie” turned to him and said “Here man, maar dis lekker om jou hier te sien!” (God man, but it is nice to see you here). Suddenly Jedd announced “I want brandy!” not realising that his microphone was on and everybody would hear. This was obviously aimed at his band members, meaning that this was the song to be performed next, (naturally) another (obvious) favourite. “I Want Brandy” is a colloquial adaptation of 80’s classic “I Want Candy” by one hit wonders Bow Wow Wow. After a giggle from the band and audience, Francois made an excellent recovery by stating that it was “party time” and asking if anyone in the audience was drinking brandy at the time. To revert back to my earlier statement regarding Francois’s finger in many pies. Not only is he the frontman for Van Coke Kartel and handles the management, booking and deals with all matters VCK, but he is also a member of Fokof Polisiekar, has a solo career and is often seen performing with Karen Zoid. Then, more recently, there is the collab project named Van Fok King Tasties (Van Coke Kartel, Fokof Polisiekar, aKING and Die Heuwels Fantasties) and one we definitely recommend you keep an eye out for – Blood Brothers – South Africa’s first ever supergroup, an impressive collection of talented South African artists including, but not limited to: Francois van Coke, Arno Carstens, Hunter Kennedy (aKING), George van der Spuy (Taxi Violence), Kobus de Kock (The Black Cat Bones). VCK is definitely an established act, and rightfully so, with loads more to offer. Follow them on social media or subscribe to their newsletter via their website to stay up to date on tour dates and catch them live in your city/town! http://vancokekartel.co.za/ https://www.youtube.com/user/valkievancoke https://twitter.com/vancokekartel
Images provided by Dean Fuel
WORDS BY YOLANDE GYPSYCHILD
Images provided by Dean Fuel
If
you are not yet familiar with Dean Fuel, you have most certainly been living under a rock. This DJ/Producer is not only a House-hold name, but somewhat infamous - and I am not only referring to his great hair. Dean has been breaking ground within his industry for — from underground minimal & techno and the deeper tribal sounds of house & tech, through to peak time electro, progressive & even trance
DS: Which artists are you currently listening to? DF: This is always a vastly and constantly changing answer! – I surround myself with new music literally every single day! It also comes down to my mood – different music suits different moods! Right now I’ve bought new Guy J and Eric Prydz albums that I’m listening to, as well as a new E.P. from Khen – excellent stuff! Other long time and regular favourites in my playlists include D-Nox & Beckers, Stephan Bodzin and Sam Paganini. DS: What made you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in music? DF: I’ve been into music from before I could walk or talk! Born into a musical family, I’ve played various instruments from an early age, from piano through to guitar. I then fell in love with electronic music as a teenager, going to underground raves and clubs. Watching DJ’s like Carl Cox, Sasha & Digweed really inspired me to becoming a DJ. Although DJing actually started as a passion / hobby – it became my career almost straight away! DS: If you had the opportunity to change something about the music industry what would it be? DF: Tricky question … but for me I guess the biggest issue I see within the music industry is the politics of it! The sometimes sense of infighting and jealousy between people in the scene. We should be working together, not against each other! Competition should drive excellence, not “bitchyness”! DS: Do you have a muse? Please share details? DF: YES! I do! It’s the dancefloor … my connection to the dancefloor is always a neverending source of inspiration! No matter how tired I may be from late nights and traveling, the moment I take to a stage and interact with the dancefloor and my fans, I come alive! I find so much inspiration in
those moments, as I often go away from shows with fresh ideas and concepts for new music! DS: The internet has made way more music, way more accessible, to way more people, which has in turn made music “disposable” as it has become something that we use for short periods of time before discarding it and replacing it with the next track, album or artist. Have you felt a sense of pressure to keep up with your audience’s demands? DF: Yeah, the internet and our level of constant connectivity is certainly both a blessing and a curse! For me the challenge is to keep up with new music in my sets, but there is no doubt that amongst all the music that is available out there, only some of it can be considered “timeless”. As a DJ I try to keep a balance of new music, as well as dropping in a few classics every now and again! The reaction can be incredible when long time partygoers hear a familiar track, but even better is when a new younger audience responds to a classic track! In terms of making music – the challenge is the sheer volume of music out there – how to stand out – how to be noticed! In the end, it’s the fans that have that power – as long as they love and get what you do – your music will find its own way out there. DS: “Track selection and beat-matching is all there is to being a good DJ” – what are your thoughts on this statement? DF: That’s WAY too simplistic! These days the technology can do the beat-matching for you, therefore leaving track selection as being ‘the’ highly valuable skill… but that’s certainly not the whole story! Reading the dancefloor, and connecting with them, THIS is essential. Knowing when to push, when to pull … when to raise energy, when to hold it back – that’s the real skill. These days there is also huge pressure to “perform” – and many DJ’s do this in different ways! From the rock-star antics of stage diving, and moshing around – through to the more underground approach of minimal movement, but making use of additional technology to perform (effects units, drum machines, etc.) Apart from the brief moment on stage – being a DJ requires hard work, dedication, and the ability to travel well, and sleep seldom.
Images provided by Dean Fuel
“In a world that galvanizes genres & insists on people belonging to certain sounds, I would rather believe that music is what matters, not genres...�
Images provided by Dean Fuel
Images provided by Dean Fuel
DS: If you had to list one habit that could possibly ruin or stall a producer’s career, what would that downfall be? DF: It’s one I suffer from unfortunately … not finishing work!! I have so many unfinished tracks that have been started, but not completed. If the work isn’t done – and put out there – then it doesn’t exist! DS: What were your highlights for 2015? DF: Uber Boat party playing alongside Martin Garrix, Oliver Helens, and Goldfish Ultra Festival Opening for Above & Beyond (international DJ tour) Playing on Showtek and Robin Schulz tours.
Playing on and running the Electronic Dome for Rocking The Daises 2015 Touring to Asia for the first time (Club Cubic in Macau for the Grand Prix weekend) All the RAGE Festival shows DS: What can we expect from Dean Fuel in 2016? DF: J&B Met afterparty Ultra 2016 - playing main stage for both JHB and CT Playing on Nicky Romero Tour (CT) + many more great shows to come However, my main focus will be new music coming from my studio! www.twitter.com/deanfuel www.youtube.com/deanfuel www.soundcloud.com/deanfuel www.mixcloud.com/deanfuel
SATANIC
DAGGA
ORGY Words by
Yolande gypsychild
Since
we last spoke to everybody’s “Oppikoppi-speedo-favourites” in September 2015, the boys have released their new EP called “The Bromance”, which is available for download, in MP3, WAV, FLAC, ACC, ALAC or Ogg Vorbis, free of charge (or name your price) from their Bandcamp page http://satanicdaggaorgy.bandcamp.com We did a quick hit-and-run with the scurrilous folk band for an update on the EP, 2016 an, of course, the legalisation of pot... DS: How does a folk-punk / acoustic band end up with a name such as Satanic Dagga Orgy? SDO: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, the ghost of Robin Williams came to us in a dream and once we’d defeated him using spells learnt from watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch, his last words were: “Call your band Satanic Dagga Orgy…” How could we refuse?
DS: All of your music is available for download for free, online. Why deliberately skip out on the opportunity to generate income from your music? SDO: Play our EP backwards and you’ll understand why it’s for free. Muahahahaha Seriously though, when we grew up music was not as commoditised as it is now. We used to follow a band’s entire career, and listen to their albums for weeks on end. Nowadays we feel that people treat music more like something to be used for a few hours/weeks, then to be discarded for the next track or artist. That’s why we don’t want to sell our music right now. We’d rather reach a larger audience of music consumers than a small fan base. Also, we have kickass merch.
DS: The speedos? What’s the deal? SDO: Ricki, Loopy and Pete are the main speed-ous. Ricki and Pete play water polo, where a speedo is essential and Loopy just digs them. After much discussion we decided we want to bring them back. For far too long the noble speedo has been ridiculed and we’re going to stop this ridicule. Speedos are cool, and we’re going to prove it to everyone DS: Tell us more about “The Bromance”. How many singles are n the EP and where was it recorded? SDO: “The Bromance” EP was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jeremy C. Elwell (our drummer) at Rocket Sound in Johannesburg There are 6 official tracks on the EP, but for those who listen until the end of “Thanks But No Thanks” we’ve included a little bonus track. DS: What was your inspiration behind the lyrics for this EP? SDO: The lyrics, as always, are inspired by many things. Dagga, Orgies and Satan. But also whatever words we’d like to hear the crowd singing back at us - in 2016 we’ll debut a new song that is going to have everyone singing “I am gay”. DS: What is the weirdest thing that has happened to you while at a gig or on tour? SDO: Probably the New Zealander who saw us in Durban and changed her plans so she could follow us to Oppikoppi. That or the
80-something year old jolling to us at Boosh. There was also that time we left Ricki in Cape Town and he’s still there. DS: Do you have groupies? SDO: Does the New Zealander count? 80% of the band is single, so we’d be happy to interview any applicants. DS: On the cards for 2016? SDO: Our plans for 2016 are to release another EP, get a song on the radio somewhere and to play as many festivals in as many different speedos as possible. DS: How would you explain your sound if you had to do so in no more than two words? SDO: Our sound. Just kidding. Either – poppun or polk-funk DS: How did the sound start? SDO: In the beginning there was nothing. Then god moved across the waters… Wait, how was there water if there was nothing? Theology is hard man. First there was nothing but the Vaaib. But the Vaaib was lonely, it couldn’t keep going without something to feed it. So we created The Sound to feed The Vibe. We like to jol, that’s where our sound came from. DS: If you could only have one of the two for the rest of time, which would you choose: a bong or a joint? SDO: This is by far the most difficult question we’ve ever had to answer. We’ll say joint, because you can share
COURT Words by
Yolande gypsychild
ON 7 AND 8 DECEMBER 2015, A DECADE LONG TUSSLE CAME BEFORE THE HIGH COURT - COULD MARIJUANA BE LEGALISED IN SA? THE CASE WAS POSTPONED UNTIL MARCH AND DENNIS DAVIS SUGGESTED THE APPLICANTS APPROACH EXPERT WITNESSES TO BOLSTER THEIR CASE. We asked some local musicians what their thoughts and/or feelings are on the legalisation of marijuana in SA...
RO U E N ANDY
Q:
Please would you share your thoughts and/or opinions on the legalisation of marijuana in SA?
I think the legalisation of marijuana is an important step forward in the creation of a transparent society. As it stands it is easy enough to purchase and consume without much fear of prosecution. I think legalising it will be an important step forward in understanding a plant that has significant benefits to society. I think what it is still important to acknowledge that it can cause cancer when smoked and I would rather see it sold as oils or baked food items. As with any commercial product it should be taxed and so a licence would be required to grow a commercial quantity. It impairs motor skills and that is an important consideration when it comes to operating vehicles and a limit should be set. It stunts psychological development in adolescents and limits need to be set in regards to age. It is a pro-choice decision that again needs to respect those who choose not to and here again I think smoking it in public needs to be limited to designated areas. I would rather see it consumed in public as a tea or something similarly discreet and unobtrusive.
EL
FU DEAN
I’m no expert I’m afraid, but I’d guess I would be for it. It would need to be regulated, and controlled on some levels (of course). Looking at countries where this is the case, it never leads to the society unraveling, or a drug addicted population. In fact, from what I understand, the taxes and income possible from a legal marijuana trade would actually benefit the economy and country! Surely that’s a reason to look into it?
RLS
GI THE SOAP
We believe that it should be legalised a lot of ill comes from alcohol and yet it’s legal there are virtually no health issues associated with weed and to continue to prosecute people for it is ludicrous and a waste of police time and effort.
HYDRO The reality of prohibition has been nothing but lives shattered for many young people who’s only crime was expanding their horizons. On the flipside of this coin we have the various patients who we’re discovering more and more only stand to gain value in their lives from the powerful medicinal compounds this plant has to offer. The range of economic benefits it offers as a natural resource and the ease with which it can be grown. I think the legalisation debate comes down to whether we as a society are going to stop believing in baseless propaganda and whether we as a public are willing to ask real and pertinent questions as a people on a topic. It is therefore a test of our society and whether we are capable to make decisions based on the facts.
SATANIC DAGGA ORGY CORTINA WHIPLASH We feel that the legalization of marijuana is a no-brainer and should already be a reality. Cannabis has so many useful applications, medicinal, industrial, clothing as well as creating job opportunities aside from all the uses we are yet to unearth. We feel that the reasons behind the criminalization of cannabis are sinister and not in the best interests of the people. It’s unconscionable that alcohol is legal, can be advertised and sold freely considering the huge number of road fatalities and otherwise caused as a result but marijuana remains illegal in spite of all the practical and nonlethal uses for it. There is no reasonable reason for marijuana to be illegal in our opinion. LEGALIZE IT DON’T CRITICIZE IT!!
All 5 members of this band have careers. All 5 of us are taxpayers and contribute to the GDP. Not one of us relies on the State for income, and not one of us has a criminal record. Yet every day we break the law by smoking a plant that grows freely across the whole country. Despite the multiple documented benefits and uses of cannabis, it remains illegal because of political, emotional and “moral” reasons. Yet despite the apparently uge opposition to the decriminalization and legalization of pot, the vast majority of people we know partake. Because of the archaic laws around weed, all of these people are criminals too. With more and more evidence coming to light about the benefits of the psychoactive chemicals in marijuana, added top the already documented 20,000 industrial uses for the plant not to mention the potential tax revenue and economic empowerment of some of SA’s poorest people - we are fully in support of the decriminalization and legalization of dagga.
ATOM BAND
SONIC / VERAX
We feel that marijuana should be legalized. Cigarettes and alcohol are far more harmful and they are legal. Its all political.
It should be allowed as it is not a gate way drug, it has medical values and has been taken away from public use by governments and big corporations
HUGO GRAVITO I think that we should legalise marijuana. Especially for agricultural and medicine, but also to smoke, the only dodgy thing about it is how you have to buy it and the price, if we legalise it we wont have that problem.
GANGSTERDAM
HELLCATS
Our thoughts are that it should be legalised, No reason to prevent the sale of something with no recorded fatalities, no reason to spend tax money incarcerating people for crimes which don’t affect anyone else, no reason to control what people do in their own home. In our opinion there is pretty much no basis for marijuana being illegal.
Legalize it (or at least decriminalize it) and give dick head cops something better to do than bust kids for carrying a joints worth of weed. Also, logically, the country could seriously benefit financially from legalizing it. They are making a killing off legal marijuana sales in ‘merica. But our economy is cool already I guess... oh wait. -
EYN N I SW NOAH GELING CHAN The legalisation of marijuana – and all drugs for that matter- is inevitable and highly necessary. The capital spent on drugs, whether marijuana or heroin, ends up in the hands of drug lords, this much is obvious. What the public remains mostly oblivious to, is the connection between drug dealing, prostitution, human trafficking, and gun running. This parallel criminal economy supports corruption and destabilises democracies in entire nations, such as our own. Through the legalisation of narcotics, we thwart the drug lords and weaken the grasp they have on our country’s democracy. A combination of legalisation and heavy taxation of narcotics would create employment, as well as provide the capital to support education about drugs, exert quality control , and help with rehabilitation facilities
OR NZL8T
TRA
My oncologist suggested I use cannabis oil and after three months of intense treatment I no longer have the disease and feel very blessed to tell you my story.
OON” T R A T “K SCOT I think it is everyone’s own freedom of choice to smoke/consume or not. I have lived in Amsterdam and with the laid back approach they take towards cannabis, it really opened my eyes. Its not this crazy junkie drug the media makes it out to be. People use recreationally and to treat illness. It is a magical plant that we still know very little about. Research keeps finding benefits the more they test and i feel with legalisation more tests could be used to uncover and research and find more benefits not only from the cannabis strain but the hemp strain as well. All i can say is, if it was not meant to be on this planet it would’nt have been.
Important definitions for clarity & comprehention For clarity and comprehension purposes, let’s define the terms in question:
Legalisation:
means people can set up shops to sell marijuana, the government can tax it, people can use it legally.
Decriminalisation:
means that it’s not legal, but it’s not a law enforcement priority. Most likely decriminalization would only be for small quantities. But, you can’t sell it legally. Also, you can’t be denied a job becuase you smoked a hit off a joint last weekend.
how colorado benefited from the legalisation of marijuana January 1st 2014 saw the opening of the very first cannabis shop in Colorado as the cultivation, manufacture and sale thereof became fully legalized.
In the first 8 months: 1. According to Uniform Crime Reporting data for Denver, there has been a 10.1% decrease in overall crime and a 5.2% drop in violent crime. 2. The state has garnered over 10 million in taxes from retail sales in the first 4 months. 3. There are renewed efforts to study the medical efficacy of marijuana within the state, making Colorado an epicenter for marijuana research. 4. The marijuana industry has developed quickly, generating thousands of new jobs. It is estimated there are currently about 10,000 people directly involved with this industry, with 1,000 to 2,000 gaining employment in the first few months alone.
Words by
Mankind
has been making use of the hemp for quite literally thousands of years and no I am not talking about getting high. It has been around and been in use for longer than recorded history. According to a carbon dated sample the use of wild hemp first started 8 000 BCE, yes you read right, 8 000 BCE. Historians have records proving that woven hemp fibre has been an integral part of the fabric of the human story for well over 10 000 years. The question that now comes to mind is a rather simple one: if hemp once played such an important role in our civilisations and societies, across the globe I might add, why then do we now find ourselves living in a time where the cultivation and use of this wonder plant has been outlawed pretty all over the world? In this feature, I will plot out a hemp timeline in an attempt to piece together hemp’s fall grace. It is said that the cultivation of hemp in Great Britain is estimated to have started roughly 800CE. As the Empire expanded, King Henry VIII mandated the cultivation of hemp as it was heavily used by the British navy. Hemp derived products used included the sails, rigging and even the maps used on board of the naval fleets as well as the Bibles (praise da Lawd!) used by sailors. So reliant was the navy on hemp, that the king decreed that one acre of hemp be planted for every sixty acres of crops planted. On the other side of the pond, as the years progressed and thanks to its introduction to the colony, hemp experienced a surge in popularity in the United States of America. So popular was the wonder crop that in the state of Virginia amongst others it was illegal to NOT grow it. In fact, by the 18th century hemp was used as a legal tender (talk about money for nothing) so much so that it could even be used to pay your taxes. Even the draft of the Declaration of Independence did not escape hempmania‌ that all important founding document was drafted on no less than 60 tonnes of hemp paper. Even the founding fathers of the
CHRISTELLE SCHEEPERS
Hemp was originally used in textiles and the manufacture of paper
US, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson themselves not only planted hemp crop, with Jefferson lauding the fact that the plant was much more versatile and a kinder to the soil crop than tobacco and it is speculated that Washington like to smoke the flower of the plant, yes we may have had a presidential stoner, but they were both said to be very anti-tobacco too. The use of hemp bio-fuel became a distinct possibility as early as 1896. The Ford Motor company jumped on the bandwagon, having seen the potential of biomass derived fuel and they were able to extract many fuel derivatives from the plant, including methanol and ethyl acetate. These are now, sadly, supplied by the oil industries. One cannot help but wonder what the state of planet have been, in reference to global warming, if hemp had been used as a fuel source instead of oil. My greeny heart breaks. Up to now we have the booming maritime industry and potential of biomass hemp fuel blossoming, taxes are being paid in hemp and life is looking pretty rosy for good old hemp. Until, enter stage right, prohibition decides to rear its ugly head. The captains of industry in the oil, paper and a few other industries started to realise what a threat hemp is to their bottom line and so begins an all-round assault on hemp that is still in existence nearly 100 years later. The propaganda machine was marching on, full steam ahead, one
of the jewels in their crown of capitalism was the film Reefer Madness. While the Second World War may have led to a brief resurgence of the hemp industry, after the end of the war it was business as usual and the hemp industry, like a circus leaving town, just vanished again overnight. Between 1937 and 1960 the US government recognised the distinction between hemp and marijuana but this was pretty soon gone and forgotten and hemp, like marijuana is a banned substance ‘til today in most states. As is the case with so many other things, such as the needless destruction of our beautiful planet, the answer to my earlier posed question
is as simple as the question itself: greed is the reason for the fact that single greatest plant to be discovered by man is to this day, in a time of liberalism and independent thinking, is illegal for most of us to cultivate and use. Even though I am happy to report that the world seems to be waking up from its bullshit induced hemp is bad and Mary-Jane will make you crazy coma, we still have quite the journey ahead of us to see to it that hemp is freed. For some arb reason many people still choose to believe in the lies spread about the plant, this in spite of the fact that we have ample proof of its successful applications and myriad of uses in as many different industries over millennia.
Words by
You
know that Sunday morning struggle? Of course you do, you went a little too hard last night so you couldn’t go to church, (it’s the thought that counts,) your head has that ever so slight temple throb so you go straight for that bottle of water that drunk you left out so considerately. Feeling a little fresher after that shower and extra cup of coffee you gather the squad for a tactical wimpy breakfast to assess the damage from last night. Squad is worse off than you. After some extra bacon and a few cream sodas you’ve been talked into fixing what’s left of this hangover the Irish way, at your local pub. Now you’re still not quite on your feet so you start with a hesitant light beer/ cider. Now the average squad is no less than 3 so after each of you have bought a round damage control is most certainly completed. The laughs aren’t painful and
cameron anderson
neither are the embarrassing stories they keep telling you about the previous night’s adventures. You don’t know it yet but you are over the hill, what’s on the other side you ask? The other side is magical. It’s at the V&A Waterfront, perched under Lion’s Head and right by the seaside. There’s a pristine blue pool surrounded by beautiful people with sand between their toes and the breeze in their hair. Nothing but soothing deep house that has left last night’s damage a mere memory. Big luxurious white couches where the squad can try and make new recruits, because a place like this you just want to meet everyone. It’s the place where you accidently stand on someone’s foot and they apologise to you before you have even realised. You’re at Shimmy Beach Club for Submerged Sunday with Goldfish and you’re going to be there a while.
A FULL WALLET.
There’s no way to sugar coat it, drinks are not cheap neither is food. So be prepared to hear your mate complain about his overpriced beer that he is now slowly savouring in the corner while he makes a quick call to his local loan shark. Just don’t be that guy though, nobody likes a moaner when it comes to prices, if you want a cheap drink go to some dingy bar with black bags for curtains, at a prime location you pay for the view and oh how great the view is.
A TICKET.
Now because this was a last minute crisis management decision you most probably had to search Facebook for a ticket and talk to some guy who is trying to charge you double so he can make a sneaky profit. PREPERATION IS KEY! Phase 1 tickets are normally R150, Phase 2 is R200 and VIP is R250. The major perk with the VIP is the bar; because the VIP section is so small the lines are so short.
FLOPS.
Now this is what caught me up on my first visit, you think okay it is Shimmy Beach Club I must be formal, well you’re half right. You have to consider the beach, you have get your toes in the sand otherwise you aren’t doing it right.
RESTRAINT.
Another thing to consider is this isn’t a night for black out drinking. I think it has got to do with the fact that everyone is going to work the next morning. That’s not to say don’t get drunk but rather that people might not take too kindly when you take your clothes off and get in the pool, although I don’t know what you look like so I could be wrong.
FOOD.
The party stretches from the afternoon through until midnight and if you don’t eat more than that Wimpy breakfast and the half a plate of slap chips at your local pub you will be worse off by the time your taxi arrives. Lucky for you there some tempting pizzas on display.Food. The party stretches from the afternoon through until midnight and if you don’t eat more than that Wimpy breakfast and the half a plate of slap chips at your local pub you will be worse off by the time your taxi arrives. Lucky for you there some tempting pizzas on display.
ECLEC
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Words by
CHRISTELLE SCHEEPERS
It
was another one of those fortuitous meetings that lead to this article. In true journo fashion I was eavesdropping on a conversation (yes I know section 14) ‘cause when I hear the words art and music my ears become like a satellite dish honing in on a signal. One thing leads to another and on a glorious summer afternoon on 18 November I find myself invited to attend a special media event hosted at 179 Buitengracht Street. Here you’ll find Eclectica Design and Art gallery that has been around for a mere six months. At the door attendees of the exhibition titled “Aesthetically Vogue” are greeted by one of several
Gavin Rain uses a technique called “neopixelism”, a modern take on yesteryears’ comic box printing teqnique known as pixelism
beautifully paired collections of a painting and a complimentary design piece. The exhibition is a variable feast for the collector’s eye. According to Susanne, one of the wonderfully welcoming members of the Eclectica team, the idea behind the “Aesthetically Vogue” exhibition, which is running ‘til January 2016, is to create an exhibition that will afford clients the opportunity to envisage what the works of art as well as the designs pieces would look like in their own homes. She teaches me that vogue is not just a passing phase, but in this case, that it is the incorporation of art and design into beautifying your own space. By far the best part of this exhibition opening
Peter Pharao’s womens series was the talk that was arranged by the gallery team. Presented by UCT Fine Arts lecturer, Andrew Lamprecht, it was an education of note. Mr. Lamprecht starts with an etymology lesson on vogue which, he tells the attentive crowd, means to be at the height of your ability. Vogue, however, has come to represent something a bit different in modern times. Today vogue has become synonymous with French fashion and all things signifying mainstream beauty. Most of us are familiar with, Vogue, which is the world’s oldest fashion magazine. Although it may be the world’s fashion bible now, Vogue started as a celebration of all things ceremonial. How that has changed, along with so many other things in life. Aesthetics on the other hand deals with the way in which we see things and understanding the world around us. Understanding the aesthetics of art and nature. Aesthetics can also be indicative of something that is not necessarily an obvious beauty, as is the case with the work of Michael Hindly, which can hardly be described as conventionally pretty. The aesthetics of time progressing has resulted in a shift of the perception of beauty. Mr. Lamprecht then proceeds to take us around the gallery and give an insight into each of the various elegantly displayed alcoves and the works of the artists contained within it. The highlights reel for yours truly included the artists who make use of their medium to address issues that have come to fore on a social platform in recent times. Bridgett de Boer, who has travelled rather extensively, reflects her journeys in her work. Her piece entitle “Where is my Mother” depicts a mosque scene and children trying to identify their moms who are clad in burqa’s the religious garment worn by Muslim women. The wearing of the burqa has been on the periphery on the Islamophobia discussion that is sadly a globally trending topic. Another artists who set one’s imagination alight was Ronald Muchantunta, a Zimbabwean artist who painted various scenes wherein his subject’s skin is made of China/Ghana bags. One of his works includes a necklace attack, this as the voices interpretation of xenophobia
and the refugee crisis that has gripped South Africa and Europe respectively. Peter Pharaoh and Sarah Danes Jarrett give their take on change in perception of what is beautiful by painting their gorgeous models in unnatural colours. The works are as striking as everything else that you may find on the walls and floor of Eclectica, but what I appreciated is that with the these ladies, with all the features of Cosmopolitan models, the artists manage to twist the aesthetics of nature with breath taking consequence. Of the techniques and styles used by the artists in their works, they are as varied as the audience that they are intended. Ronald’s Mosiac piece, is comprised of different rocks and stones. Items which in times of riot and protests can be used to cause harm, but when put together created something that is endearingly captivating. Norman O’Flynn created a colour explosion in the form of asymmetrical works that can be hung upside down and right side up. For someone who cannot even commit to the same hair, the boldness and multiplicity really grabbed my attention. Interestingly enough, Norman uses Perspex as his medium and paints “back to front” Brilliant. However, the find me standing mouth agape piece was unquestionably that of Gavin Rain who’s painting of Marilyn Monroe is nothing short of astounding. Gavin used a technique that he calls neopixelism, an updated version of pixelism used in comic box printing of yester years. While it may look like a series of cleverly arranged layered dots, which it is, it is Gavin’s interpretation of the media world that we live in and how when we look really closely at something we see it for what it is and how that when we look even closer we may even find ourselves lost in white spaces between the dots. Makes you think, doesn’t it? All in all the hour spent at Eclectica left me wishing that I already have that Black AmEx, but more importantly drove home that fact that art is way more than something that is just beautiful, art is capable of driving home social change faster and more effectively than any bureaucratic politician ever could.