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PDBY featured artist:

Three-man rock band Paint the Walls

Ashleigh Pascoe

Meet Sean Munday, Jonty Oosthuizen, and Dane Blunt from Pretoria’s three-man rock band, Paint the Walls. While balancing honours degrees and the working world amidst a pandemic, Paint the Walls managed to release their debut single, “Take Me” on major streaming platforms.

PDBY interviewed this band to discover who they are, and what they are about.

What are the roles within the band?

Sean is the singer and the bassist, Jonty mans the drums, and Dane is the guitarist.

How did the band start out?

Dane and Jonty were in a band before, called Shotgun Not. Their singer and their bassist left Pretoria. I found out through a mutual friend over Instagram, after posting a picture of Mark Hoppus from Blink-182, that Dane needed a singer for their band and [that] we both liked the same music. I got his number from her and messaged him; the rest is history.

What influenced the creation of the single, “Take Me”?

I wrote it during lockdown while trying to write about this time [that] I was staying with this girl [that] I really liked. There was so much I wanted to say but didn’t.

Nothing I wrote sounded right so I made up a story for the verses that aimed to capture that kind of feeling. The chorus represents all the things you wish you could tell someone, but you just end up talking about random cr*p (hence the “nana’s”).

What was the process behind releasing your single on major streaming platforms?

It was actually a lot easier than most people would think. You just find a distributor, upload it there and in about a month your song is on streaming!

What would you say influences the sound of your band? Are there any particular bands or artists that do so?

We all love Blink-182. When we were writing songs, they were always our biggest influence.

If possible, can you give us a sneak peek into what the band is currently working on?

We’ve got a few more demos [that] we’d love to release. Hopefully we can make that happen!

Image: Provided

The verses that [aim] to capture that kind of feeling. The chorus represents all the things you wish you could tell someone.

Do you have any intention of performing live when COVID-19 restrictions have lifted?

That’d be awesome. There’s no better feeling playing for a crowd and you can see they’re really enjoying it.

How can those who enjoy your music reach out and interact with you?

We are on social media, @paintthewallsband. We always appreciate a nice comment or a message!

Are there any additional thoughts you would like to share with the readers?

The local rock music scene in Pretoria is really great and I think more people would enjoy the shows if they went. We’ve made friends with the guys in some great bands like Double Sun, Triiip, and Smokey Mercle who I think a lot of people would enjoy listening to.

Find more from Paint the Walls at @paintthewallsband.

PDBY’s artists to watch

Nicola McCleod

“Changing” McCleod is a PDBY regular (check out her interview in 2021’s First Year Edition or catch her at Bar Acoustics at Fokof Bar every week). She recently released her debut single “Changing” and it is available on all major streaming platforms. Her melancholic folksy sound is sure to grip you and have you waiting in anticipation for her next project. IG: @_nicolamcleod_ FB: Nicola McLeod “Main Frame” Black Heidi is a singer/songwriter who graces the Pretoria music scene with her powerful voice and ukulele. In May 2021 she released a single titled “Main Frame” and it is available on most major streaming platforms.

Black Heidi

Image: Provided

Motau’s ‘Thulaganyo Ya Badimo’

Ashleigh Pascoe

Thulanganyo Motau is a vocal and local artist that attends the University of Pretoria. If you are an avid PDBY reader, you will remember that in April 2021 we interviewed Motau regarding her EP, Souls Have Chosen.

During this interview, Motau left readers wondering what she was working on when we asked about her current projects and she stated that she had “already said too much”. Now, we can explore this elusive comment. On 12 June, Motau released her new single, “Thulaganyo Ya Badimo”. “Thulaganyo Ya Badimo” is a heart-touching track with elements that could not have come from anywhere but South Africa.

The cover art is authentically representative of the sounds that greet you in the introduction. The introduction will invite you to continue listening, and Motau’s angelic voice will have you disappointed that there is only one song on this EP. It is the local feel, and the beating of the drums, that really draws listeners into her music.

It is slower and more emotionally complex than Souls Have Chosen - yet it still carries the same element of playfulness. Despite only being Motau’s second release, it is clear that she is successfully exploring musical diversity. The lyrics of this song carry complex themes of religion and self-exploration that perfectly complement the R&B/Soul genre that this piece falls under. It is a soulful and soothing song that South Africans should engage in. Motau is a talented artist, and we cannot wait to follow what she has to offer.

Savvy snacking in Hatfield

Ashleigh Pascoe

Spoiling yourself on a student budget does not have to leave you broke. If you are in or around Hatfield, why not grab a chicken burger for only R25 at Springbok’s Bar? For an extra R3, you could include some chips on the side. If you do not feel like a burger, you can always munch on a cheese pizza for R32. Of course, you already know about Steers’ Wacky Wednesday, where for R54, you can buy a juicy beef burger, and get one free. If you have dietary needs or preferences, give Lexi’s Vegan Eatery in Hazelwood a try.

On Mondays, you get a second plate of the meal you ordered, for free! Bring a friend along or take it home for dinner. Lexi’s is also now on Mr Delivery, so you can still get your healthy meal even if you do not feel like leaving the house. Another healthy alternative is Hatfield’s Kauai. If you show your student card to the person taking your order, you get 20% off your order, any day of the week. Last but not least, (because breakfast cannot be forgotten), get a Feast Filler Breakfast at Wimpy, for R49,90, or The Crisp Supreme Chicken & Bacon burger and chips for R59, 90. Some people even say that a Wimpy breakfast is the cure for a hangover, so why not give it a try. Eating good food does not need to break the bank, so do not forget to treat yourself once in a while.