Original music stuns at Song Night

IT’S April 2011 and I’m speaking to Lize Ehlers about Song Night. Like Free Your Mind and Spoken Word, it’s about to be a monthly platform for performers, specifically singers, who want to find an audience for their original songs.

Lize will supply the band, the training and the venue and singer songwriters need only audition and attend a series of rehearsals before taking the stage in a dynamic display of singing and writing talent.

The whole thing catches on like fire. Song Night gives birth to talents like Sean K, Christopher the Grand and Sade Paulse but the originality element of the whole thing gets lost in the sheer excitement of discovering voices.

That was then.

Now we know that Sophia Fellner, Anna, Ann, K’Chinga, Def Mo Fab and Savannah Afros are local lyricists. They write their own lyrics, perform their own music and do it with such talent, passion and panache that it brings down the house.

Though she gets off to a somewhat shaky start, Anna steps out in a red dress to sing two self penned songs about God. Offering up great control and a sweet, crisp voice, Anna debuts as a striking and authentic new voice in local Christian music. Next to show us what she’s got is Ann. Also a little nervous, Ann sang short and reasonably sweet with a punt for her recently released single ‘Mbwiti Dance.’

Regaling us with rap was K’Chinga who strutted up to the stage to perform ‘Where my Money At’ replete with the house band and backing vocals by Lize Ehlers as the audience roared its approval. The audience was equally enthusiastic about young Sophia Fellner who simply stunned with two original songs about the intricacies of love and leaving. Calm, cool but proving once and for all that she has some sexy pipes to match that mug, Sophia was scene stealing and sublime.

Similarly offbeat were Def Mo Fab, a Namibian and Indonesian collaboration that is nothing short of absolutely amazing. Combining some island style with a little blues, a dash of funk, some crazy harmonies and two signature hats, Def Mo Fab were completely cool and earned much love from the ladies.

With regard to awesome original music, Savannah Afros were last but far from least. Featuring Tapz Munya of drumming fame on vocals, Savannah Afros got everyone up and on their feet in a fantastic, drum fuelled finale that has surely catapulted the six piece contemporary African outfit to sudden stardom.

Also exciting was Priscilla who brought a whole lot of talent and personality to the Song Night stage in her rendition of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Natural Woman’. From her quick wit, to her freedom with her ‘Kardashian trademarks,’ Priscilla is a born entertainer and a veritable party starter. Subtle songbird, Doris was also of note and won with her cover of Zahara’s ‘Ndiza’ but lost with ‘It Won’t Stop’ a pedestrian R and B song that did nothing for a voice far more impressive than its choice in song.

As for Alta, she showed wonderful control of an interesting voice, the ability to make covers her own but all that didn’t distract from the fact that she didn’t know the words to ‘Another Day in Paradise’ which is a pity because learning one’s words is basic and the bottom rung of respecting one’s audience.

When it’s all told, the ‘Power of One’ featuring an enthused Paul-William opened an inspiring show and Song Night returned held high on the shoulders of its original music makers. Finally all Ehlers dreamt it would be, Song Night is most certainly back, bright and boasting some of young Namibia’s songwriting finest.

Song Night’s April auditions will take place at The Theatre School, 63 Robert Mugabe Avenue, at 18h00 on Thursday, 5 March, at 18h00. No backtracks. Just voice.

@marth___vader on Twitter