Go Barefoot Archives • Howl & Echoes

Go Barefoot is a Johannesburg based band who define themselves as ‘indie kwela folk rock.’ That’s basically four of the best ways to describe music, so you know it’s got to be good. Or to put it another way, the band have simply described themselves as “South African music that makes you dance.”

I got the chance to see Go Barefoot while I was visiting Joburg a few months ago, and it was honestly incredible. The audience lapped up every moment. dancing wildly, with some punters even taking their shoes off and throwing them on stage – in what was (hopefully) an ode to the band’s name. I had high hopes for their EP Routes, and they have absolutely exceeded them. I love every song on this album, and I’m sure you will too.

There’s too much to say about each track on this album, so I’m just going to leave it up to you to trust my judgement when I say that this is one of the best EPs I’ve heard in a long time. Of the six tracks, here’s my three favourites:

Opening track You Don’t Have to Go has a really urban African feel to it. I don’t quite know how to put that into words, but you’ll know what I mean when you hear it. This song goes for five minutes and thirty six seconds and I wasn’t bored for a single second of it. Lead vocalist Michael Dawson has an incredible voice, the kind that can hit all sorts of notes. When I saw them live, my cousin turned to me and said, “Doesn’t his voice just make you want to fall in love?” He wasn’t far off. The band know it, and each instrument complements his vocals perfectly

Johannesburg is another wonderful tune. I can guarantee that if you are South African/have ever been to South Africa this song will make you want to dance and happy cry all at once. With the opening line, “I’m just a boy from Johannesburg,’ the lyrics are intimate and sombre, a deep contrast from the upbeat, folky music.The boisterous African instrumental sounds have also contrasted against Dawson’s pure, gentle voice, adding volume and depth to the atmosphere. The track makes me so proud to be from such a beautiful country (Australia is great too though, obvs.)

My favourite song in the EP would have to be Grazing. It starts off slow with a steady background beat, before building up to something really special. This song reminds me a lot of Devendra Banhart’s incredible album Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. And let’s face it; if you’re being compared to Devendra, you’ve done something right.. The rhythms and percussion really stand out throughout this track, they really hold each layer together, showcasing drummer Saul Nossel’s immense talent. If this song doesn’t make you want to dance then you must really really hate dancing.

Judging by the quality of this EP, there’s no doubt that Go Barefoot are going places. Hopefully we’ll see them for some ‘lank kif jols’ in Australia in the not too distant future.

It’s easy to get stuck in the local scene, and hard to find your way out sometimes. With burgeoning niches and scenes around Australia, it can be hard to filter through and expand your musical horizons. Thankfully, our writer Claudia Middleton has been working hard on her holiday over in South Africa to bring us the next big things over there and has delivered the perfect list of acts we all need to listen to right now!

Bye Beneco

is an indie-folk band with an ethereal sound. Lead vocalist Jenny Dison has an angelic voice that is backed up by beautiful percussion and guitar (percussion is way too underrated in my opinion). A super chilled band with a really beautiful sound, perfect for some lazy rainy-day vibes.

Thor Rixon

Thor Rixon is both a performer and a musician based in Cape Town. Rixon’s style can be described as alternative electronic and his music embodies the beauty of offbeat guitar and bluesy trumpet (not unlike Devendra Banhart). If you’re enjoying drinks at the pool this summer, you need Thor Rixon.

Shortstraw

Shortstaw is an indie rock band not unknown to Australia, having toured with Dune Rats in 2013. Their music is very upbeat with driving guitar and drums. Shortstraw have a bit of a Wombats-ey vibe and sound to me like summer in Australia. The band has already received its fair share of awards, including ‘Best Music Video’ for Waterworks in 2013.

Diamond Thug

Diamond Thug is an electro band, lead by vocalist Chantel Van T whom I had the pleasure of meeting a few weeks ago when I saw the band perform live in Joburg. Chantel’s voice is truly magical as there seems to be no note that she cannot hit. The band has a really similar sound to Bombay Bicycle Club, and if you don’t love that you’re obviously a terrible human being. There is something very special and unusual about Diamond Thug and the band is fast making a name for itself in South Africa.

Joshua Kempen

For the sake of full disclosure I have to tell you that Joshua Kempen is in fact my cousin. That said, he is also easily my favourite South African musician (no bias I swear) as his music is so different to anything on the radio these days. A fellow Aussie based in South Africa, Joshua’s music is 1950’s cool. He was also just picked up by Thor Rixon who will be recording his EP over the next few weeks. If you’re ever in an underground bar, smoking a cigarette and you feel like you need some beats to better set the scene then Josh has got you covered.

Go Barefoot

Go Barefoot is another band that I have had the pleasure of seeing live in Joburg. As the bands name might suggest, most of them actually played barefoot and a large number of the crowd removed their shoes and threw them onstage. This band is so cool, and so Jinja Safari that its hard to believe they aren’t Australian. Having only been around for a year, these guys are definitely going places. Super indie/folk/rock and super perfect for anything from a casual drinking sesh to a drug fuelled dance party. The song Johannesburg feels like it embodies the city itself and if you’ve ever been to Africa this song will bring you right back.

The Plastics

The Plastics are a psychedelic indie pop band from Cape Town. I don’t know about anyone else, but I just hear the words ‘psychedelic indie pop’ and I know it’s got to be good. Lead vocalist Pascal Righini has the sort of deep, soothing voice that makes you really believe that everything is going to be ok. The Plastics definitely provide some perfect late night music for the true partiers that stay out all night and stumble home at 5am.