SHEDDING SOME LIGHT ON STRAATLIGKINDERS

Judging from the amazing reaction and the large fan base that they have, it is obvious that Straatligkinders are a band that are playing in the right key. It would seem that they are exactly what the South African music industry has been longing for and the people just can’t get enough. They are a band that epitomise the saying “local is lekker”... well, on second thoughts, maybe a mere “lekker” (nice) is not quite enough to describe their amazing music and they are a band that would definitely hold their own on an international level too!
We had a chat to Bouwer Bosch of SLK and here’s what he had to say to our questions...

Q: So, Straatligkinders is a 4-piece band ...could you tell us a little bit about each of the members and what you all do in the band?
A: Bouwer Bosch sings and plays rhythm guitar
Benjamin de Jager plays lead guitar
Hein Kruger plays bass
Ruan Kruger plays drums

Q: Let's go back to the beginning; how did you decide to come together and form the band?
A: Well, Hein en Ben started a music project for fun so they asked Ruan to drum for them and they knew me from church so, they just asked me to sing for them. We never planned to do it full time, it kind of just worked out this way.

Q: And why the name “Straatligkinders”... it’s quite an interesting one?
A: It has to do with streetlights that go on or off when you pass them. It happened to me when I was in the USA and it’s still happening to us on a regular basis.

Q: Do you still remember your first gig?
A: Haha, unfortunately, yes ...we only had 6 songs. We were not tight at all and I didn’t have lyrics for the songs, we just jammed and I improvised on the lyrics.

Q: Now, it must have been quite exciting when you were given the opportunity to record your songs and start making CDs... how did that happen?
A: Yes it was/ is very exciting and very humbling at the same time. We saved up all our money and recorded an album and just started selling it at the shows and then we met amazing people that said they would help us to distribute our albums nationwide.

Q: So, what do you guys occupy your time with apart from playing in one of the coolest bands in SA?
A: Well, I’m a student and I’m finishing my degree in communications this year. 
Benjamin is the landlord for 3 student houses and Hein and Ruan helps their father out sometimes when we have lots of time off in Potchestroom. Hein and Ruan are twins.

Q: Now, all of you are Christian and your lyrics have Christian influences, but you don't like to market yourselves as a “Christian Band” only available in the Christian market…tell us more about that?
A: No, it doesn’t have anything to do with marketing purposes, we just don’t believe there is such a thing as “Christian music”. Your relationship with God is a Lifestyle, not a music style. You worship God with everything in your life, when you ride a bicycle you should worship God, when you brush your teeth you should worship God. Why is a song sang in church more worshipping God than against racism or a song about helping people with their struggles? They are all in line with God’s heart. If you label your music as “Christian music” then you are saying to the world that if you are not a Christian, then this music isn’t for you. And Jesus’ life was the exact opposite.... He came for the sick and the lost.

Q: And when and how did you personally become a Christian?
A: When I was 18 years old, I understood the “relationship with God” thing for the first time. So, I guess, ever since then.

Q: You write the lyrics for the band ...what inspires them and do you find lyrics come pretty easily most of the time?
A: Sometimes it comes easier than other times. Mostly, I write about everything in my life - relationships, laughter, brokenness, healing, the church. When it comes to thelyrics I try to convey the importance of worshipping God with your whole life. Therefore, you need to write about different things in your life so that people can see that God is present in your whole life... it doesn’t matter what you go through.

Q: Does the band usually start a song with lyrics and then think of the music around that or do you do it the opposite way?
A: The music always comes first with us, we just find it easier. The lyrics and the melody comes last.

Q: How would you describe your style of music to the uninformed?
A: Afrikaner-core, Potch-core, we made up our genre because our songs are so different from each other. But at the end, everything is just “rock” I guess

Q: Who does the screaming in the band?
A:I do the screaming and singing

Q: How do you survive a whole concert?
A: It’s actually not as straining on your voice as people think. We have done a whole tour with about 8 shows and everything went fine. You just have to do it right... there is a certain technique to it.

Q: You recently toured SA as openers for Underoath ...that must have been quite something? Tell us a little more about it and some of your personal highlights?
A: It was amazing for us to be a part of that tour because we are all major fans of UO. It was just cool to see how professional they are and how they love what they do. We took them to a Sharks vs Lions rugby game in JHB and we had an awesome time just hanging out and not talking about music. I think the biggest highlight was the rugby game and hanging out after the last show, just eating and chilling.

Q: And for anyone who wanted to be the next Straatligkinders… what equipment do you recommend?
A: Equipment is very important. You don’t need the most expensive equipment at all. You just need to find the sound you are looking for and go for it. Use the internet to search equipment and sounds. It works for us a lot.

Q: You have a number of  English followers - Any chances of writing a couple of English songs ever or will you always be a  purely Afrikaans band?
A: Yes, I think we will definitely try something for fun in English and see what happens.

Q: What has been the most defining moment of your career so far?
A: Becoming friends with Francois van Coke. (the vocalist of Polisiekar)

Q: What other bands do you admire and find inspiration from?
A: Polisiekar are amazing musicians. I don’t always agree with what they do and say, but we learn a lot from them and they are really cool guys. The Narrow also inspired us a lot and we learnt a lot from them regarding being true to yourself no matter what.

Q: What are your views on the current South African music industry… would you say it’s flourishing or is there still a lot of room for improvement?
A: It’s going great at the moment and I think it is getting stronger and stronger. Our industry is very young and I think we are all working to pave the way for the next generation of musicians. The only thing that bothers me at the moment is that Afrikaans music and English music are so separated from each other. I really wish we could all just tour together and jam together. English stations must start playing Afrikaans rock, and Afrikaans festivals must start to book English bands. It should be about the music, not the language.

Q: Give us one random fact about yourself?
A: I have a truck license ...haha, I really do.

Q: Where to from here- what are the band's hopes and dreams for the future?
A: Hopefully, we can do a international tour one day, maybe to the UK or Germany. I really want to tour the US, but I think the language thing is gonna be a huge issue there. We are also working on bringing out a really cool DVD in 2009.

Q: Finally, any last messages or scriptures for the reader?
A: Yes, read the following books:
“The Gutter”
“Red Moon Rising”
“Blue like Jazz”
“Searching for God knows what”