Season 7

Our Season has come to an end and while the team is taking a well-earned break, I want to highlight just one more episode that I can’t get enough of. My interview with James Blake was sort of a bucket list one for me and he also exemplifies what it means to be one’s truest self and live life unapologetically saying: YouAreOn

Ray-Ban is your reflection in the mirror of your truest self, it is the shade on a hot summer’s day, it is your own focus through any spotlight that may be on you. Together, Texx Talks and Ray-Ban are saying: you got a challenge for us? YouAreOn

You can’t predict the light. But with Texx Talks and Ray-Ban you are always ready to capture it by living each day in the moment. YouAreOn. 

Define your style at superbalist.com

James Blake is a man who has gripped an entire generation with his melodic prowess and lyrical aptitude, making music that is steeped in an EQ that few of his contemporaries can match. 

We love him here in South Africa and every time he goes live on Instagram we make up 90% of his audience and drop highly inappropriate, but always hilarious comments to show him just how much we love his singularly unique sound. 

Tecla chats to James Blake ahead of our four year wait for his new album, Friends That Break Your Heart, about dog training, how to get by in a lockdown, and why going blonde isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and much more!

Set List: 

We Might Feel Unsound – Apple Music

Love What Happened There – Apple Music

Say What You Will – Apple Music

Godspeed – Apple Music

Get stylin’ with Ray-Ban this summer at superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

Over at Texx Talks, we realised that we had been going for one hot minute. Almost two years, just under 100 episodes and, with some deft sidestepping of the pandemic at large, we have our first episode recorded live, in front of an audience!

Armand Joubert and the “Legend of Leggeh”, Peach van Pletzen join host Tecla Ciolfi as they look back on the episodes that were, and how everyone has been making sense of life in the latter part of 2021. 

There are bad FX, mandatory tequilas and just one hell of a good time in this one, so sit back and put yourself in the room for Texx Talks’ very first live recording, from the notorious Romeo’s in Melville, Johannesburg. 

A special thanks to Ray-Ban, TOMS and Victoria Falls Gin for making this the best possible time one could have during a pandemic. 

Useful Links:

Armand Joubert Texx Talks Episode

Peach van Pletzen Texx Talks Episode

Get stylin’ with Ray-Ban this summer at superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

And just like that, December is on our doorstep and as the days reach maximum temperature and the kids get cooler, Texx Talks and Ray-Ban are asking you to be ready to express your truest selves and say to any final challenges of the year: #YouAreOn

Today has been a momentous one for us because we are currently recording our first live show in front of an audience, something we would have never thought possible without the support of our firm friends, Ray-Ban. So while we get all of that in order, we are bringing you an episode from our vault featuring Portugal the Man, hoping that you will “Feel It Still”.

Portugal, the Man is a Grammy-winning band that fuses elements of psychedelia and classic rock, with a dash of modern pop and a willingness to experiment, and founding member and bassist, Zachary Carothers, isn’t shy to admit it was all a bit of a fluke at first.  

Not ones to shy away from speaking their mind, both on and off their records, their last album was responsible for a song that became omnipresent the world over (“Feel It Still”) and became such an earworm, you never got tired of hearing it.

From growing up in Alaska, to the effect of moving to Portland on the band’s trajectory, to falling in love with South Africa after their 2015 tour opened their eyes to the beauty of the country, Zach speaks candidly about all the places he’s been and the places he’s planning on going as he’s getting older.

Outro Song:

Who’s Gonna Stop Me – Portugal. The Man feat. Weird Al Apple Music Spotify YouTube 

Set List:

Air Balloons – PTM Website

Do You – Apple Music Spotify YouTube

Number One – Apple Music Spotify YouTube

Creep in a T-Shirt – Apple Music Spotify YouTube

Feel it Still – Apple Music Spotify YouTube

A massive shout out to Portugal. The Man for the generous use of their music in bringing this podcast to life.

LEARN ABOUT PTM Coin at www.portugaltheman.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to see and general fun. 

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news. 

Special shout out to TOMS – The Only Music Store, without which, a lot of this noise is not possible. 

Das Kapital is a Cape Town-born artist, producer and remixer who has made a name for himself with his bold DJ sets that stay with you long after the “jol” is over.   

As a champion of South African dance and electronic music, he introduces us to a new generation of artists and genres every week on his radio show and his dedication to the uplifting of our scene is palpable, and who knows what the hell what we’d do without him.  

The self proclaimed “hydra of hustle” reflects on a decade in the top flight and what it means to build a culture in an increasingly formulaic world, whilst enabling the next generation of talent, if it has to be at a vaccine site or at a festival. 

Outro Song: Meditate – Apple Music

Useful Links:

“State of the Arts” Documentary

“MD x Das Kapital” Mad Dogs Clothing

In Das We Trust 5FM 

Get stylin’ with Ray-Ban this summer at superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

Lucasraps is an artist who exudes a raw sound inspired by his hometown and Durban’s bustling underground hip hop scene.

As Def Jam Africa’s latest signee and one of OkayAfrica’s 13 South African Artists To Watch in 2021, this man is a force to be reckoned both on stage and on the charts. 

From shooting his shot first with Nasty C and then with DJ Maphorisa, his tenacity paid off and now his talent leads the way, blazing a path that is cool, calm, collected and entirely his own. 

Outro Song: MUD- Apple Music

Set List:

Project Mode Freestyle – Apple Music

Ammo – Apple Music

Preach – Apple Music

Get stylin’ with Ray-Ban this summer at superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

A SAMA-winning blues rock guitarist and singer who has captivated us for almost three decades with his extraordinary skills on electric – but also: acoustic guitars. 

Affectionately called the “South African Hendrix”, this man has packed venues and dominated festival stages, that anyone would have the absolute honour of watching him perform on numerous occasions and we cannot wait to catch one of his rip-roaring shows in the future.

Sit back, turn up the volume and take a trip with Albert Frost as he chats getting compliments from Mick Jagger, how meeting your heroes can sometimes be a let down and some just downright great advice from this evergreen career professional.

Outro Song: Storms are Breaking feat. Arno Carstens – Apple Music

Set List:

The Wake Up – Apple Music

Go Again – Apple Music

I’m Still Here – Apple Music 

Leaving Town – Apple Music 

Together – Apple Music

Get stylin’ with Ray-Ban this summer at superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

We constantly strive to spotlight authentic music trailblazers, which is why we’re super excited to have Texx Talks styled by Ray-Ban this summer, helping us in our pursuit of featuring artists who aren’t afraid to be their authentic selves.

Can you believe that another year has gone by and thankfully summer is well on the way, and over at Texx Talks, we are super proud and happy to be partnering with our friends Ray-Ban to support the culture. The folks over at Ray-Ban have once again stepped up to make sure that we will bring you only the best talent that South Africa, Africa and the world has to offer. 

In season 7 we’re celebrating LGBTQIA+ month in South Africa with musicians who have championed the cause by being true to themselves and living their lives unapologetically. Also, you’re going to want to keep your ears sharp this season to find out how to win your spot in the audience for our very first Texx Talks live show! 

For the latest Ray-Ban has to offer, head on over to superbalist.com

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

Armand Joubert is a five octave range singer who we just can’t get enough of lately. 

After featuring him in Texx and the City’s pride campaign called #SpheresOfQueer, and working with him on introducing a new 1More product into the market, we’ve gravitated towards his creative energy and larger-than-life persona and it’s been a real treat to watch his career unfold in front of our eyes as he flexes a work ethic that that would put even the most diligent to shame. 

Having to overcome relentless bullying because of his unique talents, Armand has gone on to embrace his natural gift, and thrive, whilst possessing a relentless drive for creative growth. Don’t get too close, this fire burns!

Outro Track: Am I Really What You Want – Apple Music

Set List:

Tell Me Now – Apple Music

Look At Me Now – Apple Music

Should I – Apple Music

By My Side – Apple Music

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

Lelowhatsgood is a multi-talented member of South Africa’s entertainment scene who is an innovative creative force and revels in being a disruptor across the board.

As an unapologetic queer voice for communities who need it the most, he is redefining this country’s queer culture and if you’re not following him on socials what are you doing with your life because they are lit on any given day. 

Early creative endeavours have led to Lelo carving out a niche and safe space for queer culture, and has now gone on to be a mentor for those who feel that there might not be “a way”. Lelo continues to be the kingmaker of taste and we are here for it. 

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.

Langa Mavuso is an R&B-soul singer-songwriter whose voice conveys a depth of emotion that will take you on a welcome and willing rollercoaster of feels.

His debut album was one of the best albums of 2020, chronicling the beginning, middle and end of a relationship, and expertly tapped into the rawness of pain, healing and the human condition.

From speaking his own truth to translating that and his vision in unique brand collaborations, Langa is at the forefront of making sure his endevours work for the queer comminty writ large, all the while wracking up the streams in the millions. 

Outro Song: next2me – Langa Mavuso and Una Rams – Apple Music

Set List:

Pretend – Apple Music

Love Lost – Apple Music

Love Six – Apple Music

Calamities – Apple Music

Searching – Apple Music

The Wild, the Beast – Apple Music

All of Me – Apple Music

For our growing back catalogue of awesome, head on over to www.texxtalks.com or follow us on Facebook Instagram Twitter for updates, things you need to hear.

Also: make sure you follow Texx and the City on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or all of your music news.