If you are still in the mood for a party this weekend (despite the Bokke being out of the RWC the final will be broadcast) then you can get your tickets at Look & Listen in Riverside Mall, R 250 for a full weekend or R 100 for Friday and R 200 on Saturday, either of the 3 ticket prices includes camping! Brilliant! If you do want to camp just bring a gazebo with as there isn’t so much trees like at the original STRAB in Mozambique and also bring yourself some water to spare your legs from walking up and down and of course your food! Sucks we will be selling food there but you gonna get hungry! And from the sounds of it, it seems Pete has imported some Moz tradition in form of an R&R or two…only time will tell what the man has come up with.
Before I go on any further happy belated birthday to Stefan Retief of Voetstoots! Hope it was legend dude! See you at Blue Moon!
A few posts ago I announced that I will start interviewing a muso or two from our humble little kingdom of Nelsparta. My first muso is someone is not only a good friend but a sweetheart, got the voice of an angle and she is only turning 22. Most of you might have met her, like her page on Facebook or bought a CD or seen the new "UFO" video, ladies and gents I’m talking about Mimi Gabi Law of No One’s Arc. I had the pleasure of her company for an afternoon in form of a sneaky session between family and work duties to ask her the burning 20 questions I had.
Born on 1st of February 1990 in Nelspruit (like most of us) and raised in Lekazi and at the age of 10 the family moved to the Nelspruit town. She matriculated at Lowveld High School in 2009 where she met the boys of No One’s Arc. Currently studying in Pretoria she always finds time to come back home, not only for performances but to spend time with family and friends.
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| No One's Arc: Dylan, Bongani, Goophstar, Robby, Lee & Mimi |
STM: Where did all start (the singing)?
STM: How did you get involved with No One’s Arc? I know Bongs had something to do with it
Mimi: (laughs) Bongs introduce me to the band when I was in Grade 9/10, I was taking trombone lessons from Bongs and he invited me to one of their shows. I knew Goophy as well and remember Robby from school. We were back stage and the boys asked if I can sing as well to playing the trombone. I said ‘Of course I can’ and did a little bit of a song, I went to 2 band practises on the Monday & Tuesday after that show and the Saturday we were in studio to record “A Shot In The Dark” *
*Shot In The Dark was No One’s Arc first attempt at a 'proper' CD, it’s out there somewhere
STM: And the rest is rock and roll history?
Mimi: Damn straight!
STM: In a few words can you describe a band practise with NOA?
Mimi: It’s all good, it’s a stress reliever, to come to the bands room and relax from a hectic day. Times flies when we do have practise together because I live in Pretoria I don’t always get to practise with the boys but when I’m here I love it.
STM: What is it like to share the stage/van with 6 boys?
Mimi: The stage, it is interesting, we just have the energy together on stage. Because I’m the only girl on stage I feel sexy, I dance with Lee and then flirt with Dylan I love it.
The van is fun because we spend a lot of the time on the road we talk a lot. We learn a lot from each other, every time there is something new we learn. And it also helps because if we every placed in certain situations we will know how that person will react. The boys say I talk too much
STM: What is your least favourite thing about touring?
Mimi: Being on the road, the heat and it gets annoying but when we get to our destination it is worth it. And sleep my own bed, a comfortable bed we do sometimes sleep in a comfortable bed but still my own bed and my teddy bears
STM: Where do all the nick names for the band members come from? I know Bongs is short for Bongani, I know you got one as well and the manager, Werner.
Mimi: Well it comes mostly from our names Goophy, Momo. Robby is Robert, Bongs is Bongani, Deez is Dylan, Millicent is Mimi (giggles), I forgot Lee full names but it is one name so we call him Lee. Goophy was named by Mr. Leach from high school he said that he looked goofy so he called him "Hey Goophy boy" and the name stuck. Werner, he is part of our band, he is Meneer Botha so the guys just call him MB
STM: How does it feel to see yourself in your music videos, fan recordings of live shows and TV shows?
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| Blue Moon, March 2011 |
STM: Can you name any groupies or big fans (myself excluded hahaha) of No One’s Arc?
Mimi: Cerys, Minette, Christine, Phindile in Pretoria, Thandi in Cape Town, Adriaan, Michael, Milla but she is Dylan girlfriend so she is more like part of the band
STM: What is your favourite thing about fans?
Mimi: It feels good when they tell you how much they appreciated the music and shows. Having a drink and to have a chat to get to know them better, the regular faces at our shows, it is always great. I love our fans
STM: And we love you Mimi. I know you answered once that you guys love the crowd response to songs when asked what you like about live performing, it there is a specific song or songs you can see the crowd love?
Mimi: Oh definitely ‘Stanley’ and‘Fire’ because those are our jumping songs. I think ‘Fire’ is more popular because it showed on MK last year. Fans is also loving our new song ‘Paved in gold’ which we have been playing more often at shows
STM: Oh its one of my new favourites. Did you know that “Rock Show” is the A-Team of Blue Moon theme song?
Mimi: No I didn’t but I can understand why, you guys work at the rock show (Laughs)
STM: Awe! Besides No One’s Arc I know you love jazz music, which is your favourite artists/band/group to listen to?
Mimi: Lira all the way, I love her music
STM: Out of all the SA music out there, which are your Top 3 favourite bands or your Top 3 favourite songs?
Mimi: "Kia Ora" by The Tidal Waves; "Sy Sê" by Die Tuindwergies; "Angel Wings" by The Southern Gypsy Queens*
SGQ and Tidal Waves will be performing at this STRAB weekend
STM: Can you name any local artists/bands from the Nelsparta aera and have you seen live?
Mimi: Voetstoots, Black Chain (old jazz vibe), Latte Funk, NoCane, we had most of the local bands performing at our CD launch last year which was amazing.
STM: Where would like to see your music go? For instance to the USA giant market or would like to stay in good ol’ South Africa?
Mimi: We want to hit the world and the planets around it!
STM: LOL you go girl! Coming home from Pretoria is always a busy time for you but you always manage to see your family and close friends, how do you find time to balance it all?
Mimi: I see family during the day and we go to church together. At night I have a drink or two with my friends at Jock or O’Hagan’s or a gig like BLUE MOON!
STM: You guys have done a lot of travelling, Mozambique, Cape Town, Stellenbosch do you have a favourite?
Mimi: Bohemian in Stellies because of the quaintly of crowd, it is the same no matter the time of year because of it’s a student town. Mozambique (STRAB) is fun - sun, sea, surf - and those R&R's. Arcade Empire in Pretoria is hot, we did 3 shows there this year alone and it’s where we had our party for our UFO video launch day last weekend. And of course there is no place like home, Blue Moon gigs. Blue Moon are the best venue in South Africa, it is always awesome being there
STM: What does your fiance think of you singing and being on tour most of the time?
Mimi: He is fine with it, communication is key never less he supports me and likes our vibe. Whenever he can he comes to our gigs, jumps up and down and he takes photos. He is cool with everything
STM: When do are you two planning to get married?
Mimi: In about 5 year’s time
STM: When can we expect a new CD from No One’s Arc?
Mimi: We are planning on it, soon hopefully
STM: Where can people catch you live besides this weekend at Blue Moon?
Mimi: Best is to like our page on Facebook and get invites to our upcoming gigs and also get to listen to some our tracks.
They are confirmed as one of the supporting acts for UB40 show on the 17 December at Mbombela Stadium!!
STM: Cool stuff, where can we get a hold of you?
Mimi: On Facebook or you can follow me on Twitter (@Mimi_Gabi_Law) or the band (@Noonesarc)
I want to thank Mimi for sticking it with me for this interview; I hope that you the reader got to know her a little better and what is going on in the inner circle of the popular No One's Arc. If you have any questions or any suggestions to any muso or band you think I should interview please drop me a line on themusicfan@webmail.co.za or a tweet @STMFan.
I also want to thank Goophstar for the kind words on my SA_Rockdoll Tweet feedline this week. As long as you are making awesome music I will continue to support it, blogging it and shouting it out to the world!!!
Of course I will be posting a blog next week about this weekend craze party! Nice sun shine weather, cold beer and good tunes sounds like heaven to me!
Peace & Love
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