MK Awards 2013

MK Awards 2013

by Marley

Award ceremonies are a very important part in any industry. Receiving a nomination for an award let alone winning one shows you that your hard work really pays off. Most people I've spoken to in the last few weeks about the MK Awards didn't even know there was an MK award ceremony.

Here’s a little history for you:

• The MK Awards have been running for the last 7 years (since 2006)
• MK stands for Musiek Kanaal (music channel) which is dedicated to South African music
• MK is a channel on DStv (SA’s ‘cable tv’)
• MK has grown over the years as a house hold name among fans and bands across the country and has many involvements in festivals and music events
• The MK Awards have grown from strength to strength since their inception and have become an important role player in the South African Music Industry

On 24 March more than 750 guests made their way to Pretoria State theatre dressed to rock for the awards. Among them were our very own Blue Mooners Anthony Bumstead, Anna Mart and Sune Halderman. Why you ask? Because many South African fans nominated Up The Creek Music Festival in the category of Best Festival. Oppikoppi won the award but it was an exciting experience none the less to watch them on TV passing by in the back ground.

I watched the awards with good friends at their house. I had many favourites who were up for awards this year which included the Solo Award winner Jeremy Loops. Yes I've been going on and on about this guy but you have to see him live. He was also nominated in the Best Live Act category along with Van Coke Cartel, Fokofpolisiekar, Bittereinder and The Black Cat Bones. I was on the edge of my seat the whole night and when Jeremy’s name was announced I nearly spilt my Tassies. It was awesome seeing him receive the award with such a look of surprise on his face.

How cool is that? - Photo courtesy of MK Facebook page (Letitia Lerm)

I also had the chance to re-watch ISO perform live since I wasn't that convinced at this year’s UTC but I'll give it to them, I can see why they are gaining fans. If electro rock is your flavour then here is a band to look out for. I've known of Spoegwolf for a few years now but haven’t had a chance to see them yet. I think with a band like Zinkplaat stepping off the scene, Spoegwolf will fill the gap they leave with their music. I'm just not sure about the name I mean a spitting wolf sounds like something out of a weird vampire novel. And if someone can just turn Bower Bosch’s auto tuner on, I'm sorry if I offend anyone but sjoe, his performance with Jaco van der Merwe of Bittereinder was very weak. I've been saying for years that he can't sing live. His voice did not match the song they sang even though the song is very well composed and written by Bouwer.

Bittereinder wasn't bad either but I will wait for their live show in May at Blue Moon before I make my mind up. I felt that Tailor took the cake with her live performance of "Indian" - ladies and gents please sit up straight in your chairs and be willing to be scared and turned on at the same time by this talented lady. She really is an artist we can all relate to, and despite how I used to feel about female vocalists the likes of ShotgunTori, Tailor and Lucy Kruger have changed my mind. Well done Ladies.

Tailor - Photo courtesy of MK Facebook page (Louise Pieterse)

I don't have complaints really but I must say for everyone who voted for VCK to win almost all the categories they were nominated for, yes they are good live and hardworking, I would say give other bands the benefit here too. I was really like "Why didn't Goodnight Wembley win anything?" however that is my personal view and taste. Congrats to VCK who won Best Video, Best Group, Best Rock and mostly consists as well of the Super Band which fans had to put together for the Hyundai competition.

Congrats on the guy who won the car, you acceptance speech was the best, a simple rock 'n roll "Fuck yeah!"

Fuck yeah indeed brother!

As for the rest I expected Johnny Neon to take away the Best Dance award as he did because anything to do with a friendly dog walking around the beaches of Cape Town is a winner. Best Newcomer went to Gangs of Ballet and I'm happy with that because they have quality music. First time I ever heard "Hello Sweet World" I thought it was a new Coldplay single. I smiled when I heard they are from South Africa. They have something good going there and I hope to see more of them in the future. Best SFX went to Haezer ft LARK, yo! Be sure to watch the video - Absolutely insane and amazing animation. I had hoped that one of my favourites, Black Handed Kites would win the Indie category but it went to Shortstraw, which I don't know much about but I’m willing to see more.

The big moment came for us when the Best Live Act was next. With such amazing bands up for nominations I myself was caught between Black Cat Bones and Jeremy Loops. The BCB are old friends, they are crazy on stage and humble off stage. Andre’s laughter is addictive, Rot’s hair always smells nice, Jason’s got a smile on his face and Chris well I think we got the Mad Hatter right there. Jeremy is a cool guy, laid back and hard working. When I think of Cape Town his face and music comes to mind first. I remember at this year’s UTC the nominations had already been announced and when I was speaking to Jeremy about it and he was really surprised by being nominated for Best Live Act. And so we waited... with baited breath... who will be the winner of the Best Live Act? "And the winner is the Black Cat Bones!" YAY!!!!

The Black Cat Bones - Photo courtesy of MK Facebook page (Louise Pieterse)

We jumped up and down in the living room, raising our glasses to them while they accepted the award. Fitting the sum of their crazy show into a few minutes was nearly impossible but hot dammit the buzz online with most people stating that they were the most deserving. And it shows, hard work pays off. BCB’s music hardly plays on commercial radio stations, they only recently had a 5 page write up in the SA’s Rolling Stone magazine and they've been playing every festival where possible. BCB congratulations again! One for the under dogs!

En ouens ek het 'n tequila gaan drink by die pub in julle naam!

The MK Awards is a big annual event and one a music fan like me keeps a close eye on. The next Music Awards Ceremony to look out for is the MTN SAMA’s. Many talented South African musicians have been nominated including Desmond and The Tutu's, Tailor, Prime Circle, YOAV and The Parlotones just to name a few. I know how hard musicians work, takes a lot of the time and they hardly get paid for what they do but they keep on doing it because they are driven by passion. They do this because it’s their talent, their life and their love. Supporting them at their shows is the best way you can show them love. Whoever your favourite may be don't sit around and wait for MK to play their music, go out and watch them live.

For the Afrikaans rock fans of the Lowveld come to Blue Moon for MK Award winners, Van Coke Kartel and Bittereinder on the 11 May 2013 for the opening show of the Blue Moon season. I promise you there are many more good acts on their way to our humble city and if you are not going to be there then you going to miss out.

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