Josh Strydom, Basson Laas & Blackbird

MiTH 10 May 2023

INFO: 082 331 7271

ENTRANCE: R50.00 – Cash or Zapper at the Door

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

7 pm: Josh Strydom

Josh Strydom is a local musician from Howick who plays with many bands and singers, including The Fuss, Kaiti Faul, and most recently, the MMM…band. He has been involved in the music scene for years and has even played at White Mountain Music Festival. Josh plays for the love of it, and to share the fun with as much energy as possible, so he will be playing some of his favourite songs at MiTH. There are sure to be some recognisable favourites and perhaps one or two that you may not know.

8 pm: Basson Laas

Basson Laas, a young farm boy from the North-West Province, was given the opportunity to perform live in his early twenties while studying business at the University of Pretoria. Three friends who whiled away the hours making music on their stoep evolved into the band called Man the Fields, adamant to perform their folk-style acoustic vibe at any market, exhibition, bar, or restaurant that would have them. Now, Basson is taking the stage as a solo singer/songwriter. Inspired by a broad spectrum of international artists, he also showcases original songs written in the previous decade. Basson’s lyrics are rooted in a complex nostalgia, mirrored in the dirty/clean tone of his ivory-coloured, hollow-body guitar. Although at the beginning of this new musical journey, he is excited by the prospect of hopefully being a travelling musician that will, in turn, inspire others.

9 pm: Blackbird

Based in the KZN Midlands, Tanya Nicolson and Charles Webster bring you Blackbird – a surprisingly poignant yet uplifting vocal acoustic duo. Their diverse repertoire covers sultry jazz, upbeat folk, indie styles with soul, and twists on contemporary classics. Having been in the acting and music world, professionally, since the age of 8, Tanya Nicolson has performed all over the country, in genres ranging from Cabaret to serious theatre with a fair amount of physical theatre. There is local and international film and TV in the mix there too. Charles Webster, with his smooth baritone and distinctive folk-rock rhythm guitar, has become a fixture of the local Midlands music scene over the last decade or more. He provides the perfect platform for Tanya’s vocal work whilst bringing his own singing talent and musicianship to the fore. Tanya and Charles have a deep-rooted friendship which gives their duo a somewhat tangible dynamic – truly evident in their heartfelt rapport on stage.

ABOUT MiTH: Arguably the KZN Midlands’ best-loved music venue, Music in The Hills (MiTH) is an opportunity for beginners, professionals, and passionate music fans to share the joy of music at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm. Visit www.mith.co.za for more details and directions. Musicians can contact mithbookings@gmail.com for slots.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: MiTH takes place every second Wednesday at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6pm and the music will kick off at 7pm. Entrance is R50 at the door. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. A cash bar is available.

DIRECTIONS TO MiTH: Take the N3 to Hilton, take the Hilton turnoff and go South into the Village (away from Hilton College). Travel 5,2km along Hilton Avenue (past two sets of traffic lights and Crossways Pub) and keep going straight as Hilton Avenue turns into Dennis Shepstone Drive. At the 5,2km mark, Knoll Drive will be on your right – the entrance to MiTH is the *second* entrance on your left into The Knoll Historic Guest Farm.