Rowan Stuart Live at MiTH

9pm – Rowan Stuart

8pm – Jessica Martins feat. Nish Pillay

7pm – Ilan Lax & Charles Webster

Durban singer-songwriter-guitarist Rowan Stuart will perform in Hilton this September as part of his national ‘Solitary Tour 2018’. Having recently released his fifth studio album, and with radio success on major stations countrywide with his latest single ‘Survivors’, Rowan continues to bring his own signature of Alternative Pop and Folk music to a wider audience. The performance will take place at Music In The Hills (MiTH) on Wednesday the 12th of September.

Rowan’s sound was motivated by a search for something deeper and more soulful within the landscape of modern pop music. He possesses a pure and effortless voice that recalls Thom York and Paul Simon, and a tastefully virtuosic command of the electric and acoustic guitar, reminiscent of John Mayer and Eric Johnson. Rowan believes his greatest strength is his imagination, and has found that music is his favourite medium by which to share the inner worlds of his mind with others.

His songs are filled with stories of people and places just beyond the edge of reality, his lyrical themes often speaking of a deep need to escape from the complex and harsh modern world, to somewhere more primal and simple. It is this sense of escape and sanctuary that Rowan hopes to create for his listeners through his music.

His single ‘Silver Balloon’, which played across South African radio in 2016 and 2017, hit the sweet spot with its modern production, yet lyrically, spoke of a fable involving the Earth and the Moon in an eternal dance. His latest single ‘Survivors’ depicts a post-apocalyptic landscape where just one true ally can be a rare and priceless treasure. ‘Survivors’ has been play listed on over 25 radio stations across Southern Africa, and has achieved chart success on major stations including Algoa FM and OFM (#2 on the OFM Top 10@10, July 2018).

The Durbanite has multiple South African tours under his belt, and has previously collaborated with artists such as Tresor, Just Jinjer and Gangs Of Ballet, and opened for many of South Africa’s top pop music acts.

Rowan’s new album will be on sale at the venue. Visit www.rowanstuart.com for more information.

Jessica Martins feat. Nish Pillay

This act consists of a unique blend of musical sounds; from indie-rock to reggae-folk. The duo makes use of a strong range of instruments such as Piano, Guitar, traditional and new- age drums such as the Tabla and electronic Cajon – performing soulful original music as well as modified popular covers.

Jess is a singer-songwriter based in Durban and was in the top 50 of The Voice South Africa Season 1.

She has a great passion for music and continues to study, play and teach it everyday. She is joined by renowned hybrid percussionist – Nish.

Nish Pillay, a Hybrid Percussionist from Pietermaritzburg, plays the Tabla, Cajon and several other drums from around the world. He has performed live with over 120 international and South African musicians combined in the last year. He has recently made it to the top 100 of South Africa’s Got Talent (2017) as a solo percussionist.

Jess and Nish have been a duo since 2016 and have been making steady progress in the industry. Festivals that they performed at thus far include:

• White Mountain Festival (2017)
• Splashy Fen Festival (2017 & 2018)
• The Michaelhouse Music Festival (2017 & 2018)
• East Coast Radio Concert Comedy Craft Festival (2017)

The highlights of their career thus far includes Headlining the Acoustic Stage at Splashy Fen this year and being the supporting act for The Parlotones and Gangs of Ballet at a Mill Sessions gig in the Midlands.

Jess has featured on one of ”Meh’s” song,’Chosen’- which has been played on most radio stations throughout South Africa and can be downloaded on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/chosen-single-feat-jess-martins-single/id1209784749

For more info visit www.jessicamartins.co.za

Ilan Lax & Charles Webster

During the day, Ilan Lax is a legal professional consulting on human rights, environmental, land and development law; governance and organisational development and working as an adjudication specialist. But Ilan’s other persona is a soulful, poetic musician who performs folk-rock, including ballads and original material, with deep emotion. His natural charm and obvious musical talent make him a pleasure to listen to.

A former news journalist, Charles Webster is a full time corporate communication specialist, part time student of philosophy, drinker of fine fortified wines and craft beers, part time musician… and lover of lemon meringue pie. Wordsmithing is his professional craft, but it also finances his other passions and allows him to indulge his musical and philosophical proclivities. Musical influences include everything from Mozart to Led Zeppelin. A soulful balladeer and acoustic guitarist, Charles indulges in folk, rock, pop and even some light jazz to keep things interesting.

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MiTH is located at The Knoll Historic Guest Farm, Knoll Drive, Hilton. Doors open at 6 pm and the
music will kick off at 7 pm.
Entrance is R30 at the door.

ABOUT MiTH: MiTH is a semi-open mic music club. An opportunity for musicians to share the joy of their music with a friendly audience which includes fellow musicians – who have all “been there” too. (Non-musicians welcome too!) Whether you’re a newbie looking for your first opportunity to perform publicly, or a more experienced / mature musician simply looking for people who are as passionate about music as you are – come along and join us!

Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale. Musicians who want to play at MiTH, please contact mithbookings@gmail.com, Charles Webster (082 331 7271), or Doug Borain (072 340 7034).

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.