Serrotone, Basson Laas & Alan Strang Live at MiTH

MiTH 09th December 2020

BOOKING ESSENTIAL – R75 – LIMITED TICKETS – COVID-19 PROTOCOLS OBSERVED

BOOKINGS: https://www.miid.co.za/Events/PurchaseTickets?EventID=15395 / 082 331 7271

(Please book early to avoid disappointment.)

VENUE: The Knoll Historic Guest Farm

9pm: Serrotone

SERROTONE is an exciting collaboration project initiated by two established SA radio play artists: Pete Guthrie (Spoonfeedas) and James Robertson (Cubic Inch) and Billy Kruger. Guthrie and Robertson have both written and performed as part of Spoonfeedas, a multi-charting SA group, Robertson until 2001 and Guthrie from 2002 onwards. Robertson’s band Cubic Inch has also enjoyed radio popularity and between them they have performed alongside artists like Metallica, Muse, Ronan Keating and Bryan Adams. Kruger has performed in Europe with MIC at Holland’s Ajax stadium, also having shared the stage with UK band Delirious.

SERROTONE recently performed with some of South Africa’s finest acts on their Western Cape tour sharing the stage with Prime Circle and Wonderboom in Plettenburg Bay, and then Freshly Ground at the Inverroche Summer Series in Stilbaai. They are currently tracking two singles which have already gained popularity at their live performances and are due for release within the month, with filming of their first music video to follow.

8pm: Basson Laas

At its core, music has always been synonymous with life, and man’s volatile emotions. Its waves wrap around us like a heated blanket during winter, and its frequencies bring back images from the past – even a familiar scent from our childhoods. It brings cheer, enables us to love, and encourages us to be hopeful. In essence, it sets us free from the bitterness and confusion that often consumes our lives and fills it with serenity.

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 traveling musician that will, in turn, inspire others.

7pm: Alan Strang

Despite a lifelong love of music, Alan was a latecomer to the music scene, getting actively involved in the Buskers & TJs Acoustic Music clubs in Johannesburg. Now a resident of the KZN Midlands, Alan joins us on the MiTH stage for the second time, albeit a little later than originally planned as a result of the April lockdown. True to his love for Irish and Scottish traditional music, Alan will be sharing some of the songs which have resonated with him over the years within the theme of Reflections of a Dreamer. As a member of various collaborations, he’s performed at music festivals including Splashy Fen, Four Winds in PE, and Barleycorn in Cape Town. In more recent times, he has recorded and performed often with the Waldorf String Band, latterly becoming a regular member of the band. To view some of Alan’s work, try the following search phrases:

Reflections of a dreamer + Alan Strang; waldorf string band + Pipes of Donegal/last performance

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 R75 book online in advance and pay online or at the door. Bring your own booze. Food and soft drinks are available for sale.

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.