Highlighting radness from East Africa
Pollen (based in South Africa) creates a great new commercial for Fanta. In-line with the brand created by Psyop, Pollen spreads the cheer with fizzing Fanta. Talented Darren Macpherson pulled off some amazing character animation and compositing work put together by Graeme Carr. Pollen also updated their reel and is worth checking out! (Thanks to Darren for this update).
I first heard of Extra Golden a yr or so ago when their song about the, then Sentor Obama caught on someone’s ears at NPR and they soon warmed my heart. Any Kenyan realises Benga tends to have an ear to an older audience and isn’t seen as trendy by the youth. This band reckons to change that. Authentic in its tunes and style of benga and now fused with rock gives this band an extra sting! At a concert at the Middle East in Cambrige, MA, Sunday night, I now have a new respect and love for this band. With a pretty mixed and vibrant audience it was easy to catch on to their music. Extra Golden makes great harmony fusing two worlds so separate (East African Benga & alternative rock) that its a marvel to watch these african and white guys take at heart the worlds apart and bring it together on stage in a manner that’s new and refreshing. I’m thrilled this band brings world music closer at heart. (ON TOUR catch them at a city near you!)
Glimpses of a young married couple trail back to the first shy moment they met. Directed by Bo Piatt – who’s represented by Nicholas Berglund (Paris, France), we tag along to see different parts of the scenery in Nairobi. Also cast as the budding bride is Neema Mawiyoo. View here and see full credits as well.
Knock off the 3 star rating – East African Breweries – Pilsner Lager now has a 5 star rating, a different bow, rounded edges and the lion has turned on its side. Mhh very minimal rebrand – to warrant a 5 gold star rating. Meh! Condiut delivers for them a fresh commercial – I think worthy of the stars.
Over the past 11 years, Design Indaba has exploded to be one of the top 10 conferences to attend. Set in South Africa, Design Indaba pushes creativity to solve solutions and ease financial crunches by innovation and design. Animation created by Wicked Pixels – SA
Design house Rex Creative in South Africa gets fancy by adopting the new grid look! I like!
Motion Designer / Art Director Brett McManus updates with a nifty reel. After freelancing in Capetown, South Africa, McManus is now working in Europe. (via motionographer)
Of the array of great music and delectable bands playing in Austin, TX I highlight The Parlotones & BLK JKS. The Parlotones an indie rock band, have found themselves successful in SA and Europe. Their music is expressive and in no way have they left their music videos flat and boring. In 2005 they released an EP of “Dragonflies & Astronauts”, and in 2006 a memorable video directed by Claudio Pavan made way to be screened in RES FEST 2006 in South Africa. “Overexposed” is their new EP release. Animated in similar fashion yet pushing boundaries, making the band members animated characters, edited with some live action animation and film.
Overexposed was directed by Claudio Pavan & Arri Reschke of Lung Animation with some help from Darren Macpherson who always has outstanding work. Full video credits here.
Having been featured in last years Fader issue on African Music I found this band refreshing to my ears. Their psychedelic rock and dub, hits a new high with a mix of that distinctive South African rhythm making this band fresh & rad. Take a listen, buy their EP on itunes and here are some performance pics from Kamau Mucoki’s flickr page.
Evans Mbugua love for patterns was inspired by the fact he grew up surrounded by khanga’s which are innate to African culture. He weaves through designs and typography easily reflecting repeated motifs somewhat drawn from this rich background. Kenyan born, now France based designer, Mbugua’s collaborative project Tumeni with Designer Amelie Rullier who also blogs, seeks to venture into brand design. Mbugua studied design in Pau, France and currently freelances from Toulouse, FR (Both cities are in South France). See his work here.
I am a little late on my postings following NYC fashion week 2 weeks back. However, I’ll get off my lazy hiney and promise to locate & share events as they happen. Take a look at the designers links posted and the NY Times article on the African Fashion Collections. Flickr set here on This Day Arise
Stoned Cherrie - Founded by Nkhensani Nkhosi (South Africa)
Tiffany Amber – Founded by Flake Folarin-Coker (Nigeria)
Xuly Bët (Funkin’ Fashion Factory)- founded by Lamine Badian Kouyaté (Mali born, Paris based)
I also noticed on Xuly Bet’s show, model Grace Jones video “Corporate Cannibal” directed by Nick Hooker was playing. Here it is!
