Larah Eksteen

Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Hot Graphics

Larah graduated with a B. Mus degree in performance from the University of Pretoria in South-Africa. She attended the University of Cape Town from 2001- 2002 , enrolling for a master’s degree in music with a SAMRO scholarship. As postgraduate student she was a member of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, performing under the direction of internationally acclaimed conducters at concert halls such as Artscape, The Endler , Cape Town City Hall, Baxter Theatre and the Momentum Theatre (Grahamstown Festival). She also competed in the International Ballroom Social Dance Tests at UCT on Intermediate level, for which she was awarded Honours.
In 2003 she joined Muse String Quartet, “the well know South-African all-girl group” and shared the stage with artists such as Sibongile Khumalo, Vanessa Mae, Ivonne Chaka-Chaka, Arno Carstens and perfomed at high profile events such as, Elton John Charity Ball, J&B Met, Cape Town fashion week, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Design Indaba, Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, Hands that Shape Humamity and SABC2 Women of the Year . Larah composed music for the band’s debut album “My Dance”. During this time the band was featured onTop Blling, SABC 3’s Morning Live, E-TV , MK Gons and Kyknet’s – “Dis hoe dit is met Steve Hofmeyer “on national television.
She relocated to Johannesburg in 2005 to join Electro-Muse as Creative Director, full-time composer, electric violinist and keyboardist, performing locally and abroad from Edinburgh, the Baltic, Mauritius, Seychelles, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambiê to Woodstock, KKNK, Innibos, Up the Creek and Ladyfest. Electro-Muse has performed at high profile events for brands like Peroni , Diesel, Esteé Lauder, MAC Cosmetics, FTV, Moet et Chandon & Levi’s. Their media exposure includes features in FHM, Cosmopolitan, Sunday Times, Die Burger, Stage and Top Billing magazine.
Larah also recorded and performed with various pop artists and rock icons such as The Parlotones, Wonderboom, RJ Benjamin, Fuzi Gish, Paul Ressel (Producer and Sound Designer from the acclaimed group “Lark”), Arno Carstens ,F*Polisiekar and Prime Circle.
In September 2006 she started exploring the media industry, doing research for production company, Suburban. Larah was commissioned composer and producer music for Yokohama South-Africa 2006 & 2007 and Citroen 4 Ireland 2007, television commercials. After working on soundtracks television, her interest was sparked by both mediums and she attended a Final Cut Pro course at Soho-Editors Johannesburg. She joined forces with electronica/triphop act, Devil’s Cartel as keyboardist and violinist.
Larah spent the second half of 2007 in London. During her stay she collaborated with internationally accredited artists and producers from the ever so busy London. She completed a full-time studio & music production course at the London Centre of Contemporary Music, appeared on BBC and gigged with the likes of Jazz graduates from the prestigious Royal Academy of Music.
Amongst the celebrated talent was dub guru Richie Stevens (producer/remixer Gorillaz, Space Monkeyz, Boy George) composer, producer, creator extrodinaire Caspar Kedros (sountrack for FIFA Soccer World Cup 2006, 51st State, Entrapment) and Geoff Hemsley (drummer for the legendary BB King). Larah also joined forces with irish vocalist & viola player Una Palliser who has performed with Gnales Barkley, Mika, Mark Ronson, Sir Yehudi Menuhin and Take That.
After returning from the UK Larah has collaborated with Bride Reunion, Dear Reader , Brent Knopf (Menomena frontman) Cassette, Paul Riekert (Battery 9) and various orchestras like the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, JFO, JMI & JCO based in Johannesburg. As video editor she has worked on local reality TV series’s like Jam Sandwich SABC 2 ,MTV Base, MK’s Matrix 2008 & Kyknet.
Some recent performances include opening night @ Aardklop national arts festival, sharing the stage with Amalanka Chardonnay, Bride Reunion & MTKIDU @ GO GO Bar and Albert Frost . Larah now works as a full-time session musician, performer, video editor, music producer, sound designer, composer and Logic 8 Operator in South-Africa.