Myspace Layouts at Pimp-My-Profile.com / Black
Music straight from the heartJune 11, 2008By Diane de Beer:Bass guitarist Schalk Joubert almost fell into the job description of freelance musician but, many years on, this is his time. He tells Diane de Beer about the sounds in his head.Recently awarded two Sama nominations for his debut album Kayamandi, two Michelle Shocked international concerts on the horizon, invites to his band for huge international festivals, small wonder Schalk Joubert feels that he's catching more spotlight than usually becomes a bass guitarist.They're the ones standing on stage slightly hidden, not used to making too much noise unless with their instruments. But if you're going to start making individual sounds and are praised high and low by other musicians, the world will stop and take note.And it's well deserved. Those who have been watching this young musician lose himself in the music for many years, couldn't fail to notice that his playing is something special.When it was time to put his own compositions on the line, Joubert went the big brass route with trumpets and flügelhorns playing an important role in the overall sound."I didn't want to make a bass guitar album," says the bassist, who gathered all his musical friends, including Concord Nkabinde, Gloria Bosman, Zolani Mahola, Neo Muyanga and Lize Beekman, to help him create what Kyamandi meant to him - a special place or beautiful home. "It's almost a nod of approval that you were good enough to be considered as a winner," he says. More than anything for the musician, his album represents music from home, from the heart.He recently returned from the Genting International Jazz Festival in Malaysia and later this year he will be touring with American acoustic activist rocker Michelle Shocked followed by a tour with Afrikaans poet/singer Gert Vlok Nel.He first hooked up with Shocked at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown and since then they have kept in contact.Their last concert together at the Barcelona in Pretoria earlier this year, Joubert considers as one of his best performances yet. And those of us who witnessed this dynamic show agree. It was phenomenal.For Joubert it seems like a moment in time, a moment when he realises that while he might not become a superstar, he can enjoy a successful international career"Not many of us can reach the status of U2 or REM, but in-between, there's a lot of good music to be made."He does this in different genres, from Laurinda Hofmeyr's gentle African sounds to Latin rhythms to reggae and boeremusiek. "I want to express myself as someone with a distinct sound," he says.He knows that many would think a bass guitar is limited but, if anything, he wants to prove them wrong and listening to the music he makes, he has a point.He is especially thrilled by the connection with Michelle Shocked, whose pivotal CD Short Sharp Shocked was one of the pivotal soundtracks of his life. What he has enjoyed most is that they have formed a musical partnership. She doesn't allow her musicians to disappear in the background but collaborates on stage, which is what makes her shows so unique."She's taught me so much," he says.It's all about focus and demanding the attention of the audience by simply making good music. Many might go in and try to overwhelm a rowdy audience with loud music.Shocked does it with the way she makes music. She can't be ignored. And the honesty of that performance has given Joubert a new sense of purpose - to be the best he can be.His own musical journey is a varied one, from the West African sounds of Salif Keita to Miles Davis, the Bach Cello suites, and Frank Zappa, all filter into his world depending on the mood.And while he loves performing the music of other artists, he believes in his own music."It's time to be pro-active," says this dynamic bass guitarist who is already talking about a second album. "It's all about musicianship and good quality performances."And Schalk Joubert is certainly one of those - a quality musician. Listen to his unique sounds on the brilliant Kyamandi.