Cape Tour Dates Sep/Oct 2014 Announced

Hey friends,

Life seems to roll by so fast! It is almost time again for what has become our yearly Cape Tour. We'll kick things off in Grahamstown on Tuesday 23rd September, arriving in Cape Town on 29th September, with a final show on Wednesday 8th October at a private house in East London on route back to Durban, so if you're in the Cape we'd really love to connect at one of the shows along the way!

This year has been quite an amazing ride so far - being nominated for a SAMA award for 'Ocean of Milk', our first performance at Oppikoppi as well as two shows in Durban with one of our top singer/songwriters, USA artist Willy Mason.

We'd also like to thank you for your incredible support - we do this for you and the reciprocation we experience at our live shows is what keeps us keeping on!

The tour dates are listed in the banner above and also to the right of the blog (under tour dates)

as always, big love from the brothers!

Aden & Wren

Two years in the making, Hinds Brothers debut 'Ocean of Milk' has become an album of the heart with a living tale. Produced by the brothers themselves, the album was recorded in no less than 7 studios in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria, and features 19 of South Africa's top musicians. It was mixed by SAMA award winning producer Dan Roberts and mastered in New York by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Roky Erikson).

'Ocean of Milk' has a wholly cohesive depth to it that resonates with the great albums of yore, while brothers Aden and Wren Hinds' beautiful songwriting and arrangements are artfully complimented by the lush and acoustically textured production. The harmonic resonance of the two distinct voices, together with their reflective and honest lyrical sensibility communicates true profundity - bringing meaning and nourishment to an art form that has been somewhat neglected in recent times.

News from the Koppi plus Durban Show with Willy Mason

So we just got back from Oppikoppi where we had a great performance accompanied by Dan Roberts on mandolin and Rob O'Brien on Bass. While we were up in the Highveld, we also managed to catch Willy Mason's set. He is definitely one of our favourite American singer/songwriters, and he blew everyone away with how natural a performer he is. Just a great voice and a pack of great songs performed flawlessly. If you don't know his stuff we'd really suggest checking him out.
So we are very excited to announce that we'll be performing alongside the great Willy Mason on Saturday 23rd August at Live The Venue, 166 Stamford Hill Rd. This will be Mason's first ever appearance in Durban, and the show is set to be one of Durban's greatest ever concerts! If you're in the area, you really shouldn't miss this one... Doors open at 8pm and the entrance is only R100! There will also be a secret soiree with Willy & The Hinds Bros the following night - so reply to this email for more info on that if you wish.

On that same date, Saturday 23rd August, we'll also be doing an afternoon performance in Johannesburg at Monaghan Farm, Lanseria. Vusi Mahlasela was the featured act last month at this beautiful venue, so if you're in the Joburg area why not get out of the city and listen to some sweet music. Bookings are essential and you can call 0784114886 or email events@monaghanfarm.co.za

Keep in touch and much love from the brothers!
Aden & Wren
-------------------

Willy Mason’s critically acclaimed new album Carry On is out now on Communion Records. American Songwriter said,”Mason’s voice is gorgeous, his lyrics evocative and his arrangements adventurous – it’s a complete package that is as airtight as it is simple, as gorgeous as it rugged, the sort of record that burrows deep into your brain and doesn’t let go.”  Willy Mason is currently on the road in support of Carry On. The tour has so far included performances with Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Laura Marling.

“Yes, you read that right: Willy Mason’s Carry On is a perfect record. Perfect – we wouldn’t change a note!” - American Songwriter

“Equal parts hobo and Holden Caulfield…Willy Mason blends precocious lyricism, spare, jangly guitar, and a world-weary voice that sounds older than his years.” - Rolling Stone 

“Mason’s lo-fi blues/folk blend is refreshingly humble and unostentatious.  Instead of using these standards as a springboard for modern adventures in composition, he sticks to their rawboned essence. Unlike some of his peers, Mason doesn’t play up that rawness; instead he allows those old Progressions to work their magic…” -Pitchfork

“Willy Mason has stolen our attention with his unique sound and its wholehearted purity. His smoky voice sings with a booming sincerity like nothing we’ve heard since Nebraska-era Springsteen.” Baeble Music

Oppikoppi Rising and 2 Nights Only at Freedom Cafe, Durban

Hey folks, It's been a little while since our last post. We've got a few Gauteng dates upcoming which we'd like to tell you about and also 2 nights at Freedom Cafe in Durban. If you're in Durban be sure to head down to the hippest cafe in the land, Freedom Cafe (43 St Mary's Avenue, Greyville). We'll be there on both this coming Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd August. Legendary musicians Ant Cawthorn-Blazeby (violin) and Richard Haslop (dobro & mandolin) will be joining us as well. Music is from 7pm  and for bookings call: 031 309 4453 We're also very happy to have been invited to perform at Oppikoppi Festival (7 - 9 August) this year, which also features some of our favourite international artists like Willy Mason and Cat Power. We'll be on at 3pm on Friday 8th August at the folk stage up the mountain. We'll also be doing an intimate unplugged show at Saartjie's se Garage in Johannesburg on Sunday 10th August (To book phone De Waal on 081 733 9268 or e-mail saartjiegarage@gmail.com), as well as a special performance in the Cradle of Human Civilization on Saturday 16th August. We'll be in touch soon to announce dates for our upcoming Cape Tour in September/October and also to keep you in the loop about some new music we're working on. Big love! Aden & Wren

Hinds Bros Release Live Film Recording of 'The Drifter'

Thanks to Dan Roberts at Stoep Studios in Johannesburg for capturing this video of the brothers recording 'The Drifter' for their debut album- Ocean of Milk. 

'Ocean of Milk' available on Itunes & Limited Edition Digipaks available direct from the Hinds Bros Store

Limited Edition Poster Prints Available at the Hinds Bros Store

We've got some real nice limited edition poster prints available at the Hinds Bros Store,

Includes immediate download of Ocean of Milk in your choice of high-quality MP3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire.

Mixed media gig poster by Rennis Erasmus

'Ocean of Milk' independent release poster. Illustration by Dom Strauss. Poster by Rennis Erasmus

'Ocean of Milk' album launch poster (Durban ZA) . Illustration by Dom Strauss. Poster by Rennis Erasmus

Hinds Brothers and 'The King of Zulu Guitar' Madala Kunene's Alvarez Guitar Endorsement

Hi folks, we are very stoked to let you know about an awesome Alvarez guitar endorsement that has been awarded to Hinds Brothers, as well as our friend, the legendary Madala Kunene. Below is the full story from our sponsors themselves - Classic Acoustics KZN, with photos of Hinds Bros by Tracy Anne Hinds. Big love to everybody!

Aden & Wren

Classic Acoustics KZN, the official appointed distributors of Alvarez Guitars in Kwa-Zulu Natal, are proud to announce an exciting Alvarez guitar endorsement for Durban based musicians Madala Kunene, 'The King of Zulu guitar', as well as acoustic/folk/indie/country/rock phenomenon The Hinds Brothers. Established in 1965 by St. Louis Music, Alvarez guitars have been one of the leading acoustic guitar brands in the U.S.A. And around the world for the last 50 years, but have only recently been introduced to South Africa. The Alvarez image is synonomous with quality and innovatioon, their guitars being well known for tone and feel, while many of the greats over the last five decades have gravitated towards the brand and its guitars. John Steenhuisen of Classic Acoustics KZN commented: “On hearing The Hinds Brothers debut album "Ocean of Milk, I was immediately impressed with their music ability and songwriting skills, which I consider ranks alongside their overseas counterparts. I have no doubt that the Hinds Brothers have a bright future ahead of them.” he went on to say “Madala Kunene is a legend at home, and even more so internationally, with pure music flowing through his blood. We feel both Madala Kunene and The Hinds Brothers represent the very best of what South African music has to offer, and we are very proud and excited that they have chosen to use and endorse Alvarez Guitars. Now the public and musicians alike can take the opportunity to see and hear the Hinds Brothers and Madala Kunene performing with their Alvarez Guitars at future gigs.” On receiving his Alvarez guitar the legendary Madala Kunene commented, “I am very happy”, and went on to call his Alvarez “the best guitar I have ever played”. Aden Hinds of the SAMA nominated Hinds Brothers said that “there is something quite special about these Alvarez guitars, just a beautiful tone... We're very stoked!” Brother Wren added “The pickups are the best I've ever heard in an acoustic guitar.” Alvarez guitars have been played by some of the worlds best known musicians including Joe Bonamassa, Johnny Cash, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ani DiFranco, The Grateful Dead, Paul McCartney, Monte Montgomery, Carlos Santana and Radiohead. Another South African connection in the Alvarez story is Shaun Morgan of Seether, who also plays and endorses Alvarez guitars in their acoustic shows. “It is into this exclusive group of artists that we are proud to welcome Kwa-Zulu Natal's very own Madala Kunene as well as The Hinds Brothers.” says Steenhuisen. “Durban has always been the darkhorse city of South African music, consistently producing some of the best artists the country has to offer but never quite getting the recognition they deserve. We are very glad to be able to empower KZN music in this way, and hope this will help to get KZN music on the map even more.” Madala was chosen to represent South Africa at the “20 years of democracy celebrations” in New York later this year and will be performing at Carnegie hall on the 11th of October. He also has a new album titled '1959' that is set to be released soon, while the Hinds Brothers debut album 'Ocean of Milk', re-released by Sheer Sound on February 14th, has been receiving much critical acclaim in leading music journals, among them Rolling Stone and Audio & Video, and has also been nominated for a SAMA award in the 'Best Adult Contemporary' category. There are now also talks of a collaboration between Kunene and the brothers Hinds - watch this space.

Ocean of Milk Nominated for SAMA 2014 (South African Music Award)

 "We are very, very stoked to announce that 'Ocean of Milk' has been nominated for the Best Adult Contemporary #SAMA award 2014! Huge thanks to everyone involved in the making of this epic labour of love, we are very proud..." - Hinds Brothers

Two years in the making, the Hinds Brothers debut 'Ocean of Milk' has become an album of the heart with a living tale. Produced by the brothers themselves, the album was recorded in no less than 7 studios in Durban, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria, and features 19 of South Africa's top musicians. It was mixed by award winning producer Dan Roberts and mastered in New York by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Roky Erikson). 

'Ocean of Milk' has a wholly cohesive depth to it that resonates with the great albums of yore, while brothers Aden and Wren Hinds' beautiful songwriting and arrangements are artfully complimented by the lush and acoustically textured production. The harmonic resonance of the two distinct voices, together with their reflective and honest lyrical sensibility communicates true profundity - bringing meaning and nourishment to an art form that has been somewhat neglected in recent times.

Here at the very beginning of 2014 there has been alot of good news and hype surrounding the Durban brothers, with the recent announcement of a record deal with Sheer Records, South Africa's biggest indie label & now the latest news that Ocean of Milk has been nominated for a SAMA (South African Music Award) in the category of Best Adult Contemporary Album of 2014. 

Ocean of Milk is available at hindsbros.com

Hinds Bros Announce Record Deal, A New Track, Plus 'Ocean of Milk' Re-Release in 2014 with Sheer Records

So we realize it's been a little while since we gave you an update on what we've been up to friends. Life moves along faster than ever, and we're already well into the year 2014, wow! Among other things, we need to fill you in on a new track we recorded while on tour in December (that we'd like to give away free to our loyal fans), a record deal and the 2014 re-release of our debut album 'Ocean of Milk'.

We ended 2013 with a mellow acoustic tour of the Cape, and had some great shows in Cape Town, The Crags and Knysna among other places. But along with a great show in Port Elizabeth, we managed to find an hour or so to record a song that we originally planned to be on 'Ocean of Milk' but somehow didn't make the cut. 'Gone & Grey' was recorded at Tanglewood Studios by John Dirker. We did a live take (which John filmed as well) before we had to race off to perform in Plettenberg Bay that night. We're really stoked with how it turned out, you can see the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r85Ame39gIE

Soon after returning from the Cape Tour, in early January as the heat was rising on the East Coast of Africa, we finalized and signed a licensing deal for 'Ocean of Milk' with South Africa's most successful independent label, Sheer Records. With the signing of the album over to Sheer, there will also be a 2014 release date, and the record will finally be available in the best music stores nationwide, as well as iTunes etc. In addition, we still have a few copies of the limited edition digipak left, which will be available at our shows or over here - http://hindsbrothers.bandcamp.com/

We look forward to connecting soon again, big love from us!

HB