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Cape Town – While most people will know Dawie de Jager from being a contestant on this year’s The Voice SA, the local singer and songwriter is also very well-known in Afrikaans music circles.
The 33-year-old started out his singing career as a member of the successful Afrikaans band Klopjag and later also co-founded Afrikaans country-rock band Die Tuindwergies.
A go-to guitarist and arranger for many in the music industry, Dawie is now also involved in the movie business, composing musical scores for South African feature films such as Roepman, Sy Klink Soos Lente and Verraaiers.
And now, Dawie is launching his solo career with his first single, titled Weightless, together with a brand new music video.
Watch the video here:
We had a quick chat with Dawie about his single and his new album:
What have you been up to since your The Voice SA experience?
The Voice reminded me to keep focus on being your unique self. So I spent a lot of time with my family, my orchids and writing new music for my album. I played a few festivals and theatres. I am also working on new ideas for music that I have to compose for big films releasing next year.
Weightless is your first solo single and music video – what inspired the song?
Weightless is a song about starting over, about letting go. It is so difficult to keep the past in the past but you have to do it if you want to move forward. It's something we all struggle with, that’s why I feel the song is very relevant.
Coming from an Afrikaans band setup like Klopjag where you write in Afrikaans, how difficult is it to write in English? Are all the songs on your new album in English?
For this album only English. Between Klopjag and Die Tuindwergies I was part of eight Afrikaans albums. At my live shows I still try to keep a good balance depending on the venue or festival.
I started falling in love with music listening to great songwriters like Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, Eddie Vedder and Leonard Cohen (to name a few).
My biggest challenge is to express myself in English while dreaming in Afrikaans. Almost all my friends and family are poets and writers so I make sure I am happy with every line in every song before I send them the songs.
When will the new album be released and what can fans expect?
Early 2018. Just honest music.
Quick questions:
What’s the one thing no one knows about you?
Dawie doesn't share ice cream!!!
Whiskey or Bourbon?
Whiskey
If you could have written any song in the world – what would it be?
There are so many. If I had to choose I would have loved to have written Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. Every time I listen to that song I find a new favourite part.
BONUS QUESTION: Did your foot ever fully recover after that injury on tour?
Hehe yes. Maybe that’s why I still choose Whiskey... It was a deep cut and we didn't have any disinfectant. I didn't want to be the guy to stop the "one-bounce" to go to a doctor. Thanks Bells.
For more info on Dawie and his music visit his official website, like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
