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Cape Town – Psychedelic surf rock band Retro Dizzy recently released their third full-length album, titled Just Relax.
Formed in Hermanus, the group now resides in Cape Town and is part of the ever-growing psych, garage and surf scene within The Mother City.
The band is Nicolaas Rossouw on drums, Stuart Dods on bass and backing vocals, Andre Vlok on guitar and Richard Liefeldt on vocals and guitar.
See our chat below:
Since the last time we spoke, you guys have added a new member and now you’ve released your third full-length album, Just Relax. What was the writing and recording process like as a four-piece? Did it differ a lot from being just 3 people in the band?
It was better because we finally have someone who can play the guitar and make sure Richard doesn't sing about nonsense.
Also Nicolaas is probably the best drummer in the world or at least Shack so that helps as well.
What was the most difficult part of making the new album?
Paying for it sucked and also hearing your vocals back on like huge speakers could be used as a torture method.
Can you describe the album sound in one sentence?
Magic.
Which song on the album did you guys fight about the most?
Every single track except Machete Madness. I would say we fought the most on Mystery which had 15 different names and about 32.8 different lyrics until Richard finally just went in and spat some sick bars.
What do you want people to do while listening to the album?
We can't say ‘cause it's not legal in South Africa yet.
What’s the most bizarre thing that has ever happened to you guys while on stage?
There's been a few. We played at this crazy hotel in Botriver and they projected Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' on us but then it froze on the nude scene and we didn't know till we finished. I can't remember anything to be honest.
If you could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be?
Pitbull, so we could finally be on KFM.
What do you guys do when you’re not making music?
Nicolaas: Being late for something else.
Andre: Navigating different astral plains.
Richard: Getting to grips about going bald.
Stuart: Painting nudes and being poor.
Do you guys have any pre-show rituals?
We have a few Jagers. Lot's of hugging, almost an uncomfortable amount of hugging. We also have a picture of Hulk Hogan that we all kiss before we walk on.
What’s the plan for the rest of the year and where can people see you perform next?
Survive.
1st of March - Double Album Launch with Sol Gems at Aandklas, Stellenbosch
And then we going up north on the craziest tour ever. It's us, The Deathrettes, 2 filmers, Roderick and Thor Rixon and we going up by train and it ends with us playing Main Stage at Mieliepop at 17:00 on the Monday. You should do an interview about that actually.
Just Relax is available from iTunes and Bandcamp. For a physical copy, contact the band via Facebook.
