South African music is rarely huge. We don’t pour out artists like the USA or the UK, and as customers we seem to prefer buying international artists’ music. But things are slowly beginning to turn a new corner. South African music is different; it has something that the world doesn’t. And as our artists grow with the South African music industry new talented artists are emerging that are ready to take the world stage. One of those artists is Goldfish.
Two Jazz musos hook up while studying music at varsity, and form a live electronic duo. They record an album themselves with little more than a double bass, a saxophone and a couple of synths. This self-released ‘underground’ album, Caught in the loop, goes on to propel them into the stratosphere, with a cult-like following and numerous #1s in their home country.
They take their incendiary multiple-instrument live act across the globe, with sold-out shows from Ibiza to Tokyo, from Dubai to Cannes. They open for giants Fatboy Slim, Mr Scruff, The Audio Bullys, Paul van Dyk, Pete Tong and Stereo MC’s. They are hailed as the Re-invention of the DJ, and voted best live act in South Africa.
This is Dominic Peters and David Poole, the unassuming surfer/jazz muso/electronic maniacs that are Goldfish. You couldn’t find two guys more passionate about music, and if you’ve seen their live show, you will agree that ‘Re-invention of the DJ’ is about as close as you can get to describing what they do. Combining live instruments like Double bass, Saxophones, Keyboards, Flute, and Vocals with Samplers, Effects, Synths and a healthy dollop of freeform improvisation, Goldfish have hit a nerve on dance floors across the world.
After the smash success of Caught in the loop, Goldfish return with a sophomore album that without doubt will rock the South African music scene to its foundations. This duo have spent the last couple of years pretty much coming from an underground electronica act in South Africa for people-in-the-know, to a full blown white-hot international act – right under everyone’s noses. Having been quietly chipping away, touring South Africa as well as internationally through Japan, Dubai, US, UK, Ibiza, France and Spain – building an unstoppable groundswell of fans, the duo have just signed their new album to the massive nightlife and super club brand Pacha. This alignment is set to whisk the duo beyond South Africas’ borders with tour dates already booked across America alongside Macy Gray and Fedde Le Grande, as well as a residency on Friday nights at Pacha Ibiza throughout the European summer.
The new album, Perceptions of Pacha features smash-hits This is how it goes and Cruising through, already being picked up on by European Radio stations. With a gorgeous, unmistakeable sound that is so intrinsically South African but with an international appeal and polish, the duo have hit a nerve amongst music lovers across all genres. Goldfish truly have a sound that crosses over the Dance divide. Known fondly just as the ‘Fishies’ to their legions of loyal fans, it is undeniable that the incredible talent these two qualified multi-instrumentalist Jazz musicians have (both have a Masters and Bachelors in Jazz studies), has shaped their sound. Perceptions of Pacha is a masterclass in combining House, Lounge, Electro, Jazz, and African styles – using traditional live instruments like Double bass, Saxophones, Keyboards, Flute, and Vocals, into a feel-good sound you just can’t put you finger on. Mastered in the London by Soundmasters International (Fatboy Slim, Moby, Depeche Mode) the album features 12 brand new tracks as well as a 25 minute live video enhancement featuring Goldfish burning up a live set. Now, Sony/BMG South Africa has proudly signed Goldfish for Southern Africa, and is set to take Goldfish to superstar status in their home country.
Praise for Goldfish
“One of the first acts to truly jump the great divide between dance and live excitement” – 24.com
“Make no mistake, these boys are gonna to be BIG! The two multi-instrumentalists captivate the crowd, and have the UK contingent scratching their heads and saying to each other ‘we’ve got to get these boys over to Europe…’ Essential.” – TrusttheDJ.com
“GOLDFISH … store that name in your memory for longer than 3 seconds, cause these guys are going places.” – Thunda.com
“That was fantastic!” – Pete Tong
From a technical point of view what Goldfish does is blinding…and the fact that they have combined this with catchy hooks and licks makes it doubly so. A brilliant night out! – thechiz.co.za
“The duo are the closest thing celebrity-dry South African music culture has to offer the globe in terms of recognisable, press-heavy popular icons. No. The duo are full-blown popular icons, and whether you’re a sideline fan, appreciative musician or a crazed groupie, you’ll find a way to give the Fish props.”
Overtone.co.za
“This album shows that heavy jazz cats can make music that is accessible and bursting with groove” – MIO.co.za
“Did I mention there are only two of them? Go see a live set, and then buy the disc at the show along with the bonus DVD. You will thank me.” - Blunt magazine
“We dig these guys!” FHM
“With Goldfish, you can clearly see they are brilliant. There is nothing like playing a classic instrument to prove you’re a real artist, and people thrive off this element of their show. In fact, unless you are standing right up in the front row, you wouldn’t be able to grasp the full complexity of what they are doing…Goldfish are breaking traditional mindsets about this music genre” – Durbanscouts.co.za
‘Their musical class shines through with elements of Nu-Jazz and traditional African Jazz mixing brilliantly with bluesy Café jazz ala St Germain. But they’re no copycats. Goldfish has their own sound and it is wonderfully South African with the sophistication of Europe.” – BPM magazine
“GOLDFISH are without doubt the most exciting live band in the country at the moment. Their unique blend of deep house grooves, live instruments and hypnotic vocal samples have made them the must-see band of the year.” Anythinggoes.co.za
Goldfish Highlights:
Voted Number One live act in South Africa by 24.com
Invitation to perform for Nelson Mandela and his charity 46664 @ Ellis Park
Goldfish featured on the worlds biggest syndicated Dance Radio Show, Pete Tong’s Essential Mix BBC One show
NO#1 on 5FM with track All Night for three consecutive weeks, and 20 weeks in the top 25.
Performances alongside Fatboy Slim, Audio Bullys and Stereo MC’s
International releases of Caught in the loop by Black Mango Music(UK) and Rambling Records(Japan)
Opening Performance for Mr Scruff and Paul van Dyk
Opening Performance for Pete Tong at Café Mambo, Ibiza
All Night hits No 1 on MFM dance charts 3 weeks running (April 2006)
International performances/tours of US, UK, Ibiza, Dubai, Japan, France, South Africa, Namibia, Malawi, and Seychelles
Live 2hr Mix on Top SA radio station 5fm New Years Eve 2006
Voted FHM album of the month
Goldfish voted No 1 in Elle Magazine hot 40
September/October 2005 Cover of BPM magazine.
Cover of Brand Magazine 2006 1st quarter Featuring the artwork, design and branding of Caught in the loop
Track Mbira Beat selected by Virgin Mega store in the UK to feature on the compilation entitled staff choice: Virgin down tempo Grooves.
Invitation to perform in Cannes, France, as Headline Act of the International Advertising Awards, The Lions
Interview in DJ MAG(UK) December 2005
Dream released on Breathe Sunshine vol.2 – track 4 ( voted 4th best compilation by UK music festival and website – The Big Chill)
For South African Bookings contact:
Raymond Bloom 0836020202
rayb@mweb.co.za
Why do people want to grow up? Once you’ve grown up all the fun is gone, everybody worries and gets all serious when there’s so much more to life. I don’t think God ever intended for us to loose that spirit and life. We are even required to have a child like faith, believing in things that no ‘respectable adult’ would believe in. At the same time we should be growing as people, getting wiser and knowing how to deal with certain situations. To be wise and yet have that kid inside always ready for anything and excited about life, that seems to be the formulae that we should grow with.
So what do you do? I’m talking to myself as much as anybody else, but I think the key is spending more time meditating on the word of God – who he is. Through real people’s stories God has shown us himself. So we read them, again and again. As we read God reveals himself in different ways. You stop and think, hey why did he do that? As Rob Bell puts it, you ask questions which lead to more questions, those lead to more answers with more questions. It goes on forever because God is infinite. But as you learn more, you love God more. You understand things more. You try harder to do or not do certain things. You appreciate life more and you’ll find that you just don’t get it. So you carry on, and eventually what seemed like work becomes pleasure. You can’t wait to get home and read God’s word. You want to talk and discuss God more and more. You find other conversation lifeless without God being the centre of it all. You fall in love with Him again every day.
A true story…
