Cosmopolitan.com http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za Cosmopolitan.com http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za/images/cosmo_logo_toolbox.gif Money en-us catherined at cosmopolitan dot co dot za Copyright 2009 Candid Candice http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/candid-candice
On page 98 of our August 2010 issue, the 26-year-old beauty speaks openly to COSMOPOLITAN about dating difficulties, her life in The Big Apple and, of course, that Playboy shoot…

Download images from the shoot. (click on each image)

          

  To download the August cover, simply click on it.

And then watch behind-the-scenes footage from the shoot...



]]> Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 JR's Bucket List http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/jrs-bucket-list
He’s topped the charts, collaborated with South African stars like HHP and Jack Parow, and been nominated for a SAMA. JR is doing well. But there are certain things he’d like to do over and above the success he’s already achieved.

Here, we discover 15 things JR wants to accomplish before he spots any grey hairs…

    1. Have Jay Z as an opening act at my concert.

    2. Sky dive.

    3. Own a private jet.

    4. Host my own radio show.

    5. Record a music catalogue for the next 20 years.

    6. Make the cover of at least five international magazines.

    7. Have lunch with Barack Obama.

    8. Star in a porn movie.

    9. Win a Grammy.

    10. Host my own TV show.

    11. Run the Comrades.

    12. Take my family around the world.

    13. Sing backing vocals.

    14. Release a cover album.

    15. Play a concert at the Roman Colosseum.

]]> Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 Streets Of Gold 3OH!3 http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/streets-of-gold--3oh3
Once again, 3OH!3 has managed to create electro party beats that will get even the most uncoordinated person up and dancing. While the first single, ‘My First Kiss’, featuring the increasingly annoying Ke$ha, is bound to be super successful, be warned, this 14-track album becomes repetitive very quickly.

Despite this, 3OH!3 is undoubtedly right on trend with the amalgamation of indie and hip-hop, and if you’re still at university and love a great party, adding Streets Of Gold to your collection will definitely pump up the volume.

BEST TRACKS: ‘I Can Do Anything’, ‘House Party’, ‘Love 2012’

]]> Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-twilight-saga-eclipse
Eclipse sees the pact between the werewolves and the vampires strengthen and the relationship between Edward and Jacob improve. Throughout the movie, you’ll get to know the characters and their pasts. There are no more deep and profound silences where you sit and wonder what the characters are thinking. The movie is a tell-all (and see-all) version of the previous two releases. Bella’s steamy, sexy scenes with both Edward and Jacob – yes – combined with nail-biting battle scenes, a great score, and even better storytelling makes Eclipse a must-see.

The movie follows Edward and Bella as they rekindle their love for each other post-New Moon. While they discuss the prospect of marriage and Bella’s looming transformation into a vampire, Jacob vies for Bella’s affection. Convinced they are meant to be together, he will stop at nothing (including steamy kisses and punches to the face) to get her to admit how she feels about him. Naturally, this doesn’t please Edward and the love/hate relationship between the two is exposed.

While this passionate love triangle goes on in Forks, a bunch of evil, bloodthirsty new-born vampires are roaming the streets of Seattle under the instruction of Bella’s sworn enemy, Victoria. Thanks to Alice’s visions, the Cullens learn that the new-borns are on their way to the small town – and they want a fight. The family knows they won’t be able to defeat this super-strong army single-handed, and an alliance between vampires and werewolves is born. By this stage, Bella has accepted Edward’s proposal (and a rather large diamond-encrusted ring). Jacob is not happy about this new information – and after a long, passionate kiss – goes into battle. Even though it’s clear Bella was taken aback by Jacob’s smooching abilities, she tells Edward he is The One – and she means it. When the new-borns arrive in the clearing, they have no chance against both the Cullens and the pack and lose the fight. All-the-while Bella and Edward have been hiding in the woods (for her protection of course), but Victoria still manages to find them. After a bloody fight, Victoria and her henchman are killed.

Happily ever after? Not so much. But that’s for next time…

]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 Immersion - Pendulum http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/immersion-pendulum
While Hold Your Colour held on to pure drum&bass and In Silico moved on to electro-rock, Immersion combines both genres brilliantly. Pendulum has produced one hell of a party album. It’s time to press play.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Watercolour’, ‘The Vulture’, ‘Immunize’

]]> Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 B.o.B Presents The Adventures Of Bobby Ray - B.o.B http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/bob-presents-the-adventures-of-bobby-ray-bob
Collaborations with Eminem, Paramore’s Hayley Williams, Lupe Fiasco and T.I. (who also co-produced the release) add bonus beats to an already awesome stand-alone debut.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Ghost In The Machine’, ‘Nothin’ On You’, ‘Airplanes’

]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00 +0200 Make Mine a Double http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/make-mine-a-double
In the July issue of COSMO, Cathy Lund chats to the guys about girls, growing up and good looks. Listen to the full audio interview here.



]]> Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:00 +0200 Kelly Rowland's COSMO Cover http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/kelly-rowlands-cosmo-cover COSMO cover. The July issue with Kelly as our cover girl will officially hit newsstands on Wednesday 23 June, but we’re giving you a first-look with an option to download the cover – for free!

   (To download, click on the cover)

Take a look at our behind-the-scenes gallery of the fashion shoot. And if you want to download the images from the fashion shoot, click on the thumbnails below.

   
      
  

All photographs were shot by Dewald Daniels.

Listen to the audio version of our interview with Kelly (also on page 64 of the July issue of COSMOPOLITAN)



]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:00 +0200 Celebrate Youth Day http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/celebrate-youth-day
LEARN
When it comes to Youth Day, nothing is more important than learning and education. If you need to brush up on your history skills and your knowledge of the Soweto Uprising, visit South African History Online. Alternatively, for those of you in Johannesburg, take a trip to Soweto and visit the Hector Peterson Museum, which is just two blocks from where the 12-year-old was killed in 1976.

READ
From A People on the Boil: Reflections on June 16, 1976 and Beyond (Jacana Media) by Harry Mashabela to Elsabe Brink and Gandhi Malungane’s Soweto 16 June 1976: Personal Accounts of the Uprising (Kwela Books), there are loads of books you can buy online to learn about the uprising. Visit Kalahari.net for a list of options.

WATCH
For a first-hand account of what really happened on the day we’re commemorating, watch this clip as Antoinette Sithole, Hector Peterson’s sister, and the curator of the Hector Peterson Museum, talks about June 16 1976.



And we had to include Wimpy’s creative, Youth Day-inspired TV advertisement from last year too.



DONATE
Visit these sites if you would like to donate money to organisations helping our youth, like the Youth Development Network or Biblionef South Africa: For The Love Of Reading.

THREE DECADES LATER
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) is a government organisation that focuses on helping the country’s youth through education, multi-skilling and economic participation. Here, gain insight into what the government is doing to help the country’s youth 34 years later.

CELEBRATE!
On a lighter note, there will be loads of celebrations taking place today. Visit www.fifa.com to find out more about Loyiso’s Youth Day concert at the FIFA Fan Fest in Cape Town. Popular Pretoria-based band, Isochronous will be playing in their old school uniforms at The Bracos in Atteridgeville and Umbilo Congella Sports Club will host Go! Go! Bronco, DJ Rob the Banka and many more artists to celebrate June 16 in Durban.


]]> Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:00 +0200 Playing With The Plastics http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/playing-with-the-plastics
Well, after we heard that the famed, Gordon Raphael (the brains behind multi-award winning US band, The Strokes) had agreed to produce The Plastics' debut album, Shark, we had to know more. Luckily for us, we've managed to get our hands on the first single, 'Caves'… exclusively.

Here, we chat with drummer Sasha Righini and bassist Karl Rohloff about working with Raphael, how they feel about cheating and where they will be during the FIFA World Cup.

Listen to 'Caves' here...

]]> Mon, 31 May 2010 12:00 +0200 The Ink Queen http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-ink-queen
You can read assistant editor Cathy Lund's Chat Room interview with Manuela Gray on page 72 in the June 2010 issue of COSMOPOLITAN. Find out who she's inked, her thoughts on the tattoo industry and how she thinks reality shows like Miami Ink have altered people's perceptions of her trade.

Or listen to the full audio interview here...



]]> Fri, 21 May 2010 12:00 +0200 Cover Girl - Candice Swanepoel http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cover-girl-candice-swanepoel
Read all about how she was scouted at the age of 15, how she landed her first job and what's next for our fabulous cover girl on page 74 of the proudly South African June 2010 issue of COSMOPOLITAN.

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PHOTO GALLERY


]]> Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00 +0200 Raymond vs. Raymond - Usher http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/raymond-vs-raymond-usher
Minus will.i.am's auto-tune influence (unlike will.i.am, Usher can actually sing), you can understand why. This album is not only produced to perfection, it's packed with chart-topping hits waiting to happen. Usher has managed to combine hip hop beats, dance rhythms and the soul of R&B to make an altogether innovative album.

BEST TRACKS: 'There Goes My Baby', 'Lil Freak', 'OMG'

]]> Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00 +0200 The Rude Mechanical - Wrestlerish http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-rude-mechanical-wrestlerish
Even if you can't pronounce the name, Wrestlerish's talent should not be ignored. Listen to this album.

BEST TRACKS: 'Bad News', 'Oliver Tambourine', 'Orphans'

]]> Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00 +0200 Our Cyber Lives - Skwatta Kamp http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/our-cyber-lives-skwatta-kamp
Take a look into the online lives of these two artists and find out their thoughts on their best performances, what's playing on their iPods and who they would most like to perform with in the future.

LEBOGANG 'SHUGASMAKX' MOTHIBE SIYA 'SLIKOUR' METANE
How often do you check your Facebook profile?
'Honestly, I hardly check my Facebook inbox because I've got like 7 000 messages, but I'm dedicated to sending out event updates and so forth. That happens about once a week.'
Send Lebogang a friend request

Which is your favourite Skwatta Kamp performance?
'My favourite performance would have to be in 2005 at the Rand Easter Show. I saw 30 000 people clap all at the same time, in tune, to 'The Clap Song.' That was too cool! They need to bring back The Metro FM and YFM concerts to the Rand Easter Show. Unfortunately, I don't have the YouTube link for that, but coming in at a close second would be the first time we played at The Cape Town Jazz Festival in 2008. I can't wait to do that again.'
Watch Shugasmakx's performance at the Jazz Festival

What's playing on your iPod?
'Kwesta's upcoming album Special Re-Kwest, Skwatta Kamp's Fair and Skwear, DJ Naves' The Levi's Mixtape and a couple of tracks from T'do's upcoming album. Oh, and a mix from Yanga in the office because he always got the new shit!'
Listen to tracks off Fair and Skwear

Who is your favourite female artist?
'I guess it must be Alicia Keys or Sade.'
Listen to Alicia Keys on MySpace

Who would you most like to perform with on stage?
'I like performing with JR. We have a good synergy, so that's cool.'
Seen the official music video for JR's 'Make The Circle Beega'?

What are your favourite websites?
'My favourite websites are www.ventilation.co.za, www.buttabing.co.za, www.cosmopolitan.co.za (shout out!), www.justcurious.co.za, www.mikastefano.co.za, www.nightlife.co.za, www.streetword.co.za, www.djsbuonline.co.za, www.hypemagazine.co.za, www.wonted.co.za... and all other young websites doing their thing. Viva!'		 How often do you check your Facebook profile?
'I converted to Twitter, but it's linked to my Facebook profile. I'm there at least once a week updating things that are happening in my world.'
Visit Slikour's Facebook profile

Which is your favourite Skwatta Kamp performance?
'It has to be from our new music video, featuring Clu. The song is called 'Hey!' It's the first video we've shot using internal resources.'
Watch the video

What's playing on your iPod?
'B.o.B: Presents The Adventures Of Bobby Ray by B.o.B, Young Jeezy 'Trap or Die 2', Sade 'Soldier of Love' and Robin Thicke.'
Check out B.o.B's official website

Who is your favourite female artist?
'Sade.'
Watch Sade performing her new single, 'Soldier of Love'

Who would you most like to perform with on stage?
'Busta Rhymes.'
Visit Busta Rhymes' Facebook fan page

What are your favourite websites?
'www.ventilation.co.za, but it's currently been upgraded, so for now I'm liking www.rapradar.com.'


]]> Fri, 14 May 2010 12:00 +0200 Leigh-Ann Mol's Online Life http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/leigh-ann-mols-online-life
5.45am
Greet the very annoying and highly-strung Damon Kalvari and the rest of the team (Mabale Moloi, Sias du Plessis and that Gareth guy) and grab my bulletin off the printer, fresh from the SABC newsroom.

For news bulletins, the SABC newsroom sources stories from SABC reporters around the country, AFP, SAPA, Reuters and the BBC. This is all available on an internal news system. I also check Forvo.com, as it is a great site for checking out the pronunciations of words and names before a bulletin. To get the latest news, I visit sites like IOL. Google News, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. In the past, I used various entertainment sites as a source, but now Twitter has replaced that function. I simply follow entertainment news and general news websites' updates and links there. After all, where better to get the latest and most accurate news from music artists than from their own tweets! I follow about 750 twits – including industry buffs, bloggers, celebrities and news sites. I then set up my 'office' for the morning (laptop, Blackberry and my winning personality), and bitch about the fact that it's so early.

6am – 9am
Read three bulletins, laugh hysterically at the team's on- and off-air antics, shout incessantly at the very annoying and highly-strung Damon Kalvari, play FarmVille on Facebook, tweet, go through some of the e-mails in the bottomless pit that is my Inbox, eat either yoghurt and fruit (if I planned properly the day before) or a ghastly toasted sandwich from the coffee shop, and bitch about the fact that it's so early.

9am – 1pm
Some days I have a few meetings to attend: a team meeting with 5FM Management, a meeting with the offices to catch up on all the latest events and competitions so I can update the website. Most of this content (on-air and online competitions, information about upcoming 5FM concerts and events, gigs to get to, DJ profile pictures, show content and polls, all the music featured on our playlist and the option to vote for your favourite, hot news on music artists and the latest tech news, music videos, blogs by listeners, charity initiatives, 5FM internship details and more) is generated internally – and by our DJs.

Sometimes I also do voice-overs for anything from commercials to audio study guides; otherwise I just go for an after-work breakfast with the team. These are particularly exciting, because we get to marvel at how the very annoying and highly-strung Damon Kalvari manages to spill his entire cappuccino into his saucer. They are also exciting because Mabale and I have after-work drinks in the form of a sherry or the like at 10am. Often I'll use this time to squeeze in a little pampering, like a facial, mani and pedi and a massage… or to get my hair did.

1pm – 4pm
Managing the website takes precedence here. I generally do this from home, sitting on the patio with my tiny zoo of animals and 5FM on in the background. This is my most peaceful time of the day. Although the workload can be heavy with deadlines, I try to ensure that I'm surrounded by calm.

4pm – 8pm
Here's where my day could go one way or the other. This time may involve a walk to the park with my very small, tiny and little Miniature Pinscher, Joey, more tweaking on the 5FM website, drinks or dinner with friends or family, photo shoots, charity events, a mini-shop, TV (I have PVR, so I don't waste time watching commercials and mindless drivel), a bath with a scented candle, feeding all of the members of my small zoo, reading (mostly non-fiction) and admin around the house. I run a household by myself, so there's always something to do. And just for fun, I check out www.pettube.com for hilarious and fascinating animal videos and www.garethcliff.com for entertaining and opinionated blogs.

8pm – 4.45am
A blissful sleep with the furmily.

]]> Thu, 06 May 2010 12:00 +0200 Fresh Music http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/fresh-music Radio Africa. Produced by Fabrice Dupont (who has worked with Santogold, Mark Ronson and Jennifer Lopez), the album was recorded in the band's studio in Cape Town and then mixed at Flux Studios in New York City.

Fans can expect the southern African pop sounds and that have made Freshlyground so popular, as the new album is comprised of songs about society – powerful, reflective, yet uplifting and joyous. Be the first to listen to the first 30 seconds of each new single...

You can buy the Radio Africa on the band's website, or enter our competition and you could win one of five copies of the new album.
























]]> Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 Two Artists, One Stone http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/two-artists-one-stone
While Lindiwe Suttle might have been brought up in the US (far from the streets of Bellville Rock City), she's not all that different to Francois. Daughter to South Africa's Oprah, Felicia Mabuza-Suttle, Lindiwe prides herself on her alternative rock persona and musical taste, hailing local alt-electro band, Gazelle, as one of her favourite artists. The beautiful songstress chats to us about her eclectic style, why Grace Jones is her fashion icon and the most important lessons her mother taught her.



]]> Wed, 28 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 My Cyber Life - Zolani Mahola http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/my-cyber-life-zolani-mahola
You may remember Zolani as Boniswa in the SABC series Tsha Tsha, but the 28-year-old grew up in the small Eastern Cape town of Brighton. In the 90s she made the successful trek to Cape Town to study performance at the University of Cape Town and ended up heading the six-member, MTV Europe and SAMA-winning band. Zolani's come a long way as the band's lyricist, lead singer, and one of the most lovable front-stage personalities in South Africa.

Freshlyground will be releasing their new album Radio Africa on 3 May 2010, an 11-track mix of songs about love, humanity and everything in between. Click on the thumbnails below for a look into Zolani's cyber life...


]]> Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 Your Ayoba Weekend http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/your-ayoba-weekend backstage webcast – watch interviews with your favourite stars while they prepare for the awards to start. Log on or visit the SAMA Facebook page for more information.
And while it might spark some jealously, we can't deny that this year's goodie bags are quite something. All guests and presenters will receive a Nokia X6 touch-screen handset, a Heineken clothing hamper, a pair of Levi's, a pair of new Ray Ban Wayfarers, a exclusive one-year Gold Membership to Taboo Nightclub in Sandton, two EA games, a pair of 2010 Havaianas, Converse sneakers and a Nikon Camera Coolpix S610. (Who's footing that bill?!)

But never mind that; here's our list why a COSMO girl should watch the 16th Annual South African Music Awards...

1. Trevor Noah is hosting the awards. And let's face it, not only is he hilarious, he's super fine.

2. Speaking of super fine, there will definitely be hotties on the Yello Carpet. Think Jozi and aKing.

3. The fashion. All the top designers have kitted our celebrities out in their latest lines.

4. The after-party. If you're in the area, don't miss out on your chance to dance the night away with the stars in Sun City after the ceremony.

5. You'll get to see some of the country's best performers live on stage.

6. For the first time, an International Achievement Award will be handed to a local artist who's made the biggest impact overseas. Finally, global recognition!

7. The live webcast will be hosted by the super cool VJs and continuity presenters Sizwe, Bonang and Siya, so you'll definitely be entertained.

8. You have a say! You can vote for the MTN Record of the Year (click on the Record of the Year link below the Nominees section to find out how), one of the most prestigious awards of the night.

9. Just by watching the awards, you're supporting South African music – something every COSMO girl should take seriously.

10. The drama. Just like Khanyi Mbau's Lamborghini entrance last year, there's bound to be something juicy happening this time around.

11. You can brush up on your local music history with the Lifetime Achiever's Award. Will the late Lucky Dube, Ge Korsten or Brenda Fassie be handed this honour in 2010?

12. Whether you like rock bands, sokkie treffers, kwaito or jazz, there's an award for every genre.

13. Lastly, it's Ayoba. Need we say more? ]]> Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 Cover Girl - Lady Gaga http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cover-girl--lady-gaga
The 24-year-old spotlight-loving star has so far only released two albums, with her debut The Fame selling more than 10 million copies worldwide. She may still be on her super successful world tour, The Monster Ball, but we know she's working on a new full-length album simultaneously. Now that she's told MTV UK that her next release will be her best work to date, we can hardly wait to get our hands on it.

She may be controversial, hardcore and a little over-the-top, but this fabulous songstress is our May 2010 cover girl for a reason. And thanks to our COSMO sisters in the United States, we've got the pictures to prove it. Shot by Kenneth Willardt, Lady Gaga keeps it cool in blacks, nudes and greens in the hottest labels.

]]> Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 Leather & Lace - No Jokes http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/leather--lace-no-jokes
When we asked local comedians to spill their secrets about what lingerie they like to see on their women, we knew we'd be in for a laugh. From fig leaves and black lingerie to frilly panties and rubber, here's what our funny guys like to see when the lights dim low.





]]> Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:00 +0200 My Cyber Life - Kyla-Rose Smith http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/my-cyber-life-kyla-rose-smith
How often do you check your Facebook profile?
'I check it maybe once a week; it's a good way to eavesdrop on my friends' lives especially as I'm not around that often to be part of the fun.'
Send Kyla a friend request 

Which is your favourite performance?
'There are not that many YouTube videos of FG live gigs, although I love the video a fan posted of her daughter singing along to Doo Be Doo in the car.'
Watch the official music video  

What's playing on your iPod?
'I always have my iPod on shuffle and there are 11 000 songs on there...'
Download Freshlyground on iTunes 

Who is your favourite designer?
'I really like Stefania Morland's label, although I generally mix and match whatever catches my eye.'
Become a fan of Stefania Morland too 

What book(s) are you reading now?
'I'm reading Rian Malan's latest Resident Alien.'
Order Resident Alien online 

What is your favourite website?
'Google, although it's not a site as such. It's amazing how they have the monopoly on information through the Internet. I Google everything – all my questions answered at the click of a button.'
http://www.google.com 

Follow Freshlyground on Twitter and listen to them on MySpace or add them to your last.fm library. ]]> Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 Cover Girl - Nicole Scherzinger http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cover-girl-nicole-scherzinger
While she may be a private person, on pg.112 of COSMOPOLITAN's April issue, the Hawaiian-born songstress speaks out about her hectic schedule, her sensitive nature, the difficulties behind the scenes of the Pussycat Dolls and what Lewis Hamilton means to her.

Visit our video page for clips that illustrate why Nicole is a true COSMO cover girl.

]]> Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 3 Words - Cheryl Cole http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/3-words-cheryl-cole very public breakup with serial cheater, Ashley Cole, Cheryl Cole is definitely trying to reinvent herself as something more than a WAG. Her new album, 3 Words, might have a few catchy beats, but it doesn't feel like her album. Will.I.Am is firmly holding the reigns – she's more of a guest artist than anything else.

Think about it like a modern day version of the Spice Girls after they parted ways. While Girls Aloud made it work, Cheryl Cole alone sounds almost as watered down as Victoria Beckham did when she sang solo.

BEST TRACKS: '3 Words' ]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 Jason Derulo - Jason Derulo http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/jason-derulo-jason-derulo
As for the rest of the album, if you like Akon, Usher, Chris Brown (eek) or Ne-Yo, you've got fresh meat to feast on. This album is an R&B fan's end-of-the-week treat for sure. And if you happened to buy the latest Backstreet Boys album, you'll probably enjoy Jason Derülo's self-titled, poppy debut too.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Whatcha Say' ]]> Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 All She Ever Wanted http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/all-she-ever-wanted
Watch our slideshow of her report...


[All reporting and pictures by Zama Nkosi] ]]> Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 Waking Up - One Republic http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/waking-up-one-republic
It certainly appears as though they’ve pulled it off. Waking Up is as jam-packed with melodious chart-toppers as the band’s previous album Dreaming Out Loud. The first single, ‘All The Right Moves’ is right down the One Republic pop-rock alley, and in combination with the second single, ‘Secrets’, should get the album a fair amount of attention. If you’re a One Republic fan, you’re bound to be impressed with the band’s latest offering. However, if you’re not a big fan of front man, Ryan Tedder, avoid Waking Up at all costs – because, from vocals to piano to programming to production – it’s all him.

BEST TRACKS: ‘All The Right Moves’, ‘Made For You’, ‘Secrets’ ]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 City Bowl Mizers - The City Bowl Mizers http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/city-bowl-mizers-the-city-bowl-mizers-
This 19-track album is all about fun (and impressive production) and is bound to capture your attention. Packed with energy, catchy lyrics and head-banging beats, City Bowl Mizers is a must-have road-trip/lazing-by-the-pool companion. It doesn’t matter if this band is on the stage right in front of you or on your latest play list; The City Bowl Mizers are true party-starters regardless.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Uh Huh’, ‘Mace In Your Face,’ ‘Cancun’ ]]> Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:00 +0200 Falling Short http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/falling-short
International celebrities are rich, donate money to important causes, adopt children from all over the world, are spokespersons for famous brands, wear expensive designer clothes and have the paparazzi industry devoted to their day to day antics, explains celebrity studies expert and lecturer at the University of Cape Town, Oscar Masinyana. 'On the other hand, most South African celebrities don't have that much money; they are struggling like the rest of us.' Often, says Masinyana, their limelight fades quickly and that's not attractive.

When they do become spokespersons for local brands, says Masinyana, it's usually brands most people don't want to be associated with, or at least brands people don't associate with luxurious or highly-sophisticated living. And most of the time he adds, they are wearing exactly the same clothes we are wearing. 'It leaves little for the ordinary person to aspire to.'

Reality TV star, DJ and hip-hop artist Proverb certainly doesn't think of himself as famous. 'For one to be considered a celebrity, you have to be celebrated worldwide. Appearing occasionally on local media hardly constitutes one to be called a celebrity.' While he says he's often considered to be famous, he prefers to think of himself as just a regular person who happens to be in entertainment, free from any superior status.

Socialite Khanyi Mbau, 23, thinks this is the problem, and doesn't believe South African stars promote their images correctly. 'If celebrities don't take themselves seriously, how can we expect the fans to respect us?' She says our local stars dress down on a day-to-day basis and only make themselves 'beautiful' when they know they're going to be on camera. 'We don't practice celebrity culture. You can't blame the onlooker for thinking local celebrities are a bit of a joke.'

Greg Carlin, lead singer of alternative rock favourites Zebra & Giraffe, agrees. 'Celebrity culture is very different down here. South Africans just aren't impressed by local stars.' If you recognise a famous local on the street, you probably wouldn't go up to them to ask for an autograph, much less a photograph, says Carlin. 'You're more likely to ignore them.'

Masinyana believes South African celebrities are too clean, conservative and uncontroversial. 'There isn't nearly enough dirt on them and they are intent on keeping squeaky clean images.'

For him, and for most gossip column readers, the famous are meant to be frolicking around with their equally famous counterparts and keeping the public guessing about who is now with who. 'We want heartache, breakdowns, drug problems, prison spells and fashion boo boos.' South African celebrity drama is just not juicy enough, and even if it were, there isn't much in the way of paparazzi in this country, he adds.

'There aren't any cool hangouts where only celebrities go or gossip magazines that compare to those in the US,' says Carlin. You're not going to find people clawing to get into a club if it's anyone less than Robert Pattinson inside.

International stars feature in our much-loved movies or sing our favourite songs; and for that, they're inherently cooler than our local VIPs. Sad, but true. ]]> Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 Cover Girl - Drew Barrymore http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cover-girl-drew-barrymore
In our cover star interview (pg.92 of the March issue of COSMOPOLITAN), Drew discusses why it's so difficult to find the love of your life these days, but still remains tight-lipped about her relationships with on-again off-again boyfriend Justin Long.

Although she's never really let the media into the "secret garden" of her personal life, she does share the most important lesson she's learned in her life that can be applied to relationships.

Drew is a COSMO Cover Girl for so many reasons, and we've found eight...

 
       
She's a humble, award-winning actress.
 
She's fearless.
 
       
She's a fantastic director.
 
She's an activist.
 

       She's hilarious and adventurous.
 		        
She gives great relationship advice.
 
       
She doesn't hold back		        
And she can guess Ellen's Mystery Word – even if it takes her a little while...
]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 Bite Me http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/bite-me
Vampire Diaries, a new TV series which began airing on VUZU.tv 1 February, follows the love triangle between two vampire brothers – Stefan and Damon Salvatore – and Elena Gilbert, a high school student who’s just as damaged as them. But while the story revolves around high school students, the show is definitely not about high school as the Salvatore brothers’ 145-year-old feud now becomes a fight for Elena’s soul.

The official synopsis goes something like this:
It's Elena's first day back at Mystic Falls High School since the tragic death of her parents. Along with her Aunt Jenna, Elena tries her best to look after her troubled younger brother, Jeremy, and salvage what family they have left. The first day is already shaping up to be a struggle for Elena until she meets the mysterious new kid at school, Stefan. Elena is touched that he can relate to what she's going through. What Elena doesn't know is that Stefan is a vampire, constantly resisting the urge to taste her blood. As their undeniable connection grows deeper, Stefan's dangerous older brother, Damon, shows up to wreak havoc on the town of Mystic Falls – and claim Elena for himself.

Starring Paul Wesley as Stefan, Ian Somerhalder as Damon and Nina Dobrev as Elena, Vampire Diaries is based on the best-selling series of books by LJ Smith. But it’s not only the cast who make this production hot, the talented team of executive producers include Kevin Williamson (Scream, Dawson's Creek), Julie Plec (Kyle XY, Wasteland), Leslie Morgenstein (Gossip Girl, Private) and Bob Levy (Gossip Girl, Privileged). Williamson and Plec are also part of the show’s script-writing team.

Get to know the men behind the characters with this Q&A:
• Ian Somerhalder – Damon
• Paul Wesley – Stefan

Yes, these video clips are unashamedly promotional, but who cares! Damon and Stefan are our latest obsessions.


   
]]> Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-fame-monster--lady-gaga The Fame Monster.

The album is made up of two discs, one of which is The Fame (again), while the other features eight new tracks to sink your teeth into. While there is nothing new to say about her debut release, Lady Gaga's latest tracks will once again get her fans dancing. However, it must be said this album isn't only for Saturday nights in the club; it has a very strong message about dealing with fame, love, partying, sex and death. As with her first album, The Fame Monster proves why the 23-year-old superstar is next in line for Madonna's throne.

BEST TRACKS: 'Bad Romance', 'Telephone (Featuring Beyoncé)', 'Monster' ]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 Animal - Ke$ha http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/animal-keha Animal appeal. Catchy lyrics, a beat and Auto-Tune is clearly the standard for pop music nowadays. As long as you can dance to the song, it's all good, right?

Well, minus the hit single, 'TiK ToK' the rest of the album sounds exactly the same, so you'll be dancing to the same beat for more than 45 minutes. It's difficult to tell whether Ke$ha is looking to do a Britney version of Lady Sovereign or a watered down version of Katy Perry. Only on one occasion, in the song 'Hungover', can you actually hear Ke$ha's voice over the Auto-Tune. What a pity she didn't sing on the rest of the album. Her voice is pretty damn good.

It's hard to believe she worked on this album for seven years; it just isn't worth the time.

BEST TRACKS: 'Hungover', 'TikTok', 'Boots & Boys' ]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 Up To Now - Snow Patrol http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/up-to-now-snow-patrol Final Straw album or only ever heard of the band after the tearjerker season two finale of Grey's Anatomy, there'll be something for you on Up To Now.

Unlike Fall Out Boy, Snow Patrol has been around for more than 16 years and are therefore entitled to release a greatest hits collection. Featuring previously unreleased tracks, as well as songs from the pre-Final Straw age, Up To Now is a two-disk, two-times-platinum collection of the band's most popular hits, as well as their lesser-known ballads. In and amongst the 30-track play list, you're bound to love at least half of what's on offer, even if it's only the chart toppers.

BEST TRACKS: 'The Planets Bend Between Us', 'Run (Mencap Little Noise Sessions, Live At The Union Chapel)', 'Set The Fire To The Third Bar' ]]> Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 Johnny Foreigner http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/johnny-foreigner
In desperate need of a holiday, front man Alexei Berrow, bassist Kelly Southern and drummer Junior Washington, decided to come to South Africa. But while they’ve agreed to hit the tourist spots and laze on the beach in true vacay-style, they will also be performing four shows in Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

If you haven’t heard of Johnny Foreigner before, here is the low-down. They’ve released three albums, two EPs (one of which is available for free download), and 10 singles. They’re influenced by anyone from Death Cab For Cutie to Arcade Fire to Lady Sovereign and Radiohead. Oh, and gin of course. You name the festival and they’ve played it: T-In The Park, Reading, Japan’s SummerSonic, Ibiza Rocks; and on 26 February, they will be playing at South Africa’s renowned RAMfest in Worcester.



They’re worth checking out, so if you’re in the area, head down to the following venues and catch them live. They will be performing at The Assembly in Cape Town on 13 February, with Kidofdoom, Yesterday’s Pupil, She Man Lion, Sassquatch, Bruce Willis and MoeJoe, and on 17 February at Klein Libertas Theatre in Stellenbosch with Ashtray Electric, The Pretty Blue Guns, The Revelators, The Lottery Tickets, Bruce Willis, Sassquatch and El Gordo.

For those of you in Gauteng, Johnny Foreigner will be performing in Pretoria at Hotbox Studio with Isochronous, Wrestlerish, Sticky Antlers, MoeJoe, Sassquatch, Nathan Scott Phillips and Kodiac, and in Johannesburg with Desmond & The Tutus, Yesterday’s Pupil, Us Kids Know, Eyes Like Mirrors, Sassquatch, Data Takashi, MoeJoe, Nathan Scott Phillips, Kodiac and That Girl.

Go to the Johnny Foreigner (UK) 'Choose yr side and shut up!' SA Tour Facebook group for more information about their South African tour. Oh, and don’t forget to check them out on MySpace. ]]> Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 A Killer Night http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-killer-night Stickmen and making warped underground tech as a producer and sound engineer), Emerson is once again stepping up to the decks and DJing around the world. The New Zealander who was raised in Australia and is now living in Britain sat down with COSMO before his set at Fiction in Cape Town.

And it turns out interviewing an international DJ over drinks in the club manager’s office above the dance floor while a few of your friends hover around isn’t always such a bad idea. Listen to the interview in which Emerson tells us why he’s never really owned his own set of turntables and why he would DJ a wedding...



Emerson Todd will be playing at Chevelle in Cape Town on February 12 and at The Woods on February 13. Listen to Emerson on MySpace, befriend him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.

KILLER ROBOT
But let’s not forget about the concept that brought Emerson into our clubs this month, Killer Robot, recognised as South Africa's premiere showcase of underground minimal and techno. Bruno Morphet makes up one-third of the Killer Robot residents at Fiction, and he spoke to us about quality underground electronic music and illegal downloads...



Check out Killer Robot on MySpace.
]]> Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:00 +0200 The Best Waste of Time http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-best-waste-of-time
1. 2OceansVibe http://twitter.com/2oceansvibe
Why: Seth Rothertham is the Perez Hilton of South Africa – minus the fact he doesn’t just comment on the latest celebrity scandals. Follow this jester for a funny take on the serious things in life.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Surprise Surprise!! The ringtone industry is collapsing…’

2. Gareth Cliff http://twitter.com/GarethCliff
Why: He’s one of our favourite and funniest local DJs and he’s not scared to say what he thinks.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Did anyone know that @damonkalvari sat through Avatar without the 3D glasses, complaining about how it was out of focus? FFS...’

3. John Mayer http://twitter.com/johncmayer
Why: For a super entertaining and completely arbitrary take on his life. Plus, he is arguably the coolest tweet-musician out there.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Just read my Rolling Stone cover article. I’m still not sure if I would want to hang out with me.’

4. Snoop Dogg http://twitter.com/SNooPdOGG
Why: For a sneak-peak into his latest tracks and the chance to win great Snoop ‘prizzles’.
Sweet Tweet: (in typical Snoop-style) ‘what’s good my twizzles?!?!’

5. Kurt Darren http://twitter.com/Kurtofficial
Why: If you’re not a fan, you must at least be slightly curious to read about the inner workings of this Afrikaans musical phenomenon.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Die beste medisyne is n great song...............he he!’ (In case you didn’t know, ‘Die Beste Medisyne’ is also the name of KD’s new album…)

6. Pete Wentz http://twitter.com/petewentz
Why: Fall Out Boy’s bassist makes for interesting reading. And, well, he’s, hot.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Sometimes when people ask me “do you have any other questions?” i feel way more stupid for not having any.’

7. Katy Perry http://twitter.com/katyperry
Why: This seemingly innocent I-Kissed-a-Girl pop star has the most outrageously rude, should-be-censored, updates.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Jazzed bout Coachella. Don’t think I’ve been this excited since Dawson & Joey made out circa 1999 & that was like, whoa.’ (Please note: this is one of the few tame tweets.)

8. Perez Hilton http://twitter.com/PerezHilton
Why: Because we all love celebrity gossip, and Perez is the boss in the superstar scandal department.
Sweet Tweet: ‘After the crazy drama I went through today – and it was CRAZY! – it’s time to go out with new friends and burn this hump day to the ground!’

9. Lindsay Lohan http://twitter.com/lindsaylohan
Why: Because we’re all morbidly curious about loco-Lindsay and her latest scandal.
Sweet Tweet: ‘I never twittered anything about rihanna, I actually just had to email someone to reset my password. Waste of paper to all you tabloids :)’

10. Ben Stiller http://twitter.com/RedHourBen
Why: The Zoolander funny-man will have you in stitches, whether you’re reading about his headband-drive or his daily activities.
Sweet Tweet: ‘No real way to look cool bobbing for apples at all. Even when you win, you lose.’

11. Karl Lagerfeld http://twitter.com/KARL_LAGERFELD
Why: Because he’s one of the hottest designers in the world and his tweets are profound. Expect to see them in a motivational diary some day in the near future.
Sweet Tweet: ‘I am a fashion person, and fashion is not only about clothes – it’s about all kinds of change.’

12. Rainn Wilson http://twitter.com/rainnwilson
Why: He will have you laughing your Monday blues away. Just watch The Office and you’ll understand why.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Hey @BillGates – if U wish me a happy birthday I will drop my lawsuit seeking to prove that you’re my dad.’

13. Jeremy Piven http://twitter.com/jeremypIven
Why: He’s one of the funniest comedians in the US at the moment. And if you love the guys from Entourage, you’ll love his Ari-like tweets.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Ever look around your gym and realize it’s a gay bar with weights?’
‘Just finished cleaning up the language for 6 seasons of Entourage, man I swear A LOT in this show.’

14. Taylor Swift http://twitter.com/taylorswift13
Why: For funny, day-to-day updates about the starlet’s life. You’ll soon find she’s more than just the girl next door.
Sweet Tweet: ‘The hardest part about motivating myself to run is finding matching socks.’

15. Russell Brand http://twitter.com/rustyrockets
Why: Because he’s shocking, crass and provides for entertaining reading. And, like Pete Wentz, he’s hot.
Sweet Tweet: ‘I just read that my tweets are the 3rd most influential in Britain. I will only use this power for good. Now send photos of your sex organs.’

16. Xzibit http://twitter.com/mrxtothaz
Why: The Pimp My Ride host and hip hop mogul is as hilarious on Twitter, if not more, than he is on his show.
Sweet Tweet: ‘All you want is for me to fix your fucking car. Lol.’
‘LOL! I appreciate all the birthday love, but sorry folks My birthday is on SEPTEMBER 18th!!!!! fact check people, fact check!!!’

17. Keri Hilson http://twitter.com/MissKeribaby
Why: She’s the hottest R&B star on our radar and a true COSMO girl at heart!
Sweet Tweet: ‘craving pinkberry...mmmm...must. resist.’

18. Lady Gaga http://twitter.com/ladygaga
Why: We love her music, but we love her tweets even more because they’re just as crazy as her outfits.
Sweet Tweet: ‘pretty genius, big huge man banging on the car window outside the arena, trying to sell me scalped tickets to my own show. yoouuu skalliwag.’

19. Kate White http://twitter.com/katemwhite
Why: The US COSMO editor-in-chief will keep you up-to-date with the latest in fashion, celebrity life and COSMO tips.
Sweet Tweet: ‘One Tree Hill star and fab Cosmo writer Rob Buckely just sent me a life-size cut out of Rob Pattinson. I jump every time I see it.’

20. Minki van der Westhuizen http://twitter.com/MinkiVisser
Why: Because she’s COSMO’s February cover star and a South African super model.
Sweet Tweet: ‘Hey Guys, Check out the new Cosmo cover. Hope you like it. Please go out and buy one, maybe 10 :)’ (We agree!)

Ever wondered what the COSMO staff is tweeting about? Here a few for you to check out:

Cosmopolitan  http://twitter.com/Cosmopolitansa
Why: Because you know you want to find out about all our latest features, sex positions and fabulous competitions.
Sweet Tweet: 'Want to win a romantic Valentine's Weekend with @D7Live, Bilton Wine Estate, Boschendal and the Grand Daddy Hotel?' (Check out our online competition and we might be calling you!)

Vanessa Raphaely (Editor) http://twitter.com/hurricanevaness
‘Guys! Buy these crap shoes and women will hang around for you. In your wardrobe and in vending machines.’

Megan Kakora (Online Editor) http://twitter.com/megankakora
‘Just asked a magic-8-ball if 2010 will be better than 2009 and its response was: "consult me later". Not a good sign’

Catherine Brewis (Events Manager) http://twitter.com/cathbrewis
‘Bring on some knysna sun, wakeboarding and gin and tonics :)’

Ania Rokita (Managing Editor) http://twitter.com/aniaback
‘It is, in fact, possible to consume a picnic lunch in the horizontal position. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.’

In the comment block below, tell us who you follow on Twitter. ]]> Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00 +0200 Believers Never Die: Greatest Hits - Fall Out Boy http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/believers-never-die-greatest-hits--fall-out-boy
Fall Out Boy’s Believers Never Die - Greatest Hits sums up the last six years of their pop punk career. While it does include their biggest and most popular songs, the album doesn’t exactly scream platinum status. It’s time to forget about the past and concentrate on creating something new. It’s time for Fall Out Boy to win over fans with something original.

BEST TRACKS: ‘This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race,’ ‘Thnks Fr The Memories,’ ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’ ]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00 +0200 Before I Self Destruct - 50 Cent http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/before-i-self-destruct--50-cent
Because 'Fiddy' is one of the most well known rappers to date, you would expect his final solo release to be groundbreaking… especially after he claimed it would be the best release of its time. Unfortunately for 50 Cent, it’s nowhere near as good as his previous albums. While he collaborates with Eminem and Ne-Yo and the rapping is tight and succinct, the beats and the rhymes just don’t do 50 Cent’s curtain call any justice.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Psycho’ ]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00 +0200 Dark Or Blue - Teargas http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/dark-or-blue--teargas Dark Or Blue.

While their previous two releases won the awards, the accolades and the chart positions, Teargas’s new album is nothing to be sniffed at. It’s a carefully thought out blend of local kwaito and international hip hop, and features collaborations with HHP, Pro and Danny K. Minus a few dodgy R&B tracks, Dark Or Blue is a combination of catchy rhymes and toe-tapping beats.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Go Away,’ ‘This Year!’ ]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00 +0200 Full Circle http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/full-circle
Before Prime Circle embarked on their December nationwide tour, we caught up with the band to chat about lyrical inspiration, social media and how they treat a woman on the first date.

]]> Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Talking Taxi Violence http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/talking-taxi-violence The Turn earlier this year, the Cape Town-based rockers successfully tour through Germany and showed South Africa why they’ve been voted one of the country’s best rock bands.

We spoke to Taxi Violence about the new album, the truth behind groupies, and what it was like crossing the border as a band for the first time.

]]> Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Celebration - Madonna http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/celebration--madonna Best Of collection is for you.

The album celebrates Madonna’s reign from the early 80s with songs like ‘Lucky Star’ and ‘Holiday’, to 90s hits like ‘Ray of Light’ and ‘Frozen’. Fast-forward to tracks from her final multi-platinum studio album, Hard Candy, rewind to the 2003 album, American Life and you’ve got Madonna’s 26-year career condensed onto two discs.

This album truly is a celebration for any Madonna fan.

BEST TRACKS: It’s entirely up to you… ]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 South African Indie Volume 1 - Various http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/south-african-indie-volume-1--various South African Indie Volume 1 highlights the best tracks from locals’ debut or latest albums. While the majority of local music fans already have the album’s track listing as part of their CD collection, you should give this album a listen if names like Ashtray Electric and Jax Panik don’t mean anything to you.

If you haven’t heard of Die Heuwels Fantasties, New Holland and The Pretty Blue Guns, you’re in for a double treat. If you haven’t heard of Fokofpolisiekar, Taxi Violence and The Dirty Skirts, where have you been?

This is the collection for anyone unfamiliar with our local musos.

BEST TRACKS: Ashtray Electric – ‘Lia’, ‘Fokofpolisiekar – ‘Antibiotika’, Taxi Violence – ‘Venus Fly Trap’ ]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Two Suns - Bat For Lashes http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/two-suns--bat-for-lashes
Under her alter ego, Pearl, Khan began recording her concept album. Two Suns is layered with mystical, offbeat tracks. Influenced by TV On The Radio and MGMT’s beats, songs like the hit single ‘Daniel’ reflect the indie craze of the time, while the majority of tracks are simply soothing.

Two Suns commands you to listen to it. And the hype was justified.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Siren Song’, ‘Glass,’ ‘Daniel’ ]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 A Flash Interview http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-flash-interview
We spoke to the group at Synergy about girl power, what makes them tick, and which band member Dey would most likely take home to her parents.

Listen to our crazy, uncut interview where we’re interrupted by Zebra & Giraffe’s guitarist Alan and a phone call from a publicist. Oh, and that singing in the beginning is courtesy of Ryan Dent...


 
]]> Fri, 11 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Killing Me Softly http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/killing-me-softly
We met backstage and were shown into a poky room with a chocolate-brown couch that had no doubt been housed there for decades and a table filled with soft drinks, snacks and Fizzers. Pink, green and blue Fizzers. The type you would find in a children’s party pack. Flowers, I already knew, is a teetotaller, so I was hardly expecting bottles of tequila. But Fizzers?

He sat at the end of the couch, hands together and head down, his gaze rarely moving from the space in his lap. For someone with such a huge physical stage presence he is actually quite diminutive and seemingly shy in person. He’s physically reserved and intellectually intimidating, and if you look closely you’ll notice that his eyes dart slightly from side to side. Not in a super-crazy way. But enough to make you feel unnerved.

He answered my questions openly. There was no fluff, no gratuitous self-promotion. He smiled when I asked him about the song ‘Moon River’ and softened when I asked him for an autograph. Ten minutes was all I had. Here is the interview:

]]> Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 One Love - David Guetta http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/one-love--david-guetta
The French DJ has hit the big time, featuring collaborations with some of the world’s top artists, including Kelly Rowland, The Black Eyed Peas, Kid Cudi, Estelle, Akon, Ne-Yo, and Will. I. Am. Unlike other DJs, David Guetta has successfully managed to cross boundaries by using commercial artists, and those who didn’t appreciate house music before are breaking it down on the dance floors whenever one of his singles starts to play.

BEST TRACKS: ‘When Love Takes Over’ featuring Kelly Rowland, ‘Memories,’ featuring Kid Cudi, ‘Sexy Bitch’ featuring Akon ]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Turn It Up - Pixie Lott http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/turn-it-up--pixie-lott
Turn It Up explores different genres; from hip hop and R&B influences to beats akin to Lily Allen’s style of alternative pop. And Lott’s rich, Duffy-esque voice manages to conform to each one flawlessly.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Mama Do,’ ‘Boys And Girls,’ ‘Turn It Up’ ]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 The Boy Who Knew Too Much - Mika http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-boy-who-knew-too-much--mika The Boy Who Knew Too Much is divided between the crazy Mika we all know and love, complete with piano slides and lyrics about circuses and wind-up toys, and the softer Mika, who sings about dreaming of the one he loves. Considering the success of his multi-platinum debut, Life In Cartoon Motion, Mika’s second release might not be as good, but it’s a pretty good follow-up nonetheless.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Blame It On The Girls,’ ‘By The Time,’ ‘I See You’ ]]> Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 Celebrate Madge http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/celebrate-madge Billboard editor and US radio host Larry Flick sits down with Madonna for a quick chat about her music, life and Lordes.

Celebration is your third greatest hits album, but you're not the look-back girl, are you?
No.

So, does it feel weird that everyone's so excited about revisiting your old songs?
No, I'm not thinking that way. I'm happy that people want to hear my old songs. I've written some good songs!

Do you ever listen to them, yourself?
I try not to [laughs]. Actually, sometimes, I do. But the thing is that I'm on tour right now, and I'm doing some of those old songs. Inevitably, I'm going to be sicker of the songs that I'm singing every night. It's nice to revisit songs that I haven't heard for a while, and I think, 'Yeah that was a good song. I like that'.

What song are you feeling really good about right now?
That's old?

Yeah.
I like 'Beautiful Stranger'. That's a good one.

Are there are any song that you don't want to celebrate?
No. They are all a part of me, and an aspect of me, or a pivotal moment for me – even if they're not necessarily pivotal in a big, public way for me. I can certainly pinpoint what was going on in my life at that time. They're sign-posts.

Is there one song of yours that you think is perfect?
I certainly have songs that I feel resonate more and speak truthfully more about me than others. Like 'Don't Tell Me'. Or 'Like It Or Not'. Also, 'Live To Tell' would be one too.

Do you ever stop and think, 'I sure got a lot done'?
[Laughs] Sometimes. That would require free time!

You're not the sit-around girl, either, are you?
No, not much. Not with kids and a job. Every once in a while, I have a moment of reflection. It's usually because I'm forced to look back at it from somebody else's point of you… or if someone does a retrospective of my career. Then I go, 'I did all that?' It's usually someone else reminding me.

You have a knack of writing songs that are pointed and political, but also for writing songs that are carefree and fun. Which do you think hit people stronger?
People who are more politically aware and want to be inspired like songs like 'American Life', and people who just want to have a good time will like my more let's-have-fun kind of music. I think people are in different moods at different times. I'm in different moods at different times.

What kind of music are you listening to a lot these days?
I'm listening to a lot of electronic music.

Do you still like going clubbing?
Yes, but I certainly don't go clubbing when I'm on tour, because it's not really good for me. You can't talk loud after shows and stuff in smokey nightclubs

Being on the road sounds like a military operation. How long does it take to get ready for you to go on tour? For you physically?
First, I start to train for several months, just to get my cardiovascular endurance up so that I can sing and dance at the same time. Then putting the show together and figuring out the choreography and experimenting. Then I spend hours and hours with my band and my dancers and my choreographer and my director. It just becomes an endurance test. So by the time the show is put together, I'm physically ready, just from doing it over and over for months.

At what point do you say 'stop, get me outta here, this is too hard'?
Right about now. [Laughs] We did the tour for four months, and then we took a break. And now we've been on the road for a couple of months. It feels like a good time to end it. I'm ready to have another creative experience. I don't know how people go on the road for 18 months and do the same show. I couldn't do it.

Tell me about the working on the track 'Celebration' with Paul Oakenfold. What was it about working with him that was interesting to you?
Paul's done so many remixes for me. We've collaborated on a lot of music, just because of that. Plus, he's been opening for me on most of this tour, and we've hung out together a lot. He's played at parties I've thrown. I like his energy. I like his ability to make people get up and dance. He knows how to work a crowd. He's a very positive person, himself. I heard some of the production that he's done with other artists, and I decided to experiment with him.

The video features your daughter, Lourdes. How did that happen?
She hangs out with the dancers a lot. She's a dancer, herself. The video is about the celebration of music and dance. There's an improvisational moment when we're all in a circle and each dancer does their specialty or a special move that they do well. She wanted to do hers, so she did.

Were you comfortable with her doing the video?
Yeah. She really wanted to do it. It's just a little moment.

Are you getting an inkling that she wants to follow in your footsteps?
No. I don't think she wants to be a singer. I think she wants to be an actress.

How do you feel about that?
I'm fine with it, as long as she finishes school, and takes it seriously. She also plays piano, and she's really into clothes and fashion and style. She can go in any direction. She's got a lot of diverse interests right now. We'll see. I'm not pushing anything. We'll see what she wants to do.

She always seems so poised.
Yeah. She's grown up in the limelight, for sure. She's been protected, but she's been chased by the paparazzi since she was a tiny baby.

How is she dealing with being the big sister? Is she protective?
She's super-sister. She's amazing with the little ones. She has the typical relationship with her brother, Rocco. They're like 'I love you, I hate you' every five minutes. But with the two little ones, she's great. She's amazing. Very protective.

Are you going to be a Mom to any more kids?
Who knows? [Laughs]

Is that something you'd like?
[More laughter] Y'know, I have my hands full right now! I have no idea! That's all I'm going to say. But we never say never.

That's a good thing! What do you imagine your next record is going to sound like? Have you thought about it yet?
Not really. I love electronic music, so I'm sure that I'll keep doing something in that area. But I don't know who I'm going to work with yet.

What's next on your life check-list? What are you hoping to get done?
I have several projects going. I have another script that I've written, and I want to direct another film. Hopefully, I'll be doing that next year. I also have many, many projects going on in Africa right now that I want to bring to fruition, like building a girls school and working on two new documentaries that I want to make. So, I've got lots of projects going.

Could you ever imagine that your life would turn out this way?
No way!

It's pretty awesome, isn't it?
It's insane. I'm very lucky. I feel truly blessed. ]]> Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:00 +0200 The Twilight Saga: New Moon http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-twilight-saga-new-moon STARS
Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Green, Jackson Rathbone, Peter Facinelli, Kellan Lutz, Nikki Reed, Billy Burke, Michael Sheen, Dakota Fanning

GENRE
Romance/Adventure

STORY
New Moon picks up from Twilight's happy ending between Bella (Stewart) and Edward (Pattinson), but after a near-death experience at the Cullen's family home, Edward leaves the town of Forks. After breaking her heart, Bella struggles to forget Edward and sinks into a depression. Her long-time friend, Jacob Black (Lautner) comes to her aid. Jacob tries to get Bella to forget about Edward, and in the process, falls in love with her. Bella begins to act recklessly in an attempt to get Edward's attention, and through a serious miscommunication, Edward believes Bella has died.

He goes to the royal vampire family, the Volturi, and asks them to kill him, as he refuses to live if Bella is dead. He even threatens to break Volturi laws and reveal himself in the sunlight, but the Volturi still refuse to grant him his wish. After Edward's sister, Alice (Green) comes to Bella and informs her of Edward's plan to kill himself, they travel to Italy to stop him before it's too late.

WHAT WE THOUGHT
Whenever there's hype surrounding a movie, I tend to start worrying whether it'll live up to its expectations. And after watching the New Moon trailer about 25 times on YouTube, my expectations were pretty high to say the least.

Luckily, it was far from rubbish. While Twilight's special effects were dodgy, the new director, Chris Weitz, made sure to up the game for fans – proven in the werewolf battles and Edward's fight scene with the Volturi. From cinematography to makeup, the cast and crew on this film took the Twilight excitement and transformed its sequel into a New Moon masterpiece. Now let's hope Eclipse isn't overshadowed.

New Moon really does live up to the hype, ladies. ]]> Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 Something Better - Brian Temba http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/something-better-brian-temba
While he looks super stylish and Kanye-West-slick, there really isn't anything special about Brian Temba's music. It seems as though Something Better is merely a collection of cheesy pop and soul tracks. Not even 'Dominoes', the first single, stands out as a real winner.

It would have been great to write home about another promising South African artist. It's only a pity his music and lyrics don't match his appeal.

BEST TRACKS: 'Dominoes' ]]> Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 New Wave http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/new-wave COSMO: How did you move from a strong folk and acoustic rock influence to what we hear from La Roux today?
Elly: Me and Ben realised we wanted to do something different with our songs, not for me to be just another singer-songwriter on a guitar. It coincided with me listening to more electronic music and going out raving. We didn't like the demos we had so we started again.

COSMO: La Roux is clearly influenced by Yazoo, David Bowie and all-round 80s pop. How has La Roux progressed from the typical synth-pop heard during the 1980s?
Elly: I think our beats are modern. We're also influenced by people like Clor, the Knife and Sebastian Tellier.

COSMO: If you had a choice, who would you sleep with: Vince Clark, Philip Oakey, Stephen Luscombe or Glenn Gregory?
Elly: Vince, I think!

COSMO: And what has Joni Mitchell taught you about men?
Elly: Joni Mitchell taught me a lot about words and poetry and melody, but not so much about men! It's difficult to tell with her, I think she put them on a bit of a pedestal, but she was exasperated at the same time.

COSMO: Talk us through the hairstyle…
Elly: Loads of mousse, wax and tons of hairspray! I never meant it to go this far… honestly

COSMO: Does your style affect your music or does your music affect your style?
Elly: The two are inextricably linked I think. I wanted to create music with a strong visual identity so I think they both inform each other.

COSMO: Your UK no.1 single, 'Bulletproof' focuses on distrust and letting go. Who is this song about?
Elly: That's for me to know and for you not to find out… Basically though, it's about knowing you're fucked and in love, but being defiant about not getting hurt again.

COSMO: UK media say you're one of the new feminist voices who are redefining the music industry. How do you feel about that kind of responsibility towards young women being placed on your shoulders?
Elly: I never set out to be a role model, but if there are girls who look up to me for not being blonde and covered in tango then that's great. There have been far too many negative role models for far too long. To be honest, I think I'm more responsible than a lot of women who find themselves in a position to influence people.

COSMO: Does being labelled as "Girl Power without the girly frills and lace" bother you? How do you feel about it?
Elly: Have I been labelled as that? I can't stand the term 'Girl Power' but I don't have a problem with people seeing me as a strong, hardworking and empowered woman. 90s Girl Power was all a bit 'get your tits out and then slap the bloke who letched at you', wasn't it?

COSMO: What's next for La Roux?
Elly: Some sleep please? Some time off? Please? Seriously though, we've got a UK tour coming up which I'm really looking forward to. ]]> Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 Stars Who Hate Their Hits http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/stars-who-hate-their-hits
HATING THE HITS
Nirvana – 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'
It was the song that made Nirvana a household name, but the boys from Seattle weren't exactly impressed with the mass teenybopper hysteria that erupted after the release of the single. Kurt Cobain told Rolling Stone magazine he was embarrassed to play it; and this became clear when the band didn't play the song at their later shows. Not only did they not like the song, they hated the video too.

Radiohead – 'Creep'
Creep was the hit that catapulted Radiohead onto the rock scene. Everybody knew the hit, whether or not you knew the band. When they toured America in the early days, people would stay for 'Creep' and leave once the song was over. In the end, the band stopped playing the song for five years and even wrote 'My Iron Lung' as a description of their hatred for the song. And their nickname for 'Creep'? 'Crap'. Need we say more?

Oasis – 'Wonderwall'
Once again, the song that launched the band is the song the band themselves hate the most. When discussing their latest album, Dig Out Your Soul, Liam Gallagher said, 'At least there's no Wonderwall on there. I can't fucking stand that fucking song! Every time I have to sing it I want to gag. Problem is, it was a big, big tune for us.' 'Wonderwall' went platinum in the UK and has sold over a million copies to date.

Madonna – 'Like A Virgin'
Whether you sing along to this massive hit in the shower, while you watch Bridget Jones, or simply because you simply l-o-v-e it, 'Like A Virgin' is arguably one of Madonna's biggest hits since the 80s. However, the Queen of Pop is bored with her beginnings. As told to a New York radio station, Madonna said, 'I'm not sure I can sing "Like a Virgin" ever again. I just can't, unless somebody paid me, like, $30 million or something.' That's quite a wad of dough for one song Madge…

U2 – 'Where The Streets Have No Name'
One of the Irish rockers' most critically acclaimed hits, 'Where The Streets Have No Name' wasn't up to Bono's standards, apparently. The lyrics, which were originally written as a draft, left Bono feeling bleak. But it seems U2's producers thought differently. 'I thought they were fairly inane, but in the studio Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois thought they were perfect. I told them they were only sketches and I could do much better. Now I have to sing them for the rest of my life and it's our most successful live song.' Such is life Bono.

Vanilla Ice – 'Ice Ice Baby'
One of the most overplayed songs of the late 80s, 'Ice Ice Baby' got everybody dancing and singing in karaoke bars. Vanilla Ice regretted every second of it, once the money started running out of course. He even took the opportunity to destroy MTV's master copy with a baseball bat after the video was permanently taken off the air. Unfortunately for the rapper, you can't get rid of 'Ice Ice Baby' that easy; unless you destroy every jukebox on earth.

LEARNING TO LOVE
The Rolling Stones – 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'
While guitarist Keith Richards may have grown to like the Stones' hit single, he wasn't too pleased about it originally. According to Mick Jagger, Richards thought it was a bit basic with a silly riff. 'Keith didn't like it much, he didn't want it to be a single, he didn't think it would do very well.' Oh, how wrong he was.

Tina Turner – 'What's Love Got To Do With It'
After an insufferable marriage to her abusive husband, Ike Turner, Tina Turner was ready to start over with a new hit. But when she discovered her comeback would be 'What's Love Got To Do With It,' she wasn't happy at all. She hated it so much she almost refused to record it. When it became a number one hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 64 consecutive weeks and revived her career, she quickly changed her mind. Good thinking.

FOR KICKS
Katy Perry's parents – 'I Kissed A Girl'
While this song was one of 2008's biggest hits, Katy Perry's evangelical Christian parents were not impressed. 'I hate the song. Its message is shameful and disgusting,' says Perry's mother, Mary Hudson. 'Katy knows how I feel. We are a very outspoken family and she knows how disappointed her father and I are. I can't even listen to that song. The first time I heard it I was in total shock. When it comes on the radio I bow my head and pray.' Wow. ]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 Their Space http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/their-space MySpace. From the UK's Arctic Monkeys to indie pop princess, Kate Nash, it seems you don't need a record label to get your music out there.

ROCKING ONLINE
Many bands use MySpace as a platform not only to get their music out there, but to expand their fan bases, premiere new videos and release new songs. British indie rockers, Arctic Monkeys were hailed as one of the first bands to use the network to promote their music. Since then, some of the now, biggest names in the rock and indie realm have emerged through social media.

Pop punk band, My Chemical Romance, who have received well over 44 million hits, began their career by releasing free downloads of their songs. Weezer made their much-needed comeback after making their new album available on MySpace before it could be purchased in stores. The same goes for alternative rockers White Lies and US super group Queens of the Stone Age, who both launched their albums on the site. Whether you're looking for the new 30 Seconds To Mars video or Beck's latest single, you're likely to find it on MySpace first.

POPPING ONLINE
It might have taken London starlet Lily Allen a lot longer to get her music out there had it not been for social media. As with many young musicians, she created a profile and uploaded a few demo recordings. Thousands of clicks later and Miss Allen landed a record deal. In an interview with a Seattle radio station, Allen said, 'I never set up the MySpace with the intention of millions of people listening to my music. Everyone was going on MySpace… and I realised you could actually put your music up there, so I did. Four months into it, and people were saying, "You've got a million people listening to your songs".'

'Beautiful Girl' rapper, Sean Kingston was discovered via his profile, as was American pop star, Colbie Caillat, after her friends suggested she give MySpace a go. Pop princess, Taylor Swift and 'Pumpkin Soup' singer Kate Nash contribute their popularity and success to MySpace; and together, these pop princesses have over 117 million profile views.

Speaking to Yahoo's OMG! Celebrities, Swift praises the site as a great way to hear what her fans think of her music: 'MySpace has been so imperative to my career. Putting my music on MySpace let me get comments back from people. You'll put up a new song and you get instant feedback directly from the fans. As an artist, I think it's just so exciting.'

While MySpace has certainly launched careers, it has also proved to be the perfect platform for recognised artists, such as Madonna and The Black Eyed Peas. The Queen of Pop's 2005 multi-platinum album, Confessions On A Dance Floor was first launched on the site, while Will.I.Am's crew used their profile to reconnect with their fans and re-establish their name.

From unsigned indie bands to the latest superstar rapper, MySpace has become the place to discover, listen to, and download music. With over 125 million active users a month, someone's bound to hear your sound. ]]> Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 Fresh Goes Electro 2 - DJ Fresh http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/fresh-goes-electro-2-dj-fresh Fresh Goes Electro 2, it's a definite party-starter for all the house fans out there who enjoy breaking it down in the early hours of a Saturday or Sunday morning.

Fresh isn't one of South Africa's best-loved DJs for nothing: he has taken some of the biggest local and international tracks and mixed them to perfection on this latest release. Even those who don't like house will be able to appreciate the beats when they hit the dance floor. If all you want is a taste, skip straight to Paul van Dyk and Calvertron, it's sure to get you nodding your head in no time.

Get this if you want a two-disc, 32-track all-night-long house party.

BEST TRACKS: Paul van Dyk 'For An Angel' (Spencer & Hill Remix), Calvertron, 'Phat Beat,' Goldfish 'Hold Tight' (Shaun Duvet & SoftServe Chop Suey Edit)
]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 A Different Me - Keyshia Cole http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-different-me-keyshia-cole
While there's nothing groundbreaking about A Different Me, there's no need to criticise anything either, besides the odd, slightly misplaced monk chants at the beginning of track four. All in all, she's managed to produce a non-offensive, vocally powerful third album. And the best part: there's a great 2Pac addition added to the mix on 'Playa Cardz Right.'

If R&B is your thing, then Keyshia Cole's new offering is definitely for you.

BEST TRACKS: 'A Different Me' (Intro and Outro), 'Thought You Should Know'
]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 The Turn - Taxi Violence http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-turn-taxi-violence The Turn.

As the album's title suggests, Taxi Violence has certainly changed their tune – what was once raw and dirty, is now cleaner, crisper and more finely produced rock 'n roll. A number of the songs on the album have been played live for quite some time, but don't fret; The Turn is packed with new material and an altogether new edge to front man George van der Spuy's voice. Check out the video for the new single, 'Devil 'N Pistol' for an inside look into the new Taxi Violence.

If you've been a fan since the days of 'Untie Yourself' and 'The Mess', then The Turn is simply a must-have for your collection.

BEST TRACKS: 'Devil 'N Pistol,' 'Hold 'Em Or Fold 'Em,' 'Death To Hollywood'
]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 Jigsaw - Lady Sovereign http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/jigsaw-lady-sovereign
She's defied expectations by being one of the first female rappers to make it big in a male-dominated industry. With the release of her second album, Jigsaw, this no-fuss grime artist is causing havoc on stages the world over with her thick London accent and down-and-dirty beats.

After a two-year dark and personal battle, Lady Sovereign is back and, oh, how she's breaking it down.

BEST TRACKS: 'I Got You Dancing,' 'Guitar,' 'Jigsaw'
]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00 +0200 The Way She Are http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-way-she-are spoke to the media in Cape Town.

COSMO was lucky enough to speak to this beautiful and talented woman one-on-one about music, love, beauty and life in the spotlight.

COSMO: You've often said in interviews that you've had to fight for your place as a woman in the music industry. What qualities does it take to do that and can other women apply it to their own lives and careers?
KERI: I would say perseverance and tenacity because no one is exempt from hardships and failure but it makes you appreciate the successes even more. No one will hand you anything on a silver platter so you have to go out and work for what you want. I definitely wasn't an overnight success.

COSMO: What is a bigger priority for you, being a song writer or being an artist and why?
KERI: Even though being an artist was my first dream, I got to love song writing the way I did because I was also passionate about that. I didn't know that it was a career and that people could make it their job. When I learned that and it took off far and fast like it did, I learnt to love it just as much and that's also how I made my living. If I was just an artist and didn't have my song writing to fall back on as my plan B then I wouldn't be the artist that I am today.

COSMO: Who is your favourite artists at the moment and why?
KERI: I'd have to say Lauryn Hill. I'm most inspired by her music, so she always goes down as one of my favourite for this generation of musicians.

COSMO: Do you find it difficult to balance your Christian beliefs with the type of work that you do?
KERI: My beliefs are tested all the time in this industry. It's about finding balance and praying because sometimes you have to step into the lion's den to teach someone something. I think you're given a talent by God to be able to inspire someone. You can't do that by thinking you're superior, sometimes you have to join them and then bring them to God later and I think I've been given the platform to do that.

COSMO: How does your career affect you having a relationship?
KERI: My career makes it hard to maintain a relationship. I'm in a different city almost every day, I feel like I wouldn't be able to devote the time it takes to cultivate a relationship. I would bring positive things to it but I wouldn't be able to bring the time part, which is important.

COSMO: What do you look for in a man?
KERI: I like them to be a little bit taller than me, I like them to be a little bit smarter because I want someone that can teach me something, you know stimulate my mind. Of course looking good is a plus. I want someone who's working towards acquiring a better life for himself, whatever that means to him. I think it's important that a man isn't complacent in life. Of course he has to be Christian and respect his mother and women in general.

COSMO: What turns you off in a man?
KERI: Body odour, bad breath and stuff like that I couldn't deal with. Another turn off is a man who flaunts things and assumes that women only want material things. He couldn't be more far from the truth if he thought that so I couldn't be with a man like that.

COSMO: Do you have any beauty secrets that you can share with COSMO girls?
KERI: Facials are my beauty secret. I have to wear makeup a lot, sometimes I wear makeup for 20 hours a day and that's difficult on the skin. Facials are what make people think you're glowing so I recommend them to everybody.

COSMO: How do you stay in shape?
KERI: I like to eat and I'm not a workout fanatic, I never was but I enjoy a good session on the treadmill. I think it's all about balance; no matter what it is you eat, as long as you work it off afterwards. It's hard when I'm on the road because there's very little time to do it so I don't work out as much as I should.

COSMO: Which celebrity would you sing 'Turnin Me On' to?
KERI: It would have to be Tyson Beckford because he is so fine. I don't know him so I know nothing else about him but wow his physical is definitely there.

COSMO: What do you think of the blogs that write about you and other celebrities? They can be very harsh...
KERI: The blogs tear a lot of people up but I get it, it's entertaining. It's kind of like going to a comedy show and people are made fun of, you just have to know not to take it personally. I laugh even when they say things about me because they don't know me. So they're not attacking the core of me, they're attacking what they think they know of me and what they think of me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I laugh at the things they write about me because a lot of them couldn't be further from the truth.

COSMO: What legacy would you like to leave behind? How do you want to be remembered by the world?
KERI: I want people to remember that I was a hard worker and a very approachable person. That I was just a regular person who grew up with a dream and a passion for something and it didn't come easy. A lot of young women give up at the first sign of adversity and will just say 'Oh no this is too hard, I'm not a fighter'. I want them to be fighters, to have the tenacity and drive that a lot of men have because they're more competitive in life. ]]> Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Battle of the DJs http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/battle-of-the-djs
On every page of the COSMOPOLITAN website, you'll find a poll asking you to vote for either DJ Fresh, Gareth Cliff, Mlu or Roger Goode.

We'll be tweeting the results on a regular basis, to keep everyone up to speed. So follow us on twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CosmopolitanSA 
]]> Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Beyonce's Red Carpet Style http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/beyonces-style-evolution
But it seems nothing fazes the 28-year-old beauty as she continues to proudly strut her style in a way that's uniquely Beyoncé. That's just one of the reasons Mrs Jay-Z is the COSMO cover girl for November 2009.

Take a look at our photo gallery of Beyoncé's recent red carpet style. ]]> Tue, 13 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Four Minutes With John Legend http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/four-minutes-with-john-legend
COSMO Online got an exclusive opportunity to briefly interview the award-winning artist while on tour with Keri Hilson in South Africa. Watch the video here.

John Legend and Keri Hilson will perform live at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town on 15 October, at the Indoor Arena ICC in Durban on 17 October and at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg on 18 October. Get your tickets here! ]]> Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Tough as Roxx http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/tough-as-roxx
COSMO: Aside from being female and Indian, what makes you different from any other South African DJ?
Roxxi: 'It's a difficult question to answer because I believe that most DJs and musicians in this industry are excellent at what they do and they all have that "little something" extra that makes them stand out. But as corny as it many sound, I honestly think my passion, drive and dedication is what gives me the edge. There have been times where I have been lied to, defamed and misjudged, but I believe in the end my resilience and never-give-up attitude has got me to where I am. I never take no for an answer but usually see it as a "not right now" and use the time to fine tune my skills.'

COSMO: Do you think your race and gender helped you make a name for yourself in the industry in the long run? Something that helped you stand out and made people sit up and take notice more perhaps?
Roxxi: 'As much as I hate the whole gender and race debate I have to admit it's true. The fact that I'm female is not such an issue right now as we have a wealth of talented female DJs in SA with Erica Elle and Lady Lea being my two top role models who have given me great advice. However, being Indian and female most definitely got people to stand up and take notice – sometimes not always a good response.

'For the most part I think it was refreshing to see a new female DJ and the fact that she was Indian may not be an issue now, but a few years back starting off it was unheard off. However, I made a bold decision to go ahead with my passion and this has allowed a lot of young Indian women to forge ahead in the music industry. I still get e-mails from young girls saying that by me boldly stepping out embracing this "different" career their parents are more accepting of them making their marks in the industry as well.'

COSMO: Do you think things are changing for female artists in the SA music industry?
Roxxi: 'Most definitely! Now it's commonplace to see females behind the decks, which makes it much easier for us as opposed to a few years ago. I think we finally are catching up to our UK and US counterparts with a growing steady stream of female DJs actively working within the industry.'

COSMO: Why music? And why DJing? Especially considering that it's 'frowned upon' in the Indian community.
Roxxi: 'I think when you speak to anyone working in a career they are so passionately drawn to, they will say that it's the passion that pulled them in. As long as I can remember, I have loved music and all aspects of it. DJing is one aspect that has afforded me many opportunities, but it was actually producing that I was initially drawn to. Now I am able to juggle the both simultaneously. Growing up I always had the fear that I would be judged if I were to pursue such a career but as time moved on, more and more young Indian females were making their marks in their respective industries – from Krijay Govender directing Isidingo to Sureshni Rider being the first and only Indian female radio jock on 5FM – and naturally I felt that I would step ahead regardless of what people may think. It was risk but not one I regret.

COSMO: Yet despite this disapproval of your DJing career from your community, your mother owned a night club? Did she face the same challenges as you?
Roxxi: 'Yes most definitely. I think I get my resilient and never-give-up attitude from her. I watched her fight many battles and learnt how to handle life's challenges with grace and humility. As I've said before times have changed a lot and now its commonplace to see women from all walks of life tackle all sorts of industries, but in the beginning it was a difficult road to travel and I learnt how best to wear my hiking boots for those rocky roads from the challenges my mum experienced!'

COSMO: Not everybody was as welcoming of your rise to fame, particularly Lotus FM DJ Deon Chetty in 2007. What have you learnt from that experience?
Roxxi: 'Looking back at it I laugh now, but it was a difficult time. Yes I knew there were going to be critics out there. We can never expect our lives to be sunshine and roses. However, what hit me left field was that, here we have a prominent DJ from a station I grew up with, discrediting me on air due to his personal preference. It wasn't to say that the music was bad, but rather he did not enjoy it and he chose to abuse his platform and air his views. I have no problem with people having their own opinions but what saddened me was that we have a radio DJ that many young listeners look up to discrediting an up-an-coming female DJ for no particular reason. The whole incident taught me how to handle criticism and negative situations in a professional manner. I kept my cool and in the end his actions were answerable and he had to deal with the repercussions thereafter. If anything I had a lot of people rooting for me and learnt that in the end you music and work speaks for itself.'

COSMO: And now you're playing with big names like Fresh, Euphonik, Craig de Souza and Roger D Lux. Any words for the haters from your past?
Roxxi: 'I don't think I have a specific message for haters per say but there is a motto I have learnt to live by. "Be careful of the people you tramp on your way to the top as it's the very same people you may meet on your way down".'

COSMO: Why did you release your debut single online (and for free) and not cut the single to DVD and sell it?
Roxxi: 'Getting my break within the DJ sector was hard and so naturally trying to secure a record deal would prove even more difficult. I think I speak for many when I say that it's a tough industry to crack. My dear friend Nic Billington (vocalist on my new single) and I have both witnessed the growing trend of artists releasing their music digitally whether for free or at a cost. I specifically chose that route knowing that it's new here in SA. The tough aspect was absorbing the costs for production, but I know that I wanted someone who was talented and creative, which is why we enlisted Craig Massiv who is one third of Flash Republic. The single did well with regard to downloads and is currently being remixed by a DJ in India and London. So I definitely feel new artists should explore the option of independently recording and releasing because even though labels may not want to sign, you the general public may still love your work.'

COSMO: Would you ever allow fans to download a full album (when you release one) online? Do you think it could be a sustainable marketing tool?
Roxxi: 'Most definitely. Marketing-wise, releasing my debut single has afforded me many opportunities and got me some good sponsors.'

COSMO: What do you think is the future of online and digital marketing in the SA music industry, particularly now that you've released your single 'Away' through your website and Facebook?
Roxxi: 'Having a good online relationship with your fans is pivotal in growing your brand. And seeing as most of the market I play for in clubs and events are online, it makes perfect sense to follow this trend. From Twitter to Facebook to MySpace to countless music sites where you can upload you music are all avenues artists can use to expose their talents. I have noticed that also many established artists are using these social networking sites to engage with their fans and update them on their latest developments. Companies are using them as well to sell or advertise products. I can confidently say that a whole new world has opened up with regard to online advertisements for artists and companies, which make it much easier to spread the music and your message!'

COSMO: Where to from here for Roxxi?
Roxxi: 'I am focused on a tight five-year plan, which encompasses a radio show that I feel will allow me access to a wider audience, starting a music magazine specifically for local music, and to grow my events company to host big concerts and encouraging the big name artists to include South Africa has a leg on the world tours. I live and breathe music and I don't want it be any different five years down the line.'

* Follow DJ Roxxi online on Twitter and Facebook.

* Download her new single 'Away' here >> ]]> Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Public Enemies http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/public-enemies STARS
Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Billy Crudup, Stephen Dorff, Jason Clarke and Stephen Lang

GENRE
Action

STORY
So it's 1933/34 and the FBI is struggling to keep crime under control. Bank robber Dillinger (Depp) and his gang are fearless and become public enemy number one. No matter how hard Purvis (Bale) chases, Dillinger seems to escape his claws every time. Of course Dillinger meets the girl of his dreams in the midst of all this – Billie Frechette, who is taken from the life of a coat check girl to fur coats and fancy dinners.

WHAT WE THOUGHT
I'm not a groupie, but I am a fan of Johnny Depp's work. My advice to him, he should've given this one a skip. The make-up artist couldn't even match his skin tone with the excessive amount of base.

Here's the movie in a nutshell: cops chase bad guy, girl loses her heart, cops eventually catch bad guy, lots of blank spaces where info gets passed on without explanation, more car chases and endless shooting scenes.

I feel cheated. And Depp shouldn't expect any awards. Certainly not for makeup anyway. ]]> Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:00 +0200 Q&A with Mr September http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/qa-with-mr-september COSMOPOLITAN Sexiest SA Men Calendar 2009, and sits down for a quick Q&A with us.

How does it feel to be Mr September on the COSMOPOLITAN Sexiest SA Men Calendar 2009?
It's an honour to be a part of it and it was a great experience meeting new people on the shoot.

Would you pose for the calendar again?
Definitely, I had so much fun doing it

Have any of your Ajax team mates teased you about appearing in the calendar?
Oooooh yes! I've had a lot of stick from them, but it's all been good-natured. I think they're just jealous...

Do you think international soccer players like David Beckham and Christiano Ronaldo spend too much time focusing on their appearance and not enough on their soccer careers?
No, not really. They are both really talented football players and use their looks to their advantage to make more money. If you look at Christiano Ronaldo, I don't think they took his looks into consideration when they bought him for 80 million pounds. It was due to his talent and commitment on the football pitch.

Before you were a soccer player, what were some of the jobs you've had?
I've been playing soccer since I was five-years-old and signed with Ajax while I was still at school, but I've always helped out in the family business.

Any plans yet for when you retire from soccer?
No concrete plans, but I'd still like to be involved in soccer in some way. My family runs a successful business that I have shares in so I always have that to fall back on.

As a sports star you probably get loads of women coming up to you. How can you tell if a woman is genuine or just trying to use you?
Hahaha! In South Africa, football stardom is not like overseas, but on occasion you do get the odd lady fan coming up to you. I guess you just trust your instincts and will sense if they're interested in you personally or your fame.

Have you ever dated a girl your friends didn't like?
No, not really. My girlfriend and I met through mutual friends so that worked out well!

What have you learnt on the soccer field that can be applied when on a date?
Dating is like a match, as you first have to suss out your opponent, get to know what tactics they're using, try and break through their defensive patterns and hopefully score at the end of the day. Oh, and no tackles from behind, that's a red card.

Do you prefer women who watch sport/soccer?
No, it doesn't really matter to me, but I guess it's a bonus if they do. It's funny trying to teach them the offside rule. Why don't women get it?? Hahaha...

What are your thoughts on Bafana and the 2010 World Cup?
Some of my friends and teammates might be a part of the World Cup squad so it would be nice to see them in action doing well. We didn't do too badly in the Confederations Cup so hopefully we'll keep it up. I hope that everybody, whether they follow local soccer or not, comes out to support our nation and the World Cup as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch it on home soil. ]]> Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:00 +0200 Devilishly Foxy http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/devilishly-foxy
The super sultry Megan Fox answers all these and more questions in the October issue of COSMOPOLITAN magazine (on sale 16 September).

Watch the video from Megan Fox's first ever COSMO cover shoot (courtesy of our American sisters). Enjoy!

]]> Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00 +0200 Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/big-whiskey-and-the-groogrux-king
The highly anticipated album has die-hard fans fired up because it's the first studio album in four years since 2005's Stand Up, and is said to be their best one yet. Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King is a mixture of rock and funky bass, but it's the emotion that has made it the success it is. As many would say, it's their old sounds with a new look.

Not being the biggest DMB fan myself, I would still say it's an album worth listening to – even if it's just 'Shake Me Like a Monkey', but you be the judge.

BEST TRACKS: 'Shake Me Like a Monkey'; 'Lying in the Hands of God'
]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:00 +0200 Lindiwe Suttle - Lindiwe Suttle http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/lindiwe-suttle-lindiwe-suttle
Suttle has a powerful voice with a soft quality added to it. She has performed in the US, Europe and South Africa and is now working on her solo album. Watch out for her as she climbs the ladder in the SA music industry.

BEST TRACKS: 'Sweet like Butta'; 'Wearing Gold'
]]> Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:00 +0200 Q&A with Mr August http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/qa-with-mr-august
So, you're Mr August. Congratulations!
Thanks!

What was the COSMO calendar photo shoot like?
It was good. Anthony Friend's a really good guy, and the rest of the crew were very nice. But I really took a liking to Anthony because he encouraged me to continue with my modelling and acting and even gave me some pointers.

How did you get the calendar gig?
I just came back from shooting a movie in Durban when my agency, 3D Models, called me and said that COSMOPOLITAN wanted to see me. I met a few of the ladies, had a chat with them and then they asked me if I'd like to shoot with Anthony.

What movie were you shooting?
It was a Bollywood film. I had to shoot a diving scene, so I had to go for training and I learnt to dive. I was so scared because it was the very first time I had a shark so close to me, in my face almost!

Do you ever get ladies referring to you as "Mr August?"
Of course! All the time! Sometimes I'm in the grocery store and people come up to me and say that I look very familiar, and then they realise that I'm from the COSMO calendar. And then they start talking about my body...

Do you get shy when they talk about your body like that?
Not really. I even get people talking about the calendar and my body on Facebook <laughs>. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to handle because a lot of people only want to friend me on Facebook because of my body, and not for who I am.

How has appearing in the calendar changed your life? (If at all)
I've been getting more modelling and acting opportunities since the calendar was printed, so my life has changed a bit.

Would you pose for the calendar again?
Of course, why not? It's my job.

I can imagine your friends or family must have teased you about appearing in the calendar?
I sent the calendar to my two daughters and my sister, and they all liked it. But I would never send it to my mother and the rest of my family – they might start thinking that Valentine's making a lot of money...

How much time do you spend in the gym?
About two hours – 35 minutes for cardio and one hour working with light weights, not heavy weights.

If you only work with light weights, how did you build this great body of yours?
I've been training for a long time now; I started 17 years ago. I just look after myself by watching what I eat, what time I go to bed and keep my stress levels as low as possible.

You've been training for 17 years? What's your speciality?
I started with Tai Kwon Do when I was 9 years old. When I was 12 I picked up Ju Jit Su, and when I was 15 I started ShoToken – I've got my black belt. These days I do boxing. My dream was to one day to Mai Tai. When I was younger, I used to watch action movies and promised myself that one day I'd learn how those moves. A few years ago I met Winston Chong and he invited me to his gym, and that's how I finally took those steps to realising my Mai Tai dreams.

Where do you think is the best place to meet women?
The perfect place to meet a woman, for me, would be at a coffee shop.

Which South African city do you think has the most beautiful women?
Durban is nice, and so is Cape Town. But for me all ladies are beautiful, it's their personalities I look at.

How much time do you spend grooming yourself?
I spend a lot of time trimming my goatee. I bath for 45 minutes and spend a lot of time in the bathroom. But then when I go out, I spend even more time there.

What is the one thing about women you don't understand or annoys you?
When women are selfish; when they only think about themselves and how you or your body could get them certain places. And when they expect you to only understand their side of things, like your side is almost insignificant.
]]> Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 The One Night Stands - The One Night Stands http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-one-night-stands-the-one-night-stands
While there certainly isn't anything wrong with the album, it might not be strong enough to contend with other local talent, such as Ashtray Electric or New Holland. The One Night Stands have brought out a respectable debut, one that is catchy in some parts, but unfortunately lacking in others.

BEST TRACKS: '1992,' 'Hymns,' 'Talk Talk'
]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Asleep In The Bread Aisle - Asher Roth http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/asleep-in-the-bread-aisle-asher-roth
Asleep in the Bread Aisle is well-produced: crisp, clear and solid throughout, despite the fact that Roth sings about a load of rubbish, associated predominantly with drunken college parties, drugs and masturbation. The album does have its moments, in the form of songs like 'His Dream', which makes up for the lack of musical ingenuity heard during the remaining 11 tracks.

Collaborations with Busta Rhymes, Keri Hilson and Cee-Lo give this debut a bit of credibility, but despite clever alliances and a savvy producer, it seems as though Asleep in the Bread Aisle won't amount to anything more than a mere one-hit wonder.

BEST TRACKS: 'His Dream,' 'I Love College'
]]> Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Tracy McGregor Pop Quiz http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/tracy-mcgregor-pop-quiz
1. Sometimes I wish I weren't famous because then I could:
• Run errands in my comfy clothes
• Make a mistake without everyone watching
• Have a lot more free time for…
• I never wish that

2. The best part of being a celebrity is:
• The free clothes and stuff
• Getting to meet cool people
• Going to premieres and awards shows
• Having a personal assistant
• Taking fancy holidays
• Other

3. The feature I get complimented on most is my…
Eyes.

4. When I feel sexy, I put on…
Sexy underwear and a smile.

5. My weirdest phobia is…
Snakes, sharks, bugs, should I carry on going? Hahaha

6. I'm totally addicted to…
My family and pickled onions.

7. If I could trade lives with another woman for a day, it would be…
Fergie (from Black Eyed Peas) – have you seen her man, OMG!

8. You'd probably be surprised to find out that I've never…
Been to Robben Island and I've lived in Cape Town all my life.

9. My favourite part/s of my body is/are:
• My butt
• My boobs
• My abs
• My legs

10. The best relationship advice I ever received was…
Don't give in too easily.

11. A dating deal-breaker for me is when a guy…
Only does things to please himself and doesn't care about anyone else's feelings.

12. In relationships, I usually:
• Wear the pants
• Am the more emotional one
• Can't get enough public displays of affection
• Make all the plans
• Overanalyse everything
• Other

13. You know you're in love when…
You don't want to spend another moment without him.

14. The craziest thing I've ever done for a guy is…
I don't think this is that type of magazine hahaha.

15. The best beauty tip I've ever been given is…
Drink lots of water and always take your make-up off before you go to sleep.

16. I get annoyed when people call me…
Dumb, just because I'm a model.

17. The best fashion tip I've ever received is…
Dress for your body type.

18. The most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me was…
I don't get embarrassed too easily, but a very blind moment was when I tripped over the edge of a carpet at a party and fell flat on my face in front of everyone. I had the worst carpet burn on my elbow after that.

19. My celebrity crush is…
Josh Duhamel

20. It's worse to:
• Cheat on someone
• Be cheated on

21. When I'm home alone, I…
Relax in front of the TV.

22. You know a guy is perfect for you when:
• You can share the same wardrobe
• Your mother likes him
• He can deal with your relatives
• You like the same food
• You like the same music
• Other

23. My favourite spot for a first date is:
• My place
• A quiet restaurant
• The Movies
• A sporting event

24. I would never date a guy who:
• Smoked
• Didn't want kids
• Already had kids
• Had dated one of my friends in the past
• Could share jeans with me
• Other

25. The best thing about being blonde is that…
It looks really great with a tan hahaha.

For more on Tracy McGregor read p.82 of the September issue of COSMOPOLITAN magazine.
]]> Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 A Sound Clash http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-sound-clash
On Saturday 22 August at the Carlton Centre Sky Rink, the two bands from different genres will slug it out to win the favour of the crowd to be crowned champion.

THE CLASH
Each band will have their own stage at either end of the arena. For every round, the bands will contest for points, determined by the crowd via the applause meter. The band with the most points after all rounds will be crowned king of the South African Red Bull Soundclash.

THE ROUNDS
a) Warm Up – each band plays three of their own songs to pump up the crowd.
b) Round 1: The 'Cover' (creative round) – DJ Kenzhero cuts in a well known song and each band plays a cover version of the song in their own style.
c) Round 2: The 'Take Over' (spontaneous round) – Tumi and the Volume play one of their hits and on cue from the hosts, The Dirty Skirts take over the song in their style and then vice versa.
d) Round 3: The 'Sound Clash' (innovative round) – DJ Kenzhero determines a musical style (eg. reggae, punk, funk, etc) for each heat then cuts in a song for Tumi and the Volume to pick up from in the pre-determined style. The Dirty Skirts will then pick up the same style and 'attack' Tumi and the Volume who will then 'respond'. This round ends with each of the bands 'melting' the song into one of their own tunes.
e) Round 4: The 'Wild Card' (mystery round) – Each band plays one more song together with their invited special (secret) guest for the last opportunity to gain the crowd's affection.

THE INTERVIEWS
We got Tumi and the Volume and The Dirty Skirts to answer our questions...

1. How did The Dirty Skirts and Tumi and the Volume get involved with Red Bull and the Sound Clash?
DS: Through begging mostly. TATV: We got approached by the good people at Red Bull. I think they had an idea of the contrast between bands they wanted to reach, and we simply fitted the profile as one of the bands. We're also a band that doesn't take life too seriously.

2. Ever participated in something like this before?
DS: Absolutely not, this is a one of a kind. A band face-off – who ever heard of that? TATV: Never.

3. How are you guys preparing for the Sound Clash?
DS: Doing dance classes, hair removal, archery and lots of protein shakes. TATV: We're trying out some new things, stepping out of our comfort zones. We're also working out at the gym, in case the clash gets physical.

4. Which tracks are you guys preparing for the Sound Clash?
DS: Top secret, muchacho. TATV: Super Top Secret.

5. The gloves have started to come off with the promo videos being flighted on MTV Base. So what do The Dirty Skirts and Tumi & the Volume really think of each other?
DS: Musically speaking they are like a vanilla sponge cake – their music is sweet and contains little substance. TATV: We really hate them. They stand for all that's wrong with the music of today. We dislike almost everything about them, even where they come from.

6. Any sabotage or intimidation emerging from the opposing camps?
DS: Tumi and the push up bras have been revving up Swedish audiences to diss us. But our sources tell us that they are all sleeping with one eye open... TATV: I think they're too scared of us.

7. Are you guys nervous at all? I mean there's going to be a lot of off-the-cuff/spontaneous jamming...
DS: The Dirty Skirts laugh at danger. TATV: Jamming? That's our daily staple. Bring it on. Hahaha…


THE VIDEOS
The Soundclash promo video


Tumi and the Volume diss The Dirty Skirts


The Dirty Skirts diss Tumi and the Volume


THE DETAILS
Doors to The Sky Rink, Carlton Centre, open at 8pm on Saturday 22 August and the clash starts at 10pm. The host for the evening will be MTV Base VJ, Sizwe Dhlomo. Tickets are available from Computicket. For more information, visit www.redbull.co.za/soundclash.
]]> Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Approaching Normal - Blue October http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/approaching-normal-blue-october Approaching Normal features the same, overdone rock ballads we all became accustomed to in the early 2000s.

They opened for The Rolling Stones in 2006 and have had more than 13 million views on MySpace, so clearly they're not the worst band to have come out of Texas. One just wonders when people will finally realise that cheesy rock is stale and has been for some time now.

While the album isn't a complete waste of time, someone really needs to tell the band that eyeliner is so two years ago and shouting, 'I just had to see how your new man f****s you, 'cause you've both been f*****g me' is just plain weird.

BEST TRACKS: 'Dirt Room,' 'Blue Skies,'
]]> Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 It's A Pleasure http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/its-a-pleasure
Are your favourite pleasures today the same things that used to please you before your huge success as an actress?
'Nothing has changed in my life as far as the pleasure factor, I still find the same things pleasurable today that I did when I was little, with my family, such as chocolate – I've always been a big chocolate girl. Playing with my dog, that is a big part of my life, it's just so fun, I love my dog and being with my family and my friends, that hasn't changed. The only thing that's changed is now I get massages (a lot of them) so that would be one of my luxurious pleasures, it's definitely something that I spend my time and money on. I'm not a big shopper, most people would think I'm a big shopper, I'm not a big shopper, I don't have 400 pairs of shoes, but I do love massages, that's my pleasure for sure.'

How do you stay centred, with your feet grounded, and not lose yourself in the fame and fortune?
'I stay centred by always connecting with my family – wherever I am in the world I connect with them, that's why I love e-mail and texting so much. I know that a lot of people are anti-technology, they feel that it's a bit informal but I feel more connected than I've ever been. I'm so privileged to be able to travel all over the world, yet it gets lonely so I'm in constant contact with my mum, my sisters, everybody, my little nieces and nephews because of e-mail and texting. That's how I stay centred by really staying close to my family. And they are brutally honest with me, which I love. I'm definitely still the little sister who gets pushed around.'

Do you have a motto? A mantra that you live by?
'My only personal motto is "Do No Harm". So when I'm in a situation and I don't know what to do, it can be something simple or something quite complicated, I always ask myself is this possibly harming myself or someone else. And whatever that answer is it makes my decision very easy because it's just about doing no harm. Whether it's killing an insect or hurting somebody else's feelings or hurting them physically, definitely "Do No Harm". I am a little a bit of a hippy inside; most people don't know that, I'm definitely a make-love-not-war girl. I don't look like your traditional hippy, but I'm a hippy at heart.'

Name three things you would associate with vacation and travelling?
'When I travel I have to have a great book, a lot of the time it's the same book that I carry with me, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. I love architecture and I love Ayn Rand. It's just one of those books I can pick up wherever, I don't book mark it any more, I've read it a couple of times throughout the years and I just pick a spot, any spot, any page and depending on where I am in my life I interpret it differently. I usually always have The Fountainhead, sometimes Atlas Shrugged, but mostly The Fountainhead. The other things I have with me are a really great lounge outfit, like a wrap dress, this is when a great Diane Von Furstenberg dress comes in handy, something that you can wear ever day with ease. And finally my Blackberry, I'm a bit of a workaholic and I definitely bring my Blackberry on vacation.'

Which item is a must-have in your holiday suitcase?
'I like to travel with old pictures, I have some old family photos and I have them with me on this trip and I find solace in looking at them and sharing them with other people. That's really fun for me, carrying old family photos.'

Which hotel would you suggest to a new couple for a romantic getaway?
'I love the Hotel de Russie here in Rome, it's stunning. The court yard is gorgeous and, I know this sounds funny, but the tile work and stones are really amazing. The greenery, there has a lusciousness about it and you are right in the beautiful part of Rome. So I really love the Hotel de Russie. In Tulum in Mexico, there is a place which is right on the beach and you have your own personal hut, it's probably one of the most special places in the world.'

In which place did you feel the farthest from home?
'I felt farthest from home when I was in China. But I actually like feeling far from home, it's a fun feeling to have.'

If you had a time machine, to which past event would you time-travel?
'If I had a time machine, I think I'd go back and see Leonardo da Vinci just create, that would be pretty amazing.'

Do you have a dream holiday destination?
'I have not yet been to Cairo, Egypt and I really cannot wait to go. I'm a secret Egyptologist, that's kind of a secret passion of mine.'

How many days was your longest vacation?
'My longest vacation is probably not longer than a week, ever. I don't think you need more if you do it right. I don't. I do it right, I definitely know how to relax, for sure!'

Which is the best hotel bar you have been to?
'I think I'm going to have say the Hotel de Russie in Rome, I feel really special there, really taken care of.'

From where did you send your last postcard?
'I last sent a post card from Australia to my mother about four years ago!'


EVA QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS
How many ice creams do you approximately consume in a week?
'It depends on my week. I'm known to treat myself quite often, so how many ice creams do I eat in a week? If I'm not working and I don't have a photo shoot or a film, I can eat about five or six or seven!'

What's your favourite fragrance?
'Secret Obsession, by Calvin Klein.'

What's your favourite beauty product?
'SK-II Masks, they have these wonderful little masks that come in these little envelopes. You can travel with them, you put them on and it does wonders for tired skin.'

Who is your style icon?
'Maria Callas.'

What do you always have in your bag?
'I used to always have crushed red pepper, believe it or not, in my bag! Because a lot of places don't have it and I love spicy stuff. Now I just always have a little piece of Magnum chocolate in my bag.'

For what food would tempt you enough to wake you up at night?
'Pizza, always pizza, pizza, pizza. Absolutely'

Who is your favourite designer?
'Calvin Klein, Dior, anything by John Galliano, Dolce & Gabbana, Peter Som, and the list goes on and on.'

What book is currently on your bedside table?
'Outliers.'

What does no one expect from Eva Mendes?
'I am actually a lot funnier than people think and a lot goofier than people would think. So probably a very funny crass sense of humour.'

How is a free, not working day, in the life of Eva Mendes?
'I hang out with my friends, play with my dog, listen to great music, go to see live bands, you know typical stuff. I don't cook, I can't cook, can't boil an egg, but I can eat! I respect food too much to cook!'

You can win your very own pleasurable experience by simply taking the PG Test. Eva did...
]]> Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Big Boobs, No Panties http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/big-boobs-no-panties
Vanessa Holliday and Margaret Westergreen have only know each other for two years, but Digital Divas have an unmistakable chemistry, that when chatting to them just before their set at a Cape Town club you'd be forgiven for thinking they've know each other their whole lives. They finish each others' sentences, laugh at each others' jokes and know each others' secrets. And just what are those secrets?

'Big boobs, no panties,' they each whisper and then fall back in a fit of infectious laughter.

But the secret to Digital Divas' success should not only be credited to their good looks, these are two pretty talented ladies – and business savvy as well.

'I think we're both very talented DJs. We play good music and I always think it's an added benefit that we're good looking divas,' Holliday says. 'But it also comes down to a lot of PR and networking and just putting a lot of energy into what goes on behind the scenes,' Westergreen finishes.

It's not easy for women to break into any male-dominated industry, but with the recent wave of female DJs hitting the club scene, Holliday and Westergreen are just a few of the ladies paving the way for their fellow deck-wrecking sisters. While the duo is having fun making inroads, they do however feel the stereotype is slowly being broken. 'Obviously there's nothing better than seeing two female DJs up on a dance floor,' says Holliday. 'We've just got to learn to work together.'

And speaking of working together, what makes their partnership work is their energy. 'It's infectious. We go all out, dress up crazy and interact with people.' says Westergreen. Holliday chips in: 'We feed off each other's energy. When [Margaret] plays one track I know when to play the other one. It's a perfect balance.'

Another feature that makes their sets so successful is that they're theme based, says Westergreen. 'We're actually the first ever girl-duo DJ-act to launch this initiative where we do theme-based parties and dress up. We go all out and we really punt the party as well before hand... But it's not only us, we encourage the crowd to dress up too.' At their last Doctors & Nurses party, ladies dressed as nurses got free entry.

The duo, who think Women's Day is still relevant in 2009 and that every day should be Women's Day, admit that they have quite a big female following when compared to their male fans. And they get just as many women asking them out as they do men. 'There was this one girl who jumped up on the DJ box and shouted "I want to be your groupie forever!",' Westergreen laughs.

'I think we definitely have more of the female backing, woman empowerment behind us,' Holliday interjects. 'Which is what we promote as well, feminine energy,' Westergreen says, finishing Holliday's sentence. 'I just think that we're naughty by nature and we want to express that. [Calling ourselves divas] is a way of expressing ourselves.'

The ladies have just shot a fantasy fairytale cover for Playground magazine and will be launching their new album before the end of the year with a national tour. But what they're really excited about is their New York City and Las Vegas Digital Diva tour. Although the final arrangements and preparations still need to be made, Holliday and Westergreen are 'super excited' about the tour and promise COSMO a follow-up interview about their trip.

They've also entered the Hed Kandi competition, where the DJ with the most number of votes gets to tour the world with the dance/club institution that Hed Kandi has become. Vote for Digital Divas here.

And the Divas' message for COSMO Girls on Women's Day? 'Just be yourself and be wild. Embrace who you are as a woman!'

Find out more about Digital Divas on their website.
]]> Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Q&A with Mr July - Paul Sale http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/qa-with-mr-july-paul-sale
So, you're 'Mr July'. Congratulations! What was the COSMO calendar photo shoot like?
Ya, it was good! I know and have worked with Anthony, the photographer, many times. He always brings the best out of you, and is good to work with.

Do you ever get ladies referring to you as "Mr July?"
Not that much.

What's your usual response?
I usually go red in the face, and get pretty embarrassed.

Has appearing in the calendar helped your career in any way?
I have picked up a few more jobs through it, pretty good exposure.

I can imagine your mates or family must have teased you about appearing in the calendar?
Of course!!!

Would you pose for the calendar again?
Probably not, but we had really good fun, and the other guys were great.

Were you always this hot? Even at school?
Not sure, will have to ask my mom!

A lot of guys get really shy about being referred to as 'sex symbols'. What's your response to it?
I guess everyone has some form of sex appeal, and part of being shy is kind of sexy.

If a girl wanted to get your attention, how would she go about doing it?
I guess she must just be herself.

Where do you think is the best place to meet women?
If you going to meet someone special, I think there is no set place, you will meet them anywhere.

Which South African city do you think has the most beautiful women?
Cape Town

And internationally?
Cape Town

So what's next for Paul Sale?
I have just had a baby boy, so that has taken up a lot of my time. Now that he is getting little older I am going to start concentrating on my career, and have a few other business opportunities I am going to be concentrating on.
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Wild Young Hearts - Noisettes http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/wild-young-hearts-noisettes
Front woman and bassist, Shingai Shoniwa's quirky voice has been causing quite a stir in London – the Zimbabwean-born Amy Winehouse certainly leaves an impression. Even if you don't like poppy beats and indie claps, Shoniwa's voice is undeniably captivating. While the album itself is not the best thing on the indie pop market right now, it's sure to get you grooving.

BEST TRACKS: 'Don't Upset The Rhythm (Go Baby Go)', '24 Hours', 'Cheap Kicks'
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 Soul Live - Seal http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/soul-live-seal Crazy, do yourself a favour and give Soul Live a listen. Seal's sultry voice will take you on a musical journey as he croons Otis Redding, James Brown and Ben E. King hits.

The album cover lacks the creativity of other CDs on already heaving music store shelves, but don't judge Soul Live by its cover. This CD/DVD combo is too good for that, topping French album charts for 13 weeks. With this live album, Seal has successfully reinvented the sounds of the 60s, bringing nearly-forgotten hits back to their former glory.

BEST TRACKS: 'Kiss From a Rose,' 'Crazy,' 'Stand By Me'
]]> Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00 +0200 A Day and Night with Zebra & Giraffe http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-day-and-night-with-zebra--giraffe
The five boys (and one half-naked model) led me to almost certain death – jumping one metre over a 20m-drop on an incomplete bridge was hardly how I expected to spend my day. But there I stood, on a dilapidated bridge, the Atlantic Ocean in front of me, Table Mountain behind me and truck drivers wolf-whistling at our naked model painted as a giraffe. There was no doubt I was on a Sean Meterlerkamp photo shoot with Zebra & Giraffe. Black skinnies, schoolboy outfits, straw hats, clown faces, giant lollipops and a giraffe. Quite an image.

Arguably one of the biggest English-speaking South African rockers since aKing, Zebra & Giraffe have exploded onto the South African music. And that became very clear when we hit Club 91 in Claremont later that evening for the first Cape Town show of their winter tour. I watched amused while throngs of hysterical girls (and guys) cheered as they pulled into the packed venue. I knew I was in for a show and watched the spectacle unfold – sweaty guys in the front row inching closer and closer to touch front-man Greg Carlin, ardent fans mouthing the lyrics word-for-word, and giggling girls gazing dreamily at guitarist Alan Shenton as he stomped around the stage, black Fender in hand.

Sweaty and red-faced, the amped band left the stage after a pumping set, one that went all too quickly. Chilling with the guys afterwards, my watch kept reminding me that I needed to be fresh-faced at my desk in a few hours. But getting up close and personal with this lot was so great – they're outrageous, they're fun and they're damn proud of it too. By 1am, the fans were only just easing into their groove and seemed quite eager to catch a glimpse of the night's rock stars. Those who managed to squeeze past the bouncer into the VIP area soon found spots next to a band member or two and made themselves comfortable. But alas, my day and night with Zebra & Giraffe had come to an end, filled with guitar riffs and drum beats.

Take a look at our photo gallery of Sean's shoot
And then watch the videos of the photo shoot and the Club 91 gig

If you'd like to win a Zebra & Giraffe hamper, consisting of a copy of their deluxe album Collected Memories and a ladies (extra-small) T-shirt, enter the competition. ]]> Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Hook Me Up - The Veronicas http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/hook-me-up-the-veronicas
As is so common with girly-girl duos and groups these days, the unoriginal Veronicas spew out the same cheesy lyrics and poppy beats we've heard time and time again. While these Aussie twins appear aesthetically edgy and certainly have the right look, their sound is simply unexciting.

BEST TRACKS: 'Untouched', 'Hook Me Up'
]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 The Sparrow And The Crow - William Fitzsimmons http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-sparrow-and-the-crow-william-fitzsimmons The Sparrow and The Crow is mesmerising; a soulful and deeply meaningful album.

Even though quite a few of the tracks are a little depressing, you need to remember that Fitzsimmons made a name for himself after appearing on the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack – the most depressing show in television history.

The album's sad, but poignant, and you don't need to have broken up with your boyfriend to listen to it. Just close your eyes and take in the beauty that is The Sparrow and The Crow.

BEST TRACKS: 'If You Would Come Back Home', 'Even Now', 'We Feel Alone'
]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Guilty Pleasures - Ashley Tisdale http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/guilty-pleasures-ashley-tisdale
Not much can be said of Guilty Pleasures' first single, 'It's Alright, It's OK,' but there are a few tracks worth listening to. Even though she didn't actually write any of her tracks (which doesn't say much for her artistic integrity), she's still managed to release a commercially viable album. Her voice has made generic pop sound reasonably good. Guilty Pleasures will definitely appeal to pop lovers.

BEST TRACKS: 'Hot Mess', 'How Do You Love Someone', 'Acting Out'
]]> Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Bruno http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/bruno STARS
Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Clifford Banagale, Chibundu Orukwowu, Josh Meyers, Bono, Chris Martin, Elton John, Slash, Snoop Dogg and Sting

GENRE
Comedy

STORY
After a major balls-up at Milan Fashion Week, Brüno, a gay Austrian fashion reporter, is fired from his job. He decides to travel to America where he concocts plan after plan to become world famous, while searching for true love.

SEE IT BECAUSE where Borat was funny, Brüno is sensationalist.

If you're squeamish, stay away. If you're not, expect a barrage of full-frontal nudity (male and female), blasphemy and a mockery of the human sexual identity. Although there are funny moments throughout the film, there's more graphic nudity and sexually-suggestive action than anything else.

Brüno is not a movie I'd easily recommend to anyone; none of the scenes are worth remembering (except the chat show incident where Brüno tells the audience how he adopted his African baby). And I'm still not sure whether Sacha Baron Cohen was actually trying to be funny or simply highlight the ignorance of the American public.
]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Some People Have Real Problems - Sia http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/some-people-have-real-problems-sia Some People Have Real Problems, an album that perfectly highlights her quirky eccentricities and sincere soulfulness.

After the release of her 2004 hit 'Breathe Me', Sia's name spread across the globe, away from her role as a Zero 7 vocalist towards solo success. This album (with a bonus remix disk) features everything you expect from Sia – unusual voice, haunting lyrics and overall depressing undertones, but with a difference. People might have thought she was a one-hit wonder back in 2004, but Some People Have Real Problems showcases Sia's potential to churn out hit after hit.

Best Tracks: 'Little Black Sandals', 'Beautiful Calm Driving', 'The Girl You Lost To Cocaine'
]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Superglue - Ian Henderson http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/superglue-ian-henderson
Henderson recorded Superglue over a period of two years both in South Africa and abroad, with the help of musicians and producers from Paraguay, Australia, Sweden, Germany and the US. The result is a collection of musically-sound tracks with too many singer/songwriters and too little oomph. The songs are catchy, but simply not catchy enough to draw you in. However, if you're in the mood for a chilled glass of vino on a lazy Sunday afternoon, play a few Ian Henderson tracks – it will definitely help you unwind.

Best Tracks: 'The Sky Fell', 'This Angel Town', 'World Between'
]]> Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Stealing Away to the US http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/stealing-away-to-the-us
Most of the photos I've seen of Stealing Love Jones are very strong images. How much say do you have with these set-ups?
'We base a lot of the Stealing Love Jones marketing images on the fashion industry. We do about four shoots a year as the seasons change and try to be ahead of the fashion trend, but I also add my own "anti-fashion" style. We always work with really great photographers, and the person we worked with the last time was a Durban girl who's got such an amazing eye for things that are different. We wanted to bring in a fashion element but still wanted to keep the elements of my personality.'

So the edgy, Rock'n Roll style is common amongst Durban girls?
'I don't know; I just try to work with people who allow me to bring my personality to the picture. A lot of photographers who have worked in the fashion industry have worked with girls who are super skinny and it's nice to work with people you are comfortable with. I like to let people know that I'm just a normal girl; I have cellulite, I have fat rolls, but it's cool. But I like to project that I'm just a normal woman.'

I find it hard to believe that you have 'fat rolls' of any kind...
[laughs] 'Well I'm really lucky with my body type. I'm 6'1 so I get to hide a lot of my 'womanly curves' in my height. But I think if I were shorter everyone would really see what I'm talking about.'

Your style really is funky and eclectic. Has this you always been the case?
'I was the biggest nerd at school! I was head of the Christian Fellowship Committee... I've kind of become everything I hated at school. At the time I was really conservative and couldn't believe that girls would get piercings and tattoos. And I guess I just had a really big wakeup call one day and I realised that there's so much more to life than a white-picket fence. I've grown into who I'm meant to be and I'm happy.'

So you'd say your style has grown over time as you matured?
'Yes definitely. I think I've gathered a lot from people around me and grown as I got to know more secular music and got to see new artists.'

Who are you biggest style inspirations?
'I love the 80s. I wish I was born in the 70s so I could've lived through the 80s. I love old school Madonna – who she is now I'm not really a fan of, but who she was in the 80s as this young girl with so much drive and ambition; she wore exactly what her personality was. I love wearing black and then adding a bright colour to it. But there's another band called the Yeah Yeah Yeahs who I also draw a lot of inspiration from.'

Do you think your style gives you a certain edge in the music industry?
'Definitely! Up until now there haven't been a lot of female-fronted bands on the South African music scene, and the women who have been out there have just been one of the boys on stage. I think I may have broke a little ground in that I wore very outrageous clothes and dressed strangely and did crazy things on stage. I think it definitely gives people something to look at and talk about. But I think at some gigs it might have put us on the back foot because I don't think South Africa is really ready for a lot of the edgy stuff. With guys like Prime Circle people feel comfortable because they're normal looking boys. Crowds don't always feel comfortable with people who are crazy-looking and have loads of makeup on, so I think it's been good and bad, but you need to be true to who you are.'

What is it like to be a woman in the South African music industry in 2009?
'It's great. But like I said before there haven't been a lot of female-fronted bands in South Africa so I think we've kind of opened things up, we're no longer just another boy in the band. It's hard work. We don't get doors opened or gear carried for us, so at times you do basically have to be one of the boys and work hard. But I guess being a band is being a band, it doesn't matter if you're a girl or a boy.'

Do you get a lot of male fans or groupies asking you out?
'Uhm, ja, I guess I do. [laughs] It's actually a really really nice thing. I don't get embarrassed by it or find it weird at all because I understand what it means to be a fan. If I had to meet Brandon Boyd from Incubus I'd probably ask him to marry me right there and then! So I understand what it feels like to be totally infatuated with that person or personality while they're on stage. Obviously you've got to keep a certain level of professionalism, but I always take time to hang out with those guys, and it's always fun. What goes on tour stays on tour...' [laughs]

You've said previously that the band is your love and you have no life without it. Really? No other love or loves in your life?
'Performing is one of those things where you're literally living on the road. And unless your husband or wife or whoever you're dating is in the band with you or is working with you on the tour then [you don't really get to see them]. As much fun as you have in a band it's actually quite a lonely existence. You're just kind of hooking up with random people every night. It's one of those things that you have to sacrifice, you know? A lot of people in bands are married, but I don't think you can have a relationship with someone and only see them once every three months. Maybe you can do long distance, but I can't do long distance. Maybe I'll die single and be happy?'

So what's new for Stealing Love Jones?
'Stealing Love Jones is going through a huge change and in a couple of weeks I leave for the United States. The band that I've had so far will now be playing with Pixie Bennett from Idols and I'll be setting up a whole new American band. I want to be based in America for six months at a time, and I'll be doing a full American tour. So it's going to be a whole new ball game; new players, new sound, maybe new image, maybe record deals... But we'll see what happens.'

Check out the website at www.stealinglovejones.com and the new album Bleed to Bloom is available in music stores.
]]> Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/ice-age-dawn-of-the-dinosaurs STARS
The voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Queen Latifah

GENRE
Animation

STORY
As Mannie and Ellie prepare to expand their family with the arrival of their first baby, Sid begins searching for a family of his own. The sloth's search soon lands him in trouble when he discovers a hidden world of dinosaurs and needs to be rescued (once again) by his friends.

SEE IT BECAUSE the loveable characters' dinosaur adventure proves that no matter how pregnant you are, you can always fight off Velociraptors.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (like its two previous instalments) explores the bonds of the non-conventional family, but this time they're taken out of their natural habitat and are no longer at the top of the food chain. Fortunately, these new challenges (mammal-eating plants, carnivorous dinosaurs and the ominous Chasm of Death) create 94 minutes of laugh-out-loud parental blunders and dino-dodging adventure.

Innocuously funny, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs is the perfect movie for a rainy Sunday afternoon. If you can, watch the family-friendly animation in 3D – Scrat's love affair (with his treasured nut and new female companion) is best viewed in three-dimensional magic.
]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen STARS
Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, John Turturro

GENRE
Action/Adventure/Sci-fi

STORY
After working with the humans to find and destroy the evil Decepticons, the Autobots once again join forces with Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) to fight an ancient enemy who wants to destroy planet Earth.

SEE IT BECAUSE every once in a while a girl needs a little fuel-injected action.

Leave your girls at home and treat the guys to more than two hours of slick robot porn. If you're a fan of the first Transformers movie that was released two years ago, you're in for a treat. Director Michael Bay once again outdoes himself with slick metal-crunching, robot-pulverizing action sequences.

But while there's an onslaught of non-stop CGI brawls, there's not much of a plot and minimal story development. Given Revenge of the Fallen is funnier than its predecessor, the robots still manage to upstage the human cast. Megan Fox does what she does best (and it's not acting, but the guys will love it!) while Shia LaBeouf rattles off one-liners; but hey, it's not Oscar season yet so who needs a pretentious critique of the human psyche when you can enjoy well-oiled special effects? ]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00 +0200 In a Perfect World - Keri Hilson http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/in-a-perfect-world-keri-hilson it-girl. 'Energy', 'Return the Favour' and 'Scream' are still clogging radio rotations worldwide and making play lists in the hottest clubs.

With all her previous success singing on other artists' singles, In A Perfect World… should be a no-brainer success. Plus it's produced by Timbaland and features collaborations with hip hop and commercial heavyweights Lil' Wayne, Akon, Nicole Scherzinger and Kanye West. Unfortunately each track feels like one continuation of the next; one long song lacking the originality so many artists complain about.

BEST TRACKS: 'The Way I Are', 'Energy', 'Turnin Me On' ]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 17 Again OST Various Artists http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/17-again--ost-various-artists 17 Again soundtrack are there purely to be skipped, there are a few gems that require constant repetition. Santigold's 'L.E.S. Artistes' has become an alternative electro classic, while The Kooks' 'Naïve' still moves us to the dance floor belting out the lyrics all the way there.

A mixture of rocking ballads, poppy beats and old school hip hop means there's something for even the fussiest listener. If you like happy, romantic-comedy-type music, give this soundtrack a listen. There's even a tacky, reproduced, signed poster of Zac Efron – there really is nothing he can't sell.

BEST TRACKS: 'L.E.S. Artistes,' 'Naïve,' 'This Is For Real' ]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 Just Go Lionel Richie http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/just-go--lionel-richie Just Go. Fitting title perhaps?

Whatever you say about Richie, the man's got soul. No matter how derivative his music may be, churning out the same sound album after album, he still manages to capture deserved attention. Just Go sees the multi-award-winning artist trying something new, incorporating the talent of young R&B superstar Akon as well as platinum-selling Dutch pop singer, Trijntje Oosterhuis.

Despite the fact that Just Go is not something new, it'll probably get your head bopping and your toes tapping to the music. Expect easy listening and predictable-Lionel R&B with an added touch and a modern twist.

BEST TRACKS: 'Eternity,' 'Nothing Left To Give,' 'Good Morning' ]]> Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 Mix The Vibe http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/mix-the-vibe
From New York-based Quentin Harris and Chris Brann's Ananda Project to female dance vocalist Kimara Lovelace, Mix the Vibe SA provides a two-disk assorted blend of funky international house and chilled summer beats. The first compilation features Clive Bean fusing local sound with international rhythms, while Teddy Douglas from Baltimore trio, The Basement Boys, wrecks the decks in true 90s fashion on the second set.

The album is a bit repetitive and could be considered a simple rehash of popular house tracks, but if eclectic dance gets you in the mood to party the night away, have a listen.

BEST TRACKS: 'Kiss Kiss Kiss,' 'Mas Alto,' 'EP#5'
]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 Against All Odds http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/against-all-odds
It's a well-known fact that aKing is a tight outfit. From drunken students to cynical journalists, these indie rockers have wowed South African audiences and dominated the local rock scene with their loud choruses and memorable lyrics. The latest tracks will still get the crowd reeling, the student's rowdy and the fans tapping their feet. It's not a bad album, not at all. But, for a band of aKing's stature and potential, the lack of an original sound and individual identity is disappointing.

And if the talk on the streets is anything to go by, Against All Odds is Dutch Courage on rewind. Perhaps if Against All Odds had preceded the killer debut, we might be singing a different tune.

BEST TRACKS: 'The Heart Of A Fool,' 'Against All Odds,' 'The Wishing Well' ]]> Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 4 Captains in a Stu http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/4-captains-in-a-stu
1. ARE YOU INTIMIDATED BY A WOMAN?
Devin: I am intimidated by women; I have a girlfriend I'm terrified of.
Jon: Very much so. They scare the crap out of me.
Ryan: Not really intimidated but I'm pretty frightened by a pissed-off woman... gad damned crazy broads!
Nick: Not anymore, I don't think. I've learnt how to communicate with them. After a stunted high school career at an all-boy's school, you come out of those places drooling and acting like a monkey just to get attention from a girl.

2. WHICH TYPES?
Devin: A girl who really knows what she wants and will do anything to get it.
Jon: What type of women or what type of fear? If you're talking about women, then most kinds. If you're talking about fear, then the most intense kind.
Ryan: The pissed-off type.
Nick: If I do ever get intimidated it would probably be by a girl who doesn't respond to my jokes or something, then I'm lost and I move on.

3. EVER DONE ANYTHING CRAZY FOR LOVE?
Devin: I once spent all the money I had at a time on a plane ticket overseas and when I arrived for my two-month stay she told me she wasn't in love with me anymore.
Jon: Um… I've said some crazy things. Don't think I've done anything too crazy. But then again I don't think I've ever been in love.
Ryan: I became life-partners (actually had to sign legal documents and stuff) with a girl I'd only been dating for a couple of months to keep her from being deported.
Nick: Sure, I once made a video for a girl I was in love with because we'd just started dating and I was going overseas for three months. In the video I did really dumb things pretending to injure myself so I would have to stay here with her, the problem was that after smashing my face with a tray and hitting myself with a hammer in the leg I realised too late that maybe this was just a plain dumb idea.

4. DEFINE LOVE.
Devin: Love, love, love, love...
Jon: I can't really. The only thing I know about it is that it avoids me almost as much as Anne Frank avoided the Nazis.
Ryan: An extreme level of acceptance of another human being.
Nick: I would define love as a commitment, a team effort, a celebration and a compromise.

5. HAVE YOU EVER SECRETLY USED FEMALE BEAUTY PRODUCTS?
Devin: Secretly, no, but when everyone knows yes.
Jon: Maybe shampoos and conditioners and stuff but nothing too hectic.
Ryan: No, I've always been completely open about it.
Nick: Not that I can recall, although I am very into Nivea for Men products. Hold on, I think I might have actually used some of my mom's moisturiser or something as a teenager with hormonal skin.

6. WHERE?
Devin: At my girlfriend's house.
Jon: On my head.
Ryan: I've waxed my legs, flat-ironed my hair, worn make-up and tried to remove blackheads with some terrible product that didn't work for shit.
Nick: On my face. And once I got really bad chafe from running I thought that maybe putting aqueous cream on my thighs would soothe it. To my horror I discovered that it instead felt like I had just rubbed molten lava onto myself.

7. DOES GIRL-ON-GIRL ACTION 'FLOAT YOUR BOAT'?
Devin: I love a bit of girl-on-girl; I think the other guys like guy-on-guy.
Jon: Yes, it does.
Ryan: If by 'boat' you mean 'penis' and by 'float' you mean 'make erect' than I'd have to say yes.
Nick: Honestly, no. I think as a teenager I thought I should be amped for it because it seemed everyone else was, but once my brain grew up and I could form my own opinions, I realised that it actually does nothing for me.

8. CAN YOU TELL IF A WOMAN'S FAKING AN ORGASM?
Devin: Yes, when after she asks 'Was it good for you? Because I was faking it.'
Jon: What's an orgasm? I'm just kidding. The answer is no, no I can't.
Ryan: Probably not, I haven't had enough practice in the field of being crap in bed.
Nick: Um, I'll have to get back to you on that one.

9. WHAT DO YOU FIRST LOOK AT WHEN FACED WITH A NAKED WOMAN?
Devin: Her face, if that's ugly then there is no chance.
Jon: Her eyes.
Ryan: Her eyes... No, definitely tits.
Nick: Well, from the many naked women I've seen in movies and FHM magazines I'd have to say that boobs are a massive draw card. If you want to throw in a nice bum and back dimples I won't complain.

10. BRAZILIAN OR BUSH?
Devin: Brazilian.
Jon: Brazilian.
Ryan: I love hairy fannies... and pagers, and VHS, and cellphones the size of lunch-boxes and dial-up modems.
Nick: Au Naturel for me, please.

11. ARE WOMEN BECOMING TOO SKINNY THESE DAYS?
Devin: I'm not a shallow person but maybe they are. If you can see a rib cage then she is probably too skinny.
Jon: Definitely. We like it when there's something to squeeze. Hahaha...
Ryan: Definitely! Hey girls, eat more! Guys like fat! It's why we dig tits so much, as opposed to seeing your spine pushing up against your belly-ring.
Nick: Most certainly. My ex-girlfriend worked for a guy's sports magazine and I got to go to an after party with all the models, and man, when you see those girls up close they are frighteningly thin, yech, what a turn off. I like my girls to have a little squish to them.

12. WHICH BITS DO YOU NOT CARE ABOUT, AT ALL?
Devin: Her nagging friends; on her, probably nothing.
Jon: Breasts.
Ryan: Shoulder blades.
Nick: Well, I don't really mind if a girl's body isn't that great if she has a killer face. Girls with beautiful eyes get me every time.

13. HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRY TO PICTURE WOMEN YOU KNOW NAKED?
Devin: It just happens; I don't do it on purpose.
Jon: Fairly often, I guess. Never really thought about it until you asked, though.
Ryan: Less often than I feel I should be... thanks for the reminder!
Nick: Not that often. I can imagine that would be kind of awkward the next time you see them in person. In your head you'd be going 'Wow, I really underestimated the size of her boobs' or something, then you'd miss what she just said to you and you'd look like an idiot.

14. WHICH PART OF A WOMAN'S BODY FEELS BEST?
Devin: Her hands on me.
Jon: Her lower back.
Ryan: The Tummy. Yes, the 'tummy' not the 'stomach'.
Nick: Lips, love handles, bum, boobs. In that order.

15. WHAT ARE YOU LIKELY TO BE CRITICAL ABOUT?
Devin: Overbite.
Jon: Physically or not? Physically I don't like it when a girl wears too much make-up when she's already beautiful. I'm talking about over-the-top make-up, though, not regular make-up. On the less physical side, I'm not a fan of girls who are too self-conscious. When I tell a girl that she's beautiful I want her to believe me and not argue with me. Rather tell me that I'm being cheesy than tell me I'm wrong.
Ryan: How much she whines.
Nick: I'd probably be critical about a girl who just didn't take care of herself or something like that, like a smelly, unwashed girl.

16. WHAT TURNS YOU OFF?
Devin: Her being too clingy and bossy.
Jon: Arrogant girls.
Ryan: Whining.
Nick: Well, I think the biggest turnoff for me would be a girl who smokes. I don't mind being friends with them obviously, but I wouldn't want to kiss a girl with smoky breath.

17. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT DURING SEX?
Devin: Whoever I'm with.
Jon: The girl I'm with.
Ryan: Usually I think about the sex I'm busy having, either that or the weather.
Nick: I can imagine that I'd probably just be concentrating really hard on trying to make it past one minute...

18. WOULD YOU THINK LESS OF A WOMAN IF SHE SLEPT WITH YOU ON THE FIRST DATE?
Devin: No.
Jon: Not at all. If that were to happen it would be completely consensual. It's not as if I'd be trying to sleep with her and she gave in. And it works the same the other way round. If she wanted to sleep with me I wouldn't just give in. I'd do it if I wanted to.
Ryan: I'm going to say no, but I probably mean yes and just don't wanna sound sexist.
Nick: I'd like to think that I'd know a girl well enough before we went on our first date to know that it just wouldn't be on the cards from the start.

19. DO GUYS REALLY WANT WOMEN TO MAKE THE FIRST MOVE?
Devin: They do anyway, I'm really shy.
Jon: YES! I can vouch for myself especially. I hate signals. I want to know what the hell is going on.
Ryan: It would be nice once in a while, if it's not too much to ask of course.
Nick: Not a chance! The whole process of asking a girl out is like a rite of passage for any guy. The nerves, the rehearsal of the lines you're going to say, the ridiculous, uncontrollable heartbeat. All of this is half the fun. Unless she says no, in which case it sucks real bad.

20. WHAT KIND OF MOVE WOULD WORK ON YOU?
Devin: If she starts off saying, 'I hope I'm not too forward...'
Jon: Pulling into me while I'm watching a band.
Ryan: If a girl delivered an awesome, funny and cocky pickup line (the kind guys always try pull off but just end up getting slapped because of) I'd totally be hers.
Nick: Well, if a girl was really genuine and did something out of the ordinary, like some sort of awesome surprise, I think I would probably feel like a million bucks and that I'm worth something to her. But I still think I'd like to be the one to do the big romantic gesture. ]]> Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00 +0200 I'm ok You're ok - Gonzo Republic http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/im-ok-youre-ok-gonzo-republic
Gonzo Republic make some effort with the bass lines in 'Replace', and try out a plugged instrumental in 'I'm Ok You're OK' (no vocals, no explanations, just the facts) that really isn't bad, but besides that there's very little to write home about on this everyday rock compilation. It'll do if you don't listen too closely. I'm Ok You're Ok's compositions are childish and the album has no real concept beyond a bit of bleeding rhythm and bashing of the lead guitar. And they shouldn't scream – it's disturbingly discordant, not cathartic.

BEST TRACKS: 'You Know You Want It', 'Replace', 'Jennifer' ]]> Sun, 24 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Brothers of Thunder - Brothers of Thunder http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/brothers-of-thunder-brothers-of-thunder
As far as full blooded commercial rock goes, Brothers of Thunder is not a bad effort, but it's a bit busy and a bit juvenile, too. Replete with dated guitar progressions and distortions, you almost feel as if you've travelled back in time to the days when rock was synonymous with long, luscious locks and body-hugging one-pieces (and we're not talking about the groupies here). Thing is, while über cool now belongs to tinny indie strumming, I suppose nothing will ever replace the fantasy of being whisked away on a snarling Harley-Davidson. Keep this album for that day…

BEST TRACKS: 'Bless My Enemies', 'Songs of Yesterday' ]]> Sat, 23 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Waiting for the Flash - Mann Friday http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/waiting-for-the-flash-mann-friday
Full of power, emotion and balance, Waiting For the Flash's softer songs are tight and its louder songs are just right for moods with more emotion than sense. Think Coldplay with bubblegum on its boots and you've about got it. Some of the instrumentals add an eclectic energy to a flow of tracks that is relatively reliable in its acoustic consistency and gentle, sensitive vocals. On the whole, it's a lot more likeable than the brash bashing of the Nude Girls.

BEST TRACKS: 'Racer', 'Sunburn & Wonder', 'Rainshine'
]]> Fri, 22 May 2009 12:00 +0200 A Guide to SA Indie Music http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/guide-to-sa-indie-music
Instead of squashing bands into genres they don't necessarily fit into, here's a list of talented locals whose music will suit moments in your day and whose efforts will be worth a piece of your pay-cheque.

MONDAY MORNING EASE
Ashtray Electric – their slow, steamy tones and chatty guitar will ease you into the first hour of the working week. Because they're warm and cool at once, these boys are the next big thing in SA indie.
Also try: Joshua Grierson for easy emotional elegies.

LUNCH BREAK
Blk Jks – almost impossible to describe, their version of local art rock will break the tension (or tedium) of a productive work day and fill you with an energy that lasts.
Also try: Josie Field's sing-along strength.

LAZY FRIDAY AFTERNOONS
Mama Know Nothing – you've worked hard, and you're ready for some relaxation. Let the tetchy, twisty blues/folk fusion of the Mamas invigorate you for a weekend worth talking about on Monday morning. The vocalist alone is reason enough to stop working to listen, while that violin will make you dance your office socks off.
Also try: Dear Reader for their choice tunes that'll most definitely cheer you up.

TRAFFIC JAMMING
aKING – interminably sing-along-able, the kings of melodic rock ring out across the commercial music-scape without selling out to simplified lyrics. Deep meaning and light feelings, a very necessary combination for our developing nation.
Also try: The City Bowl Mizers because they are never rude about their mothers no matter how out of hand they get.

TUNE IN TO WORK OUT
Kidofdoom – looping and leaping, Kidofdoom's celestial strings and thumps more than make up for the lack of vocal narrative, and their constant joy is the perfect companion to a demanding workout.
Also try: Mr Cat & The Jackal for jolly jaunts and instrumental ingenuity.

ENROUTE TO THE PARTY
Captain Stu – fun loving and free spirited, their mix of madness and joy will get you in the mood to dance even if the G&T's didn't manage to.
Also try: The Dirty Skirts for clean-cut fun.

ON THE WAY BACK FROM THE PARTY
Foto Na Dans – edgy, swelling and melodic, their combination of earthy and eerie will shift your mood and open your mind. It suits night skies as much as it does sleepless sunrises.
Also try: Kwani Experience for a fusion of feel-good sounds.

DURING SEX
A tossup between Pretty Blue Guns and Taxi Violence – go for the Guns if you like smoky, slow sex that gets really hot and really deep; or try the Violence if you like it a bit faster, a bit louder and a bit more energetic. Either way it's bliss.
Also try: the Sleepers for moody, melodic intensity.

A MILE HIGH
Fokofpolisiekar – being stuck between Grumpy and Stinky in a tiny airplane seat is more bearable with the kings of stinky grumpiness, the famed Fokofpolisiekar. With intense vocals and an uplifting guitar, they are the voice of modern mayhem and the first name to drop when someone says SA indie rock. They'll make your flight seem funny in comparison.
Also try: Unit.R for energetic echoes and thumpy beats.

ON A ROAD TRIP
There is no definitive sound here. Try a combination of Dear Reader's superbly moving compositions and cheerful lead melodies; Andy Lund And The Mission Men's intelligent adult contemporary with a melancholy edge; Bed On Bricks for the long stretches when you need some groovy spice; Southpaw's easy urges; Jax Panic for short bursts of energy and; Yesterday's Pupil for miles of good beats and raw vocals.
]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Scarlett Fever http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/scarlett-fever
Scarlett Johansson...

...shared make-up ideas with Samuel L Jackson when they shared a trailer during the filming of The Spirit.

...always thinks every movie she's just finished filming is her last one.

...had a huge crush on David Hasselhoff when she was younger. She thought he was a 'hunk'.

...doesn't understand why men have nipples.

...manicures her own nails because she doesn't think anybody else can do them properly.

...has admitted to having 'fat days' and hates the pressures Hollywood places on her and other young women to be skinny.

...thinks she has cute feet.

...doesn't have much hope for actors who are in monogamous relationships; always being away from each other and doing sexy scenes with your colleagues is tricky when dating.

...has her mother as her manager.

...is pro-choice.

...would like to swop places with the President of the United States for a day.

...cleans her hotel room before the laundry ladies make their rounds.

...has a 'thing' for older men. Benicio Del Toro, who she dated in 2003, was 17 years older than her.

...thinks people want to believe Tom Cruise is a good actor because he's 'gorgeous'.

...threatened to sue US Weekly magazine for insinuating she had cosmetic surgery on her nose.

...is terrified of cockroaches – she once woke up with one on her face.

...needs to have her wisdom teeth removed, but she's refused.

...is left-handed, and a natural red-head.

...loves London because she doesn't get followed around by as many paparazzi.

...gets tested for HIV twice a year. Although she's not promiscuous, she thinks it's 'disgusting behaviour' when people don't get tested.

...walked into someone else's apartment (in her building) once when she was drunk.

...at a time was only approached by balding obese men because they younger, hotter guys were intimidated by her.

...is a Prada 'junkie' and a huge fan of the Jerry Springer Show.

...says she is 'all about fashion, cheese burgers and bright, red lipstick'.
]]> Tue, 19 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Rock Star Love http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/rock-star-love
Cassette is cool. They have a SAMA for Best Rock Album, have played with Pink, Evanescence and Eagle-Eye Cherry, and have worked with local heroes Mahotella Queens, Zubz and Vusi Mahlasela. Nelson Mandela himself asks for them from time to time, when they aren’t too busy touring Europe or making mini tsunami waves as the first SA band to tour Japan (which they did recently).

Having cut a world class album that sounds as good as it looks, Cassette are touring from town to town, bringing textured pop rock and a little bit of mystique to even the most obscure corners of South Africa. In addition to heavy pressure and the highlights of showbiz, the front man and lead lady are an item. We got down to the nitty-gritty with Jon about working with his lead lady, Jane Breetzke, and what it takes to make it as a travelling minstrel.

MIXING WORK AND ROMANCE

How did you and Jane meet?
We were both at Rhodes University. This crazy friend of ours, Zingi, who truly believed that he was Michael Jackson, put on this big show called the Zingi Dream Experience (this is actually true, believe it or not). He needed a band to help him and just went out hunting musicians. Somehow he roped both Jane and I in to do this crazy venture and we became friends quickly by asking each other ‘What the hell are we doing here?’ a lot.

When did you know there was a spark?
We were very close friends for many years and both moved to Cape Town. Then when I got offered a record deal in Johannesburg years later, I just went knocking on Jane’s door and told her that I was moving and asked her if she wanted to come with. She just said OK there and then. We packed our cars and moved to Johannesburg. A few months later, we were together.

Who made the first move?
There was a hotel room in Bloemfontein, two bottles of wine and an Elvis Costello album. That’s all I’ll say!

When did you decide to mix work and romance?
The band started at the same time as the romance so it has always been intertwined. Obviously it can be very stressful and often unbearably complicated, but we have a big love for each other so we make it work.

Is there anything you regret about this decision?
It’s a very hard thing for both of us to live with. Touring is very hard on Jane and I hate to see her upset. Sometimes an issue in the band becomes a full-blown relationship issue and can linger for months. It sometimes causes tension in the band as well because it must always seem like Jane and I have discussed a topic ad nauseum before even presenting it the band. I’d say one of the hardest things is you can never come home and tell the person you love about your hard day! You’ve both been through it and no one wants to talk about it for one more second. But at the same time, a good show can be a hugely rewarding experience and when we both go through it together it makes us happy that we can share it.

Is there anything you would like to change about it?
I wish it were humanly possible to separate the band from our relationship and still keep both in tact. Even though it is not an ideal situation, we make it work.

On the whole, do romantic relationships at work work?
I think it makes you much stronger! If a relationship can actually survive through work then it can survive anything!

What makes or breaks a romance with a workmate?
Personally I think the lack of space that working with a loved one creates is very destructive and can easily break a good thing up. The hard thing is to learn to give each other space at home and even at work, but it is crucial – possibly even central – to making it work. It’s still something we constantly work on and we have been at it for years.

Does being involved with a workmate enhance your productivity and creativity?
With us, even though things can get tense and overly-emotional when we are working on a project such as song writing, it also pushes both of us to reach deeper and to be better. There are songs, like ‘Back Up Plan’ on our new album that is a genuine collaboration between me and Jane and I think that song really stands out as something special because of that. We are still learning to work together, but when we get it right, it really, really works.

Does knowing each other intimately ever compromise your contracts? Like when you both call in sick because you want to spend the day in bed…
Obviously I can’t comment on that for legal reasons! Hahaha!

Does being colleagues ever compromise your relationship?
I think that even when you try and set boundaries about these sorts of things, being in a band invades all aspects of your life so, yes. When we go out for a romantic supper we try our hardest not to talk about the band, but it’s not easy.

How does life on the road (late nights and hard drugs) affect your relationship?
Jane is very sensitive to the touring aspect and it can be extremely gruelling for both of us. If we go out on the road and party every night our relationship is going to take serious strain. In addition it already takes a lot of strain just being in the bands space the entire time and our relationship takes a knock because there is no place or time to find space to just be together. After a long tour, we try and spend time reconnecting.

Does it help that you share the same lifestyle – or is it harder to have a relationship with a non-travelling, non-music making soul?
I’d say it’s probably 50/50.

REALITY: THIS IS NOT A DAY JOB

Is it true that independent musicians work 24/7?
False. I work 29 hours a day! It’s hard work I tell you. It is definitely a full time job.

How’s the job satisfaction when your office is seedy bars and swish corporate gigs?
It can be the greatest and it can be the worst. And it can be everything in between.

How do you keep your feet on the ground when you have a mobile office?
With great difficulty. It’s very easy to lose the plot when you are out on the road for long periods of time.

How do you manage time if so much of it is spent travelling and promoting?
I’m still learning!
]]> Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00 +0200 The Adventures of - Captain Stu http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-adventures-of-captain-stu
Its charm is that its restlessness does have moments of quiet compliments of that sexy saxophone, but it's never long before the ballsy vocals and dirty drums jump in and get you dancing. Under the influence of a band that used to include some llamas (what is it with all these name changes in SA music?) love and life look like one big adventure. Fun is funny again, too, with their tight treatment of funk and pop – there's never a dull (or serious) moment on the album. Best thing is, like a good lover, it doesn't let you go till it stops.

BEST TRACKS: 'Blinding Lights', 'Still The Same', 'Value Systems'
]]> Mon, 11 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Collected Memories - Zebra & Giraffe http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/collected-memories-zebra--giraffe
This danceable mix of textured samples and raw pop-rock is clean and comfortable in its own skin and deliciously dark at times. Despite an African name, the sound is international and it takes no prisoners as Carlin unwraps the shadowy-side of love whilst seducing you to sing along to his bright, infectious beats and brilliant melodies.

Collected Memories covers a range of emotions, all powerful and all wrapped up in the right amount of noise and silence. It's alluring without being pretty and erotic without being saucy, and it's this combination that makes it sexy. Definitely iPod material. This edition also carries a DVD of exclusive behind the scenes footage and interviews.

BEST TRACKS: 'The Knife', 'Arm Yourself', 'Fight! Fight! Fight!'
]]> Sun, 10 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Free - Kate Ryan http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/free-kate-ryan
Indifferent to the availability of talent and creativity in a global market, this product is kitsch and clean, generic and upbeat and any nine-year-old with taste will turn her nose up at it. The better tracks are the ones you probably can't understand.

BEST TRACKS: 'Voyage Voyage', 'Ella Elle l’a', 'Tout Première Fois'
]]> Sat, 09 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Afro Pop-Sicle http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/afro-pop-sicle
Although they're a unique collection of performers and sounds, when we sat down with them, what emerge was a bit of a cookie cutter interview...

You've been compared to Goldfish and Freshlyground. But what makes your music or your band different?
We are huge fans of both groups. However, we do like to consider ourselves a unique act. For one thing there are more girls in CODA (wink) so you've got both eye-candy and ear-candy. CODA is the one band that simply 'has it all' – with a stylish combination of instruments (electrifying strings, cool jazz sax and hot house DJ), a sensational lead vocalist and some seriously 'party igniting' songs, we believe there's something for everyone.

'Fusion music' is very popular these days, but it can easily sound like a mixed breakfast of refried beans. How do you keep your advantage over other bands doing the same thing?
For one thing the ensemble is totally original. There isn't another group with quite the same line-up or resultant combination of influences. It's less about showcasing the different elements than coming up with a sound that is fresh and different.

Where would you like to take your music?
Where to start? We have big dreams! The amazing response from international audiences has inspired us to approach music festivals across the globe this year, so watch this space… We are very proudly South African and aim to be musical ambassadors for our country.

What's your favourite setting to play in?
The ultimate performance is where we are touching the audience in some way through our music. We recently performed in Gugulethu for the Amy Biehl Foundation Jazz Festival. It was incredible to feel the same enjoyment from a very diverse crowd made up of local township residents, children and an international group from Boston.

Any James Bond venues you've played in? Exotic islands, swish hotels...
We performed a New Year's gig in the Seychelles a couple of years ago that was wonderful. Last year we spent three weeks performing in Dubai and lived the good life. I'm sure we spotted James yachting up the Dubai Creek…

Do women with instruments get taken more seriously than women behind the decks?
Audiences love the sax, electric violin and electric cello – we don't think many people get to see this combination of instruments so we do get a lot of attention and compliments for our playing. But we do think our DJ sisters have tons of clout!

Are you popular with the younger crowds?
Definitely – our music has huge appeal with the youth. Yolanda, our lead vocalist, is an inspiring role model. That aside, CODA's music gets everyone moving!

Who is your typical fan?
A mover-shaker who loves SA!

You're four ladies and one guy. Any interesting dynamics or stories? (Work, love, play)
Secretly we all think Nick loves being the only boy. He has no competition on stage and although he occasionally has to carry the gear, he is constantly in the limelight. He's been known to step in and protect his CODA girls when fans get too eager…

What's your take on romances with colleagues?
We’re all in very happy long-term relationships outside of work so the only romantic spark on stage is the music.

Can you safely get involved with someone you work with?
Sure – look at Brad and Angelina.

You're a stylish bunch – share some of your favourite beauty tips?
Moisturize and accessorize!

Do you have a stylist or do you guys dress yourselves?
Yolanda, our vocalist, is also CODA's stylist and she ensures that we always look fabulous (the woman has no mercy – stunning heels win over sore feet every time!). Yolanda has her own range of gorgeous clothes and accessories called Y'awa Creations.

Any style tips?
Eye-catching accessories with great footwear can rescue any situation.

Do the ladies wear stage makeup or regular makeup?
Regular. We're all for a glamorous image that is more fashion-shoot than circus.

If you've only got ten minutes to do your hair, what do you recommend?
A straightening iron, except for Yolanda who is magnificently bald!

RELATED LINKS
- We review their album, African Renaissance
]]> Fri, 08 May 2009 12:00 +0200 Who do You Trust - Cassette http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/who-do-you-trust-cassette
While its overall sound is sometimes a tribute to other dandy bands, the thematic approach and its result are all their own. Being equally theatrical and entertaining, you can sit and listen to Who Do You Trust's tales track by track or use it to perk up your party. Bumper to bumper with stories within stories, it unfolds like a film, from a classical intro to the beatsy title track to the breathy 'Backup Plan'. With balanced male and female vocal harmonies, it swirls around using the best of rock rhythms and pop stops and starts. For once, a band has tastefully integrated samples from Mahlasela instead of just borrowing gratuitously from his brilliance and stature.

Tempered, testy, tasty. Buy it, but it, buy it.

BEST TRACKS: 'Who Do You Trust', 'The Backup Plan', 'Break My Heart' (feat. Vusi Mahlasela)
]]> Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Replace Why With Funny - Dear Reader http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/replace-why-with-funny-dear-reader
The acoustic folk sounds are driven by Cherilyn's intelligent and simple poetry. The album unfolds as an aural and semantic tale of love, loss, longing and living beyond it to become the adult that you are. Juggling balanced compositions, piano detail and violins strings, the songs are sweet, sometimes stark, sometimes dark, sometimes decorative and always deep but never heavy. See if you don't fall in love with the irresistibly adorable voice of Macneil.

BEST TRACKS: 'Dearheart', 'Bend', 'Way of the World'
]]> Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Zac and Miri Make a Porno http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/zac-and-miri-make-a-porno THE STORY
On the eve of their 10-year high school reunion, housemates and lifelong friends Zac and Miri are first class underachievers working in blue collar jobs and drowning in unpaid bills. When their water, lights and furnace are turned off, they hit rock bottom, burn the bills, and have to find a way to make money, fast. In a flash of bad luck and good timing, Miri finds herself inadvertently broadcast on the Internet in her (ugliest) underwear. With this and inspiration after meeting Miri’s high school crush and his porn star boyfriend, they take their cue to do the dirty for money.

SEE IT BECAUSE it’s hysterically funny (and really romantic, despite its title).

Zac and Miri's ordinary characters are completely charming in their disarmingly down-to-earth approach to everyday frustrations and realisations such as debt and love. They’re so well cast in their almost-goodlookingness that you’re able to relate, criticise and admire them all at once (which is a rare pleasure on the big screen).

Also, Zac and Miri sheds some light-hearted insights on the so-called sordid pastimes of the porn industry and reveals the reality behind the faux fur and faked orgasms. Not a flick for conservative moms and daughters, though.
]]> Sun, 26 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 White Wedding http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/white-wedding THE STORY
Elvis (Kenneth Nkosi) is getting married, but to do that he has to get from Johannesburg via somewhere in the Drakensburg to Cape Town. While his beautiful bride waits in vain for him, all sorts of mishaps threaten the very celebration they are most excited about. Fights with his best friend, confrontations with conservative farmers and an odd (if pretty) foreigner all seem set to destroy his big day. What’s more, his fiancé’s previous boyfriend is hovering around her like a fly and flashing his cash like a pimp.

SEE IT BECAUSE as the title suggests, it pays homage to tradition without being staid and looks at contemporary urban cross-culturalism without being clichéd.

But while we have incredible actors in this country, the performances in White Wedding are, for the most part, stunted and awkward. However, an ambling, interesting narrative, witty script and strong, solid message redeem it from the director’s oversights. It's great to see the 'new' South Africa on the big screen, even if the garage attendant was too smartly dressed and the backward town was set in the wrong part of the country.
]]> Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Just Jenna http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/just-jenna
Had it ever been a dream to get into the modelling industry. What would've been the alternative?
I did dream of it when I was a little girl. I used to look at magazine covers and dream of it being me one day. But I no other specific plans, I had modelling on my mind since the age of 15.

Are there any major contrasts between the international modelling scene and the South African one? Is the industry as cutthroat here as it out there?
The market is way bigger out there; more opportunities and harder to get into. There are a lot of models in South Africa who don't want to travel, but they still want to be 'famous'. And there's a lot of magazines in South Africa who offer them opportunities to appear on their covers and in the centre folds, but that's quick fame and can do your name more damage in the future than doing things the hard way. If things should work for you, they will at some point.

We heard that before you started modelling you used to plant vegetables with your brother and sell them. Seriously? Do you still garden?
Hahaha. I was about nine-years-old when I helped him plant vegetables and probably only did it for a month until I found a new Barbie or something. I wasn't crazy about gardening back them, I just liked to see them grow. Now I have my own house in Stellenbosch and I can't stop gardening. Have my own organic vegetables and herb garden. I love to cook and don't have to run to the store all the time.

Has being featured twice in Sports Illustrated generated a lot of male fan mail. Have you ever received any weird or very funny packages or messages?
I didn't get much from Sports Illustrated, but I get a lot from Hunkemoller. I get a lot of love poems from guys and they beg me to accept them as friends on Facebook, but I don't want to reach the 3 000 friend mark just to make myself feel more special or popular. The agency also fields a lot of stuff for me that I'm unaware of.

We've been told you also love camping and African Safaris. What's your best local destination?
I love to camp a beach along the West Coast near Lamberts Bay and I like Cederberge, but I prefer camping in Botswana. It's my favourite country.

What is your favourite scent?
Lemongrass, the air after a summer rain and the smell of the bushveld.

For more on Jenna, turn to pg.92 of the May 2009 issue of COSMOPOLITAN magazine.
]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Ryan Leslie - Ryan Leslie http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/ryan-leslie-ryan-leslie
Having learnt nothing from the greats, Ryan has made an album that sounds like every other R&B album. It’s easy listening that has little personality and a penchant for making you think the same song is on loop. Play it for a romantic background hum, but don’t expect it to impress anyone.

BEST TRACKS: 'Diamond Girl', 'Just Right', 'Out Of The Blue'
]]> Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Die Heuwels Fantastie - Die Heuwels Fantasties http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/die-heuwels-fantastie-die-heuwels-fantasties
Esteemed SA rockers (and now self-proclaimed pop stars) Hunter Kennedy, Pierre Greeff and Johnny de Ridder have released their first full-length album, which includes the chart topping hit ‘Vinger Alleen.’ Interesting collaborations with Fokofpolisiekar’s Francois van Coke, aKing front man Laudo Liebenberg and Die Antwoord’s Jack Parow break any potential monotony. This is head-bopping, toe-tapping music, filled with melodious, carefree tracks suitable for a night on the town or a lazy Sunday afternoon.

If anything, Die Heuwel's Fantasties is more proof that local music is on an unstoppable rise to the top.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Vinger Alleen,’ ‘Oorlewing 101,’ ‘Nare Kaskenades’
]]> Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Testimony Vol.2 - India Arie http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/testimony-vol2-india-arie
India is a woman on a mission; her lyrics deal with 'unglamorous' issues such as cancer, Aids and poverty, but don’t for a minute think this album's all doom and gloom. She sings of transformation, optimism and being in love. India manages to combine her jazzy pop beats with gospel soul to create an all-round world music feel. If you take a fancy to music with a message, perhaps you should give this testimony a listen.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Yellow’, ‘River Rise’, ‘Chocolate High’
]]> Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Irish Son http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/irish-son LC: How are you enjoying Cape Town so far?
GL: It’s great. We had a lot of fun the day we arrived. We probably had a bit too much fun the day we arrived, actually!

LC: As you do…
GL: We’re here for a week so we’ll be doing a bunch of things. We’re going to do some cage diving, and get in some sightseeing and downtime. It’s not often we get the time to relax, really. We’ve got gigs on Friday and Saturday so we only have two days off, but it’ll feel like more.

LC: I hear you’re playing at the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League [in Cape Town]?
GL: Yeah, that’s on Saturday.

LC: So it was a sudden ‘add-on’ to the tour?
GL: They asked us because, you know… we’re here. I don’t think they would have flown us over particularly for it… but I’m a hell of a cricket fan, so we’ll enjoy it.

LC: Who are you supporting?
GL: Probably the [Deccan] Chargers, because we met them on the plane – and Adam Gilchrist, who we also met, is really nice. I know they didn’t have the best season last year – hopefully this year….

LC: And if you had to choose between the South African and Australian cricket side, which would you choose?
GL: I always say ‘when in Rome’, so I’m going for South Africa. I’m a big fan of Jacques Kallis, actually. I just saw him get out for 17 today [in the ODI against Australia in Port Elizabeth], but he’s a phenomenal cricketer.

LC: Back to the tour now – how was the Johannesburg gig?
GL: It was unbelievable. The crowd was insane! Really, one of the best crowds we’ve played to outside of Ireland, and that’s the highest compliment, because the Irish crowds are the best in the world. The crowds in Cork or Dublin or wherever we are in Ireland are just deafening. Johannesburg was close to that and just a lot of fun.

LC: And it was the first time you shared the stage with Oasis?
GL: The very first time, yeah. After all these years. We formed at the same time as they did, so we’ve been around more or less in the same era. Their path has been a bit more ‘stellar’, though. [Laughs]

LC: What are the Gallagher brothers like?
GL: They are lovely. Really nice. They probably wouldn’t thank me for saying that… because they’re trying not to be! [Laughing] Yeah, but they were really, really polite; and very generous with their compliments and their time. Just really nice people.

LC: I imagine there are a few South African bands saying the same thing about Snow Patrol right now.
GL: We actually met some of them [at the Coca-Cola Zero Fest in Johannesburg], and we’re planning to get to the festival a bit earlier to see a few more, and get a better idea of what they sound like. We didn’t get to the previous concert in time to hear much. We just sat with the bands afterwards, had a few drinks with them.

LC: What are your thoughts on South Africa in general? Is it what you expected it to be?
GL: Absolutely not!

LC: What were you expecting?
GL: I don’t know. This hotel [the Mount Nelson in Cape Town] is not exactly the best impression of Africa. But I am really interested in seeing some ‘real’ Africa. I’ve been to Uganda before but I’m interested in seeing the real Johannesburg, the real Cape Town, the real South Africa. Hopefully in the next few days we’ll get a better impression of what it’s like.

LC: You are in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, so…
GL: And we’re shooting a video here on Wednesday, which should be good!

LC: How has the rest of the ‘Taking Back the Cities’ tour been? You were in Australia recently?
GL: We were in Australia for three weeks, and their crowds were pretty good as well.

LC: You’ve been there before?
GL: Yeah, many times. And it was a lot of fun. A lot of, er… drinking. [Laughs]

LC: How does Australian beer compare to South African beer then?
GL: We’ve had a few Castles and some Hansa here. Hansa was the name of the studio we recorded the album in, in Berlin, so it was a nice little karmic thing there.

LC: Have you had any weird experiences on this tour? Any bizarre groupie stuff?
GL: We don’t really do the groupie thing. And the girls who come to the shows are, for the most part, there for the music. [Laughs] I mean, Paul is gorgeous and so is Nathan, but I can’t imagine that the girls’ real interest in us is as… objects.

LC: You’re not ‘sex symbols’ then?
GL: No! I reckon the people who come to our shows are split about 50/50, guys and girls. And we’ve always treated women with the utmost respect. Sure, back when I was 18 and we were in a band, it was a different story; but everybody makes mistakes. Then you get into your 20s and you mature a little bit, and you realise that the important thing is the music.

LC: Do you get a lot of paparazzi hounding you back home?
GL: No, not at all. They leave us alone. We never get photographed leaving a place.

LC: So they have a lot of respect for you?
GL: It’s not even about respect. We don’t even go to those clubs. We avoid that kind of party and celebrity scene.

LC: Do you just hang out with your close friends and family?
GL: Yeah – and a lot of our friends are in bands as well. We all just tend to fly under the radar. And we go to places where we know we can get silly and not land up in the papers the next day.

LC: How is A Hundred Million Suns doing?
GL: It’s doing well! I mean, not as well as Eyes Open did, but then it doesn’t have 'Chasing Cars' on it. That was just one of those anomalies that took the world by storm. We never really expected it. We thought it was going to be a hit, but we didn’t expect the size of the hit. It was ubiquitous really – and that’s a word we thought we would never associate with our success. So the latest album brings back a sense of reality. It’s done well, sold over a million copies around the world so far, and that’s not to be sniffed at.

LC: What is the main influence for the songs on this album? It seems to be a bit more cheerful.
GL: Filling in the gaps, I think. After all those heartbreaks and break-ups from the previous albums, I just wanted to assure people that there were good times too.

LC: Is this album all about ‘lurve’ then?
GL: It’s more about love, yeah. There’s still darkness and shadows in it, as there should be. Love, even when it’s going well, isn’t always perfect, is it? But it’s much more positive than the previous albums… although that wouldn’t be hard.

LC: Well, no – but I think some of the greatest love songs come from angst.
GL: For sure. I just wanted to have an album that is more positive, and it took me a while to get to this point.

LC: Does that mean you’re in love?
GL: No.

LC: Just checking, because I have single friends who might be interested to know that. Do you have plans to go back into the studio any time soon?
GL: We’re doing a couple of projects with a few other bands, and I don’t last very long without these guys [Snow Patrol] even when we’re not on tour. Yeah, a couple of other albums are going to be released soon. We’ll probably go in and record in March/April next year. We’re not rushing to go back to the studio. We’re on tour until Christmas so there’s no point in planning anything new until then.

LC: I read that you had to sell off your personal CD collection at one stage to pay the rent. Which CD would have been the most difficult for you to get rid of?
GL: The things that were sort of ‘cherishable’ for me I tried to leave until the last minute. I’ve since bought back everything, and loads more! It’s the only thing I spend my money on.

LC: And who would have been your biggest musical influence? Or has that changed as your career changed?
GL: I guess Kurt Cobain. Nirvana, really. I first wanted to play guitar after hearing AC/DC live when I was 13. But it was actually Kurt Cobain who gave me direction. He was proof that you didn’t have to be a virtuoso. Nirvana were all about the heart, not the head, and that’s basically been our motto ever since – to play from the heart.

LC: Would you say they influenced your very distinctive sound?
GL: Yes. You can’t really hear Nirvana in our recent records, but in our earlier stuff you can certainly hear a more ‘American’ alternative music. When we were making the records, Brit pop was a big deal in the UK, and bands like Blur and Oasis were having their heyday. Okay, so Oasis never really stopped having their heyday, but apart from them we weren’t really into those bands. We looked towards America for our influences, and we found it. I don’t think we sound like any particular ‘country’. I don’t think we sound particularly Irish, but I think we’ve come so far down the line now that we’ve created our own sound.

LC: So… how does a girl get a song written about her?
GL: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

LC: All the COSMO girls want to know!
GL: You have to break my heart! [Laughs] No, most of the songs I’ve written are sort of plaintive and more tender – and the break-ups were my fault really! That’s the reason I wrote the songs, to try to work things out in my head. What went wrong and why I’m an idiot sometimes.

LC: So they’re cathartic?
GL: Yeah, but I’m not that person any more – which is why we changed this album and changed tack. I don’t approach relationships the way I used to. I don’t have the same fear as I used to. I used to fear being with someone, and then I would fear losing someone – and that’s the way it used to be. Now I’m a lot more balanced. Although if you see me at 10 o’clock tonight you might not think so!

LC: If you could lie anywhere in the world with someone special, where would it be?
GL: There is a cliff just beside Ballydavid in County Kerry in Ireland, just around the corner from the wonderfully named Dingle Bay, where we wrote Eyes Open. The cliff overlooks these three rocks that jut out of the water – they’re called the Three Sisters. In my head, that’s my happy place.

LC: If you could invite anyone, past or present, over for dinner, who would it be?
GL: It would be a toss-up between Noam Chomsky and Natalie Portman. [Laughs]

LC: At least you’re honest! What’s the most bizarre question you’ve ever been asked by a journalist? Other than that one, of course!
GL: Well, there was this one interview with all these questions about songs and breaking people’s hearts – by accident most of the time [laughs] – and then the next question was ‘So are you single?’ And I was, like, why would you want to know that, after what we’ve been talking about the whole time???

LC: Last question. How do you guys get on as a group? Do you fight at all, or do you just have a good laugh?
GL: We always laugh. We’re like brothers. There’s a big difference, I find, between bands that got together through adverts in the paper and those that got together through natural friendships. I think it’s pretty obvious to work out which are friends and which are business partners.
Related:

* Carla Calitz went to the star-studded press conference
]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 The Coke Fest Press Conference http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-coke-fest-press-conference
Of course, Gareth made mention of 'unstable rock stars' from the bands Bullet For My Valentine and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus who cancelled their appearances at the last minute much to the dismay and outrage of their local fans and organizers, Big Concerts. Attie van Wyk, Big Concerts’ managing director, admitted they’d been ‘devastated’ when these bands had cancelled a week before the fest, especially considering they’d spent a year approaching 37 international artists to star at the fest.

‘Bullet For My Valentine used the excuse that they hadn’t completed their new album so we told them that Metallica had been in the same boat when they’d come to play in SA but that hadn’t stopped them from climbing on a plane and living up to their contractual obligations,’ van Wyk said.

Thankfully, though, ticket sales hadn’t been adversely affected by these cancellations as thousands of concertgoers were expected at Riversands Farm in Fourways, Johannesburg, and at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West, Western Cape. Also, Panic At the Disco, Snow Patrol and Oasis had agreed to play slightly longer sets to make up for the missing bands, van Wyk added.

Next up on stage at the conference were local bands Zebra & Giraffe, Cassette, One Day Remains and Evolver, who all agreed they were pumped to be sharing the stage with these top international acts.

Las Vegas rockers Panic At The Disco were met with much applause when they took the stage. When asked what they’d been doing since they arrived the day before, guitarist and lyricist Ryan Ross said they’d been ‘drinking wine, eating seafood and sleeping’.

‘Yeah, it took us about two weeks to get here,’ quipped Jon Walker. Asked about where they got their inspiration for their songs from, they replied that it came from movies, books, people being creative and ‘whatever makes you think… or not’. One journalist wanted to know what their favourite SA music was and, typically, Ross said he’d listened to Paul Simon’s Graceland a lot and really loved Ladysmith Mambazo.

Snow Patrol’s frontman Gary Lightbody seemed rather taken aback by the enthusiastic applause they got when his band trooped onto the stage, and sincerely thanked the media for the ‘great reception’ in his lovely, lilting Irish accent. There wasn’t a journalist in the room who wasn’t immediately taken in by the frontman’s friendly, engaging and sincere personality.

When asked if their show the following day was going to be moody or more upbeat, Lightbody promised a ‘bipolar show'. 'We may all cry together or maybe three of us will be happy while three of us are sad,’ he joked. When asked how they felt about their hit single 'Run' being ‘hijacked’ by Leona Lewis, Lightbody diplomatically answered, ‘She’s got a brilliant voice and she made the song her own. When a song gets that popular everyone is allowed to do with it what they please.’ When asked about what they thought of Oasis, Lightbody quipped, ‘They’re the funniest band in the world. Noel certainly has a way with words and doesn’t care who he offends. He’s a whirlwind. We’re still very polite.’ Asked about touring with U2, Lightbody admitted, ‘It was an incredible experience and we learnt from the masters.’ In fact, U2 has invited them to tour with the band again this year. ‘The superstars you see onstage aren’t who they are backstage – they don’t swan around,’ added Lightbody.

Only Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher strode onto the stage sporting his trademark sunglasses, but he certainly stole the show with his sharp replies and irreverent wit. (Liam was next door being interviewed for 5FM.) Contrary to expectations, the older sibling wasn’t gruff, monosyllabic or even vaguely aggressive – in fact, he had the room in stitches from the very start and was decidedly generous even asking one of the festival’s Superfans to accompany the band the following day in singing 'Wonderwall' and even offering to answer more questions. He was asked what the inspiration was for 'Wonderwall'.

‘It was such a long time ago,’ he admitted. ‘I could be one of those rock stars and bullshit you but I’m not going to. I have absolutely no idea. We may have nicked some of the lyrics… I was probably drunk at the time.’

When asked which of their albums was the most fun to make, he had the crowd giggling when he answered, ‘Be Here Now was the most fun, which is why it sounds the worst.’ He proclaimed that Oasis ranked seventh in the Top 10 British bands of all time with the bands’ mightiest influence, The Beatles, in the top spot – and there isn’t anyone who would dare contest his proclamation.

When asked by Gareth Cliff why he’d got into music, Gallagher replied that it wasn’t to ‘get the girls’, the reason the Sex Pistols got into music, he said.

‘I came from a working class background where you faced unemployment or joining a street gang. I certainly didn’t get into music for the art – I wanted to get rich,’ he stated matter-of-factly.

Gallagher finished the press conference off with some sage advice on how to survive your family and sibling tension. ‘Ignore everything you say to each other at all times and communicate through the media,’ he quipped and once again had his rapt audience giggling appreciatively.

Related

* Read our interview with Gary Lightbody ]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Double Sama Mama http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/double-sama-mama
MUSIC

You’re a busy lady – DJ, vocalist, ad jingles – how do your different roles feed into each other and/or influence each other?
They are all part and parcel of each other. If you listen to my album [Colour of Me] and the diverse songs you’ll see I can’t stick to a certain genre. I am a multifaceted person in every aspect of the word and that reflects in the music. If I could play every instrument and do everything, I would.

In 2008 you won two SAMAs! That’s an attention grabber. Has this had a positive effect on your inspiration, media repute and music sales?
Sales? Not that I know of. There was some hype in the media around the awards, though. It helps for networking; a lot of people who didn’t know me were like ‘who’s this chick cleaning up at the SAMAs?' At the same time, we’ve had a lot of support from radio stations saying, ‘Look, we know you haven’t popped out of nowhere.’ It was like the grace of God pouring out of heaven, because something like this makes people realise you aren’t a one hit wonder. It’s not about your image, or your marketing; it’s just judges judging music.

Many less experienced musicians are afraid producers will take over and ‘change’ their sound. Your production is crystal clear and brings out the best in your voice and your compositions. Tell us about working with producers?
My producers absolutely enhanced my music. I basically needed people to bounce off. I worked with Dutch production prodigies, Noisia in Holland. They’re mind-blowingly talented! A year ago they were still underground, since then they’ve worked with Amon Tobin, Moby and with Sony Play Station on one of their soundtracks. I’m so glad I worked with them when I did. I wanted an edgy pop album. I wanted them to interpret the sound, to say, ‘Here’s all the separate elements, take it and work with it.’ They hadn’t even worked with vocals before; I don’t think they realised what they were getting into. But you can’t be too precious about your stuff. Working with Noisia was cool, we’re like minded in that way – we love Billy holiday, we love Imogen Heap and Portishead. It’s like making love – you can’t have sex with some random person who doesn’t get you.


LIFESTYLE

You juggle a lot. Musically you’re diverse, personally you’re a diva and a mother. How do you keep things balanced?
It’s such an all-consuming industry. If you’re not breathing, living, eating your music career every day and making it your business, you’re not on top of your game. Making music, having two children and then trying to keep family and friends happy is hard. I don’t think they realise how hectic it is. At the same time I am flexible, I don’t have a nine-to-five, but the challenge is really daunting. Add to that the fact that I’m young, I have to switch between being exposed to party lifestyle and being in mom-mode.


FAME

Do you enjoy being in the public eye?
Uhm, it’s part and parcel. I am somewhat of an entertainer, always wanted to be in film, and I do enjoy it. The fact that we don’t have rubbish paparazzi makes it manageable. I take everything to heart a lot of the time, though I don’t show it. I’m focusing on giving a positive message wherever I am, being myself and being real. Thank God for my children, they’ve probably kept me grounded. I’m also ditzy and crazy, untouchable.

Tasha Baxter at home in slippers – is she the same as the woman on stage, or behind the recording desk? How does your music extend you, or reinvent you?
It is kind of like an alter ego you can tap into. But for me it doesn’t change, that’s how I am in all aspects. If I’m cooking food or if I’m doing a vocal session for H20, I’m the same. You have to be consistent. People know very quickly when you’re changing your behaviour just for effect, and I don’t change.

What's your dream set up?
I’d love to be in a position where I’m not worrying about money, so that I can focus on my kids, career and my life. Money worries get so stressful; it takes your eyes off the goal. I’d love to be in an environment where I had my own studio. Because of my lifestyle it is very hard to do everything. Ideally a self sufficient set-up with everything at my fingertips, somewhere convenient I could lay down vocals and ideas. I need that outlet, and when it’s all pent up, I go mad. I’d like to have a production company of my own – an umbrella company with its own radio station, events, etc. To be able to do that, I’d like to have the time to go and study sound design.

I would love to travel, and not have my kids worrying about me worrying.

And a nice little resort out there away from the madness to escape to.
]]> Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 When the World Comes Down - All American Rejects http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/when-the-world-comes-down-all-american-rejects
Arguably When The World Comes Down's melodies go down like a virgin cocktail, but maybe that's just the issue – its compositions are the kind that brush their teeth twice a day; squeaky clean and unmysterious. It's the kind of vocal-driven party music your mother didn't warn you about because she didn’t need to. It’s not arrogantly noisy and it has its moments of well-endowed crunch and grind.

In all, When The World Comes Down is a pretty palatable pop rock album. If you like lyrics riddled in middle-class, adolescent angst and perfected by first class production that would make a crying baby sound sublime, give it a spin. It might give you something to sing along to.

BEST TRACKS: 'I Wanna', 'Mona Lisa', 'Believe'
]]> Sun, 05 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 The Circus - Take That http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-circus-take-that
They were never the sires of boy beats, and neither are they to be the last lot of luddites that try to milk the shmooze cash cow. This album is all serenades and wrist-slicing inversions of emo – skinny tunes fattened by full production and very unoriginal rhythms. And when they ask 'Why, why, why, do you cry, cry, cry?' in 'Julie', you have to bite your tongue not to answer for her. Because it’s pretty obvious she got bored.

Give this one a miss, unless you need to bawl your eyes out or better yet, tear your ears off.

BEST TRACKS: None, they’re all equally annoying. ]]> Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 In the City - Kevin Rudolph http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/in-the-city-kevin-rudolph
The unusual genre-splicing works, and there are quieter tracks like 'I Song', but mostly it’s full-on and fast, or heavy and pacing. Displaying the usual bravado of the small-man syndrome, its lyrics are alive with self-congratulatory salutations and the stuff that makes girl go astray. It’s believable because it bleeds with an urgency that underlines every track and it covers a range of emotions rare to most accessible albums.

BEST TRACKS: 'In The City', 'I Song', 'No Way Out' ]]> Fri, 03 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Small Tlk with BLK JKS http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/small-tlk-with-blk-jks
We sent Mpumi Mcata a few questions across the ocean. These are his (rather cryptic) answers:

COSMO: Where on earth are you in America? And why there?
Mpumi: Middle America, small town, Bloomington Indiana USA; the Secretly Canadian offices are here.

COSMO: Who are you working with? And on what? Signed permanently? A distribution deal? Tours?
Mpumi: The Secretly Canadian team, KR, Brandon Curtis (Secret Machines), some South African folks, people of the global village, physically, literally and in spirit along with the BLK JKS are working on After Robots the album.

COSMO: Do you think Americans respond to your sound because of its similarities to earlier American rock, or because the other elements are so foreign to them (you singing in languages other than English, splicing genres so fluidly)?
Mpumi: Both

COSMO: Who do you hang with in the states? Have you found like minded people to socialize and swap stories with?
Mpumi: Oh yes, but at the moment that's our secret.

COSMO: Care to share one of those stories?
Mpumi: OK. Tshepang and I by chance once cycled at midnight over the Brooklyn Bridge to a loft party in Dumbo Manhattan where most of the individuals in this Black Book “secret society” of ours were... long story short, we didn't cycle home.

COSMO: Now that you’re recording in the States, are you planning on relocating permanently?
Mpumi: There is no way to tell really, we go where the work is. South Africa is home, though, and we’d like to spend as much time at home as possible.

COSMO: What visions do you have for cultural and creative exchange – will you be bringing the ‘American jazz’ sound to your music? Or maybe borrowing elements of country? American hip hop?
Mpumi: Too early to say.

COSMO: How do you feel about sharing your culture with American people?
Mpumi: We’d like to be able to do this for a while, so as long as it and we can sustain ourselves then we're good. Also in it all, we would of course love to give something even more tangible back to our peoples, yeah, mad ambitious (LOL).

COSMO: Do you think your way of doing things will be influenced by American culture? (e.g. actively striving for economic success, pushing your product as far as possible)
Mpumi: I expected to meet the beast you know, the one they say drives the machine and I did on the Bridge and it wasn't all that bad. Everyone just needs to chill.

COSMO: Are there any ladies in your guys’ lives?
Mpumi: Define “Girlfriend”

COSMO: If so, did you take them with you? Or are you doing long distance?
Mpumi: They’re all over the world, international ladies of mystery themselves, so they can and do like a few of our friends and get anywhere just fine. Relationships with the people we dig the most in our lives are and have always been long distance in parts, no problem, or at least none that we can’t manage.

COSMO: If long distance, do you have any positive tips or warnings about long distance for COSMO readers?
Mpumi: Again, ladies, ladies, ladies, we definitely can’t offer any advice on that – every situation is how shall we say it, uh, unique.

COSMO: Also, do you have any insights to COSMO girls about dating a rock star/ musician? What are some of the beauties of it? What are some of the struggles?
Mpumi: Don't do it. Just kidding – Paulo would kill me. So I don’t know, ask Courtney Love and or Letta Mbuli.

COSMO: How do you feel about groupies and fame in SA? I mean, do we have any groupies in SA? And have you come across any in your musical careers?
Mpumi: No, we (BLK JKS) only have fans and friends (didn’t you see Almost Famous?). If we have any groupies we haven’t really seen them. We used to have a groupie manager and let’s just say he used to manage it all so well we never met them.

COSMO: Are you more aware of your ‘South African-ness’ in the US?
Mpumi: Nomakanjani Kanjalo, Namanje – always organized.

PS: The opinions held in this interview do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire band... OK, they kind of do.

Ubuntu

Mpumi ]]> Thu, 02 Apr 2009 12:00 +0200 Sexy Son of Blues http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/sexy-son-of-blues
What advice would you give a girl who wanted to date you?
I would advise her to read a lot of books, groom her finger and toe nails, start practicing honesty, and be dirty-minded and bold.

What’s the one complaint every girl you’ve ever dated would have about you?
That I take a long time to climax.

Many people know you as many things (musician, model, actor and friend). What is the one hidden talent no one knows about you?
I write poetry.

Describe your dream woman.
Independent, calm, sexy, sticks with me in good times and bad ones, good mother, the muse of many of my poems and songs, spontaneous, open-minded. (I actually wake up every morning next to this woman.)

Have you ever had your heart broken?
Yes, many times and it’s tricky. You develop a layer of immunity around your heart every time it happens and that’s not good. People need to stay sensitive, let go and be guided by their heart more often.

What’s a relationship deal-breaker for you?
I guess to be out of love; that would be a sign to pack the bags. Besides that, I don’t think even sex with other people would do it. But to be out of love is like trying to resuscitate a flower that was cut, wilted and died.

Everyone flirts, but each person has their own style. Do you use one-liners?
I have to say that I once used a one-liner and I ended up married! The story goes that Natalia (my wife) came up to me while I was smoking and asked me for a puff of my cigarette. When she gave it back to me and I took a drag, I told her the cigarette tasted sweeter. By the end of the conversation we were at my place…

Which SA celebrity would you most like to date?
Hmm, tough one, South African women are all so gorgeous, it’s difficult… I suppose Charlize Theron.

Let’s say you're trying to make a good impression on a woman you haven’t met. How do you introduce yourself, and which title do you use?
I go to her mom first and I introduce myself as her son-in-law, it really works. Or I go to the girl and with a very serious face I introduce myself as her sex slave, or if those don’t work, I just introduce myself in Spanish.

Do you find that your different professions make a good impact on women? Which of your skills is the most likely to get you positive female attention?
Well, the way that I approach my professions gives them a good impression; I’m a pretty reserved guy, I try to avoid pointless or vain exposure. Son of a Thousand Blues is a good example of that; it’s about the music, the energy, the passion, not the illusion of fame that distracts you from the roots you are coming from. The skills that the señoritas most enjoy is the music and the poetry, I’ve published some of my poetry on Facebook and the comments received are so beautiful. Of course other women enjoy all the modeling stuff, but I enjoy when they appreciate the work I do that requires talent. Modelling, I couldn’t say that requires much talent.

Is the cliché about musicians having dirty feet, dirty mouths and dirty minds true?
The dirty feet doesn’t go with me, I hate to have dirty or smelly feet. The dirty mouth, in some way it’s true, I swear quite a lot but the dirty mind bit is an absolute truth. If someone had a device that could read my mind, I would have been in jail a long time ago.

Are male models in love with themselves or with beauty in general?
What I see is that many models are very insecure. The modelling business is very hard, (in terms of appearance) nothing is enough, they have to always check themselves in the mirrors or live in the gym or dress in the latest fashion to, I suppose, feel they belong to the industry. And when that happens they start loosing their personality and they become one more of the bunch. As a model you need to become a unique product, not to try and look the same as the rest. So that’s why people think models are in love with themselves. But I think it’s just a case of insecurity made worse by the industry itself with all the pressure it exerts.

Who has the bigger ego – a model or a musician?
It depends, I've met as many models that are very down to earth and humble as ones who are just so annoying that I can't have half of a conversation with them. I’ve met amazing musicians that loose themselves in music, so there is no time for egos; but I’ve met mediocre musicians that are full of themselves. The secret is to stay humble. When you lose humility, you are lost, just as when you lose your roots and where you come from.

Blues is sexy, but slow. Does it please women as much as it pleases men, or maybe more?
Blues pleases everyone, but in women, it awakens the stripper in them. There is a story of pain and broken hearts in every blues song and, if nothing, blues is sexy. Slow. And deep. I would bet that there are not many women that don’t like it slow and deep... ]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 Hope for the Hopeless - Brett Dennen http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/hope-for-the-hopeless-brett-dennen
While the overall lyrical message is a little too simplistic, his one liners are solid and straightforward and the use of unique instruments like the ukulele makes his music stand out against others of the ilk. It’s more Travis from California than Jack Johnson from England.

BEST TRACKS: 'Wrong About Me', 'When She’s Gone', 'Who Do You Think You Are?' ]]> Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Theatre of the Mind - Ludacris http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/theatre-of-the-mind-ludacris
Hard, driven lyrics with that twisty tongue and nifty wit are par for the course, of course. The man does it in (big budget) style, after all. To its credit, Theatre of the Mind has a theatrical/cinematic feel, with ambient samples and splices of conversation, which adds some drama and perhaps places its hip hop sounds in the setting it stems from – the everyday Hollywood hangout. (My apologies to Prophets of da City.)

On second listen, it’s almost a history of American commercial hip hop circa the last six years or so, with rhythms recalling anything from Will Smith to Eminem. Not bad, but not brilliant either. Ludacris fans will nod their heads to its beats, but you won’t really know if it's out of deference to him or just feeling the flow.

BEST TRACKS: 'Call Up The Homies', 'Southern Gangsta', 'Everybody Hates Chris' ]]> Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 African Renaissance - Coda http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/african-renaissance-coda
It’s for this reason that the sweet synergy of funk, Afro-pop, classical derivatives and house beats from a groomed group is something of a blessing, even if it isn’t a particularly interesting album. African Renaissance has its fair share of hot beats, honeyed vocals, cheerful sprinkles of easy violin and happy sax, but it’s also clearly aimed at a commercial, musically illiterate market, with repetitive loops, simplistic song structures and unremarkable rhythms. Its mix of international sounds is hardly indigenous, but it’s well produced. So if you like energetic, easy background sounds dependable enough for a get-down once in a while, give the album a try. Just don’t expect it to live up to its name.

BEST TRACKS: 'Mama', 'Reach Out', 'Life' ]]> Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Hit Singles http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/hit-singles
WYNAND
Born and bred in the northern suburbs of Bellville Rock City, Wynand Myburgh assisted in pioneering local rock music. Bassist for Afrikaans rock legends, Fokofpolisiekar and subsequent spinoff group, Van Coke Kartel, Wynand is more than just a musician. He’s a successful businessman, co-running the well-known music management agency, Punkskelm. A man of many talents, Wynand has the ability to make the splits look easy and the double bass look like a Fender. Whether it be playing the role of a manic, drug-crazed preacher in the latest Van Coke Kartel music video, Wat Het Van Ons Geword?, or mastering his high kick onstage antics, Wynand has proved time and again that he’s a real rocknrolla.

JEREMY
He’s a self-proclaimed fruity spiritual, with a passion for home and a knack for getting his tracks to the top of the charts. The face of indie rock and lead singer of acclaimed Mothercity band, The Dirty Skirts, Jeremy de Tolly is a front man extraordinaire. On stage, it doesn’t matter whether he’s performing for an intimate crowd at The Assembly, playing prestigious overseas festivals or on tour in the UK; Jeremy is a force to be reckoned with and always on top form. More than just brights, skinnies and a pair of wayfarers, Jeremy has helped take The Dirty Skirts to record deal heaven with their latest album, Daddy Don’t Disco. With a Sony BMG backing, a chart-topping music video and more hits on the way, Jeremy de Tolly is certainly on a Stellar Bender.


WHAT MAKES A WOMAN SEXY?
JEREMY: That’s a good question. I’d say confidence,
WYNAND: Her hands. The way she walks, talks, brushes depth, honesty and spark. her hair.

AND PLUS-SIZE WOMEN?
JEREMY: The same applies.
WYNAND: I don’t know; I’ve never had the privilege.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL WOMAN?
JEREMY: The short answer is I don’t know, she just is, and sometimes I think these things are just destined to be.
WYNAND: Just someone I can connect with; it's thatconnection – I connect fucking well with the person I'm seeing now. It's like a friendship; someone’s that got thesame vision and ideas, someone who can support me, someone I can support.

HOW WOULD A GIRL GET YOUR ATTENTION?
JEREMY: A hammer. A feather. Whatever.
WYNAND: Uhm. Obviously in a crowd, stuff that I favour is dark hair, tanned skin. I scheme if they give me eye contact and little smiles that’ll definitely get my attention.


HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT A GIRL MAKING THE FIRST MOVE?
JEREMY: Enthused. Grateful.
WYNAND: That’s fucking rad. It makes it easier. And then it’s up to me to decide yes or no. I get to make the choices. But then again, I’m hooked up, so I’m not thinking that way right now.

HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU FIRST FELL IN LOVE?
JEREMY: Probably 21 of years. I was a late bloomer, felt like redwood.
WYNAND: I think… uh… difficult to say. I think around eleven.

WHAT DOES LOVE MEAN TO YOU?
JEREMY: Love is something like to do a lot.
WYNAND: God.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SEX POSITION?
JEREMY: I don’t have one; that would be silly. What does COSMO suggest? I mean it seems to me as silly as having a favourite food.
WYNAND: No comment.

Take a look at the BTS photo gallery.

Click here to listen to free streaming MP3s by Fokofpolisiekar and The Dirty Skirts. ]]> Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Slumdog Millionaire - Ost Various Artists http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/slumdog-millionaire-ost-various-artists
The mastermind behind the music is renowned composer and musician, A.R. Rahman. If his name was foreign to you before, it shouldn’t be now. Slumdog Millionaire has catapulted Rahman’s compositions into the ears of avid listeners the world over. While there may be some dodgy dance tracks and a cheesy love song or two, the funky Indian rhythms and refreshing contributions from M.I.A. make this soundtrack an eclectic masterpiece.

The blend of traditional and modern is unifying in every sense.

BEST TRACKS: 'Jai Ho'; 'O…Saya'; 'Paper Planes'; 'Mausam & Escape' ]]> Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Fearless - Taylor Swift http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/fearless-taylor-swift
While it’s clear the lyrics were written for fellow love struck teenagers, Swift’s are idealistically charming and utterly heart wrenching.

Swift’s second album may be one big love song confined to a CD case, but this girl hasn’t won 12 awards for nothing. Her pure voice and innocent intentions have helped Fearless go three-times platinum. Like her or not, Taylor Swift and her chart-topping hits are here to stay.

BEST TRACKS: ‘Fifteen,’ ‘Forever and Always,’ ‘Love Story’
]]> Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Live In Japan - Rodrigo Y Gabriela http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/live-in-japan-rodrigo-y-gabriela
Typical of Spanish song structures, their compositions swell feverishly and break beautifully, but they remain incredibly listenable at the same time – something which must come from the synergy between the brother and sister. Everyone is talking about them, from moms to rock stars, so give them a listen and embrace your inner Hispanic.

BEST TRACKS: 'Ok Tokyo'; 'Satori'; 'One'

]]> Sun, 15 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Top 10 Single Celebs http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/top-10-single-celebs
RYAN GOSLING
While he may have started his career on the Mickey Mouse Club (alongside Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christian Aguilera), he became every girl’s heart-throb in The Notebook, arguably one of the best chick flicks ever made. We can’t help but swoon over his slightly boyish charm, the mischievous smile and those puppy-dog eyes.

>>Next ]]> Fri, 13 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 He's Just Not That Into You - Ost, Various Artists http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/hes-just-not-that-into-you-ost-various-artists
From Human League through The Cure right up to Maroon5 and James Morrison, the sounds run from alternative country to Brit pop and their sentiments from raunchy couch-scapades to soft-core dawns. R.E.M is in there, for measured melancholic reflections, coupled with Keane’s edgy enthusiasm. The Ting Tings get fingers snapping and with My Morning Jacket and The Black Crowes, there’s enough party to match your dating highs and lows, and the bonus is a video of Scarlett Johansen covering Jeff Buckley’s ‘Last Goodbye’, though even the provocatresse can’t say goodbye the way that man can.

Until you find the guy you don’t want to say goodbye to, keep this album close.

BEST TRACKS: 'I’m Amazed' - My Morning Jacket; 'Don’t You Want Me' - The Human League; 'By Your Side' - The Black Crowes; 'Love, Save The Empty' - Erin McCarley ]]> Thu, 12 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Lovebox - Soul Candi http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/lovebox-soul-candi
Soul Candi have undoubtedly made a brand of such beats, recycling smooth sounds from commercial pop, funk and rock, and reinterpreting them on repeat. This album’s loose flow of mid-tempo stands out only in the fact that there are almost no distinguishing characteristics track to track. It sounds like late summer, like lost nights on club balconies, like something I imagine Ibiza would feel like at the end of a heavy season. Listen to Lovebox if you’re a mid-tempo Soul Candi house fan. Otherwise, give it a skip.

BEST TRACKS: 'Breathe You In' – Samantha James; 'Love Is A Liar' – Sam & Gigi; 'We Are Lonely' – Studio Apartment

]]> Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 The Katie melua Collection - Katie Melua http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-katie-melua-collection--katie-melua
By no means a fading wallflower, the popular singer/songwriter has penned four of her own tracks on this album, and collaborated with two other writers. She tries her tongue at traditional ballads and gives her version of 'Wonderful World', which is better known for being sung by a blind man.

Altogether slow and slowly sexy, her quiet forays into the subtle seduction of slow singing are well companioned by instrumental backup, whether it’s a penny whistle or a bluesy electric guitar. It’s sexy, if you like it slow.

BEST TRACKS: 'Piece By Piece', 'I Cried For You', 'Somewhere In The Same Hotel'

]]> Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 The Curious Case of Benjamin Button http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button THE STORY
Benjamin Button lived life backwards: Born with the appearance of an old man, he slowly grew younger. In what seems to be a slightly whimsical, yet almost ideal turnaround of the unfolding of life, he grows up in an old age home and leaves it to become a seaman. His abiding love for the flagrant dancer Daisy, who stole his heart the second their eyes met when they were children, eventually has its chance to blossom. But time is not on his side. Fate, however, seems to be and Benjamin Button, despite his setbacks, lives a life worthy of, well, a fairytale.

SEE IT BECAUSE Brad Pitt deserved his Oscar nomination for Best Actor for his efforts at emulating a diseased and doddery and rather odd, little boy.

Despite a story line with little drama, the star-studded cast is candy to the eyes. It's a long-winded film that really could have said all it wanted to say in an hour. But perhaps the director chose to stretch the story to give the narrative a sense of the passage of time. ]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 New In Town http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/new-in-town THE STORY
Ambitious executive Lucy (Renée Zellweger) is on the fast track to become Vice President, but is unexpectedly sent to a small middle-of-nowhere Minnesota town to oversee the 'downsizing' of the manufacturing plant and manage the eminent layoffs. When she arrives in the miserably frozen-over New Ulm, all Lucy wants to do is her job. But she and the town, including the rugged Ted (Harry Connick Jnr.), soon warm to each other and her icy exterior melts as she falls in love with all things Ulm.

SEE IT BECAUSE even though you can call the plot twists 20-minutes in, the film still leaves you with that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Renée Zellweger's return to physical comedy might not be award-winning stuff, but the extremely likeable cast will light a small fire in your heart; New in Town is a cute romantic comedy that will leave you with that warm and fuzzy feeling afterwards. ]]> Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 We the Kings http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/we-the-kings
Not quite Kings of Leon, their obsessive investment in catches, hooks and, well, big hair will make sure they’re the next two-season success after which the masses will tire and go hunting for another energetic emo act to consume. In the interim, We The Kings are leading the stakes in refined commercial fodder. Their sweet skater sounds lack the life of The Killers and the empty spaces that even the Hansons had the discipline to drop into their guitarverload. But if you don’t listen too closely, it won’t offend you too deeply. That, after all, is the best thing about pop.

BEST TRACKS: 'Secret Valentine', 'All Again For You', 'Stay Young'
]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Call and Response: The Remix Album - Maroon 5 http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/call-and-response-the-remix-album-maroon-5
Take those sizzling pop sounds and put them at the mercy of mean men Pharrell, Cut Copy, Westlove and Paul Oakenfold, and you’ve got a whole other kettle of fish. Thing is, it isn’t as bad as you’d expect. The distilled remixes reveal a sound song structure that carry the melodies beyond the repetitions typical of the remix medium. That said, it’s no Killers remix, so don’t expect too much depth from this disc.

BEST TRACKS: 'Wake Up Call' featuring Mary J. Bilge remixed by Sweizz Beatz, 'If I Never See Your Face Again' featuring Rihanna remixed by Paul Okenfold, 'She Will Be Loved' remixed by Pharrell Williams ]]> Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:00 +0200 Universal Love http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/universal-love
Set against a backdrop of patriarchy and apartheid, The World Unseen looks at love and freedom through the eyes of two heroines at odds with their culture and country. Free spirited, self-employed Amina meets Miriam – housewife and mother – and their chemistry changes the course of their lives.

Shot entirely on South African soil by a team of almost all women, the film was selected to premier at the Toronto Film Festival, nominated for 10 SAFTAs and won the Audience Best Motion Picture Award at the Paris Feminist & Lesbian Film Festival. The novel the film is based on has won the Pendleton May First Novel Award, the prestigious Betty Trask Award and was selected as The Star Book of the Week in South Africa.

We asked Shamim a few hard-hitting questions about the delicate subject of love and freedom.

Gender, culture, race and history: These things divide South Africans, yet we all feel the resonance of the universal. Considering the central love story, what relevance does the film hold to a non-homosexual audience?
I think the film deals with a number of issues on a number of different levels. It is not, at its core, about homosexuality, but rather about our responsibility as human beings to think outside the box now and then, and it's about integrity. I also wanted to make a film that had a character that just happens to be gay. No one walks out of any film and says 'that was a great heterosexual love story'. If the characters and the story absorb, it shouldn't matter.

How did the narrative change with adapting the novel to screenplay? Some things that fit between pages might not work on screen.
The narrative became tighter and a lot more was assumed, because audiences are sophisticated at picking up visual cues. I tried, as the screenwriter, to be true to the themes rather than each individual scene. David Hare said of screen adaptations that you have to be promiscuous to be faithful.

How do the characters develop (or degenerate) in accordance with an apartheid backdrop?
I think the apartheid backdrop is a dramatic source of pressure for the characters in the film. And under pressure, you can see the best and worst of people. So some characters rise to the challenge and grow and expand their thinking (and actions), while others reveal the worst part of the natures, the kind of degeneration of values that such an unfair system encourages and thrives on.

How much of the tale is your own interpretation of the events as they unfolded?
Quite a lot of interpretation has happened, if only because the version of events I was starting from was sketchy. The character of Amina, for instance, was based on a girl I had heard about who a) wore trousers b) drove taxis for a living and c) never got married – and that was all I knew. So then I was fascinated by how someone could live so differently from cultural expectations in the 1950s and I created her back story and character from that.

How is The World Unseen original?
I think the exploration of free-thinking and integrity within two rigid systems – an Indian patriarchal culture and the political constraints of apartheid is unique. And having said that, the fact that the movie is really a very personal, human story and love story is important, because I wanted the background systems to be very much a part of the characters daily lives, not a big idea crowding the film and politicising it.

What wisdom does it offer that reaches beyond its socio-political setting?
That fundamentally we progress as a race, as a community, as families, if we challenge our own realities and thinking all the time. Apartheid forms a dramatic relief against which to suggest that, but the theme holds out in almost any setting.

What internal processes inspired the telling of such a personal tale to the wider, global public? Surely this is very revealing of realities close to your own?
I was very touched and disturbed growing up by the evident inequalities between men and women in my Indian-based culture and in so many cultures. And by the ridiculous inequalities imposed by racism or any other 'ism'. So my grandmother seemed in her own stories to be a woman without any real choices in life, or rather, without the awareness that she could possibly decide anything for herself. I envisioned a similar character in Miriam, except that Miriam becomes aware and then starts to make choices that upset the status quo – small decisions that have a big impact. So I suppose my personal outrage and rebellion against those kinds of strictures drove me a lot initially.

How does a story set in the past hope to help people facing similar situations in the present?
One of the depressing and yet beautiful things about humanity is that it doesn't seem to change as much as we think. We are all as driven by passions as we always have been. And I think there are universal stories and choices and pressures we all face and have always faced that stir up recognition when watching a movie like The World Unseen. And even in specifics like racial and cultural and sexual divides, there's still a way to go, even in the modern world.

You've set quite an example for young business women – by writing, scripting, directing and producing your own work (and even your own label to release the soundtrack and videos on). Any encouragements on the challenges inherent in remaining an independent creative force in a climate that places little economic value on the arts?
I think you have to do this kind of work – creative work – because you have to. Because it's a burning need or desire. It is hard, and I have no idea where I would be, but I know it would not be here without the emotional and physical support and belief of Hanan, my wife and the producer of our films. My advice would be to work hard at your art but also work hard at keeping faith that what you are doing will have an impact, will find a way into the world. And if you can, find someone to help in that support process who can complement you.

Do women work well under pressure together? Is there less ego and better communication in film making with mostly women than with men on the team?
Certainly multi-tasking was not a problem! I would hate to make that generalisation, but we had an all-female production team and many female heads of department, and it was a fantastic set, relaxed and with no egos. I am not a director who likes to exist on stress anyway. It is stressful, but I like to keep the set relaxed so the actors can work free of tension. And Hanan was amazing in keeping things running smoothly. Mostly I think everyone was there for the right reason – passion for the project and a will to tell the story in the best way possible.

What messages would you like every COSMO reader to get out of watching your film and reading your novel?
That small changes, small steps, can make a huge change in a life. That changing your perceptions and daring to think and act a little differently can be freeing, as long as it's done with integrity. ]]> Fri, 27 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 Best of - Hillary Duff http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/best-of--hillary-duff
Hillary Duff is every bit the pop princess in beautiful black and white studio shots and her songs are just as sweet and sexy and studio styled as her smile is. Despite the irony of her being barely out of her teens, this Best Of compilation delivers all the promises of a classic in the making (if classics can do without personality).

But despite slick production, sexy mixing and sublime marketing, it’s evidently less about the love of music than it is about the best way to sell celebrity. The lyrics are nothing new and if you listen closely you’ll hear that the screen darling has created a Depeche Mode ‘tribute’ devoid of depth. If nowhere else on the album, Duff reveals her musical want in this song that is about as old as she is.

BEST TRACKS: 'Wake Up', 'Beat Of My Heart', 'Stranger' ]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 Universal Mind Control - Common http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/universal-mind-control-common
Borrowing breathy refrains from the alternative country queen, Martina Topley-Bird and the smooth moves of Muhsinah, some tracks tickle the tastes of those who want more than simplistic sentiments out of the soundtrack to their late summer dates. For a dependably well made, monotonous mix, let it set the tone while you choose the dance.

BEST TRACKS: 'What A World', 'Everywhere' featuring Martina Topley-Bird, 'Make My Day' featuring Cee-Lo
]]> Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 He's Just Not That Into You http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/hes-just-not-that-into-you GENRE: Romantic comedy

THE STORY
A gregarious and slightly over enthusiastic Gigi is slowly decoding the world of dating with a little help from her girlfriends. It's not until Alex, a detached yet adorable restaurateur, starts assessing her potential mates that she starts to get the game. But it seems the game is playing them and the rules are about to be rewritten.

SEE IT BECAUSE it's an intelligent chick flick that teaches you something about love and life.

Delightfully directed with a cheeky combination of chemistry and cringe factors, He's Just Not That Into You takes an honest look at how we communicate and fornicate, and ends with a realistic and uplifting message that turns both sad and happy endings into positive beginnings. The babe factor is high, but so is the acting standard with a cast of stars to gasp at. Affleck is adept and accessible, Johansson is an innocent seductress and Aniston is insightful. The characters are both beautiful and believable, so you won't be disappointed no matter what you want from the script and the screen. ]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 Part of the Gang http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/part-of-the-gang
Each member brings his or her own X-factor to the party. Flexible, soulful voice? That'll be Tumi's alter-ego Lady Naturelle. Street-wise rapping? Step up Mandla N, while Bongo Riot's ragga chants are wild

Two thirds of the gang sat down with COSMO to chat about one of the things they do best, performing live.

The energy you put out on stage is incredible. How do you do it?
Mandla: Our training is from AFDA [the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance]. We trained live performance, full on you know, we do extensive rehearsals, especially when we know we've got a big show. We've played with a very energetic band called New Academics and they're rock stars.

Do you bump into each other on stage?
Tumi: It's not really choreographed. Sometimes you have these huge shows and it doesn't matter how much you jump around and run around and walk around, you'll never bump into each other. And sometimes you have tiny stages; it depends highly on the show.
Mandla: Even if we do have accidents, the audience is getting you so much, you just forget about the accidents.

It must be a real high on stage…
Tumi: It doesn't compare to anything.

Not acting?
Tumi: No, it doesn't come close. Theatre maybe.

Tell us about other bands or groups you love.
Mandla: UB40. They've been together since forever, and when they first started, they were white boys doing reggae. His community and everyone around him said it was never going to work. Now they're still standing. Which is pretty much what we represent – something new, something different, something crossover. Something that when I put it on for my mom she goes, 'Is this rock?'

What kind of qualities do you need to be a great performer?
Tumi: First and foremost a love for the people, a love for an audience. Some people are hugely talented, but if you put them in front of an audience, they don't know what to do. So you've got to love them, all those millions of eyes looking up at you. You've got to say, 'Yeah, this is my spotlight!'.
Mandla: You need to always own your craft. As we all know, you're as good as your last show. Music is not a [stable] thing. You need to make sure that you remain on top of your game, keep your creativity right up there. You need to really invest in your songs because no matter how negative people are, if you've got a good song out there, people will listen. That's why music and owning your craft is number one.
Tumi: Also you've got to believe in the music. When you love it and you enjoy it, the audience can see and can feel that. And that is contagious. But if you're hating being up there…
Mandla: You'll have a kak show.

Is it never intimidating?
Mandla: You know what the intimidating part is, it's the second before you go on stage.

And to be a successful person in the music business?
Mandla: It's going independent and saying, 'I want to find out how the industry works.' Researching all the income streams you can get out of music. Most people just think CD sales, but in the music business you're not an artist any more, you're a brand. Especially artists overseas. You need to go get digital, you need to go get merchandising, publishing, CD sales.
Tumi: Unfortunately in our country you don't have institutions where they teach you about law, contracts and income streams and how it actually works. Keep drumming, keep asking questions. Be professional – the integrity of keeping your word because at the end of the day, you are all you have. You and your reputation and your brand, that's all you have.

How do you find the SA scene responds to your sound?
Tumi: I think we're very happy and blessed in terms of radio play, but we also recognize that in our country, we're not as established as Hollywood in terms of the exposure. We don't have a lot of branding opportunities. Our image is still very internationally focused. You have to work three times as hard to be recognized in your own home. That's why you see Seether and Parlotones are raking it in hugely overseas, and here we're still, like, 'Ah, yeah, those guys'. But we still applaud ourselves and say what a long way we've come because we've been able to achieve the greatest score I think we've ever had.

Tell us about your trip overseas – where did you go and whom did you tour with?
Mandla: April 2008, Nashville, Tennessee. It was a Nash festival and Jack Daniels was looking for acts worldwide. They Googled us; we thought it was a joke.
Tumi: We went for the meeting and they told us about the festival and how they invite all these international artists, press from all sorts of countries, and they invite 800 people and will house them.
Mandla: They were looking for one band from Africa.
Tumi: They spoke to us a year prior, and then our contact left Jack Daniels and we heard nothing, and then we were like, 'Whatever'. Then September came, and they're like, 'Do you guys have your stuff ready?' We got a ten year visa and played three days. People [at the festival] didn't believe we were from Africa. Americans still want to see you in your loincloth and they want you to ululate.
Mandla: They were like, 'Yo, guys, your music, where can we get it?' We had 20 CDs and 30 for press and after the show everyone was buying. We even sold the press kits. Kaizer Chiefs were there and everyone chatted to everyone. Briefly.

How did audiences there respond to African languages and rhythms?
Tumi: Because they saw three young, black people come on stage, one Rasta, one bald head, one afro; I don't know what they expected to hear. Then we did a song from our new album, 'GI On The Run', very hard rock, guitar. By the third song people were up on their feet. Chinese people were dancing to us.

Favourite place to play?
Tumi: Outside of Johannesburg? We love Johannesburg, no offense. Everyone asks to come for free because they're your friend. When they get there, they're like, 'Where's the VIP area? Where are my free drinks?'
Mandla: Because you know, everyone in Johannesburg, they just drink. Outside of SA, they go mad.
Tumi: They buy you drinks.
]]> Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 Under the Poetree - Rus Nerwich http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/-under-the-poetree--rus-nerwich THIS IS FOR YOU IF you like sophisticated, jazzy lounge beats and lyrics with a local flavour.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it's a good mix of first world production, first class composition and local flavour all wrapped up in a global mix.

For jazzy electronica blended with tempered hip hop MCing and with breathy backing vocals, look no further than track 3 and 4. For more global sounds, try the gypsy wedding vibes of 'Zol Hoysn Kumen de Gueule'.

The album also features the likes of local talent like Kanyi, Souljazz Pros and Farrell Adams, and pulls off a range of sounds without leaving the lounge.

BEST TRACKS: 'Respect', 'Under The Poetree', 'Straighten Up And Play Right'
]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 The Secret Life of Bees http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-secret-life-of-bees THE STORY
Bereaved Lily Owen runs away from her troubled farther with her nanny Rosaline and the two are taken in by a household of kindly honey-farming women. Being South Carolina in 1964, there are tensions around lily-white Lily living with her black hostesses. Besides racial tensions, the town also holds the secret to Lily's mother's past and Lily's future. The truth is closer than she realizes, and while she comes to terms with her mother's abandonment and death, she finds love and danger in equal measure in her new situation.

SEE IT BECAUSE this lady-directed drama is as sweet as honey and as sharp as a bee sting.

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, its star-studded cast will have you seeing musicians as well as traditional nuclear families in a new light, and the cinematographic touch makes for the most beautiful late summer scenery. Based on a novel of the same name by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees is a coming-of-age story that revolves around recognizing and accepting real love.
]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:00 +0200 The Fame - Lady Gaga http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-fame--lady-gaga THIS IS FOR YOU IF you're searching for something that will have you dancing around the house in PJs or underwear with a hairbrush in one hand and CD cover in the other.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE if writing for the Pussycat Dolls is anything to go by, you can be sure this GaGa's got talent.

Her fusion of electronic glamour and soulful ballads are sure to leave you wanting more. Keep the repeat button at arm's length.

BEST TRACKS: 'Just Dance', 'Paparazzi', 'Again Again'


]]> Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Life, Love and Music http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/life-love-and-music
COSMO interviewed the Eastern Cape musician for our special Rocks December 2008 edition, but only printed extracts. Now we're bringing you the rest of that interview.

COSMO: Does being a woman make it harder, or easier?
ZONKE: I don't necessarily believe it's that much harder than it is for our male counterparts, but I think there's more pressure for us as women to release better music than men, maybe because women are tender, givers of life so it's expected of us to act the part in every way. Even in our music we need to give meaning and hope.

COSMO: What does a woman need to get ahead in the music industry?
ZONKE: You need the very same ingredients a man needs. Passion, talent, resilience, charisma and serious patience. I've learned that things don't happen overnight and most people tend to give up because of that. Good things take longer and I tend to appreciate them even more.

COSMO: If you were a man, do you think your music would sound different, or your lyrics would change?
ZONKE: The music would not change but lyrics, probably! People generally do not have similar perspectives and views on the same issues. We all look at life differently hence we can all have different views about the same thing.

COSMO: Is winning [a SAMA award] important or is there a community spirit amongst musicians?
ZONKE: Winning is always a nice feeling, but some of us don't go into studio with the hope of putting together a quick moneymaking project. I want to be true and honest in my words and melody, make one fall in love, laugh or cry. It is great though for a musician to have affirmation from fans about their music. If people love your sound and appreciate the lyrical content they will support you either way.

As far as spirit amongst musicians is concerned, I believe that each artist or band works independently in their own space, but we do come together as a joint unit if and when it is necessary. For example, we came together to spread the message against the xenophobic violence because it's a personal and national imperative. There are many other events whereby musicians devote their time and effort in order to jointly confront issues and make a difference in our communities.

COSMO: Does it feel different to sing in your own songs, rather than on somebody else's?
ZONKE: Yes, definitely! Your own songs are a manifestation of your thoughts, feelings, experiences, other people's experiences, etc. My album is called Life, Love and Music – for me those are daily and realistic experiences. People seek refuge and comfort in music when life is good or bad. Through my own music, I am able to tell my stories in my own way and that gives me the greatest pleasure.

COSMO: What is it about acid jazz that you like?
ZONKE: It's the funk, the soul. It's happy jazz and has no age restrictions and is so unpredictable. I think I just described myself musically...

COSMO: How did you go about networking in Johannesburg? It can't be easy, as a newcomer?
ZONKE: When I came to Jozi 12 years ago I stayed with my musician father Vuyisile Dikana and stepmother Anneline Malebo who was in the popular 70's group called Joy with the hit 'Paradise Road', so networking wasn't so hard because my parents took me with them to every gig and introduced me to people. Now that I'm on my own musically, the music speaks for itself. ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Of All the Things - Jazzanova http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/of-all-the-things--jazzanova THIS IS FOR YOU IF you're in the mood for getting into new positions with lazy jazz.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE this juicy jazz compilation is comfortable and classy, and takes you on a gentle, sexy slide through time.

For smooth sounds that sit nicely between sunset and starry skies, this cleanly mixed and dreamily produced compilation is just right for revving up your New Year's revolution real easy. From tracks spiced like a 70s cocktail to juicy, juvenile Jackson 5-esque ditties, you'll find your toes tapping and your salsa snapping.

Imagine voices similar to those of Terence Trent d’Arby, Al Jarreau, Joss Stone, Nina Simone and James Morrison and you're halfway there. Settle down into the juicy Jazzanova formula for easy, rhythmic riffs and you've got it.

BEST TRACKS: 'Look What You're Doing To Me', 'Rockin' You Eternally', 'Dial a Cliché'
]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Rage On Plush http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/rage-on--plush THIS IS FOR YOU IF you're settling back into your office skins or still smiling secretly at something special that happened over the holiday season.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE whether you're back at work or still catching up on your beauty sleep from 2008, this album is a wonderful way to smooth out your summer.

Despite a dangerous album title, Rage On's subtly simmering sounds make it the perfect companion for those quiet, powerful moments. Replete with lush strings and smooth singing, its easy beats and poignant thoughts are an acoustic pop pleasure. Plush are good at combining reflection and inspiration without getting too dour. Their folk feel keeps their sound just out of reach of the more irritating elements of 'adult contemporary'. A good sound for the New Year and the new you.

BEST TRACKS: 'Lucky Fish', 'When Grace Grew Tall', 'All For The Better', 'Hope', 'Halo' ]]> Wed, 28 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Twilight http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/twilight THE STORY
Bella just moved from the heat of Phoenix to a rainy, mountain town with a population of about 3 000. One of her first encounters at her new high school is with Edward, an odd, but beautiful boy who is as mysterious to her as she is to him. An otherworldly tension and attraction is immediate, and yet he seems unable to bring himself to sit next to her. A few days later he stops her from being crushed by a skidding car in a superhuman display of strength. This leads to questions he doesn't want to answer and a love neither of them could imagine. The complication lies in the fact that Edward and his family are far from normal, and Bella's life is in danger.

SEE IT BECAUSE the chemistry between the cinematography and lead characters is electric.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke's soft touch, wide angle shots of moody mountains and intense close ups of tense moments keep your eyes glued to the screen. This is a coming-of-age cult classic for popular culture just waiting to be snapped up by fashionistas across the world, with gothic makeup effects and uncomplicated, unusual wardrobe. Bella and Edward's enigmatic, compelling romance is fraught from the start, but it seems even immortality cannot stop them from coming together.
]]> Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Technicolour - Jacsharp http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/technicolour--jacsharp THIS IS FOR YOU IF you like the idea of sweet, sharp vocals and sublime pop-rock.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it's clean, light and powerful pop-rock.

Jacsharp's debut is a fine example of the impact of careful production and a professional approach to making music. Breathy and sharp, the lead lady defines every song with her thoughtful lyrics. Cultivated guitar and clean drums fill out behind her, and the product is balanced and uplifting. At times a penny whistle gives a local flavour to their global sounds, making it great for weekend road trips.

BEST TRACKS: 'Technicolour', 'Feel So Fine', 'Tonight', 'Distractions'
]]> Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 A Gift To SA Music http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/a-gift-to-sa-music
The afro-beat, neo-soul, nu-jazz artist shared the stage with Angelique Kidjo at the launch of her debut album in 2004, and in 2005 her Zandisile won two SAMAs. In 2007 her sophomore album, One Love Movement on Steve Biko Street, won four.

After our interview with her, we again realise there's more than just a unique voice and stunning looks to this African goddess.

COSMO: Tell us about some of your favourite things to sing about.
SIMPHIWE: Mmm, what I really sing about… Firstly I see myself as a person trying to improve and grow, but it starts with me first, I start on the inside. I sing about the human condition, the African condition. I look around me and I see a lot of struggle. I feel strongly about finding a more comfortable space as an African as I try to understand how my world works.

COSMO: Are you concerned that your choice of languages might discourage music fans from enjoying your talents? Or isolate people from enjoying what you have to offer?
SIMPHIWE: I believe that there is a reason I'm born an African, and that is who I am; that journey to discovery – my music is a big part of that. If I couldn't make my own music in my own language [Xhosa] I couldn't compose. We have big issues with identity as Africans – the responsibilities that come with a different culture and language. I believe that music is an investment, and you can speak any language if you tell the truth. I might do a song in Italian, or something, but what I don't foresee is me ever changing and not doing music in my language anymore. That is the way I can best express myself.

COSMO: What recent/new material are you working on?
SIMPHIWE: The current project [I'm working on] I've been writing since last year September. It's going to be a full album. I'm not really sure how I'll structure the whole thing yet; I'm going to be going into new territories.

COSMO: How do you feel about producing new material and the creative process?
SIMPHIWE: It's part of being human not to stay in one place. But a person evolves within who they are; the changes that are drastic generally aren't part of who you are.

COSMO: How does it feel to have recognition in the industry?
SIMPHIWE: I think it really helps an artist to be comfortable with the fact that they are a musician. It's important to have your efforts recognized. I was quite surprised that I won. I didn't think my music was 'popular' – those awards are usually won by a pop star.

COSMO: What are your views on women's talents and creativity?
SIMPHIWE: The thing is that as women we have this natural advantage, because we are emotional beings. So when it comes to checking into our emotions, or creativity, it seems to me that it might come easier, and also we have the voice for it. I think because we are more in touch with our emotions. But then again we might not have the same drive as men; men have more drive, we are more emotional. [The music industry] is a combination.

COSMO: So South Africa has a yin/yang music industry?
SIMPHIWE: We are not really cohesive [in the music industry]. We are all individuals. Speaking for myself, everyone is involved with their own life, and we meet at shows. The industry is quite masculine when it comes to record labels and relations. We women still need a little bit more power.

If we speak to each other as women, we need to be speaking about our needs, just being able to talk to each other, just to take out the whole secretive element, but that's not happening.. This industry is very secretive. That also comes out of a huge trust issue. Where that comes from is anyone's guess. In general women need to love each other.

COSMO: Are celebrities really 'all that' in South Africa? Do they act like divas and demigods, try to be larger than life, and just generally misbehave?
SIMPHIWE: If that were the case, I don't believe that I would be a celebrity; or call myself a celebrity. It's tricky. If you are a celebrity in Hollywood, you're on the cover of magazines. What they say is important to report about celebrities is not necessarily what I would want people to report about regarding me. I would be more interested in the kind of journalists who are interested in dissecting my work, I would be more open to that sort of public debate.

I don't really want to be the type of public figure about which people say, "She said go to this restaurant, wear that," etc.

COSMO: What do you really think of journalists?
SIMPHIWE: I'm scared of journalists. I choose to stay away from them because of the power of the pen. In the wrong hands, it could destroy.

COSMO: Especially if you're a public icon…
SIMPHIWE: They make the job about themselves.

COSMO: Do you screen your potential interviews?
SIMPHIWE: In the beginning I would speak the truth and not worry. But I've seen how your words can be twisted, and of late I do try to screen my interviews, and I look into my memory to check if I had an issue with them or a complication or if there was anything untoward in a previous [interview]. Especially now that I'm writing [a new album], I've given my emails over to my manager. The writing process is very stressful.

Simphiwe has a number of gigs lined up for 2009, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Keep checking our Gig Guide for future concert dates.
]]> Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:00 +0200 Cigarettes & Cinnamon - Jax Panik http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cigarettes--cinnamon--jax-panik THIS IS FOR YOU IF you have a habit of singing along to the radio and enjoy a good dance.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it's catchy, chewy party music that'll get your feet moving.

Merging electronica and pop, Jax Panik is fun, funny and fearless. He sings about the fumbles of new love with his tongue in his cheek and gives anyone a good reason to dance with song after song of diggable electric beats. It's great party music, and what's more, it's local.

BEST TRACKS: 'Don't Wanna Dance', 'Cigarettes and Cinnamon', 'Love Sick Love'
]]> Sat, 27 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 Unexpected - Michelle Williams http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/unexpected--michelle-williams LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE any club-goer would love to have this lady's tongue in their ears.

Get into a party mood with the subdued house beats and minimal electro backing of Michelle's slim, crystalline voice. Her ultra feminine, after-dark edge and catchy beats keep the energy steady and strong. The dreamy overtones and clean production makes this album a slick set of sexy, sort-of-slow dance tracks. If you shimmy to this when you are ready to party, you will know Michelle is right – you are the greatest.

BEST TRACKS 'Hello Heartbreak', 'The Greatest', 'Hungover', 'Thank U'
]]> Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 CRUISING THROUGH http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/cruising-through
Between soundtracks and comebacks, Dominic Peters and David Poole sat down and answered a few of our questions.

Your sets have been sold out from Ibiza to Tokyo, Dubai to Cannes. Are you treated like stars in your own country, South Africa?
Dom: I don't know how I feel about the way there is this perception that stars should get treated differently. We're all human at the end of the day. But I do think it is great that we are starting to celebrate our own artists in SA, and we are realising that South Africans have what it takes to be world class.

Has opening for world renowned names inspired or informed your musical journey?
Dom: Playing with acts like Faithless and Basement Jaxx at the world's longest running super club, Pacha Ibiza, is an exercise in surrealism. We grew up listening to those bands and then to be playing alongside them or hanging out having dinner together and shooting the breeze is pretty weird. But it inspires you to reach out and try and make the best music you can.
Dave: It also keeps you on the top of your game going up against the big boys.

Who do you respect on the SA music scene?
Dom: Loved the Lark crew, before they disbanded. 340ml's new album is incredible, Plush, New Academics, Dirty Skirts, Jax Panik… there is so much great stuff coming out of SA it's scary.
Dave: I echo Dom on this and would have loved to work on something with Miriam Makeba before she died; such a loss. Luckily for us her music will live on for decades to come.

Are there times when you wish you could be in the crowd dancing, rather than on stage making music?
Dom: Never! This is the best job in the world!

Do you enjoy socialising with fans?
Dom: We have such awesome fans, some who have been supporting us right since the beginning. Some have become close friends over the years. Nowadays sometimes people get a bit weird and start getting clingy or whatever, but most times once we start talking about something other than Goldfish, they realise we are just normal guys who make music, like to surf and are actually a bit nerdy.

What is the funniest thing a fan has said to you?
Dom: 'Hey you look really familiar… aren't you that guy from Fokofpolisiekar?'
Dave: 'You guys are amazing... I love Basement Jaxx.' (When we played before them in Pacha Ibiza)

Do you think you could compose a song for a Bond movie?
Dom: Definitely! I can just hear it now. The Bond theme to doef-doef.

Who would you love to collaborate with?
Dave: Maxi Jazz would be awesome. He is a cool guy too.
Dom: Wow. I'd love to work with Feist, she has the most incredible voice. It's like audio hypnosis, definitely my favourite artist this year. We've got some plans for local collaborations too. All top secret for now.

If you were to move away from your signature sound, what would you like to explore?
Dom: Dave and I have got some ideas up our sleeve for the future, but right now we love the way things are going with our sound. And anyway, electronic music is the perfect place to experiment. So long as we're making music, it's going to sound like Goldfish in one way or another.

Do you have someone carry your double bass around?
Dom: No. But we do have our legendary tech Mikey P, who looks after our gear. Couldn't live without him. And yes ladies, he's single…

Does your music sound sexier in summer?
Dom: Everything is sexier in summer. Except for the South Easter.

Any idea what you would do if you weren't making music?
Dom: Probably surfing and travelling… kind of like what we're doing now, just without the tonnes of gear.

Do blondes have more fun?
Dom: You'll have to ask Dave.
Dave: Definitely not.

If you're going to overdo one thing this summer, what is it going to be?
Dave: Sunscreen.
Dom: Mince pies, I've got a killer recipe.

Any holiday wishes for our bright, bubbly, sexy COSMO girls?
See you at La Med every Sunday for a massive Goldfish Party!

Enter the competition online and you could win tickets for you and 10 friends to see Goldfish live a La Med. You'll receive VIP treatment, plus free drinks and snacks, while jamming with Dave and Dom at the Goldfish Submerged Sunday party.
]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 The Women http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-women THE STORY
Two women who seem to have it all realise there are serious flaws in their supposedly idyllic lives. Mary Haines (Meg Ryan), a part-time fashion designer, discovers her rich husband is having an affair. Her best friend Sylvie Fowler (Anette Bening), a fashion magazine editor, finds herself in a bind as a tabloid blackmails her into betraying Mary. As the two deal with the shifts in their lives, their friendship takes great strain and threatens to break.

SEE IT BECAUSE the script is intelligent and the acting is superb.

Award winning actress Annette Bening and the apparently ageless Meg Ryan have an onscreen energy that keeps the simple storyline engaging and amusing. The film makes great efforts to point out how central female friendships are to dealing with the bad times as well as the good times, and successfully shows that with growth and compassion, human relationships can still be salvaged after betrayal. ]]> Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 Roger Goode - Saturday Surgery Vol. 4 http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/roger-goode--saturday-surgery-vol-4 THIS IS FOR YOU IF you plan on having a good time most of the time this summer.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it is designed to keep you and your friends company for as long as you want to party.

Put its textured beats on repeat as the background soundtrack to your holiday or turn up the volume as the energy intensifies. The double disc of derivative house remixes rhythm and energy with a balanced tempo. Its beats are steady and sublime, and it never lets you down. And because it's designed by people who love to party, it's perfect for celebrations that last for days without losing momentum.

BEST TRACKS: 'Touch Me', 'Watch U Dance', 'From The Speaker' ]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 The Final Definition - DJ Fresh http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-final-definition--dj-fresh THIS IS FOR YOU IF you are going only one way this summer, and it's up.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it's been a long year and you've worked hard, and now great mid-tempo party music is in the house.

For catchy, groove-ready club rhythms or slowly swelling melodies, this holiday compilation is the right vibe for anything the sun or moon shines on. Running through a variety of moods with a light touch, the house vibes on the three CDs are easy and energetic with invigorating vocal overlays and crystal clear productions. The Final Definition is especially good for those moments between one amazing celebration and another.

BEST TRACKS: 'Essence', 'Passenger', 'Dancing On Holiday' ]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 The Tales of Puck - Puck http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/the-tales-of-puck--puck THIS IS FOR YOU IF you need a little gothic hedonism in your summer soundtrack.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it is an operatic-electronic milkshake of emotion.

Mixing equal proportions of wicked beats and soaring vocal scales, this edgy alternative album is bound to make you sit up and take notice, or dance like a banshee. Its quieter moments suggest no hint of the cathartic crescendos chewed by grinding guitar, so it's a surprise with every song.

As a collection of cool, medieval moments and wild, witchlike ones, The Tales of Puck will straighten your spine in no time.

BEST TRACKS: 'Puck's Theme', 'Mesmerised' ]]> Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 Heavy Rotation - Anastacia http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/heavy-rotation--anastacia THIS IS FOR YOU IF when you want to let your hair down and do your thing, but can't find your Fergie or Duffy albums.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE funky, feel-good rhythms and smooth tones are the right way to get into your holiday season.

Punchy beats, catchy tunes and Anastacia's signature slide-and-stick voice bring sexy all the way back from the late seventies. It's highly likely that you'll snap your fingers to 'Absolutely Positively', even if you're slow dancing with someone. Mixing some of the best loved elements of pop, R & B and soul, and moving easily from introspective to celebratory, this set of songs is a great way to give yourself a pat on the back while shaking your booty. You deserve it, after all. Hasn't it been a year of heavy rotation?

BEST TRACKS: 'I Can Feel You', 'Heavy Rotation', 'Same Song' ]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 Perfect Symmerty - Keane http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/perfect-symmerty--keane THIS IS FOR YOU IF you're keen on a good dose of tensile, emo-pop, but also miss the energy of late eighties alterative rock.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE Tim, Tom and Richie have matured musically in reverse.

After being voted Q magazine readers' favourite for Best British Album Ever in May 2008, Keane have gone from piano band to retro pop-rockers. Starting out like something from the late eighties, Perfect Symmetry boasts the band's signature vocal swirl and surge. The synth effects and grand production make Keane sound a bit like Coldplay, The Cure and Travis traveling somewhere together in the same golf cart on a summer's day in middle England. With uplifting melodies and serious lyrical sentiments, the tracks explore spiritual realisations and frustrations with a stubborn someone yet leaves you feeling relieved and ready to go for a long walk through fields of flowers.

The album is a good offering from a dedicated band, and if Keane can do 'better than this', they might just achieve Perfect Symmetry.

BEST TRACKS: 'Spiralling', 'Better Than This', 'Perfect Symmetry'
]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 Catfights and Spotlights - Sugababes http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/catfights-and-spotlights--sugababes THIS IS FOR YOU IF you want to be reminded of your girl power now that Beyoncé has gone from defiant survivor to Armani ambassador.

LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE the Sugababes have an uncanny knack for putting you in the spotlight it's named after.

The butterfly breath and tricky tongues of these three pretty divas is tightly driven by happy, clean beats. 'No Can Do' has Jackson 5 moments and is the most fun you can have with bubblegum pop before you have to start acting your age again. The angels with dirty faces have definitely come a long way in luscious lady pop, and if you think they sound a little like the others of their ilk, try arguing with the five million albums they have sold.

As the only lady-led act to have topped the single, album and download charts simultaneously (twice), they're worth a spin at a sexy summer cocktail party.

BEST TRACKS: 'You On A Good Day', 'No Can Do', 'Sunday Rain', 'Beware'
]]> Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 How Well Do You Know Your TV Hotties? http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/how-well-do-you-know-your-tv-hotties
Click here to take our quiz to find out how well you know your TV hotties.
]]> Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:00 +0200 New Kids to Old Boys http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/new-kids-to-old-boys
There was a time when Boyzone rocked the boy band boat on the British Isles and the New Kids On The Block ruled the world. Almost 20 years later, both bands have staged a comeback proving that pop formulas are timeless, pop performers are not, and time is a four letter word if it is not treated with a large dose of talent.

BACK AGAIN

Boyzone haven't grown up. Their latest album Back Again... No Metter What is essentially a re-release of schmaltzy hit songs with what feels like new, token tracks thrown in to justify the distribution budget. Stretching romantically over 17 same-same songs, the album soars and swells and ignores the wisdom that less is more. Classic Tracy Chapman and Cat Stevens covers remain safe and unremarkable. Lots of choral support vocals and orchestral effects rev the romance, with Ronan's riveting cadence and effervescent emotion keeping things from getting too gooey. Grab it if you love faultlessly formulaic Mills & Boone type music.

THE BLOCK

On the other hand, and on the other side of the world, New Kids On The Block embrace their maturity, retain their rhythm and freshness, and redefine their audience with their album The Block. They blow into the new millennium with tasteful collaborations and an update to their signature sound. Catchy club rhythms keep their clean vocals fresh, and The Pussycat Dolls make a pretty addition to a frank and sexy 'Grown Man'. NKOTB have sold over three times more albums than Boyzone and are rightly dubbed the fathers of boy band.

TKO to New Kids On The Block for being able to act their age and rule the stage.
]]> Sun, 30 Nov 2008 12:00 +0200 Drumming In The Sun http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/drumming-in-the-sun Stereophonics has released six studio albums, scored 21 Top 20 hits, racked up millions in sales and toured relentlessly. Although the band was formed in 1992, it wasn't until 2005 that they reached #1 on the UK singles chart with their biggest hit to date, 'Dakota'.

Drummer Javier Weyler is the latest edition to the Welsh three-piece rock band after he replaced Stuart Cable in 2004, and I'm a little thrown by the heavy yet sexy South American accent that greets me at the other end of the line. But I sense Weyler is also a little thrown by my first question during our telephonic interview.

TOURING

He laughs when I quiz him on his experiences touring with the band as I attempt to get him to speak about the stereotype that drummers don't get as much 'action' from groupies while on tour (as say the lead singer or bassist would).

'Touring has been really good to me, it's been really good. But that kind of stuff depends on the concerts,' he answers cryptically.

Weyler explains he doesn't really pay much attention to that part of the industry because to him performing is a 'physical thing' that is quite demanding in itself.

'It's kind of like a job, but it is great doing this job!'

At the end of August the band finished a 17-month tour promoting their 2007 album Pull the Pin, playing in cities such as Russia, Latvia, Romania, Finland, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

'We're going to places we haven't been before, but we really want to come to South Africa. We've had a great reception from you guys and we definitely want to get our asses to South Africa!'

IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW

After one of their 'jobs' in Canada in September this year, Stereophonics ran into a few problems with the local police. International media reported that the band was involved in a high-speed car chase, but Weyler sets the record straight saying their bus driver simply parked illegally. And when they were ready to get back on the road, the cops gave chase.

'We were blasting our music on the bus so we couldn't hear the sirens. We didn't even know the cops were chasing us.'

A second incident involved the Canadian border police when the band's bus was stopped at the check point and searched, leaving the crew standing at the side of the road for two hours.

I can hear Weyler shrug as he says, 'It happens, it's just part of the business.'

Weyler was born in Argentina and raised in Venezuela, and at the age of 13 was given his first drum kit. In 2000, the then 25-year-old moved to London to study sound engineering and found work as an engineer and session drummer in various recording studios. It was in one of these studios that he met fellow Stereophonics band members Kelly Jones (vocalist, guitar) and Richard Jones (backing vocals, bassist), both Welshmen from modest families. But with his rich, South American roots, doesn't playing for a Welsh rock band feel like musical schizophrenia?

'Not really, I think for us it's more of relating to each other as friends,' Weyler explains. 'We're all from different backgrounds, but we stimulate each others' tastes. Everyone has their own favourite bands, and it's an intense relationship, but it is important for us all to be friends more than anything else so we can work together.'

SOLO PROJECT

While the band recorded their Pull the Pin album, Weyler also began work on a side project, Captain Melau.

'I was feeling creative in the studio and had a few songs I'd been working on and it made sense to put them in an album. When you do a band album in a group environment, you bounce ideas off each other. We've been playing together for so long that we know each other musically... there's a synergy and energy between the band members. On your own the process takes longer to get to the final product.'

For the Spanish drummer, recording his solo album was a personal journey where he kept a low profile in the studio.

'It was a good way to release something that related to my upbringing and I could express myself in Spanish. I'm really glad I did it.'

THE BEST OF STEREOPHONICS

The band's latest studio album, Decade in the Sun: The Best of Stereophonics, will be released in November. But to some music critics a 'Best Of' album signals the beginning of the end for a band or artist. Do the Stereophonics have any plans on quitting the industry?

'The album is actually a celebration of the band,' says Weyler. 'We wanted to do it for a long time now. But we don't believe in a band releasing a Greatest Hits album after only two albums. You do it in a point in your career when the band has established itself and has quite a few hits. We have a lot of Top 10 and Top 20 hits and now is the right time to do it. It's a celebration of 11 years of music for us. We recorded two new songs as a way of showing ourselves and others that the band is still moving forward.'

The music video of their new single, 'You're My Star', shows the guys playing at Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colours.

'The director thought the lyrical context was very strong, but he didn't want to represent exactly what the song is talking about. So he came up with the idea of strong, emotional imagery.'

The video progresses from black and white, ominous visuals of people running between buildings to an explosion of colour and revellery as people throw coloured paint and water at one another – part of the Holi cleansing ritual. And what was it like being pelted with paint?

'I've still got bits of paint coming out of my ears,' Weyler laughs. 'It gets in everywhere. It's sticky and messy, but looks good on camera.'
]]> Sun, 23 Nov 2008 12:00 +0200 Songs For You, Truths For Me - James Morrison http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/songs-for-you-truths-for-me-james-morrison LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE stoner acoustic is so last season.

This is a man with a guitar and a piano, sure, but what makes him any different to the other adult contemporary crooners like the bleeding James Blunt and grizzly David Gray? His voice. It will stop your heart if you're not careful. James Morrison's vocals sit uniquely midway between R & B and rock and are effortlessly punctuated with subtle growls and irresistible rolls. Funky without being forceful, it's good for relaxed days.

BEST TRACKS 'Love Is Hard', 'The Only Night', 'If You Don't Wanna Love Me'

]]> Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:00 +0200 Sounds Like Ashtray Electric http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/sounds-like-ashtray-electric
Rudi: You there?
Jezebel: Yup. Is it one already? Gosh.
Rudi: Yes
Rudi: Pienaar
Pienaar: Aweh, aweh, aweh
Jezebel: Hello, Andre
Pienaar: Hey

Jezebel: SO. AMONGST OTHER THINGS, ASHTRAY ELECTRIC IS FIVE GUYS IN A BAND. WHERE DO GIRLFRIENDS FIT INTO MUSIC?
Pienaar: Rudi, warming up his typing fingers...
Rudi: I don't think André [Pienaar] hammers on it too much. He has a good balance. I sometimes think he is singing about women – but then he isn't, he is singing about good friends.
Pienaar: Personally I don't think girlfriends influence me too much, more the girls that are nasty and got away or that worked you over, etc.

Jezebel: DO YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE WORLD?
Pienaar: I'm not Bono trying to get things across.
Jezebel: But you're on stage to express, to get feedback, and you write the lyrics.
Pienaar: But I'm not writing lyrics that just sound cool. To be honest, the lyrical side of things is still something I'm trying to grasp. I normally write lyrics and only figure out what I'm trying to say later – like a dream you try to decipher. I guess I'm still young and do struggle to express myself. So I think now I'm experimenting with images and notions and trying to learn through them. I tend to learn more from myself than anyone else

Jezebel: HOW MUCH OF INDIE MUSIC IS JUST COPY AND PASTE?
Rudi: I think pretty much everything is copy-paste these days. It's a post-modern time we live in.
Jezebel: That's a cop(y) out, rudeness. Elaborate.
Pienaar: Hate it when people say 'post-modern'.
Rudi: Tell the people to wiki Post modernism. Ok, I just think we've got a load to choose (Apple C) from.
Pienaar: Indie is not really a copy-paste when you take most rubbish on MK 89 into consideration. I think in this country it's not at all. There are so many new bands such as us and New Holland etc that could be called indie, but we don't sound the same at all.
Jezebel: Wait a minute. You guys and New Holland are the breakaways. Bands like 12th Avenue or Prime Circle sound utterly generic.
Rudi: It's a formula bands follow. I think the decent bands try and break all those moulds
Jezebel: Indie here is a sound, not a structure, it seems; not an independent approach?
Pienaar: I dont think anyone in this country who is completely indie structure-wise is really 'making' it. Personally I feel there is more of a movement than a focus on individuality, like we are all sort of trying to push SA as far as we can instead of ourselves.
Rudi: Yeah, but still, the movement has many different parts.

Jezebel: HOW COME YOU GUYS ARE SO TIGHT ON STAGE LATELY?
Rudi: Touring.
Pienaar: Think we all just stepped up to the plate; personally I'm very close with bassist Andrew Justin Davenport and our last gig at Assembly with Fire Through The Window was a special one in his regard (he's leaving the band). I felt very in tune with him and I think everyone was. With everyone following the bass you're bound to be tight.
Rudi: As well as not having played in town in a while. Maybe we had a point to prove to the 'difficult' Cape Town crowd.
Pienaar: It felt like I was playing to my best friends for the first time. I think people love to see a brotherhood of sorts on stage and I think we were oozing love and confidence. I can quote Andrew. 'Friendship is what forms a band, friendship is what drives a band, and is what keeps a band together.'
Jezebel: Music is about synergy, it seems; down here in SA, synergy is about human relationship.
Pienaar: It's the only glue. I mean what makes me want to go on tour again is that lazy afternoon being drunk with everyone and braaing.
Jezebel: 'Broederbond'?
Pienaar: I always ran from it.
Rudi: Yeah, I remember you being like that before tour, Pienaar.
Pienaar: But now I love it. I just always thought the whole brotherhood thing was corny and all, but now I've experienced it and it wouldn't be easy to give up 15 new family members. It IS what drives a band and keeps it going. I think I've gone from band hobby to study hobby. Put it that way.

Jezebel: Well, thanks for the chat guys. I hope to see you in pixels or in person sometime soon.
Rudi: Ok
Pienaar: Bye
Jezebel: Byebyebyebye. Buy ashtray electric's EP

Listen to (and look at) Rudi, Pienaar, Wouter, Rupert and Reg on their Facebook or MySpace page. You can buy their tracks here.
]]> Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00 +0200 Dig Out Your Soul - Oasis http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/dig-out-your-soul-oasis LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE it still has all the catches that cling to the ubiquitous boys-to-men band, but it's more grown up. Like you.

In between indulgent soliloquies of taut strings and Liam's quintessential drawl, the odd blues-driven bass riff rides up the lyrical leg like a naughty ladder and makes a nice break from the monotony. Sorry, I mean harmony. The Gallaghers are learning the art of respite in composition, opening the songs to moments of calm that lend breath to the barrage. They have invested in cleaner production with a dirtier sound, and added a sense of the Wild West and the Indian East. It really does try to dig out your soul, but being more pop than rock 'n roll, it won't leave you empty. Good for those times when your hormones make you a little hot tempered.

BEST TRACKS: 'Waiting For The Rapture', 'I'm Outa Time', '(Get Off Your) High Horse Baby', 'Soldier On'
]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:00 +0200 Dirt - The Pretty Blue Guns http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/dirt-the-pretty-blue-guns LISTEN TO THIS BECAUSE even sex is not this sexy. It's been a while since South Africa came up with a truly steamy, late-seventies, saloon-style, blues-rock band.

You know how the hottest musicians look like they're making love to their guitars? That is what you will look like if you let their lusty strings and edgy lyrics near you. Be warned. The Pretty Blue Guns shoot right through the heart... and other soft, wet, deep pink parts.

The first song will make you blush. The last one leaves a glow. What's in-between is up to you and whoever else is listening; the slower the better. And if you're the more visual type, they make sizzling music videos too. And no, you can't have their babies, I called shotgun first.

BEST TRACKS: 'Dirt', ' Dead Man's Waltz', 'Don't Take Me Home', 'Bad Liver Blues'
]]> Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00 +0200 Finking Aloud http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/finking-aloud
After a whirlwind tour across Europe this year, how does South Africa factor into their musical journey at the moment? Guitarist and vocalist, Gin Greenall, gives us some insights.

'It's pretty up-front and personal in my vision right now. Man, I've heard so much good stuff about SA. Me and Guy are seriously excited about getting down there, getting Deep South. I've never even been to the southern hemisphere before so the new skies will also be cool. It sounds good too, [telling people] we're playing in Cape Town.'

He's a Brighton boy these days, but he shares his hometown Bristol with famous names like writer Jeff Noon and bands Massive Attack and Portishead. Has his upbringing affected his music?

'Yeah, it has a big time influence, there's a lot of Bristol in my sound. Bristol rocks. The scene there during my youth was totally awesome; Massive Attack, Tricky, Roni Size, Portishead, totally redefining the scenery five minutes. The Bristol sound is a real melting pot, reggae, soul, electro, a sound clash of stuff. Bristol is chilled, but big enough to support a scene and the cultural diversity in the city is great. You feel almost encouraged to do big things by the city.'

Moving from Bristol to bad girls, how was it producing for Amy Winehouse?

'She's a genius, she's a hell raiser; she's a young girl with a talent that absolutely, positively takes out every muthafu**er in the room. When I worked with her before all the deals and makeovers and all that, it blew my mind. She was raw, uncut talent and still is. Her journey is very public right now, which is hard for her but I think its testament to how friggin boring most musicians are currently as opposed to how 'off the rails' she is. She's just living a Rock 'n Roll life in the spotlights right now. It's a shame there aren't more characters like her, then she wouldn't be so insanely scrutinized. For me, in the studio, every time she opened her mouth to lay down a take, it was pure, stunning, brilliant gold. Every time. She knows what she wants, she wants to get it, and then she wants to go out and party. Perfect really.'

Something else that seems quite perfect is that acoustic duo, Cabins In The Forest, are supporting Fink's South African trip. How did you guys hook up with these nu folkers?

'We were like, "Hey, do you know anyone with a beard and an acoustic guitar?" And The Assembly was like "Yeah, and they've got the word Cabin in their name." We were like "Dope, sounds perfect; let's have a folk-off, a folk-to-the-death, a harmony death match." It should be fun. We firmly recommend people thinking of coming down to the shows to get their beard on so they can stroke along in time. But not you, ladies, come as you are.'

It's a big move from club DJing to acoustic picking and the lessons learned have been as surprising as the musical shifts.

'One thing I learnt [as a club promoter back in the day] is, being one step ahead is hard, and to be honest is kind of impossible. You just have to immerse yourself in it, be a part of it, live it. When I was a DJ I wasn't a tee-total, non smoker who ate salad. I partied hard for many years. Now, I guess, I do the same in an acoustic way… if that's possible!'

Find out if it is possible at Fink's gig at the Alexander Theatre in Johannesburg on Friday 10 October and at The Assembly in Cape Town on Saturday 11 October. Or become a fan on Facebook.
]]> Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:00 +0200 Ladies Rocking The Daisies http://www.cosmopolitan.co.za//CelebrityGossip/More/ladies-rocking-the-daisies
Seated neatly on a scruffy couch, jacSharp's Juliet Harding is calm and remarkably clean for the muddy festival.

'We only arrived an hour ago,' she admits and digs in her bag. I'm digging in mine, too, and of course some naughty nobody has stolen my pen. I set off to steal someone else's and return to find her holding a hairdryer with a triumphant smile. 'I found a plug!'

She's due on stage shortly and confides that being a high maintenance woman is hard when you're camping. Last year, she asked organiser Brian Little to help her find a plug. He duly walkie-talkied an 'emergency' through to event co-manager Allain Ferreira, who arrived huffing and puffing at the Farm House in minutes, proving that 'Save Tonight' is not just a song title. But being a lady in the limelight is about more than a mane of glistening, rock-ready hair. It's also about boobs, she confides.

'There's a lot more pressure on you – not just to act the part, but to look the part. You can't just be a good musician and performer. Look, boobs sell. We didn't intend it to be like that but the Facebook feedback from our early band photos was, "great marketing tactic!" and we went with that. I'm comfortable with my cleavage. I'm in touch with my sexuality. The thing with sex and media is that sex makes people feel good, so it's everywhere.'

Sinead Dennis from Fire Through the Window, an indie band, joins us. She's just come off stage, and is glowing and graceful after a set of sweet do-bop pop tunes.

Known for big, bright, Rosanne Immerman dresses, Sinead is coy after a performance spent holding her skirt in the wind. Does she wear matching undies? 'Yes! And I love wearing sexy lingerie under dresses.'

She lets me look down her shirt to illustrate. I know that the boys in the background are jealous.

'It's really hard to find good underwear if you have big boobs,' she grumbles and pulls on a pair of jeans. Jules agrees as she moves on to straightening her hair. Nhoza Sitsholwana from Alan Funk sits down beside me and our threesome becomes a foursome.

Trying to keep abreast of things, I ask for a fashion tip. 'Wearing bright colours on stage really lifts you up,' she smiles. She meant that metaphorically.

I ask for her take on boobs and lingerie. 'It's so funny going to buy sexy lingerie with a baby on your arm.' She's a new mum. But is being a mother and a musician hard? 'No.' she answers. 'At first I thought, "Oh my god, what am I doing?" I was scared, but it's easy, actually. I performed throughout the pregnancy, and now my baby boy has such a connection with music. What's more, I never had a cleavage before this!'

She's also never performed at Rocking The Daisies before. 'The crowd is so amazing; the more I give, the more they give back!' And when it comes to best of the fest, the mama knows where this is all going. 'My favourite?' Nhoza smiles. 'Mama Know Nothing.'

And they are next on my list. The almost-all-girl alternative country and contemporary blues band transfixed crowds with their talent and charisma, and were more concerned with their chords than their cleavages. For a moment during the festival they were AWOL, probably off dancing in the daisies somewhere. It's only at the end of the festival that we get to chat properly, on a picnic blanket overlooking the dam.

Their best band of the weekend? Violinist Galina Juritz gushes. 'Tidal Waves [an African-reggae band] were so tight. Amazing. And Son of a Thousand Blues [a bristly blues band].' Their fashion tip is implicit, and I don't even need to ask – cowboy boots, girls. And next fest? Hagar Graiser, the lead guitarist who just happens to be a brand strategist, suggests that bunches of friends should 'adopt a loo' to stave off the stink. I agree – I don't think the organizers were fully prepared for the amount of people who showed up at the portaloos.

And while some of the Mamas have spent the best part of the fest looking for Galina's lost brother who wasn't under a tree or in cowboy boots, lead singer Sannie Fox has promised to write a rock song about being an only child.
By Jess Henson
]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:00 +0200