Intro

Dawn Melanie is a singer, songwriter, storyteller, composer, and guitarist. She was born in KwaZulu-Natal South Africa and raised with a strong connection to the place of her birth, as well as her ancestral Scottish, Irish and Germanic roots. Her music is passionately original; an infusion of our stories from ‘here and now’, with something ancient and tribal, that makes you feel connected to stories from ‘there and then’. Her style is a unique and magical mix of Celtic Folk, Gypsy Jazz and Maskanda; and with chunky rhythm guitar sounds, haunting finger picked melodies and vibrant vocals.

Questions

Hello Dawn, welcome to Fanbase Music Magazine. Before we start the interview, how have you been doing with Covid and lockdown; have you and your family been safe?

Hi Duzzy. Fortunately, my family and I have survived Covid and lockdown; though, as a musician and artist, this was an incredibly challenging time. Fortunately, as a creative, I think we are predisposed to thinking outside the box; so, between me and my friends and family in the industry, we did manage to come up with ways around the restrictions (such as driving through art exhibitions and walking about music festivals).

Could you give us an idea of your back ground; and where did you grow up?

I grew up in Crestholme, which at the time was a small farming community outside Hillcrest in KZN. I was fortunate to have a lot of freedom as a kid to explore the wilderness around me (mostly on horseback). I was quite a shy child and found it rather hard to fit in at school. Though, in hindsight this may have been a blessing, as it led to many hours spent in the art and music room, hiding out and cultivating my passions rather than my popularity.

What got you into music; did you come from a musical background?

My mom had a wonderful voice and we would spend hours singing and dancing around the kitchen to old Celtic folk tracks. I had joined the choir as soon as I started school; and again, while this didn’t help my popularity at all, it went a long way to nurturing my vocals. I have always played by ear, and felt that I have always heard music pretty much resonating out of everything around me. We had my gran’s old piano sitting under the stairs in our house when I was growing up; and I would often bunk off school to stay home and compose; spending hours just figuring out how to play the melodies I could hear in my head. At age 13 a friend gave me a guitar (something I had wanted for years), and that was where I really began setting my songwriting on the path that led me to where I am today.

For people who don’t know your music, how would you describe your sound?

My sound is very eclectic, and for years I battled to figure out which genre it fitted into. A friend has described some of it as medieval Folk (such a cool description) but for the most part I think it falls within the Celtic Folk and Folk genre; though with a love for Hard Rock, I think my sound has perhaps taken on a bit more of electric guitar and rocking drum pieces than your average Folk muso would include.

Who would you say are mostly your influences when you think about your music taste?

I have been influenced by such a diverse range of musicians: From old Celtic Folk bands such as Clannad, through to South African legends such as Johnny Clegg and Nibs Van Der Spuy. Also Regina Spektor, Jack Mantis, Evanescence and even Seether and Disturbed, have all inspired me over the years. My own sound is unique and original but I’m sure my diverse taste has helped it to be so.

What instruments do you play?

I mostly play the guitar; though, as mentioned earlier, I started out on the piano and I have recently picked up the violin and mandolin.

If you had the opportunity of being endorsed by any instrument company, who would it be?

Ooh, that’s a tough one. Any good guitar company really. Although I’m playing a Tanglewood at the moment, I have my eye on a Gibson or Epiphone Hollowbody; so I’d take sponsorship from them any day.

You have a new EP coming out called ‘Be the Light’; could you tell us how you came up with that title?

It’s taken from the third track on the EP. However, I also felt that it was the most motivational title I could have chosen. I am all about stepping up and taking responsibility for one’s own happiness and I feel if we all choose to embody the light we have inside us, we would collectively shine bright and make the world a better place.

What was the inspiration behind the EP?

I have a lot of music ready to record, and while each song tells a story, I also feel each collection of songs must connect in some way and tell a greater story. These three tracks I felt connected in such a way; and they are also incredibly relevant to our current experiences. So I chose to release them as a short EP, whilst I work on the next album.

Where was it recorded?

It was recorded at Storyline Recording Studios, in Monteseel KZN.

Will you be releasing a full length album soon and when can we expect that?

Yes I am, it’s already a work in progress, featuring 10 tracks; and I will be hopefully releasing it towards the end of the year.

When you’re writing music, how do you put a song together; do the lyrics or the music come first when you are composing?

A bit of both, and sometimes, as with ‘Remember How’, it all comes together almost fully formed. Sometimes I will write the music and feel from its frequency the essence of the story it’s telling and then I’ll write the words to tell the story. At other times the words are there like a poem, just waiting for the right melody.

You’re also an organiser for Splashy Fen; could you tell us more about that?

Whilst I’m not actually an organiser of the event itself, I am the creator and coordinator of the art and decor that goes into making the now famous Splashy Fen Treehouse Stage. I am fortunate to have been given the task of creating a space that is authentic, magical and filled with light and fantasy. The treehouse stage has now become known for its unique and magical essence, as well as its original and eclectic music.

With Covid still looming, how was this year’s attendance?

This year was fantastic. Whilst we were limited to a third of the venue’s capacity, tickets sold out in record time; with about 5,000 people jumping at the chance to get back to the country’s longest running music festival. For the duration of the festival, the world was normal again and everybody just remembered what it was like to be human again.

What do you think of the music industry in South Africa; and specifically about people attending gigs?

I feel that the music industry in South Africa is only now really starting to develop properly; though attendance of gigs is still perhaps below what it should be. I did notice that many people seemed to find that during lockdown they missed live music a lot and realised that they had been taking it for granted. When venues and festivals closed their doors people strongly felt the loss of it in their lives. I do hope people will now support live music better in the years to come.

For people who want to apply to play at Splashy Fen, could you give any advice on how to go about it or provide a contact email address?

The normal submissions process works through the Splashy website. Once a submission has been made the festival organiser will be in touch via email. The festival has always made a concerted effort to hire a majority of local talent, though they do take into account your social media following and presence; so work on that in the interim whilst waiting for submissions to open for next year’s festival.

Thank you for doing this interview. I must say I am a fan now and I look forward to seeing how your music career blossoms and goes from strength to strength.

Thank you so much Duzzy, and thank you for the support, it’s been great chatting with you.