Getting to know Retro Dizzy and playing Jim Beam Welcome Sessions
Interview by Duzzy Clayton
Intro
Retro Dizzy is a Psychedelic Rock band from Cape Town, South Africa, whom we can describe as an amazing, truly cool and a very energetic band, especially when experiencing them live. The band has been going for 8 years and has become a known house-party band within the industry. We caught up with lead vocalist and guitarist, Richard, to chat about all things Retro Dizzy. We also talk about the band being part of the Jim Beam Welcome Sessions and also how you can get hold of tickets. Enjoy the read
Questions
Hi guys, welcome to Fanbase Music Magazine. Before we get to know you a bit better and a little more about your band, please let us know how have you been doing regarding Covid; have the band members and your families been safe?
Hi Duzzy, thanks for having us. We were actually on tour promoting our last album when the first case hit South Africa. It was wild; we headed back to CT and the next thing pretty much all our future gigs were cancelled. We thought it was temporary but how wrong we were!
I (Richard) got COVID a few times and I’ll be honest, I don’t recommend anyone getting it. It sucked. Thankfully we haven’t been affected seriously by the virus and our families are all safe.
Did you do the whole online-streaming-gigs thing that seemed to take off when we went into lockdown and were not allowed to do venue gigs? What are your thoughts on online gigging?
We didn’t do it. I tried to do one for my solo project and it wasn’t for me. The energy from the crowd is super important to a Retro Dizzy gig and it didn’t make sense for us to do it without a crowd.
However, I know a lot of bands that did it and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed watching the bands. I remember going to a mate’s place to watch Julia Robert do a live stream. We got a projector on and good speakers and tried to make it feel like a normal gig. It was fun, but yeah, not for Retro Dizzy.
How long have you been going as a band?
We started in 2014, so 8 years now. There have been a lot of changes in that time, obviously. Quite wild that we are still going. I didn’t think we would get past the first year.
Can you tell us a bit about each band member and what each member does in the band?
So, I am the lead singer and I also play the guitar; badly I might add. Nicolaas plays the drums and is way too good to be in this band. Le Roux joined recently and plays bass. He also wears a great hat on occasion. Desmond is the other guitarist and is basically a music genius.
What is the story behind the band name Retro Dizzy; how did it come about?
So, our original bass player had an uncle called Peter Dizzy. We took inspiration from how cool he was; he used to go around town on an electric skateboard and genuinely didn’t give a shit about anything. We wanted to be like him.
The Retro part I have no clue about. That has definitely been lost to time.
For readers who don’t know the genre of your band yet, how would you describe your sound?
So, I guess we would be considered to be ‘Psychedelic Rock ‘n Roll’. This can be a rather vague term but imagine lots of reverb, noisy guitars and driving bass. It’s tough to explain because even within one song we might go through a few genres of music.
But yeah, noise, lots of noise.
Who are some bands and what impact have they had in influencing some of the band members?
When we started it was (and still is) The Black Angels, BRMC and Rolling Stones. For me it was Arctic Monkeys. Recently we have all been super into Fontaines DC. We are quite lucky in that we all kind of have the same taste in music; but every once in a while one of us will suggest something a bit weird. Keeps it interesting.
You are a part of the Jim Beam Welcome sessions; firstly, can you explain what is the Jim Beam Welcome sessions, and how has it been being a part of it all?
So, I am probably the worst person to explain it properly, but from my perspective it’s basically Jim Beam putting their money where their mouth is and being super proactive about trying to restart live music after the pandemic.
This will be our second appearance at a Welcome Sessions and we couldn’t be happier. They have been great and the team behind it are so professional and also so passionate about music. Lots of love to that team, especially James Acker, love you.
Where and when will you be playing and where can people get tickets to attend one of the shows?
Normally it was just at the door; but we have now figured out how to use the internet so we will post a link to an online ticket portal.
10 December: Retro Dizzy and Nicola Vlok at The Armchair Theatre, Tickets can be found over
Welcome back live music with Retro Dizzy and Nikola Vlok on the 10th of December at The Armchair Theatre in Cape Town. Two performances, one night. Brought to you by the world’s number one bourbon.
Retro Dizzy is a psych rock band who have been moving through the motions for a good few years now and are still keeping that psych rock flag flying high in spite of, well, life. Freshly refitted with two new members, a refined and refreshed sound, and every bit of their original grit.
Nikola Vlok is a self-professed sonic sorceress who spins dynamic and varied electronic soundscapes. Minimal, ethereal, haunting and packed full of deviant textures which just always seem to work, Vlok brings authentic experimentalism to the table.
Nikola Vlok – 8pm
Retro Dizzy – 9pm
Venue: The Armchair Theatre
135 Lower Main Rd, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925
You have recently had a band line-up change, can you tell us who is new in the band and how are they settling in?
Le Roux & Desmond have recently joined although Desmond has played with us for ages. It’s just more official now. They are incredibly talented and it’s been an absolute treat having them in the band. Can’t wait to see how they help shape the new sound of the band.
Where can people get hold of your music? How many albums or tracks do you have out?
We are on all the streaming sites. I think there might be a few CD’s around. I don’t own any. We have done 4 albums and 2 singles.
Do you have any new music in the pipeline we should expect?
100% yes! The new songs are sounding huge; we will be recording them soon. Can’t wait!
When you are writing music, can you explain the process; do you write the lyrics first and build a song around that or do you come up with the instrumental’s music first?
So, it has changed a lot and really depends on the song. I normally have some sort of idea of a song, do a demo and then send it to the chaps. If they like it then we would go into a rehearsal room and flesh it out. We are quite good at allowing everyone to add their own spice to the track.
Can you describe a typical band room practice to us?
Well, at the moment it’s been tough to get us all into a room; but normally there is lots of laughing and general good vibes. At some point someone will be like, ‘Ok we should probably start’, and then we go for it.
After about 45min we would take a break. It’s more like a hangout with friends than a stressful rehearsal. We are just mates having fun.
For readers who haven’t seen you play live yet, can you explain what a Retro Dizzy gig is like?
This has also changed a lot over the years. Presently it can be quite chaotic; very sweaty and loud, which is absolute bliss for us.
Can you give us your social media please?
Spotify
Thank you for doing this interview, do you have any last messages for our readers and your fans?
Thanks for supporting us and allowing us to do what we love. Stay evil x
Retro Dizzy Social Media
Spotify