User talk:Tribal Echo

Frazer Barry: Lead vocals and Acoustic Guitar Earl Witbooi: Bass Guitar Niel Visser: Saxophone Deniel Barry: Drums Galleo: Vocals / Rap

Early Years

Tribal Echo came a long way since they first started out as an acoustic Hip Hop Band nine years ago. The band who writes their own music consisted of an acoustic guitarist and vocalist, together with 3 rappers who blended Afrikaans Hip Hop with folk music and in doing this; they developed their own distinct sound. The band launched their 1st CD, “Grafte Oppi Vlakte” independently in 2002; relaunched it in 2009 and Die Burger’s music critic Mariana Malan described it in her review as a timeless classic album. The CD is used as a rehabilitation tool in juvenile youth centre’s and correctional services such a Pollsmoor, Brandvlei and Eureka due to its strong social and conscious message. Although the album has a rock and hip hop feel to it, it also contains elements of reggae, funk and folk.

Currently

Since the re-launch of “Grafte Oppi Vlakte”, the ever evolving Tribal Echo became a five piece band, and put their “Rap and Roll” image aside to develop a fresh musical style they call Eclectic Roots Rock. The founding members of the band (who is also the sole writers of the music and lyrics), the lead vocalist and guitarist Frazer Barry and vocalist and rapper Sandy Gertse was joined in 2009 by a drummer Deniel Barry, Saxophone player Niel Visser and Bassist Earl Witbooi to create a unique sound that is mesmerizing and captivating. Building on the recipe of blending all their musical influences into one melting pot, the band feel they have managed to create something fresh in the music industry. The signature of this band’s sound can be described as rhythmic, with catchy saxophone melodies, driven by the strong off-beat style of the acoustic guitar, drum and bass; adding to it the vocals of Frazer and Sandy easily find their way through the well arranged songs.

Music and lyrics and genre

It is extremely difficult to box the band in terms of musical genre as each song is a melting pot of musical styles. You will recognize the samba, pure rock and roll, reggae, disco, funk, hip hop and many other styles with a distinct African feel at the root of Tribal Echo’s music; a sound that is Western Cape, South-African but also a sound that can easily be embraced by an international audience.

The contents of the lyrics and the topics of the songs are well received by audiences, as they can easily relate to what the band sing about. The lyrical content will make you laugh, smile, cry and give you food for thought. Tribal Echo’s Eclectic Roots Rock is fresh and unheard of in the South African music scene.

Festivals Absa KKNK Whale Festival Big Blues Festival Die Suidoosterfees Gravity Festival Solms Delta Oesfees

The band shared the stage with some of South-Africa’s top artists like: Anton Goosen, Emo Adams, Jamali, Karin Kortje, Heuwels Fantasties, Boulevard Blues, Gian Groen, Valiant Swart, Tidal Waves, Danie Botha, Luna Paige, Schalk Joubert, Piet Botha and Stef Bos. They collaborated with Stef Bos at Die Oesfees 2011and had the crowd on their feet with their energetic performance alongside the acclaimed Stef Bos.

Television

Frazer Barry and Deniel Barry represented Tribal Echo and were featured in De Kat Magazine during their 25 year celebration in the Magazine’s 2010 issue and on the TV programme on SABC3. The band were also part of the screening of Solms Delta's OESFEES on KyKNET"s Fiesta 25 May 2011. They were part of a great line-up of artists like Stef Bos, Hannes Slideguitar, Radio Kalahari Orkes and Les Javan. On 2nd June 2011, they feautured on EXPRESSO SHOW and was interviewed by Liezel Van Der Westhuizen and also performed their much loved track "Aspoestertjie se skoen"

Radio Tribal Echo’s lead vocalist, Frazer Barry was interviewed by Ivor Price on Radio Sonder Grense program BEFONK in February 2011 and many listeners sent requests for a call back and for their music to be played on RSG.

General Details on Roots/Folk music Tribal Echo’s Root/Folk music is referring to the closely related indigenous sound of their (Western Cape) culture. The brass instrument is an integral part of the sound of the Cape and can be found in the traditional Brass bands, Kaapse Klopse and the Cape Jazz. Tribal Echo’s sound is driven by the lively saxophone instrument. Most of the songs they sing is stories about the Western Cape people and their culture and is rooted in the rich tradition of the Folk music of the Western Cape Country-side people.