A Hout Bay non-profit organisation is offering support to struggling musos.
The founder of The Embassy of Music, Louise van Bala, of Hangberg, said she had seen the challenges faced by the community through her involvement with Little Angels and the Thula-Thula Foundation. She also established the Olympians Academy, a school for Grade 1s unable to find places at schools (“Louise lauded for work,” Sentinel, September 7, 2018).
Her latest initiative stems from her involvement a few years ago with Dreambox Studios in Hout Bay, where she worked with Danish musician and songwriter Carsten Lehn.
“For the last three years, I looked at how to improve on this to benefit the artists like helping them with professional mixing and the mastering of their work coupled with having a great producer to give them guidance,” said Ms Van Bala
The Embassy of Music, which had its official launch at Lehn’s Dreambox Studios last week, offers disadvantaged youth a free graduate programme with free studio time and advice on the music industry and finances.
“As much as everyone loves and appreciates music, it is ultimately the musicians that are struggling to stay afloat in this ever-changing landscape,” said Ms Van Bala.
Rapper Marshin Hendrix, 30, of Strand, said the organisation had helped her get her music career off the ground.
“My love for music started in Grade 11. I started off with a basic home studio set-up with money I received from my parents as a 21st birthday gift. With this equipment, I was able to record myself and other upcoming artists as a form of income for myself.
“Income was so slow in the beginning, but I knew I was very passionate about music so I dedicated all my time to learning my craft.”
After she matriculated from Hottentots Holland High school, she studied music for two years at the Cape Music Institute.
“Then last year when one of my Afrikaans songs started becoming popular on TikTok, I met the spokesperson for The Embassy of Music, Alex Cupido.
“He gave me the opportunity to work with Carsten Lehn and opened the door for me to work with them. Now I’m working at the studio, writing and recording songs whilst earning an income. The Embassy definitely caters for artists who are overlooked.“
Lehn said: “We are hoping that we continue to grow and attract more artists to work with us. We’ve already recorded some great music with artists in Hout Bay and Imizamo Yethu as well. The goal is to have an exchange programme for the graduates where they can go to Europe and share their music with different cultures and network.”
For more information, contact Louise van Bala at 081 764 9856.
