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EJ von Lyrik: new album, world tour & life after Godessa by Evan Milton
EJ von Lyrik - Mitchell's Plain born rapper, singer, songwriter, 'enigmatic lady of funk' - rose to prominence with Cape Town born all-female rap trio, Godessa, before continuing with a solo career with her 2008 release, 'Method In The Madness', and guest slots with artists ranging from Jitsvinger to Gazelle.
Now, following the local launch of a new album, "The Human Condition", she embarks on a tour north and east, first to Europe and then to Reunion Island.
"The launch last weekend was for me the most beautiful gig I have played as far as the EJ von Lyrik project is concerned," she says during a mid-morning interview slot crammed into her punishing post-launch, pre-tour schedule. "We always play at Zula (the long-standing seven-nights-a-week Long Street performance venue), but the launch gig was packed to capacity for a lovely show with Lonesome Dave Ferguson opening for us, as well as Mr Sakitumi on decks. Then Teba did a few songs and intro'd the band. It was smooth sailing, with the band sounding tight and DJ Azuhl playing his tunes and people dancing and enjoying all of the new music."
Readers with an ear for interesting local musical offerings will have heard EJ von Lyrik on the SAMA-nominated Mix 'n Blend album "Look Mom, No Hands" (she drops the vocals on both "Tantrum" and the club-banger "Champion Sound") and will have seen her unleashed as the female stealth weapon compatriot in the full Gazelle line-up. This, along with her work alongside producer Grenville WIlliams as co-founders of the High Voltage Entertainment team, and the conscious lyrics she has penned since her debut as an artist, have seen her invited to perform on stages in America, Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, Norway, Cuba, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
In June, von Lyrik and her band - including Grenville Williams on bass, Sean ou Tim (aka Mr Sakitumi) on keyboards and samples, Dubmasta China (aka Seven Ragga Souljah) on vocals and percussion - will travel with fellow rapper Teba, dubbed "The Original Social Worker", to launch "The Human Condition" in Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and Holland.
"People still think of Godessa, and the tour is to get EJ von Lyrik out there, and the new album to people in Europe," she says. "Teba and I share the whole band, so we decided to do the tour together, like swatting two flies with one hit. Some shows will be Teba; with me singing backing vocals; some are my shows, with Teba as a guest MC; some are shows with the full band; some are club gigs with Dubmasta China as the DJ and Teba and EJ toasting as MCs and there are also festivals with probably the biggest crowds we have played to. We're taking the full High Voltage family on tour."
At first, admits von Lyrik, the shift from being part of the Godessa trio to playing as a solo artist was a not without its hurdles. "When I released 'Method In The Madness' in 2008 and I had to perform, I thought, 'Oh, my goodness, this is just me, all alone on stage.' Before, there were two other vocalists on stage and we drew strength from each other. 'Now it's just me,' I thought. I've gotten used to being solo on stage, and it's comfortable, and that was the biggest challenge. Recording and writing on my own was always something I've done, even before the days with Godessa. I miss the other girls' presence and their energy, but I'm very comfortable now, and I really love what I do - and, I believe, I am playing with the world's best band."
After a brief return home after the European stint, von Lyrik and Williams return to Switzerland for a Producer’s Exchange Project sponsored by Pro Helvetia with the aim of recording an album with Swiss musicians and producers. But not before she tours to Reunion Island with Mix 'n Blend. "We did the Nokia Tourbus concerts across South Africa last year in December," she says. "It was really fun to just come on and hop around a little bit to their music - to play what I do, but then also work with great musicians who are making dubstep with rock, hip hop and dancehall."
Known as an artist who writes conscious lyrics, she says she is cautious of the label: "I don't want to box myself into a pigeon-hole," she says. "I've been lucky to play the major festivals in this country - Oppikoppi, Rocking The Daisies, Synergy, and I'm booked again for Rocking The Daisies this year - and I get to guest with people like Gazelle which does electro-funk. It really works for me, as long as the music has funk. I want to make sure I reach as many people as possible but, yes, I do have a message which is still very conscious."
"The title of the new album is 'The Human Condition' which speaks to humankind," she elaborates. "In these days and times, people sometimes need encouragement and positive messages. I try to uplift people and give them something to hold onto, to say that everything is not as bad as it seems or, if it is bad, then there is a way out - because there's always a way out."
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EJ von Lyrik's "The Human Condition" is available at the African Music Store (134 Long St, 021-4260857) and Mabu Vinyl (2 Rheede St, Gardens, 021-4237635). Zula Sound Bar is at 194 Long Street (see 021-4242442 and ZulaBar.co.za). Find out more at EJvonLyrik.com, MySpace.com/EJvonLyrik and MySpace.com/HighVoltageEnt.
This column originally appeared in the Cape Argus 'Tonight; section on 15 -16 May 2010. Find out more on Tonight.co.za
Music journalist, Strategy Director for Stonewall+ and South African music radio DJ extraordinaire.
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Now, following the local launch of a new album, "The Human Condition", she embarks on a tour north and east, first to Europe and then to Reunion Island.
