Shangaan Electro
June 3, 2011 8:43 PM Subscribe
Double negatives be damned, but you can't not dance to South Africa's Tshe Tsha Boys brand of super infectious Shangaan Electro: New Wave Dance Music From South Africa. Part South African hbpm dance and chant, part finger piano, part melted Mario Brothers, Third World Edition.
There are two kinds of people. Fans of Tshetsha Boys and Shangann Electro, and my enemies.
posted by humannaire at 9:14 PM on June 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by humannaire at 9:14 PM on June 3, 2011 [4 favorites]
I do not wish to fight you, humannaire, but I will, if need be. Though I am young, and unfamiliar with your ways, I will not surrender.
posted by ronofthedead at 9:24 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by ronofthedead at 9:24 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
There's a scene in one of the videos where a guy is dancing absolutely frenetically (at least from the neck down; his head stays creepily still), and this dog is standing around in the background looking entirely unimpressed, which made me smile.
The music is alright but I think I'd have to listen to it a bunch of times and have it grow on me. It didn't grab me hard on the first listen, unlike the dancing clowns which I loved.
posted by Forktine at 9:26 PM on June 3, 2011
The music is alright but I think I'd have to listen to it a bunch of times and have it grow on me. It didn't grab me hard on the first listen, unlike the dancing clowns which I loved.
posted by Forktine at 9:26 PM on June 3, 2011
I'll bet you five dollars this will be the next world dance music scene that Diplo will attempt to bring to the sweaty club masses.
I'm not mad.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 9:37 PM on June 3, 2011
I'm not mad.
posted by The Esteemed Doctor Bunsen Honeydew at 9:37 PM on June 3, 2011
Wow, you paid $5 to say "Your favorite X sucks" ?
Dad?
posted by desjardins at 9:38 PM on June 3, 2011 [17 favorites]
Dad?
posted by desjardins at 9:38 PM on June 3, 2011 [17 favorites]
so, just as kwaito is the south african take on uk garage, this is the south african take on drum and bass/dubstep?
i've been trying to get up to speed on this country's amazing music and this is just one more great discovery - this is utterly happening, utterly great, utterly astonishing
some context and background would be greatly appreciated
---
Also, I am NOT Scott Adams
let me guess - you're pat boone?
posted by pyramid termite at 9:46 PM on June 3, 2011
i've been trying to get up to speed on this country's amazing music and this is just one more great discovery - this is utterly happening, utterly great, utterly astonishing
some context and background would be greatly appreciated
---
Also, I am NOT Scott Adams
let me guess - you're pat boone?
posted by pyramid termite at 9:46 PM on June 3, 2011
Double negatives are actually proper grammar in Afrikaans, interestingly enough.
posted by dvdgee at 10:15 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by dvdgee at 10:15 PM on June 3, 2011 [2 favorites]
Love it!
This is like 100% feel good!
I can see it now...off with the
low ridin' baggy pants and on
with the funky skirts. From
LA to London every street
corner in every hood...Get
down!
posted by quazichimp at 10:17 PM on June 3, 2011
This is like 100% feel good!
I can see it now...off with the
low ridin' baggy pants and on
with the funky skirts. From
LA to London every street
corner in every hood...Get
down!
posted by quazichimp at 10:17 PM on June 3, 2011
I just paid five bucks to be able to log-in and make the following comment:
Actually, I CAN not dance to that awful noise. In fact, the only physical reaction I have upon hearing that "music" is to slam my hands to my ears and pray that the horror will stop.
If you like MetaFilter, I strongly suggest you don't make a habit out of posting "I really don't like this!" as the first comment in a thread about something that's, well, actually pretty awesome and new sounding musically speaking.
Nearly every time someone invents or otherwise blends a new sound there's generally more than enough people who're willing to say "this sucks" without actually trying to appreciate it or give it a chance or even try to speak or understand the language being spoken. Jazz, rock, punk, electronic, dub, zydeco, whatever it is there's always someone who says "What is that awful racket!? That's not music, that's just noise! Please stop!"
However, if you must critique, you should probably substantiate that with some actual analysis why you dislike (or like) something. Otherwise you're the one who is actually making noise - not music.
Me? I like it. It sounds like Atom Heart aka Senor Coconut is writing happy hardcore calypso or something. I'll be exploring more of it.
posted by loquacious at 10:24 PM on June 3, 2011 [11 favorites]
Actually, I CAN not dance to that awful noise. In fact, the only physical reaction I have upon hearing that "music" is to slam my hands to my ears and pray that the horror will stop.
If you like MetaFilter, I strongly suggest you don't make a habit out of posting "I really don't like this!" as the first comment in a thread about something that's, well, actually pretty awesome and new sounding musically speaking.
Nearly every time someone invents or otherwise blends a new sound there's generally more than enough people who're willing to say "this sucks" without actually trying to appreciate it or give it a chance or even try to speak or understand the language being spoken. Jazz, rock, punk, electronic, dub, zydeco, whatever it is there's always someone who says "What is that awful racket!? That's not music, that's just noise! Please stop!"
However, if you must critique, you should probably substantiate that with some actual analysis why you dislike (or like) something. Otherwise you're the one who is actually making noise - not music.
Me? I like it. It sounds like Atom Heart aka Senor Coconut is writing happy hardcore calypso or something. I'll be exploring more of it.
posted by loquacious at 10:24 PM on June 3, 2011 [11 favorites]
mancigela - vana vasesi
nkata mawewe - khulumani
zinja hlungwani - nwa gezani my love
vomaseve — ahitirhisaneni magaza
posted by pyramid termite at 10:27 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
nkata mawewe - khulumani
zinja hlungwani - nwa gezani my love
vomaseve — ahitirhisaneni magaza
posted by pyramid termite at 10:27 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
I successfully did not dance. Could be cause im pooping.
posted by kenaldo at 10:43 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kenaldo at 10:43 PM on June 3, 2011 [1 favorite]
ronofthedead, I'm honored by your outrage, really I am. Sounds like maybe you've lost your mojo, cause if you had it, trust me, this South African Music (Tshetsha remix) would get them hips-a-shaking boyee.
kenaldo, you could do the poop dance, yes?
posted by puny human at 10:51 PM on June 3, 2011
kenaldo, you could do the poop dance, yes?
posted by puny human at 10:51 PM on June 3, 2011
Any non video clips? Or, more specifically, any without the frankly terrifying clown masks?
As much as I want to give the music a fair hearing, the Pennywise connotations are really not helping.
posted by fatfrank at 12:05 AM on June 4, 2011
As much as I want to give the music a fair hearing, the Pennywise connotations are really not helping.
posted by fatfrank at 12:05 AM on June 4, 2011
ronofthedead: And, err, welcome! :) I hope that wasn't too harsh. I just found it weird that you hated this so much that it was what finally compelled you to join, but I'm biased because I'm an unapologetic slut for most electronic music old and new.
posted by loquacious at 12:07 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by loquacious at 12:07 AM on June 4, 2011
Any non video clips? Or, more specifically, any without the frankly terrifying clown masks?
Tab away and browse another page while you listen? You can also use a firefox plugin called DownloadHelper to grab the files and play them in most modern media players, or convert the FLVs or MP4s to an mp3.
posted by loquacious at 12:08 AM on June 4, 2011
Tab away and browse another page while you listen? You can also use a firefox plugin called DownloadHelper to grab the files and play them in most modern media players, or convert the FLVs or MP4s to an mp3.
posted by loquacious at 12:08 AM on June 4, 2011
I'm listening to more of it and I wouldn't call it an analog to dubstep, which is much more about laser noisesand what someone on reddit once called the "wamp and twamp", the drawn out filter distortions and wobbly noises.
This reminds me a lot more of world beat... or drum circle music. It's tribal, loop based, and very much about syncopation and the sort of harmony you get from marimba, thumb pianos and other non-Western scale instruments. (Tangential thought you could slow some of these down about 70% and they'd sound like koto.)
I'm surprised at the lack of swing beat in most of them, but that may be an artifact of the hardware/software they're using. A lot of it sounds like it's limited to shorter measure counts for the patterns or loops, but I can't tell if that's intentional or a hardware artifact.
Listening to it I'm guessing the beats/synth stuff is actual physical midi devices and sequencers, like an old Roland MMT8 as a tracker and any decent FM synth, because software sequencers, trackers and composers like Live or FL tend to naturally expand into much more complicated arrangements even in the hands of the self-taught just exploring the software.
It's very catchy and upbeat and high energy. I actually haven't involuntarily wiggled my butt in my seat in a while. It's more complicated than it sounds like at first listen - the key and melody shifts are really subtle in many places. I like that it's light and refreshing and... sort of innocent sounding without relying on heavy processing or delay. Again it reminds me of drum/music circles, or even drum machine circles where people are just jamming together without guile or too much posturing. No single element takes away from the center and the blend or mix so to speak, each adds just enough.
So far it's very much not guitar solo music, or sax solo, or drum solo, or solo anything. It's not about virtuosity or trying to be too clever - it's more just let's play with patterns and see how they evolve and morph.
I have a feeling I'll be dancing to something like this in Seattle within a few months, the way global culture spreads these days. I hope I don't give myself a stroke or heart attack.
posted by loquacious at 12:22 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
This reminds me a lot more of world beat... or drum circle music. It's tribal, loop based, and very much about syncopation and the sort of harmony you get from marimba, thumb pianos and other non-Western scale instruments. (Tangential thought you could slow some of these down about 70% and they'd sound like koto.)
I'm surprised at the lack of swing beat in most of them, but that may be an artifact of the hardware/software they're using. A lot of it sounds like it's limited to shorter measure counts for the patterns or loops, but I can't tell if that's intentional or a hardware artifact.
Listening to it I'm guessing the beats/synth stuff is actual physical midi devices and sequencers, like an old Roland MMT8 as a tracker and any decent FM synth, because software sequencers, trackers and composers like Live or FL tend to naturally expand into much more complicated arrangements even in the hands of the self-taught just exploring the software.
It's very catchy and upbeat and high energy. I actually haven't involuntarily wiggled my butt in my seat in a while. It's more complicated than it sounds like at first listen - the key and melody shifts are really subtle in many places. I like that it's light and refreshing and... sort of innocent sounding without relying on heavy processing or delay. Again it reminds me of drum/music circles, or even drum machine circles where people are just jamming together without guile or too much posturing. No single element takes away from the center and the blend or mix so to speak, each adds just enough.
So far it's very much not guitar solo music, or sax solo, or drum solo, or solo anything. It's not about virtuosity or trying to be too clever - it's more just let's play with patterns and see how they evolve and morph.
I have a feeling I'll be dancing to something like this in Seattle within a few months, the way global culture spreads these days. I hope I don't give myself a stroke or heart attack.
posted by loquacious at 12:22 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
There's a sound cloud link off the dance link above that has a better quality recording. Good stuff
posted by fatfrank at 12:23 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by fatfrank at 12:23 AM on June 4, 2011
This is a frank and unrepentant ripoff of Paul Simon's latest album.
posted by Rumple at 1:00 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by Rumple at 1:00 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Thanks ph, this stuff is way cool. So happy to learn about something new! Actually, I think I heard some of this stuff from the far corner of one ear, somewhere, a little while back, but you've formally introduced me to it, and for that I thank you.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:19 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:19 AM on June 4, 2011
In fact, the only physical reaction I have upon hearing that "music" is to slam my hands to my ears and pray that the horror will stop.
Gotta say, people who put quotation marks around the word "music", in order to actually infer, with a straight face, that some kind of music is *not* music, are... funny. In a sad kind of way.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:22 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Gotta say, people who put quotation marks around the word "music", in order to actually infer, with a straight face, that some kind of music is *not* music, are... funny. In a sad kind of way.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 2:22 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Quazichimp: Love it!
This is like 100% feel good!
I too am seduced by this sound, but I don't agree that it's "100% feel good." It has an edge and a dark quality to it, much as Kwaito does, and that adds to it's thrill for me, as it gives it depth and mystery.
I think SA influenced music is just going to dominate this decade in a badass way. It seems almost purpose built for bastardization and fusing into other more Western styles.
posted by Skygazer at 2:45 AM on June 4, 2011
This is like 100% feel good!
I too am seduced by this sound, but I don't agree that it's "100% feel good." It has an edge and a dark quality to it, much as Kwaito does, and that adds to it's thrill for me, as it gives it depth and mystery.
I think SA influenced music is just going to dominate this decade in a badass way. It seems almost purpose built for bastardization and fusing into other more Western styles.
posted by Skygazer at 2:45 AM on June 4, 2011
I can not-dance to anything. Except rockabilly. And folk-punk.
I'm also old enough to remember when Electro was a supervillian. It still is, in my opinion.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:11 AM on June 4, 2011
I'm also old enough to remember when Electro was a supervillian. It still is, in my opinion.
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 3:11 AM on June 4, 2011
Heh, I got about five bars in to the first video before thinking, "I bet there's a compilation of this stuff on Honest Jon's", and what do you know there is, and it's linked in the post.
Loved this quote from Dog, the producer behind the entire genre, by the sound of it: I want to make it faster still. The last record was at 183 bpm. I want to increase that, keep going up!
A man after my own heart!
posted by jack_mo at 3:32 AM on June 4, 2011
Loved this quote from Dog, the producer behind the entire genre, by the sound of it: I want to make it faster still. The last record was at 183 bpm. I want to increase that, keep going up!
A man after my own heart!
posted by jack_mo at 3:32 AM on June 4, 2011
Heh, I got about five bars in to the first video before thinking, "I bet there's a compilation of this stuff on Honest Jon's", and what do you know there is, and it's linked in the post.
Loved this quote from Dog, the producer behind the entire genre, by the sound of it: I want to make it faster still. The last record was at 183 bpm. I want to increase that, keep going up!
A man after my own heart!
posted by jack_mo at 3:32 AM on June 4, 2011
Loved this quote from Dog, the producer behind the entire genre, by the sound of it: I want to make it faster still. The last record was at 183 bpm. I want to increase that, keep going up!
A man after my own heart!
posted by jack_mo at 3:32 AM on June 4, 2011
For ronofthedead, I wish to not not recommend Konono No 1.
They make a joyous noise :)
posted by kaat at 6:08 AM on June 4, 2011
They make a joyous noise :)
posted by kaat at 6:08 AM on June 4, 2011
Damn if that's not infectious. I hit play and brain immediately said, "I do not like this. Not one bit." My ass refused to concur by bouncing and wiggling.
Music that makes my ass move without my brain's consent is a-ok in my book.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 7:23 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Music that makes my ass move without my brain's consent is a-ok in my book.
posted by Cat Pie Hurts at 7:23 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'll bet you five dollars this will be the next world dance music scene that Diplo will attempt to bring to the sweaty club masses.
Probably not. There's no bass.
posted by empath at 8:43 AM on June 4, 2011
Probably not. There's no bass.
posted by empath at 8:43 AM on June 4, 2011
I liked both the music and the dancing. the masks and outfits were atrocious.
posted by Postroad at 8:46 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by Postroad at 8:46 AM on June 4, 2011
I love the ass-shaking dance move of all the women and girls with big poofy skirts that go up in the air. Feet motionless, torso motionless, hips moving all over the place. It's fun.
posted by Nelson at 9:11 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by Nelson at 9:11 AM on June 4, 2011
I have succeeded, with minimal effort, at not dancing to this.
posted by abcde at 9:31 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by abcde at 9:31 AM on June 4, 2011
Actually, I don't think I've ever liked a band with a name ending in "Boys" or "Girls." Except, of course, for Eurodance phenomenon The Happy Boys.
posted by abcde at 9:55 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by abcde at 9:55 AM on June 4, 2011
First reaction: Not sure I like this. Needs bass.
Second reaction (several links later): This stuff grows on you. Maybe should sit down now.
posted by kinnakeet at 9:58 AM on June 4, 2011
Second reaction (several links later): This stuff grows on you. Maybe should sit down now.
posted by kinnakeet at 9:58 AM on June 4, 2011
Actually, I don't think I've ever liked a band with a name ending in "Boys" or "Girls."
Oh, I bet we can bring you around, abcde. If you don't like any of these, maybe somebody else will be able to find some boys and/or girls for you to enjoy:
Weather Girls - It's Raining Men
Fat Boys - Stick 'Em
Sun City Girls - Space Prophet Dogon
Dem Franchise Boyz - Ridin Rims
Yeastie Girlz - You Suck
Meltone Boys - Mary Jane
The Harvey Girls - Lazlo, Buddy
Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira
Brazilian Girls - Lazy Lover
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (that one's a double)
posted by box at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Oh, I bet we can bring you around, abcde. If you don't like any of these, maybe somebody else will be able to find some boys and/or girls for you to enjoy:
Weather Girls - It's Raining Men
Fat Boys - Stick 'Em
Sun City Girls - Space Prophet Dogon
Dem Franchise Boyz - Ridin Rims
Yeastie Girlz - You Suck
Meltone Boys - Mary Jane
The Harvey Girls - Lazlo, Buddy
Oak Ridge Boys - Elvira
Brazilian Girls - Lazy Lover
Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (that one's a double)
posted by box at 10:15 AM on June 4, 2011 [2 favorites]
Well, since the first post was a hater, I guess that means I love this music, and these videos.
Also: don't you people know how to add bass to where there ain't? Boost the low end till the neighbors complain!
posted by fuq at 10:45 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also: don't you people know how to add bass to where there ain't? Boost the low end till the neighbors complain!
posted by fuq at 10:45 AM on June 4, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can't tell if you're trying to torture me or what.
That said, the Brazilian Girls song isn't bad. I had a long downtempo phase in my teens.
In any case, I must repent: I forgot the obvious. I have to make an exception for the Beasties. The new album is so fun.
posted by abcde at 10:48 AM on June 4, 2011
That said, the Brazilian Girls song isn't bad. I had a long downtempo phase in my teens.
In any case, I must repent: I forgot the obvious. I have to make an exception for the Beasties. The new album is so fun.
posted by abcde at 10:48 AM on June 4, 2011
Seriously, though, thanks for the survey of the boys and girls of popular music! I've always associated names like that with bubblegum pop and Dirty South, but it looks like they're well represented in everything from shoegaze to spoken word.
posted by abcde at 11:26 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by abcde at 11:26 AM on June 4, 2011
Happy to do it. I prefer music threads where people post lots of links to music threads where people talk about how they don't like stuff, so I'm trying to, y'know, be the change and shit.
(And some part of me is hoping that people would follow the boys-and-girls lead, so thanks for the Beasties link.)
posted by box at 11:38 AM on June 4, 2011
(And some part of me is hoping that people would follow the boys-and-girls lead, so thanks for the Beasties link.)
posted by box at 11:38 AM on June 4, 2011
I could dance to this, but there is no way I could do the dance that the black t-shirt and khakis guy in the second video is doing. Could someone break that down for me, so that I can injure myself trying it? Because I kind of love it.
posted by evidenceofabsence at 11:48 AM on June 4, 2011
posted by evidenceofabsence at 11:48 AM on June 4, 2011
Actually, I don't think I've ever liked a band with a name ending in "Boys" or "Girls."
everyone loves The Dead Boys
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:09 PM on June 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
everyone loves The Dead Boys
posted by Lovecraft In Brooklyn at 7:09 PM on June 5, 2011 [1 favorite]
I like this stuff as much as I like footwurk.
(which is not much)
posted by Theta States at 8:23 PM on June 9, 2011
(which is not much)
posted by Theta States at 8:23 PM on June 9, 2011
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Actually, I CAN not dance to that awful noise. In fact, the only physical reaction I have upon hearing that "music" is to slam my hands to my ears and pray that the horror will stop.
p.s. I've actually been thinking about joining the MeFi community for a while now. MeFi is, by far, the best thing in my RSS feed every day.
Also, I am NOT Scott Adams
posted by ronofthedead at 9:05 PM on June 3, 2011 [4 favorites]