Local is definitely lekker

The label, which will be based in Brakpan, will combine musical professionals such as Edwin Oliphant of Knysna FM, André Oliphant of Uitsaaines and singing legend Eugene Havenga, as well as the live music venue Hippo’s Waterfront in Brakpan.

With their combined expertise, the founders of this record label are striving to uplift and promote original local music and the local artists who produce it.

“I think this is an awesome initiative and it will certainly provide a great platform for many talented musicians and artists on the East Rand in particular,” said Springs musician Grant Phillips.
“South Africa’s many talented singers and musicians are unable to break into the market, as the bigger record companies do not notice them.
“This will be a thing of the past with the establishment of the Local Is Lekker Record Company, as we provide the platform for their CD songs to be sold,” said Eugene, who deals with the recording company side of the label”.

The label, although it has just started up, already has the support of radio stations like Knysna FM and Uitsaaines, which is the oldest Internet radio station in South Africa.

“The 23 chosen artists are recorded free of charge and are guaranteed airplay, with subsequent CD sales. These artists are from various places around South Africa, with many of the being from parts of the East Rand, although none originate from Springs specifically,” he added.
“The label will only record original songs, but if the artist does not have any, the company has a team of composers who will help the singer or musician to write original songs.
“This will also ensure that composers or artists will derive the benefit of receiving royalties from radio play and works performed, which previously they could not,” said Oliphant.

The label has already signed artists such as Ben Kruger, who is also a prominent South African actor, Chantelle Williams, who is the current holder of the Melody Award as Best Female Country Artist and Lee-zette, who currently lives in America and is a classically trained singer.

“This part of the country is packed with talent and it warms my heart to see one of the top live music venues at which I have performed, like Hippo’s, getting involved with such a great project; I hope that it is successful and I trust that we will see many great artists from this label in the near future,” said Grant.

The Local Is Lekker record label’s first CD release is a compilation of all the artists, which was released on July 7, at Hippo’s Waterfront.