Siyabulela Mayeza (aka Cia), a Pop/R&B singer who works in Hillcrest and lives in Kwa-Dabeka (New Germany area) was one of the four finalists in Gateway’s #BETHEBAND competition.
Gateway launched the initiative together with East Coast Radio, where solo artists and bands were invited to audition by uploading their demo to the East Coast Radio website to qualify. The response was overwhelming, with 135 demos received.
Cia, who began singing and writing songs at the age of 14 when he discovered his talent and passion for music, entered the competition after being told about it by a friend.
The judges had the gruelling task of having to narrow it down to the four finalists: Cia, whose sound is rooted in soul, blues and R&B with traces of rock and kwaito; Simthandile Mtolo, a jazz and soul singer; Abbey Grange, a two-piece brother and sister indie and blues rock duo; and The Lara Gear Band, a three-piece band with a modern, soulful musical influence.
Each finalist performed a 30-minute set to a panel of judges at Gateway’s Palm Court, before Simthandile Mtolo and Abbey Grange were chosen to battle it out at the finale.
Mtolo was the overall winner, walking away with R50 000 in music equipment from Gateway Music. She will also be the opening act for BP Durban Day on 6 September, performing with the likes of AKA, Beatenberg, Khuli Chana and Mi Casa.
Although he didn’t win, Mayeza is pleased to have made it through to the semi-finals.
“I was very surprised and excited to hear the news. It actually validated all of the work I’ve been putting in on my Break Your Heart track and the cover videos we recorded earlier this year. Even more exciting was finding out that we would showcase live for the semi-finals – nothing beats the stage adrenaline rush for me.”
He has been working hard on a five-track extended play album (EP), titled Extended Foreplay, put together with a music video for Break Your Heart. He is busy putting together a team that will drive the promotional aspect of the his material and is hoping to be on the airwaves soon.
The EP is available on iTunes: https://itun.es/za/MQQu7 and on the SMS platform at http:bozza.mobi/ciamusicworld.
