Local musos set to rock Highway

EVEN with full time jobs, the three members of the new band Prodigal Road still find the time to pursue their ultimate passion – to entertain and uplift others through their music.

Marc Skarda, a singer, and Bryce Breeds, a guitarist, joined forces in 2011 and they began writing and playing music together. “While we enjoyed it we could tell that something was missing and that was when we approached Michelle Haarhoff, a singer, and asked her to join us,” said Marc.

The name of the band was chosen based on their lifestyle and how they refuse to be caught up in the music industry buzz and go home to what they know is real. “The ‘Road’ part is to say that we have not yet made it on our journey but we are on our way,” said Marc.

The flair and passion they show reflects in their music as they write their own songs, with their main focus on country/pop and rock. “We sometimes play a few covers to get the people moving as we are fairly new in the area but we are definitely not a cover band,” said Maarc.

They are currently in the process of completing their first studio album, Hold On, which will consist of 10 songs and a bonus acoustic track. The band will launch their album on 31 March. “Our favourite songs on the album are Give It All and Walls Coming Down. Recording in a studio is a completely different art in itself and we spend a lot of time in the studio. We are all best friends but we are also our own worst critics in the studio,” said Michelle.

The group’s main focus is on live shows and all three agree that they thrive on the energy that the crowd gives off during one of their sets.

“There is a deeper meaning to what we try and do and we have a passion for people and everybody has to deal with the negative things that life has to offer and we try to provide them with an inspirational message through our music, giving them hope and a purpose to live,” said Marc.

Their next performance will take place on 31 March in Westville at Cafe Ndaba at the Master’s Builders premises from 7pm. Visit the band’s website on www.prodigalroad.co.za or follow them on Twitter @prodigalr. Alternatively you can email bookings@prodigalroad.co.za or contact 073 006 1411.

100 albums up for grabs

One hundred lucky Highway Mail readers will stand a chance to win a digital copy (via iTunes) of Prodigal Road’s cd, Hold On. To enter ‘like’ the band’s Facebook page “Prodigal Road” and post on their wall with a mention of the Highway Mail.