On My Playlist: Top 5 The Motherland Songs

The Motherland has taken the local music industry by storm with its own unique blend of Indie Folk music that is uniquely South African.
Its hit singles, “By The Water” and “Cherry Coated” have gained success on the airwaves and it seems that the only way is up for this band that wants to make a difference through its authentic music. This band consists of Sean Hayz – guitar and vocals, Amber Valentine – guitar and vocals, Geraint Boje – bass and vocals and Louis Malherbe – drums.
5. Drifting Away
Louis Malherbe’s catchy drums set this song from the band’s debut album, Three Sheets to the Wind in motion. The song has a great rhythm and beat to it and would classify as great, easy listening music.
The chorus is also very simplistic and catchy with Hayz repeatedly singing “drifting, drifting, drifting away” – something that will get stuck in your head for days.
4. Back in Love
This song evokes memories of good times with its happy sounding intro where piano, lead guitar, bass and drums play their part in creating the atmosphere.
The verse is also great with well-timed lead guitar from Valentine and bass parts from Bojé played over the consistent drumbeat of Malherbe. His use of the snare drum rim in this song is especially appealing. This sequences into a brilliant chorus where the instruments and vocals blend together perfectly. The mix of slower and faster elements in this song works brilliantly with melody being king in this one. The lyrics also hit home with the main themes of love and lost love being something that everyone has experienced in their lives.
3. Cherry Coated
The sonic influences on this song are all apparent in the beginning with great guitar effects and drums setting the scene for the rest of the song. All the instruments come together perfectly before the chorus with Hayz singing “All I wanted was your heart, all it needed was a home,” which are great lyrics complemented by the wooohs that provide extra depth to the song. Multi-layered would be a good way to describe one of the band’s new singles.
2. Don’t Waste my Tears
“Don’t go waste, don’t waste my tears,” is the plea that the lead vocalist, Hayz, sings in this great song about lost love and the sadness that goes with it.
It also has a redemptive quality in the sense that all is not lost as the sadness “will not swallow me whole.” The song, once again in true The Motherland style, uses a lot of effect on the guitars and has numerous other musical layers that give the song depth to fit with the deep lyrics. The chorus is the true star of this song as Hayz puts all his emotion into it. Also, listen to the bridge where a change of pace and lyrical repetition enhance the message of the song.
1. By the Water
This is The Motherland’s piece de resistance thus far in their musical existence as a band for many reasons. Firstly, the song isolates the instruments in order for them to shine on their own. The intro is entirely composed of Bojé’s catchy bass riff and Malherbe’s effective beat. Valentine’s guitar riff then joins the party before Hayz’s vocals come knocking on the door. This passage has an “Of Monsters and Men” feel to it. The verses build up perfectly to the chorus before it explodes with great ferocity.
The second build-up in the bridge, where Malherbe hits the rim on the snare, is one of my favourite parts. “By The Water” combines great individual talent with a fully functional group dynamic to get a unique and fantastic song.