Pretoria-based Tracy Brainers took a leap, finally launching her solo career with the release of her debut single and music video, “Kan jy my sê”.
Brainers was born in Cape Town and moved to Pretoria when she was 12.
Growing up, she never saw herself building the career she now has in her new home town.
“I really love Pretoria, I love the people, I love that it feels like a giant suburb, I love that it’s family orientated. And I have travelled a lot, so I know that I really love it here.”
Brainers said when she moved to the Jacaranda city, she was nervous about fitting in. However, she quickly made a home for herself at her school, Pro Arte Alphen Park.
“It was a great adjustment for me, it allowed me a different view of the world and opened possibilities that I definitely wouldn’t have had in Cape Town.”
Brainers schooling left her with many opportunities
She said the school was a defining moment for her as it allowed her the opportunity to pursue the world of art as a career.
Her childhood dream was to become a lawyer.
“After school, I studied law. I was doing very well, I just got to a point where I went to my parents and told them: ‘I’m leaving the country, and I’m going to see what’s out there’.”
At the time she was performing shows at the Barnyard Theatre, and various gigs between her studies, and she realised that music was what made her happy.
Fifteen years ago, she left and travelled to various countries before deciding to come home.
“I’m very goal-orientated, so I came back with a plan and set things in motion.”
Brainers built her dream
She built a contact list and her businesses towards her goals, right back in her home town.
“Music in Pretoria is accessible. It is a kind of hub for Afrikaans music, but there are so many opportunities here.
“Too often we think of Afrikaans music as a genre on its own, but it’s just a language – there are so many ways of expressing yourself with music.
“I think that’s where Afrikaans music is going, and I love that,” she said.
When it came time to launch her solo career, Brainers said she was almost overcome with nerves.
“I mean I had to put myself out there, I had to put it all on the line.
“All these years I have been in the background. I could hide behind the band or the music, but now it is me out in front.”
After years of work and months of planning, Tracy finally released her debut single, which has accumulated 217 000 views on YouTube in just one month.
“I don’t think I had expectations, I was too nervous. But this has just exceeded what I could have expected.
“I am very proud of the single, the work that went into it, and the people that helped along the way. I’m proud of myself for taking the shot.”
Brainers said she was looking forward to seeing where her career goes from here, but she was just happy to be doing what she loved.
“My intention is for everyone to listen to my music, not just Afrikaans people. I want the English crowd to know that Afrikaans music can be enjoyed by them too. It’s just good music!”
Watch the video here:
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