I always knew Southern Wild’s signing to Theo Crous’ Bluegum Records was going to yield some tasty fruits but I’ll be damned if I knew multi-instrumentalist and newest member of Foo Fighters, Rami Jaffee, was going to be one of them.
Rami’s key-rooted addition on the Cape Town rock band’s new single, “Time on Your Hands” is as subtly placed as it is deeply felt, and with this rock anthem, Southern Wild rear their heads once again to emerge strong on a scene that, quite simply, doesn’t appreciate them enough.
“When Theo sent me the song, I was excited because it started very mellow and broke down and I knew I could add a lot to something like that,” Rami Jaffee explains when I question him about his initial thoughts on Southern Wild’s new opus.
“I only played Hammond B3 Organ on the track, which is my forte when it comes to keys, but I do what I always do – play along to the song imagining I’m playing right along to them live in the same studio. I do it a few times top to bottom like that, and send it all to Theo to pick or chop up as he pleases,” he details.
While Covid-19 has been a scene-wrecker for creatives, Rami confesses that he’s super fortunate in the fact that not much has changed for him. And it seems he’s been working remotely for all types of musicians, explaining, “Sometimes even local bands that want to me to record some parts would still send me the song and let me do my thing in one of my studios and send it back to them as it saves time and money to do it that way.”
“I don’t waste their studio time and ship huge vintage organs and pianos around town. It’s always a pleasure to play in the same room but it can wipe away the budget at the same time and besides, I have a pretty good imagination and can make my performance feel like we all did it together,” he says matter-of-factly, and I can’t help but think that, in a city like LA where a fair share of lip service is paid on multiple levels, Rami’s candid approach is one in a million.
Talk turns again to Theo, and Rami can’t help but enthuse about the legendary guitarist and producer.
“When the Foos came to Cape Town a bunch of years ago, I asked my friend Gavin Lurssen, a record mastering genius and from South Africa, what I should do for fun on a day off. He gave me a few phone numbers to arrange a nice motorcycle ride with some people he knew from down there. Theo was either one of them or close to one of them and we had the most awesome couple days of riding motorcycles around the coast and into what seemed like wine country,” Rami reminisces with me, and I’m rolling my eyes because I remember my friend and industry mentor, Mike Joubert, posting pics of them living their best lives on the back of picture perfect Harleys and I’m still rolling my eyes because, well, jealousy.
“Only Dave [Grohl] joined us from the band but after miles of beautiful views and a few stops along the road for beers and meals, we all became close,” he smiles. “We even made Theo join us on stage for a jam at the show and within two minutes the huge crowd screamed “THEO” at us for 10 minutes. Good times.”
After playing keys on rock guitarist Dan Patlansky’s award-winning album, Introvertigo, and now collaborating with David Van Vuuren, Alex Smillie and Dylan Hunt on their latest heartfelt ballad, Rami’s affinity for South African musicians is palpable, and owing mainly in part to Theo.
“So far what I’ve heard coming out of South Africa is pretty darn amazing. Thanks to getting most of what I hear from Theo! Thanks Theo for picking the choice artists!” Ah Mr Crous, he’s got that keen ear.
I’m not the biggest believer in fate, I like to think that hard work is the defining factor in achieving success. However, there are instances where the two combine and form something magical. And I believe that “Time on Your Hands” is something magical.
