Is it just me or is alternative Afrikaans music having a bit of a moment? The latest band to pique my interest is four-piece boere-punk outfit, Karel Bester & Die Kraanie’s Band, who are also part of the Afrikalt movement that’s spawned two highly energetic tours this year.
Helmed by frontman and electric guitarist, Karel Bester, these guys are first and foremost, a sight to behold live, combining essential elements of punk with the rhythmic and harmonic ideas found in traditional Afrikaans folk.
Their latest single, “Kat & Die Muis”, was born when bassist Marius Vercuiel (aka Kwagga) began slapping a truly delicious core bass riff at the tail end of a practice session. Cut to an hour later and we have a fully-formed track that wades into uncharted melody territory, straddling dirty funk and alternative rock lines. I’m a huge fan of the rawness of this band, which takes nothing away from the slickness of this track’s production though.
This all feeds into the track’s core narrative of locking eyes with someone at a jol from across the room, setting in motion a game of cat and mouse. Or in the words of guitarist Jeandre “Pikkie” Swanepoel, “This song is about sex.”
With all due respect, alternative Afrikaans music needs something beyond Fokofpolisiekar. It’s needs a new generation of bands that will lead and grow that wave, and up until very recently I honestly didn’t think that was on the card. Bands like Karel Bester & Die Kraanie’s make me think otherwise. I’m keen to see them build a network and culture of alternative Afrikaans music that can stand on its own merits and unique quality for future of the genre.
