Famous for their energetic live shows and infectious brand of experimental pop-rock, SAMA-award winning rock band Cassette have exploded onto South Africa's airwaves in the last few months. We spoke to charismatic front-man Jon Savage…
Why 'Cassette' – is your sound retro?
Cassettes are actually super cool. They were all about music and not the technology. They were robust and sexy and durable… that's us! Also, once we hung out on the beach in the sun all day, and at the show that night we played everything really slow. See?
You spent some time in LA earlier this year. Was the jetlag worth it?
Absolutely! We went over to mix our new album with Mark Needham, one of the top mixers on our little planet. He's worked with everyone from The Killers to Chris Isaak. LA is a crazy and brilliant place and even though getting there seems like the longest journey on earth, it was worth every second. It's like being on the moon... only much more expensive.
You've toured far and wide. Your favourite gig so far?
Touring Japan was mind-blowing, but I think our best actual show was in Slovenia. It was our first tour in Europe and for no reason 1300 people turned up at the gig in Ljubljana. We played a killer show and made a lot of fans that night.
Cassette and Global Domination. Discuss…
We took a long hard look at ourselves in 2008 and decided we needed to re-focus on the music. We've made a big comeback with this latest album and it’s a new and improved Cassette out on the road. Plus the new songs are just flippin' awesome!
You guys wear natty threads on stage. Who buys your clothes?
We've just signed a deal with Ben Sherman (www.bensherman.com), the legendary British label who made clothes for Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix, so that's what we are wearing in 2009.
Do white South African rock bands have a hope in SA?
A very interesting question. The short answer is no. The long answer
is yes.
Cassette's new album 'Who Do You Trust?' is out now at all good music stores.
Originally published in Mango Juice; the in-flight magazine of Mango airlines.
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