Blooming rockers find ‘a good noise’

Some bands float elegantly, while others are determined to make a statement as they stalk brazenly on stage.

Local band, November Bloom, didn’t float, or stalk. They didn’t throw tantrums or smash guitars. At a performance on Friday night, they simply took to the stage, and made a good noise.

November Bloom started out a few months ago, when guitarist Steven Couper and piano maestro singer, Cherise Botes met up, and started playing music. Tiaan Fourie, the bass guitarist and ad hoc sound engineer, as well as Riaan Kleynhans, a drummer, joined a mere two weeks ago.

“We were asked to do this gig at Melo’s,” said Steven. “Tiaan, Cherise and I were playing together already, so we just needed a drummer.”

Riaan was found lurking on a nearby social ladder, and was subsequently commandeered to keep the beat. With a live performance coming up in a week, the band got together and hashed out a few tracks. With only two full days of practice together, November Bloom set up, rocked up and rocked out.

The band consists of four young people who have found in each other a love and passion for having a good time, and showing the crowd an even better time, through music.

“It has never been about me playing guitar, or being a lead guitarist,” said Steven. “It’s the love for the energy music creates when you’re on stage. The loss of control.”

Although from different backgrounds, the band has found common ground, and has started to find a sound to call their own.

Cherise, who started playing piano at the age of four and started writing music at the age of 16, is no stranger to performing live, albeit this time, it’s not exactly what she is used to.

“I’ve played at many festivals over the years, and I’ve always done easy listening music,” she said. “Right now, I’m not afraid of doing songs that are out of my comfort zone. These guys do it all the time.”

Riaan got his passion for playing the drums when his dad called him one day and played a beat on his old drum kit.

“My dad phoned me, and said, ‘listen to this’,” said Riaan. “I listened and couldn’t hear much, but I knew what it was; music.”

Riaan plays on a drum set that is 36 years old; one his dad used to play on, and taught him to play on also. While at university, Riaan was introduced to the Afrikaans rock scene, which inspired in him a passion for playing hard, fast music.

“Meeting people like Steven, Cherise and Tiaan is a big plus point for me. They are all passionate about music. I can definitely grow musically playing with them.”

For Tiaan, it had never started with bass guitar. “About six years ago, I started playing rhythm guitar,” he said. “It changed a couple of times before I eventually settled on the bass,” he laughed. “I was born with a love for art. Music is ultimately art.”

Steven and Tiaan grew up together, and have been playing together for almost six years. Their friendship has grown from strength to strength, contributing to a tight-knit feel to the dynamics of the band.

The band gets together to practise in a one-bedroomed flat, with copious amounts of tea and snacks supplied by Cherise’s sister, who has taken it upon herself to make sure the band stays fed and watered.

“To describe our sound right now would be difficult,” said Steven. “At the gig on Friday we went from Bad Reputation straight to a rock version of Royals. We are definitely more into the thrash rock and punk thing right now, but we don’t conform to one sound. We play what feels and sounds good.”

November Bloom is a local band with a lot of promise and loads of talent, and are finding their way to a sound they can call their own. Focused on having a good time, this group of young musicians is sure to get people on their feet.

Visit www.newcastleadvertiser.co.za for more photos and interviews with the members of November Bloom.