Rowan Zerf ready for his comeback
The former Afrikaans boy band lead guitarist and vocalist is looking to make his name with the release of his single, 'Net Hier Om Te Tan'.
After a decade-long break, Rowan Zerf is ready to make a return to the music scene, starting with the release of his newest single and music video, “Net Hier Om Te Tan”.
The Pretoria Boy’s High alumnus is known for his time with the Afrikaans boy band NRG, but he now wants to step into the spotlight with a clear vision for what he wants to say with his career.
Zerf’s passion for music has been lifelong, and he told Rekord that it is as strong as ever.
“I’ve been out of the industry for 10 years now. I’m basically brand new,” he said.
He said that he has used the time away to reflect and plan meticulously.
“I am two people,” he explained, “the loose-headed entertainer-artist, and the pragmatic and business-orientated person. I can be either depending on who I need to be.”
Zerf said that he had fond memories of his time with NRG, but that the band was a product of its time.
“It was interesting. It was easier being part of a group because there’s a lot of people to point fingers at when things go wrong,” he said.
But he said that eventually, the time was right to close that chapter of his life.
Zerf is now determined to stay true to himself and his music.
“I don’t think you need to think about authenticity. It must be an autonomous thing, it’s what you think about yourself at your core,” he said.
With the release of his newest single and video, Zerf said that he wanted to say something through his work.
The latest song is light-hearted and easy-listening, but is also a tongue-in-cheek criticism of the impact of social media on personal identity, and a culture of fear and conformity it fosters.
“We live in a world that is influenced by fear, and that fear is generated through shame,” he said.
Zerf explained that he was inspired by an encounter at a Mexican restaurant in Menlyn, where a woman alone on her cellphone made him realise that people in the world were drifting apart.
He said that he wanted to depict this through his music video.
“Here’s this girl, she walks out onto the beach, very cute, she has her headphones in, she’s taking selfies, and she’s on her phone.
There’s no way I can get her attention because she is just here to tan,” he explained.
He said that the song’s underlying message is a call to disconnect from our devices and engage more deeply with the world around us.
As part of this, Zerf said that he was passionate about performing live.
“Live music is what sets me apart. I know it sounds arrogant, but I think it’s okay to celebrate your victories and what you have worked hard for.”
Zerf believes live performances offer something that technology, including AI, cannot replicate.
“No one is going to go pay money to see a hologram on stage,” he said.
As the music scene emerges from the shadows of the pandemic, Zerf sees a renewed hunger for live events.
“Post-Covid, it has taken a while for people to get out of their funk, but there is a hunger and a desire to get out to live events.
I know exactly what my plan is. In a year from now, it is going to be a completely different situation.”
Watch the music video here:
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