SONGWRITER Joash Perumal from Port Shepstone is making huge waves in the music industry, both locally and internationally.

Many will know Joash for his 2010 hit single ‘Club on Fire’ which stayed at number one for a week on East Coast Radio’s Top 9 at 9.

He was then approached by Andrew Mitchley from David Gresham Records where he signed his first licensing and distribution contract.

His second single ‘Falling in Love’ was marketed by Missy Elliot’s company, Emansangels and charted number four on Ireland’s major radio station, RTE Radio 2.

“I am currently enjoying my new venture, working more as a songwriter for some of the biggest names in the world and locally,” he said.

He has recently signed a 12-month songwriting contract with Sony and was interviewed on SABC News Channel 404. He looks forward to making TV appearances on Mela, Expresso and Afternoon Express later this year. He will also be part of the welcoming reception when Stevie Wonder performs in South Africa in November.

Last month he had the opportunity to spend time with the band All 4 One (remember the group that broke the world record in 1994 with their single ‘I Swear’), when they toured South Africa for the first time. “I spent a lot of time with the group, chatting about the music industry and showing them around Johannesburg. They are a very humble and friendly group.”

Internationally, Joash has signed a contract with Z-Management, which is based in the United Kingdom and he is working with clients such as the former vice-president of Warner Brothers, Jeff Blue, who discovered and signed Linkin Park, Macy Gray and Limp Bizkit.

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In South Africa, he is writing for some of the biggest producers such as ‘Smoke’ who is South African singer Lira’s guitarist and personal producer, along with David Mutanda, who has produced for Khuli Chana, Dr Victor, Kelly Khumalo and Tebogo Louw, who was a top three Idol’s finalist last year.

“My achievements have been the result of a lot of hard work and networking with the right people. Perseverance and passion will separate the mediocre from the great,” he said.

Joash, who comes from a family of musicians, said he has chosen not to relocate as the South Coast is his home. “I didn’t have to relocate to make an opportunity and it really got off to a start beyond my expectation. My goal for 2017 is to carry on writing and for the artists I am writing for, to excel.”

Joash said his pillar of strength has been his father, Stanley Perumal, who guides and supports him in his career.

Mr Perumal said he is extremely proud of his son. “I am actually overwhelmed by my son’s achievements, which are a result of his own perseverance and creative skill and which have left an impression on big international names in the music industry. His work is like a ‘hot knife to butter’ and he has created an impression, like ‘moths to a flame’,” he said.

Joash will be doing some business in Orlando, Florida in June when his father attends the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) annual meeting. Having been in the life insurance business for 31 years, Mr Perumal has recently qualified for the MDRT’s Top of the Table award.

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