KEN ROWLEY LEADS ESWATINI YOUTH TO ‘STREATBEAT’ BAND

From writing impeccable literature works to teaching them, the Britain born writer has branched into music and has lured young Eswatini talents with him.
Ken Rowley has proven that literature and music cannot be separated as they are both forms of art and because of the belief that Eswatini can thrive through talent, the arts and any other forms that are not confined in the office, he has led a talented team to a new band known as StreatBeat.
They are spanking new and are infusing so much energy into the local music industry with their uniqueness in the selection of the music they play.
With their guitars, piano and other musical instruments, they can render soft rock, jazz and other organic music.
Drummer
“You know, here in SD, if someone says they’re making a film then dozens appear saying they can act. If you have a band, dozens tell you they can sing. But if you’re asking for a cameraman, or a drummer, or a sound engineer, you may not find one. True artists study, practise their skills every day, and know that there’s still so much to learn. Every day.
“Here we have a culture of chancers and dreamers, not workers. Writing a book or a song, playing a guitar or keys, painting a canvass, at the end, years of practising produce skill that can be appreciated,” said Ken.
In a brief chit chat with the pioneer of the band, Ken, this is what we learned about the crew!

What is the name of the band? When was it established and what inspired the union?
StreatBeat! There are at least five reasons for the choice of name but here’s two primo-- you learn guitar by busking, playing in the streets, and we’ve done that individually; secundo-- it connects to a rock legend, The Beatles, who were originally The Silver Beetles (a reference to Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets) until John Lennon announced “It’s Beatles with an ‘a’.”

Who makes out the band and what are their roles?
StreatBeat has become a guitar band as we have three guitarists/keyboard players; bass guitarist, and an extra vocalist. All four of us sing. We’ll probably add a drummer.

What genre of music is the band concentrated on and why?
I think guitars and harmonies with instrumental parts thus the soft rock, gospel, ethnic and jazz.

What is the core mandate of the band?
Our mandate is simply to be happy and share our happiness. We will do covers plus originals, a mix.

So far, how many singles have you recorded and/or, what material do you have?
This is a new band, but we have recorded plenty individually.

Where has the band performed and how is the reception so far?
Our present set list has three covers and four originals. Artists never stop learning so we’re excited to see where the universe might take us

Where do you see yourselves in five years?
Well, having a reputation for good harmonies, good songs and good times.

Wise Words...
It’s not about the ego-tripping world system, we’re not out to establish a ‘brand’; if we can just spread a bit more joy in the world we’ll have achieved a lot.

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