Times Of Swaziland: DUSTY AND STONES FILM TO PLAY IN LA

DUSTY AND STONES FILM TO PLAY IN LA
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Mxolisi Dlamini on 10/10/2024 07:30:00


MBABANE – Dusty and Stones have bagged another achievement in the Country
music international stage as their film will be showcased in Los Angeles (LA)
for a whole week.
This was revealed by the award-winning Country duo who mentined the film will be
showcased, starting from today in LA, Lankershim. The film is a
continent-crossing journey story told through Country music. The documentary
intimately chronicles the remarkable ride of cousins Gazi ‘Dusty’ Simelane
and Linda ‘Stones’ Msibi, a determined duo of struggling Country singers
from the tiny African Kingdom of Eswatini who long for their big break. The film
came about when they were unexpectedly invited to record their songs in
Nashville late last year and to compete in a Texas battle of the bands.
Home
Over a momentous ten-day road trip through the American South, Dusty and Stones
brought their music to life in a top Nashville recording studio. Worth
mentioning, this sense of kinship was abruptly thrown into question when they
arrived in the small town of Jefferson, Texas, to compete in the battle of the
bands. There, the hostile leader of the local backing band threatened to derail
the cousins’ debut American performance. However, shell-shocked Dusty and
Stones took the stage and fought to bring home an award for Eswatini.
During an interview with this publication, they mentioned they are excited about
the upcoming screening of the film in LA. “We’re excited about this
screening. LA is the home of filmmaking. To air our story there is beyond
something we would have never imagined. We’re thrilled beyond words. This
opportunity further gives us the motivation to keep doing what we enjoy doing,
making Country music. We can’t wait for that part of the world to experience
our story, as it is so unique, it’s way different from what they’re used
to,” the duo said.
Exposure
When asked how the opportunity will benefit them, they reflected on a previous
incident where they could have gotten their first chance to perform in LA.
“It’s a huge thing for artists like us. When we were in Boise, Idaho, we met
a band that was going to play in Las Vegas. We couldn’t because of our limited
stay. Now, this exposure will further do us good as a band; it will expose us to
the right crowd,” they said. The musicians further revealed local fans will
not be able to stream the screening of the film in LA because it is only on
selected cinemas.
Worth mentioning, CNN recently featured Dusty and Stones on their mini
documentary, which was released early this month. Dusty and Stones were featured
alongside Morena Leraba, a musician from Botswana, under their programme
‘African Voices Changemakers’.
According to MTN Bushfire, the CNN recognition speaks volumes about the
uniqueness and talent of the musicians on the African continent. This was
revealed on the MTN Bushfire Festival social media pages. “The recognition by
CNN underscores the artists’ talent, uniqueness, and impact, as well as the
growing global appreciation for the sheer variety of musical expression on the
African continent. MTN Bushfire is thrilled to celebrate CNN’s recognition of
Eswatini’s Dusty and Stones for their unique contributions to global music,
showcasing the diversity and richness of African music,” reads their post.
Dusty and Stones are not the only local musicians who have been featured
overseas, but they are the first Country duo to have their work showcased in
over 10 American cinemas in just two years. The likes of Uncle Waffles and
!Sooks have also had the privilege to be featured abroad through their craft.
Uncle Waffles was featured in one of the biggest American festivals which is
Coachella, and !Sooks on the other hand, was featured on Amsterdam Dance Event
(ADE), which is one of the largest gatherings of Eletro music.