WOMAD

Sotho Sounds

From Lesotho

Sotho SoundsThis lively, eight peice group make their instruments from “found” materials such as oil cans, car inner tubes, scrap metal, wood and wire. The young group of six musicians and two dancers create a fresh and innovative sound combining South African hip hop, township jive and Sotho music. Aged from 13-22 years old, these self-taught musicians play their own hand-made drums, one-string fiddles, guitars and bass. Sotho sounds currently live in a remote area of Lesotho, a tiny country in the heart of South Africa, where they have been composing and performing their own material for the past five years – the result is inspiring and instantly engaging.“With their uplifting sound and compelling groove, Sotho Sounds shows us that with passion and determination, new and exciting music is being created from minimal resources, in one of the most remote areas of Southern Africa. This is a ‘must see’ for 2003.”Director of The WOMAD Foundation, Annie MenterSOTHO SOUNDS are: Tumelo Mpokoane (drums); Kajoane Chaka and Thseliso Hoko (one-string fiddles); Monaheng Mporoane and Tankiso Pita (guitars); Rameleke Rantho (bass); Paseka and Richard Mohale (dancers).The band are in the UK for a five week series of performances and workshops. Directed by Risenga Makondo, a Venda musician from South Africa, this tour will culminate in performances at the WOMAD festival in Rivermead 2003.