A Duo's Dream
Shortstraw's origins trace back to the easy-going days of high school where Alastair Thomas and Oliver Nathan solidified their friendship over shared musical passions. Beginning as a two-man band in 2007, with Thomas on lead vocals and guitar and Nathan on drums and backing vocals, they turned their jam sessions into professional gigs by 2008. This marked the inception of a journey that would take them from a simple acoustic duo to indie rock frontrunners in the South African music scene.
Transition to a Trio
The evolution from a duo to a trio materialized when Shortstraw beckoned the bass talents of their former bandmate, Jason Hartford. This three-piece ensemble embraced the simplicity of acoustic music and ventured into recording their debut EP, "We Slept Through it All" in 2008, produced by Chris Brink and Mike Stott, notable for their work with 'Tweak'. However, the recording process presented a new challenge — replicating their enriched sound in live performances. Enter Phil Brierly, who rounded out their live act with his guitar prowess.
Reconfiguration and Renaissance
By 2011, Phil and Jason departed from the band, and a new era dawned for Shortstraw as Gad, Tom, and Russ joined, bringing with them an array of musical expertise just as the band's material for "You’re Underfed I'm Wonderful" was ready for release. This refreshed lineup sparked a creative spree, with the band eagerly composing new tracks and embarking on tours, building an ever-growing fan base enchanted by their infectious live energy.
Climbing the Charts
Their hard work and charismatic performances soon paid dividends. By 2012, Shortstraw was a buzzword, with venues swelling in size and fans multiplying. The music video for "One Long Day" clinched the number one spot on the MK Top 10 Music Videos Chart and won Best Indie at the 2013 MK Awards. Despite their increasing popularity, Shortstraw maintained an underground allure that kept them as the music connoisseur's best-kept secret.
Mainstream Breakthrough with "Good Morning, Sunshine"
Shortstraw's self-funded album "Good Morning, Sunshine" in 2013 signaled their undeniable arrival to the mainstream. With their own label, Boosh Music, the album's infectious singles "Good Morning Sunshine" and "Couch Potato" dominated radio countdowns. Pre-release tracks like "Bikini Weather" found similar success, proving that Shortstraw's sound had massive appeal.
Production and Evolution
Recorded at High Seas Records with the production talents of Jacques ‘Jambo’ du Plessis, Marc de la Querra, and Darryl Torr's Grammy-winning touch on "Gimme My Fix," the album represented a mature sound. Shortstraw's growth was palpable, with more intricate guitar work from Tom and layered keyboard elements from Gad, showing a band hitting their stride both musically and lyrically.
Opening for Giants and International Ventures
Shortstraw's reputation saw them sharing stages with international acts like The Kooks, Last Dinosaurs, and Dune Rats. Their presence became a staple at major music festivals across South Africa and beyond, including the Vic Falls Carnival in Zimbabwe. Their globe-trotting tours through Australia and Japan, thanks to Flake Records, only emphasized their global appeal.
Line-Up Changes and Accolades
After Oliver Nathan's departure in late 2013, Jakey Rubinstein stepped in to fill the void. 2014 was a hallmark year, with Shortstraw winning BEST ALBUM for "Good Morning, Sunshine" and BEST VIDEO for "Waterworks" at the MK Awards. The band's success continued to soar with more festival performances and work on their next album.
Embracing "Youthless" and Continued Success
2015 heralded the launch of "Youthless," their third full-length album, which skyrocketed to number one on the South African iTunes store right out of the gate. The lead single "Heaps Keen" was a nod to their Australian adventures and set the tone for the album. Today, Shortstraw stands as one of South Africa's preeminent bands, with a fiercely dedicated fan base and a sound that captures the essence of South African "Indie-Bele," making waves well beyond their home turf.
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