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#MusicExchange: Howie Combrink
9 Feb 2017
Howie Combrink is no stranger to the South African music scene. He plays drums and guitar in acoustic pop band Watershed, as well as performing and recording as a solo artist.
He is known for his up-tempo folk pop tunes, such as ‘Change’ and ‘Take It Easy’, but his latest offering is a little different. The result is an impressive tune called ‘Believe’, all about self-belief and appreciation. The song is currently sitting pretty at the top of the local radio chart positions:
- 5fm top 10@10 - number three
- 5fm SA top 30 - number seven
- OFM 94 97 top10@10 - number three
- Jacaranda FM SA top 20 - number 13
I caught up with Combrink prior to the band’s show with Blackbyrd at the HillCrest Quarry in Cape Town on 10 February. Tickets to the show are R250 and include a donation to Horses for Causes. Call 084 522 5223 to enquire.
What does music mean to you?
Music is my passion and life and career, so it's pretty much all I do.
Any funny moments on stage?
On one particular tour I think every band member had his or her turn to fall off a stage somewhere. It was very funny and a beautiful guitar got bust along the way (that was not so funny).
Who are your heros?
Nelson Mandela
Dave Matthews
It’s your round what are you drinking?
Whiskey on the rocks.
What’s the song you wished you wrote?
‘American baby’ - Dave Matthews Band
‘Scar Tissue’ - Red Hot Chili Peppers
What is your dream gig?
Glastonbury festival main stage (headlining)
What makes you stand out?
Tough question, but I'd say I play a bunch of instruments reasonably well and I am able to use them on various stages
Do you have any nicknames?
"How"
If you were not a musician what would you do?
I'd be a stockbroker. I like the rush of it and it's always intrigued me.
Pick five words to describe yourself?
Musical, creative, funny, hardworking, ambitious.
What five discs would you take with you to a deserted island?
Counting Crows August and Everything After
Bob Marley Greatest Hits
Led Zeppelin 1
Coldplay Parachutes
Dave Matthews Live at Central Park, NYC
Give us some real proper slang and what it means.
That's real mamba (it means that is flippen awesome)
What do you complain about most often?
I think bad sound is enough to make any artist complain.
What is your fear?
For most of my life I’ve had a fear of elevators.
Happiness is...
Where your home is.
On stage I tend to...
Make random sounds in between vocal breaks. I also tend to give my band members strange looks as well.
If you were walking on stage for a keynote speech what song would you use?
‘Let's get it on’ by Marvin Gaye
What are you doing next?
I’m busy finishing up my second album.
