Emerging from South Africa’s indie alternative rock scene, The Color Blew is defined by depth, passion, and musical prowess. Since 2014, Liaan Horton (vocals & rhythm guitar), Marius Cronje (bass guitar), Timothy Lotter (lead guitar), and Armando Santos (drums) have crafted a distinctive sound in their Springs-based studio, blending influences from grunge, punk, jazz, and African rhythms into introspective and innovative compositions. Their journey from acclaimed releases like ‘The Canvas’ to ‘Light Switch’ reflects a commitment to pushing creative boundaries, highlighted by international recognition for their covers and originals such as ‘Under Pressure’ and ‘Love in Space’. Now, on the brink of releasing ‘Discount Hearts’, The Color Blew continues to define their brand of indie rock with a passionate dedication to musical excellence and global resonance.
Q: The band’s origins lie in the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa. How has your hometown influenced your music, and do you draw inspiration from local culture or surroundings?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I think it’s inevitable not to be influenced by everyone and everything around you. It leaves its mark on you and your sound. The East Rand is a very hard place to grow up in, and that shaped us, made us all a bit different, and I am thankful for that. However, in the hardness, there are also beautiful, unlikely stories, incredible moments, and perfect imperfections. That is what I like to think we capture.
Q: Liaan Horton, as the vocalist and rhythm guitarist, your lyrics often delve into introspective themes. How do personal experiences influence your songwriting process, particularly in songs like ‘Discount Hearts’?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I very rarely write about myself. I try to place myself in the character’s skin while seeing everything unfold in the third person. I am obsessed with moments and extracting as much from that moment as I possibly can. Most of our songs, especially the new music, are all based on moments. The specific moment that relates to this single is a rush of emotion fuelled by the backbeat and what it made me feel while creating the song. It was dangerous, exciting, and sad all at once. It had to be a song, and it had to be this song.
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): Being from a small town exposes one to a different and brutally honest side of life, which I think comes through in the music’s raw aesthetic.
Q: Your band has been described as delivering “profound and dynamic music.” How do you define success in your musical journey, and what milestones are you most proud of so far?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): For me, just knowing that the music resonated with someone and brought them joy is probably the greatest success any band can ask for. But some of the highlights would be the festivals that we’ve played, the travelling that we’ve done, and the journey that we’ve been able to experience together as musicians.
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I agree with Tim and would also add our DIY mentality. Everything we record, write, and produce is done in-house. It’s a big catalogue of music, our art, and it’s purely us.
Q: Your commitment to producing music in your private studio reflects a hands-on approach to your craft. Could you share some insights into your studio setup and how it facilitates your creative process?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): We understand how fortunate we are to be able to do this, but it did not come without massive sacrifice. I love the process of recording an organic live performance. You are capturing a moment in time, a person’s whole being on tape, and that is the secret for me. Everything you hear on this single was a play-through performance. It’s all real, and it’s all captured in that super cool space at Audio Vibez Records.
Q: Your versatility spans across genres like grunge, punk, jazz, and African beats. How do you see these influences evolving in your future projects, and are there any new genres or styles you’re keen to explore?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): We’re always trying to push our own boundaries musically and explore new and different sounds, which come with new and different emotional territory. So, the sky is really the limit as to what genre or style we might experiment with.
Q: Marius Cronje, your role on bass guitar is crucial in providing the foundation for The Color Blew’s sound. How do you approach crafting basslines that complement the band’s eclectic mix of genres?
The Color Blew (Marius Cronje): Honestly, there is no specific approach that I take when coming up with basslines. I’d like to think that I have developed a certain style of playing my instrument and that I push myself to learn new techniques and incorporate them into whatever we are playing. Ultimately, every piece of music we create is based on the feel of not only the music but also the feeling on the day as well as that of every member in the band.
Q: As veterans in the South African music scene, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are navigating the challenges of establishing themselves in the industry?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): Stay humble. You are not special. Don’t think anyone cares more about your music than you do. They don’t. You need to make them care by putting in the hard work and taking your art seriously. Don’t compromise on who you are for the sake of what people want you to be.
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): Consistency is key, and building experience, especially playing live, is invaluable.
Q: Timothy Lotter, known for weaving intricate melodies on lead guitar in addition to also playing in metal bands like Human Nebula, how do you balance technical proficiency with emotive expression in your playing, especially in songs that demand both?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): I believe strongly in playing for the song and that every note can be a trigger for the feeling that you’re trying to get across. The atmosphere and emotional impact are the most important parts of what a guitar does in any musical setting.
Q: Armando Santos, as the heartbeat of the ensemble on drums, your rhythms are pivotal in driving the band’s dynamic energy. How do you approach drumming to enhance the emotional impact of The Color Blew’s music?
The Color Blew (Armando Santos): As the drummer, my approach during our initial creative process originates and comes from within by listening to feel the vibe, which I can then express, channelling passion around the kit to deliver what is best suitable for the song. The rhythm, my compass and like a pulse, carried the weight of reflection, longing, joy, or heartache.
Q: ‘Discount Hearts’ is described as blending raw, explosive passion with soothing introspection. How do you achieve this balance musically, and what instruments or techniques play a significant role in shaping the song’s sound?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): At least from the guitar standpoint, I wanted there to be a distinct duality between the soft wavy clean sounds of the verse and the explosive heavy sounds of the chorus and solo to emphasize the song’s contrast.
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): It’s chaos and harmony in a decadent wrapper. The challenge was trying to harness and capture the raw energy on the recording, which I think we did. It’s not watered down but 100% tang.
Q: In your previous releases, such as ‘Love in Space’ you explored thematic depth that resonated globally. How do you ensure your music remains authentic to your artistic vision while appealing to a diverse audience?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): Anything we create is done without any preconceived notions and is purely trying to capture our own voices and experiences as accurately as possible. So, if we’re sincere about what we create, we believe it will reach the right audience.
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I think we just try to be real. We don’t consider what the song might or might not do; we go where it takes us. I believe good art challenges you. It makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes and excites you when you need it most. Whether that’s good or bad is up to your interpretation. Our music and what we are is 100% emotion. It took time to get here, but we plan on staying awhile.
Q: Live performances are a hallmark of The Color Blew’s identity. How do you prepare for a live show, and what elements do you prioritise to ensure an unforgettable experience for your audience?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): We like to strike a balance between rehearsed execution and spontaneous chaos when playing live, so performing the songs as perfectly as possible but also engaging the crowd and giving them a show that they’ll never forget!
The Color Blew (Marius Cronje): We believe in giving everything we’ve got to not only the audience but ourselves as well. We believe that if we give everything, the audience will too, and that creates a tangible energy that flows between our audience and the band when performing.
Q: With ‘Discount Hearts’ marking a seemingly new chapter for The Color Blew, what themes or messages do you hope to explore in your upcoming projects, and how do you envision your music evolving over time?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): As much as it’s been a journey for us as musicians, it’s been a journey for us as friends and brothers. Through our experiences of gigging, touring, getting through the pandemic, as well as our own personal endeavours, we collectively arrived where we are now. This chapter is us sharing our journey through our music. So, if we have a story to tell, I feel the music will only get deeper and darker.
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): Hang on. This chapter has only begun; we have another two songs ready for release already this year that will evolve our story.
Q: Looking back at your career, what have been some of the most memorable moments or challenges that have shaped The Color Blew into the band you are today?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): For me, some of the most memorable moments would be the ‘Vrystaat Kunste Fees’, ‘South Coast Bike Fest’, and ‘Bush Pig Fest’, where I first saw Albert Frost play, which was both inspiring and terrifying.
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I have a show reel of moments in my head that no AI can conjure up and no money can buy. It’s all thanks to this band and the journey we have had up to now. I am blessed beyond the heartaches and tragedies to have seen the triumphs and experiences afforded to us over the last decade.
‘Discount Hearts’ is available on all platforms Friday 5 July https://hypeddit.com/discounthearts
For more information, follow The Color Blew on their social media platforms:
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/thecolorblew
Instagram http://instagram.com/thecolorblew
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/TheColorBlewMusic
Bandcamp https://thecolorblew.bandcamp.com/music
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thecolorblewband
The Color Blew Bio
Liaan Horton (Vocals & Rhythm Guitar)
Marius Cronje (Bass Guitar)
Timothy Lotter (Lead Guitar)
Armando Santos (Drums)
In the realm of Indie Alternative Rock, The Color Blew stands as a deep and perceptive presence, proudly positioned amidst a sea of commercially driven music that tends to be overproduced. Their sonic landscape serves as a refreshing alternative, where talent and passion seamlessly intertwine with depth and meaning – a sanctuary free from the constraints of conventional musical expectations. Discerning audiences often find themselves immersed in moments of profound listening, captivated by the artful sound and impassioned performances, blissfully oblivious to the world around them.
Since their inception in 2014, The Color Blew has been a stalwart presence in the South African music scene, boasting a collective band experience exceeding 65 years. The quartet comprises Liaan Horton, the soulful voice and rhythmic prowess behind the microphone; Marius Cronje, laying down the foundation on bass guitar; Timothy James Lotter, weaving intricate melodies on lead guitar; and Armando Santos, the heartbeat of the ensemble on drums.
Hailing from the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa, The Color Blew finds their creative sanctuary in Springs, where they diligently craft, record, and produce their music in their private studio. Their commitment to excellence is unwavering, whether in the studio or under the spotlight, embodying consummate professionalism on every occasion.
Attempting to pigeonhole their sound into a single sub-genre of Rock would be akin to restricting a painter to a single-color palette. Broadly categorized as Alternative Rock, their music transcends boundaries, drawing heavily from the raw energy of Grunge and Punk, as showcased in their debut album ‘The Canvas.’ The evolution of their sonic palette is evident in their newer releases, where the vibrant hues of Jazz and African beats converge with meaningful lyrics, exemplified in their sophomore album ‘Light Switch.’
In 2022, The Color Blew paid homage to the legendary Queen and David Bowie with their rendition of ‘Under Pressure,’ earning a place on the SA Top 40 and various international indie charts. The subsequent year saw the release of ‘Love in Space’, a musical odyssey that propelled them to new heights, securing chart positions with both local and international radio stations. This success underscored the band’s versatility, demonstrating their mastery across a spectrum of genres.
As the calendar turns to 2024, The Color Blew stands on the cusp of a new musical chapter, eagerly anticipating the release of fresh compositions that continue to define their brand of Indie Alternative Rock. On Friday 5 July the new single ‘Discount Hearts’ will be released.
With unwavering passion and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of South African music, The Color Blew remains a dynamic force, etching an indelible mark on the ever-expanding canvas of their musical journey.
