An awsome evening

What a great night Saturday was – to all of you who were there thank you for joining us the crowd support was awesome. It was so great to play with Redeye, they are all good friends of ours and we’ve been meaning to do a gig together for a long time now. So big thanks to them for coming all the way down from Jo’burg, the evening was everything we expected it to be and more.
At the moment that’ll be our last gig of the year, as my brother and I are visiting family in December, if a gig pops up between now and then we’ll let you know.
Words really can’t express how much we enjoyed Saturday, that’s why this post is so short.
Until next time
Peace and light
Liam

Expanding Horizons...

Hey again! I’m back due to popular demand. (Ha! Not really, but hey!) Not that I’m really anyone to say but, I’ve always claimed a band who can pull off covers successfully deserve the utmost respect and recognition. Its no easy task “replicating” (there’s the scientist in me coming out!) or duplicating the brilliance of a world-famous band, especially one of Coldplay’s standard and class!
But Zephyr does it again and again!
“Til Kingdom Come” is just the most recent addition to their repertoire and its not just Coldplay, but many other varied bands as well. This clearly shows their diversity and versatility and some may say its brave, which it is, but if it’s done properly, a cover can earn an enormous amount of appreciation from the public to a band.
So can Zephyr do it? For sure!
Ambitious, yes. Successful? Definitely!

Here the beautiful lyrics, interpret as you will, no matter how you look at them, they’re very special!

"Til Kingdom Come" – Coldplay
Steal my heart and hold my tongue.
I feel my time, my time has come.
Let me in, unlock the door.
I've never felt this way before.

The wheels just keep on turning,
The drummer begins to drum,
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know which way I've come.

Hold my head inside your hands,
I need someone who understands.
I need someone, someone who hears,
For you, I've waited all these years.

For you, I'd wait 'til kingdom come.
Until my day, my day is done.
And say you'll come, and set me free,
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.

In your tears and in your blood,
In your fire and in your flood,
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing,
"I wouldn't change a single thing."

The wheels just keep on turning,
The drummers begin to drum,
I don't know which way I'm going,
I don't know what I've become

For you, I'd wait 'til kingdom come,
Until my days, my days are done.
Say you'll come and set me free,
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me.


But wait! It gets better! Call now... (Just kidding).
Zephyr's next gig is at Forgotten Falls, on the 10th of Nov. They are performing with Redeye, a funkadelic band from Gauteng, good friends of Zephyr and just as talented.
Come along and you'll get a chance to see Zephyr perform "Til Kingdom Come", plus Ladybug (see below) and many of their others - new and old, originals and "replicates"!
See you there! Don't miss it!
Caroline

Lady Bug

It’s taken a while but finally I finished a song I’ve been meaning to for a while now, work wise I’ve finally reached a place of breathing space so I sat down when I had some time and finished off the song. You may not understand the lyrics but the melody is happy and will have you singing along for days-there is meaning behind them, and I know at least one other person out there does understand them – love you Ladybug

Lady Bug

It all started in the mud and rain, when my heart came out to play again
It had wrapped itself in layers of pain and hidden from the world.
Enter in the girl of sweet release, with bells tied to her feet
And brown eyes that run so deep you could spend a lifetime there
She took my hand and she showed me to dance, she held my heart in her beautiful hands
And I knew there was still a chance as I felt it beat again
The night passed in a blur, falling never felt so good
The world spun as I danced with her – lady I’ve just got to say

That you make my world go round
And you make a funny sound when you fall asleep next to me
You make the sun cry and you make the rain shine and I can’t believe you’re with me.

Well Monday came and we headed our ways, with the hope in my mind that we’d meet again and the sneaky suspicion that she felt the same left a smile on my face.
She called me up on the telephone line and asked if we could meet over a bottle of wine
And maybe we could take the time to get to know each other well.

Well - you make my world go round
And you make a funny sound when you fall asleep next to me
You make the sun cry and you make the rain shine and I can’t believe you’re with me.

I’ve been down and I’ve been lonely, lived a lifetime in a day
Sometimes your way seems like the only – until you’re shown another way

Now we dance almost every night and when we can’t we talk on the telephone line
Talking deep, making each other smile and Laugh out loud for Joy.
Well Ladybug you put the colour in me, and I’m just a bumbling Bee
But you make me weak at the knees so I sing this song for you.

You make my world go round
And you make a funny sound when you fall asleep next to me
You make the sun cry and you make the rain shine and I can’t believe you’re with me.

Zephyr & The Gloucester Blues Project

So as a "guest blogger" on the zephyr website i'll try keep this short and painless. I just couldnt let a gig go by without letting people know. So here's the deal...
Zephyr are playing along with The Gloucester Blues Project on Saturday nite (the 6th of October) at Red Door, Pmb. Its a fundraiser event for Hylton Smith to race the UAE Dubai Desert Challenge and the cost is 30 human rands (as Corne and Twakkie would say) at the door.
Guaranteed it'll be worth your while travelling from where-ever (even the uk, or china:) to come check these guys out {ok,ok, so i mite be biased, but it really would be worth a trip up from Durbs, or anywhere in the province, at least}. The line up is lookin and sounding good and its going to be a 'bopping and jiving' nite with unique sounds from both the bands playin.
Studio 1, -Uniting Dance-, will also be doing a fire performance between sets and i can assure u from 1st hand experience this'll be cool! - Well.... quite hot actually, but from a bit of distance its impressive stuff!
With fire spinning, good music and friends, this is going to be nite to remember! Be there!

My honour to be here, take care and see you there,
Caroline

The Band as South Park Charachters

Myself...

...Jeremy...

...and Colin as Southpark charachters

Heh heh heh... I had fun making these - click the title to link through where you can make you're own SouthPark Charachters

Latest in News and Gigs

It’s been an age since I’ve added any updates – mostly because I’ve been hectically busy at work (I still am) – and ‘cause we’ve been pretty quite lately.
So what was the last update?... Oh yeah art in the park, so since then myself and Colin did two gig’s a couple Saturday’s ago, just the two of us – one at the opening of Marshal Music at Cascades centre in PMB the other at a charity gig held at Cliffies, both were mostly just acoustic sets, being just the beatman and myself. Another reason for this was Jeremy had decided to take some time off, which myself and Colin are pleased he has decided to come back from, some songs just don’t sound the same without his bass and backing vocals.

We’ve also had a couple practices with a new guy Gareth, who also plays guitar; we’re in the process of assimilating him to our sound and songs – so far sounding pretty good, but as I say it’s still in process at the moment.

We’ve got an upcoming Gig down in Margate on Thursday, so we’re keen to see what the crowds are like down on the South Coast, and a couple really cool Ideas banging around in our heads, but we can’t reveal any of that just yet… so stay tuned, and hopefully we’ll see you all out there somewhere soon.
Peace & Light
Liam

Art in The park

Wrapped up warm in winter woolies - the crunch of leaves underfoot - the rusty smell of autumn and beautiful art, perhaps accompanied with a glass of mulled wine as you peruse all the beauty all around you - what more could you want, some pleasant music in the background perhaps?

The Annual "Art in the Park" in Alexander park in 'Maritzburg is almost upon us, it's the weekend of the 1st June, and myself and Colin (Jeremy will be in the middle of exams) are going to be playing there from 12 - 2pm on Saturday the second and 2 -4pm the following day.

So come along and enjoy the wonders of autumn in the park, search for some artwork for your homes, and enjoy some pleasant background music.
It's been a while since we've done something like this (myself and Colin played there a good few years ago) - we'll be doing few covers and some of our mellow originals between the two days.
Come on down and say hi.

Rocking on Saturday

Once again it was a great pleasure to play alongside Dan Patlanski, the guy really is amazing on guitar.

We really enjoyed the set and the crowd was great, so thanks a lot to those of you that were there, you guys made it. I’m sure Charlene appreciated it to.
I was really chuffed that a bunch of my friends from Durban made it up, thanks guys I had an awesome eve. We ended up getting home pretty late, so Sunday was a really lazy day, but I had the memories of the night before to get me through it.

We haven’t got much lined up for the next month, but we’ll be taking the time to work on some new songs and dust out some old ones, I really enjoy getting as much new or new-old stuff into our line up, because we don’t feel like we’re playing the same stuff and those of you who support us regularly don’t have to listen to the same songs again.
Rumor has it my brother Jeremy (the bassist) has a song he’s been writing in the pipeline and myself and Colin are eager to get our grubby little fingers on it and get him up there singing one of his songs, so watch out for it.

Peace and Love All

Liam

Picture Courtesy of Andrea Arbuckle

A great Night

Yesterday Afternoon saw me escaping from the office at 1:30, picking up my brother and Colin on the way home, where we hitched our trailer packed with our equipment and bags and hit the Road to Newcastle.

None of us knew what to expect but we new we wanted to rock and we we’re exited at playing somewhere a lot further a field from our base.

Let’s just say it was an evening beyond our expectations, the crowd was awesome, those Newcastlers area a friendly bunch and they know how to give it stick.
There were a couple of really talented local groups that played before us, and Then Eryn Fourie from PMB set the stage for us, from the first song the crowd gave us a welcome reception that put us on a high to carry us through the night, we invited Angus up non stage to join us for the last couple of songs that ended up being four with the encores.
It was definitely one of my Favorite gig’s to date and the Newcastle crowd has got to be thanked for that - you guys Rock!

This morning we left the hospitality of Angus’s’ house and set out on the long journey home, it was early and we’d only had about 4 hours sleep, but there was a satisfied silence in the car we’d played and had fun and so it seems did the crowd.
As I took in the beautiful scenery in the morning sunshine as I steered us homeward I reflected to my fellow musicians that if we were able I would quite happily do this everyday, go on a long Road trip/Tour of the country... perhaps one day soon.

Saturday Night

Saturday night sees us playing with Dan Patlansky at The Red Door in PMB, the gig is a fundraiser for our local female BMX champion, currently ranked 4th. She’s trying to raise funds for a ticket to the states where she can compete for the number one position. So being the nice guys we are of ‘course we said yes when she asked if we’d play - and obviously the chance to play alongside Dan Patlansky was also a big incentive, the dude just rocks and is a really nice guy too.

The Saturday itself is actually a friend of mines birthday and she designed this really cool invite to all her friends to join her there - so cool that I asked her if I could post it here and extend the invite to all of you out there, it’ll be awesome. If you happen to bump in to Van, buy her a drink.

Tonight though we head up to Newcastle in our new mission to spread our music to all the places that will host us, so we’re looking forward to it a long drive though.
See you all out there somewhere soon.

Liam

Listen to the Demo Tracks!

Okay we got a copy of our demo last night and we’re pretty pleased with it considering the amoun t of time we made it in, we needed a copy asap so time was resricted, I’ve posted them on our myspace so go have a listen to "Step by Step" and "Noel", and give us some feedback, we’d appreciate it.
You can either use the link to the left "Zephyr songs" or click on the title of this entry and it should take you right there.

Little Steps

Above are a couple of options my friend "noodle" came up with, simple but cool!

Above is another option I've tried with warmer colours, different logo.
Jeremy and I added the vocal tracks to the two tracks that will be going on our demo, it's strange recording is a completely different process to playing live. We play well live because we feel the song through each other, have got so used to playing in practice with that person when they're going to change the beat or chord or whatever.
But try and keep time with a prerecorded version of that same person and it's a whole different story.
And so it was that on thursday evening we decided to record ourselves all playing live and get the best takes we could out of that for the demo, there were quite a few takes I can tell you, and quite a few blunders and laughter, but we got them done in the end.
Then on Sunday Jeremy and I went back and put the vocal tracks over, Barry was having issues with his Computer he wanted it to work and it was doing anything but, eventually we got our chance and got the vocals down chop chop, if only playing were as easy as the singing part.
Anyway the picture is an Idea I came up with for the cover, though I haven't settled on it yet, I've asked a couple of My friends (whjo happen to be designers) to give it a crack if they'd like to, so I'll see what they come up with.
Peace all

Liam

Last Nights Gig

It was a great return to action after a long period of non playing, and we really enjoyed it, the crowd was really great and as always at the Red Door, so was the sound.
There were a lot of nerves before hand it was the first time Colin would be playing his new Electric drums live and we had been so long out of playing live we were wondering if we could still handle it. Everything went smooth though and we were happy with the way things went.
Much must be said for Steve and Tara Fataar (whom we were supporting) they put in a great performance with his great guitaring and her amazing and powerful voice, it was a good time our retinue returned home at about 12 and then continued to sit up until 1:30 this morning, so I’m Tired but happy.

Next up is Newcastle on the 8th which were really looking forward too, before we return on the 12th to backup Dan Patlansky.
Have a restful day

Liam

Tonight

So last night we bashed (not really) our way through our set for tonight and refined ourselves in a couple places. We’re playing a new song that’s still got wet ink on ‘cause I only just finished writing the Lyrics, but we’re all relatively happy with it and are hoping you’re all going to love it - it’s called Step by Step, so if you’re there listen out for it.

We’re supporting the Fatars (I hope I spelt that right) at the PMB musicians club at the Red Door in PMB tonight, in case any of you didn’t know.

It’s been a while since we’ve played, and I think we’re all really exited to get back on stage and just enjoy the music.
Spot you all later.

Liam

Autumn Winds

Life is spontabulous - (spontaneously fabulous - a word a friend came up with after one of my spelling errors).
It’s a beautiful autumn/early winter here in the midlands of KZN, the sun is shining down, and not in the overly oppressive way it can in summer, but in the soul and heartwarming way it does in winter.
Soon the grass will turn gold and the leaves will shed their autumn coats, the bright blue sky will stand out in contrast to the bare stark landscape and for a moment all will stand silent.
For now we have autumn and its rich rusty colours, and I’m loving it, still warm enough to wear shorts and slops - but cool enough to wear longs if you’d like. Sleeping in or reading a book in bed is comfortable, because it’s nice to be warm and snuggled up, but you’re arm doesn’t freeze when you take it out from under the covers to turn the page.
This is autumn and I love it’s pastel beauty, below are the lyrics to one of the earliest songs I ever wrote, I guess even back then Autumn held something special for me

Autumn Winds
Autumn winds often blow
First comes summer and then snow
But I’m leaving my seasons of change.
Seeds of thought are planted deep
In the autumn for the winters sleep
and they’ll blossom with springs bright avail
Crazy lady different man
Take the right path if you can
and I’ll see you on the other side of life

My seasons of change pass me everyday
and the reasons of faith leave me open to say
I’m going home with autumn winds
and with the first snow a new year begins
Springtime arrives and there’s a girl in your eyes
but the heat wave comes and you wave goodbye
but I feel at home with autumn winds
See the leaves fall to the ground
The autumn winds blow them around
Till the gather like thoughts in my head
Pastel colours wrapped in brown
Catch them children and throw them around
Till they scatter like memories left behind
My seasons of change pass me everyday
and the reasons of faith leave me open to say
I’m going home with autumn winds
and with the first snow a new year begins
Springtime arrives and there’s a girl in your eyes
but the heat wave comes and you wave goodbye
but I feel at home with autumn winds

I feel at home with autumn winds

Step by Step

Last night the band were working on our recently finished new song “Step by Step”
I really love playing new stuff, so if you’re going to be at the Red Door on Tuesday, you’ll be the first people to hear it live. I really enjoy it, in fact I think we all do, in our long hibernatory period the bands been playing around with our sound and been coming up with a whole lot of new tunes, but I’ve been battling with the lyrics, and so finally I’ve broken my block and got something down. Nothing Shakespearian, or terribly poetic, but it suits the song. So come on down Tuesday, so you can say you were the first to hear “that song”
Peace out everyone

Liam

Words for Watching Sattelite

Watching Sattelite

Sitting in the darkness laughing at the sky
Lying on our backs watching Satellite go by
Big and round you arc the sky and frame the world
if the sun is the son and the worlds the mum then you’re the girl
So round, so round so symmetrical
You pull at me you move me why do you affect me so

Satellite how we miss you in the day
Satellite do you watch us when we play
Satellite do you guide and watch me to?
Satellite how I’m so in love with you.

By the water moving bodies through H2O
Slick as seals so we flow
You are dancing on the surface,
dancing on the surface show us your light
In the water is the only time we’ll feel your touch tonight

Satellite how we miss you in the day
Satellite do you watch us when we play
Satellite do you guide and watch me to?
Satellite how I’m so in love with you.

Moving quickly sound of swift feet running past
Flicker light on naked bodies as they pass
Hear the laughter, hear the laughter echo through the night
Caught and illuminated by your light

Satellite you’re the witness to my youth
Satellite You have always been my truth
Satellite how I long for your embrace
Satellite you always chased me when we raced.

Words for Noel

Noel

There’s too much noise in the world today
No-ones listening to a word you say
You cry out peace and love to all
But they’re too busy making war
The temples line the streets of man
But no-one seems to enter in

There’s a girl on the corner
and her name is Noel
She tells the truth of the Father
as she rings her bell

The coming of man to this desolate world
He said I’ll show you the way so that love can uncurl
He left us a message and it was one of truth
He said "Love one another as I have loved you"

There’s a girl on the corner
and her name is Noel
She tells the truth of the Father
as she rings her bell

Latest News & Gigs and basically whats up!

Okay so what’s the latest? Well Myself & Jeremy had a great weekend at Splashy being inspired and drawn in by all the music and mud - yup it was pretty wet.
Colin decided he wasn’t quite up for it this year, so he stayed at home working on the settings on his new Electric drum kit. Oh yes that’s news a couple weeks ago he took the plunge and a large financial loan and went out and bought himself an electric drum kit! We’ve only had a few practices with it, but it’s cool and it brings a whole new dynamic to the band so much so that we’ve been coming up with new tunes every practice, and now suddenly I need to write a load of lyrics, something that I never have to much trouble normally, but recently I’ve faced a bit of a block. I’ll get over it though, you’ve just gotta let the words come.
We’ve also finally made the step of getting the next one of us into the studio, Colin’s booked with Barry for Tuesday night, if I can I’ll go in and lend him my ear and support.
As Far as gigs go, we have a few lined up in the near future, I just gotta remember all the dates. We’ll be playing in two areas of Natal we’ve not ventured into yet, Newcastle and Margate and we’ll be picking up in extra gigs we can get when we head down to Margate.
Before all of this though we’ll be playing at the Pietermaritsburg Musicians Club on the 24th of April, doing a bit of a support act, so if you’re in the area come check us out.
Peace all
Liam

Listen to the Rough cut

The Start of recording on Saturday went well, I managed to Get down 7 rough cuts of our songs - but it is definitely looking good so far.
Barry was really helpful as I just ran through as many songs as I could on the day and now at least we have a platform to do our proper recordings on.
That evening a myself and Jeremy went with our family and friends to the music evening they have at the Forgotten Falls, we were asked if we would do a couple songs after the last band had played, so naturally we obliged and really enjoyed it.
I’ve added a link to the blog that leads to our Myspace, where I’ve uploaded a rough cut of one of the songs I recorded this weekend - this will just give you a basic Idea of what the final recording will sound like, as we will go in and complete the polished version with the rest of the band backing us. Click on the Link named "Zephyr Songs" at a later stage I will add our finished recordings there as well.

The Birth of an Album?

So it seems some forward progress has been made on our avowed recording, let me say this in our defence though - unfortunately we’re all busy at work or studying, Jeremy’s In his third year studying Industrial phsycology, Colin’'s running his business - and I’m being kept busy at work as well.We decided the best way to go about it was for me to go in and record the songs we’re wanting to do, each of us carrying a copy around with us, which gives us the chance to get the recorded song into our heads. Then we’ll all go in and put the proper recording down together - so that’s what I’'m doing this weekend. Heading Into Barry Meintjies (hope I spelt that right Barry) recording studio in ‘Maritzburg. I’m looking forward to it and it’ll be nice to finally put some of our songs downSo watch out for it, Zephyr’'92s going to have some recorded music available soon.

Ragfest Concert

Once again, we’ve been asked to play at the Pietermaritzburg ‘Varsity "Ragfest", I’m not sure who else will be performing, last year we opened up for the Parlotones, which was pretty cool.
It’s being held on the 30th of March at the ‘Varsity Rugby fields, I’ll add more details when I know them.
The bands pretty phsyced about it and this year in general, we’ve got some really great new tunes and some awesome gig’s lined up, so catch us on the road.

Old Times

I was up In Gauteng this weekend with work, and I was lucky enough to get the chance to meet up with my friend and fellow musician Jason. We’ve known each other since highschool and he’s the one who got me on my way playing guitar, teaching me as he was teaching himself.
Myself and some colleagues went to watch him play on Thursday night - I even got up and did a few songs with him which was nice, I aint played with him in a while and it’s always nice to Jam with an old friend.

Southern Cross 2006

"wait Liam I have a question?"


Some of the fans
2006http://www.southerncrossmusic.co.za

the call is stronger than the pain

Well my finger is still giving me trouble, but the call to play is to strong and I've started playing (though in a limited fasion) again. We've had our first couple practices of the year, and they've been very constructive and great fun. Though I haven’t relly been able to play alot of our songs (’cause I just can’t get my finger to do what I want it to).
We have been coming up with alot of very cool new stuff though and experimenting alot with our sound and I’m loving where it’s going. Hopefully my finger will sort itself out soon and we’ll be able to gety back up on stage soon.
The picture is from last years southern cross, there’s a couple others I’ll post soon.
Peace all

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Busted finger

Well not really - but I've been unable to play my guitar for over a week and it's really starting to get frustrating, I'm not sure how it happened, but some How I twisted/ sprained - did something silly, to my right index finger and I can't currently bend it properly at the joint, so I can't form any chords. Maybe I should take up Piano, then I wouldn't need to bend my fingers so much... or wait the triangle, now that's the way forward.