Category Archives: BCS Blog

Hey all

I have a “guest blog” spot about our time in Calcutta (India) over at http://www.darlenezschech.com.  Click on the pic to check it out ;)…

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How could I forget?

As I sit here the day after returning to my comfortable life in Sydney, I just can’t shake vivid images of what I saw in Calcutta (India) that have been etched into mind.  This tour has been one of the most impacting experiences I’ve ever had…

Joyce Meyer’s Festival Of Life (with Darlene Zschech) went amazing.  With each night, the number of people who came out from across India only grew larger, despite sky-high temperatures.  One family – though the husband only gets three days off a year – travelled almost 2000 miles on those days off just to bring his family.  Wow…

I feasted on some of the best food.  Even bumped into reality TV personality, Tiffany “New York” Pollard while there (as you do haha…).  There were lots of fun times for sure.  But for me, the most memorable moments were off stage…

The day we visited Mother Teresa Of Calcutta Centre had such an effect on me.  Visiting her tomb, walking where she walked… Seeing the actual room she resided in for all those years – a humble, simple, tiny space with what only barely resembled an average-sized bed, a little table & not much else…  It’s like you could feel the weight of what this woman carried just being there.  Unbelievable.  It’s not a feeling I could ever really verbalize or muster up on this blog.

Then visiting the orphanage, holding those babies & coming face to face with unspeakable poverty – 0n top of everything else – was like, “Man…”.  It’s a very confusing, somewhat unjust, thing to go from your comfortable world one moment, to the absolute lowest of the low the next, then back again.  Made me feel, like, “What am I even doing?”

I’m still processing it all…

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Hey everyone, howzit?

Please check out my UK mates, boy band, VICE.  They have a new EP out right now called Let It Begin.  If you like great Pop music, you’re gonna love this record.

Click on the image to get the music!

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Hey people, what’s up?  How was the weekend?  Hope you’re all doing well.

So I got back from Toronto/NYC tour just last Wednesday.  Was my very first time to Toronto, so I was pretty stoked.  It’s funny, I was telling Darlene Zschech on the flight over…

When I was 19, this producer actually tried to coax me into coming over there to do music.  Actually ended up getting the working holiday visa & money saved up, the whole thing.  Then at the very last minute he pulled the plug.  Was devastated aye.  But Darlene was like, “Now you get to go to Toronto on your own terms…”. What a blessing.

Some highlights from TDot (aka Toronto): playing Air Canada Centre (Canada’s biggest venue), eating Joyce Meyer’s chicken parmesan (haha), trying Canadian bacon (it’s actually really good aye!) & Tim Hortons coffee (like Starbucks but way better – uh oh, probably won’t gain many fans with that comment haha…).  Kinda weird but cool how they’ve got hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere too.

New York.  My favorite city in the world :).  Was there for Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Did two two-hour sessions back to back.  People were beyond expectant & passionate, they were schooling us!  Pretty incredible.

Apart from BT, NYC highlights included eating at BBQ’s (check the pic, ’nuff said haha…) & Amy Ruth’s (my favorite soulfood restaurant in Harlem).  And on the final night, we rolled into West Village, took in some hot live jazz at Fat Cat & smashed some New York pizza (nothing like it!).

Coming back home, was straight into work for me: teaching & gigging (performed live Friday, Saturday & Sunday night on the jetlag train haha…).  I’ll be back in the lab from tomorrow to finish the vocals for my project & gigging on the weekend.  Next week I’m off to Houston for a few weeks to be with Israel Houghton & from there I travel on to San Antonio to be with Darlene Zschech.

Life’s pretty full right now & I’m being way stretched.  But how can I complain?  I’m living in answered prayers & life could be a whole lot worse..!  Man…  So grateful.

Peace out & much love ;)…

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Late tonight I was listening to a great interview and during it, the guest on there went on to share a quote.  It really kind of stopped me in my tracks, I couldn’t help but click rewind so I could hear it again:

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Wow…

The guest was saying how so many people sit in offices all across the world – or not even just offices,  any job – and they die that little bit more inside everyday, because they know they’re not fulfilling what they were really put on earth to do.  Man…  That is such a sad, yet profound, truth.

It really made me take a step back and examine my life objectively aye, provoking the question, “What am I doing, is it really what I was made for? And if not, how can I change it?”

Thank God, I’ve already seen parts of my dream come to pass and continue to see it.  It sure takes a whole lot of prayer and hard work though, and there’s still so much more.  But I never want to lose focus and settle for a life of just existing on Mediocre Avenue.  Because the road map to that place isn’t a baton – though generically conventional, most likely comfortable and somewhat predictable –  I want to pass on to anyone once my time’s up.

Mediocrity is no legacy.

I want to truly live … and make sure I never stop living.

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Back on Aussie shores after the craziest, most unforgettable tour with Darlene Zschech & crew.  I probably sound like I say every tour is the best one, huh?  Haha…  That’s because, just when I think, “How can it get any better?”, each new trip just trumps the last one…  Bananas!  This time we were Africa-bound, traveling to Johannesburg & Zimbabwe.

As we touched down at Joburg airport, the air was thick with an excitement fueled by the upcoming World Cup.  People seemed to have an extra bounce in their step, & everywhere we went surroundings were adorned with national slogans, colors & whatnot.  Felt pretty special to be back on mother soil too (for those who don’t know, I was born in Cape Town a few moons ago…).   I knew it was going to be a great few days…

Our first stop was Rhema, in Joburg.  The night we played there was phenomenal.  One thing about the people of Africa in general is that they know how to engage & really sing. Wow…  Talk about passion!  At times I felt like just putting the mic down, to be honest (haha…).  Just so unbelievable & the Rhema team couldn’t have been more accommodating either – so thankful guys!

Of course, after downing multiple bags of biltong (sort of like beef jerky, to all you Americans haha…) & making sure I got my boerwors fix (the most amazing sausage in history..!), I was one very happy guy.  Also managed to squeeze in a photoshoot with my friend photographer, Shaun “SuperShaun” Strydom.  Just wait till you see pics aye, the guy is ridiculously talented!

Next commenced the trek to Zimbabwe, a first for all of us.  Man…  What a remarkable place aye.  For a nation that’s endured quite a bit in recent times, I found the people there so beautiful, approachable & especially courageous.  There’s like a tangible sense of hopefulness, which I really dug.  A passionate people too…

We went to Bulawayo first, followed by Harare, for Festival Of Life with Joyce Meyer.  It was reportedly the first major gather there since 1984, so what a huge honor & responsibility being there.  Governemnent gave the green light & it was even covered on national television.

Between playing at different sessions & venues (one outdoor, one indoor) though, we also had a chance to visit a Rose Of Sharon orphanage.  Playing with the kids there, & having the opportunity to help buy them food & toys, was one of those moments that will forever be etched into my memory.

Was definitely sad to leave, but I’m glad we at least got to spend time with them aye.  I have so much respect for Ms Fatima & her team for being so sacrificial in taking care of those children.  Wow…

The final night of Festival Of Life saw 250 000 people come out, some who had traveled for hours on the roughest African roads just to get there…  Definitely an experience to be remembered for a lifetime.

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What can I say about this man?  In this case, I think it’s best to just let the music speak for itself.

Here is the very first offering – a song called Bones – from another one of my insanely talented friends, Mr Seth Haapu.  Check it out & if you love the song, please support great music + buy it ;)…

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Well, I’m back in Sydney after a successful tour with Darlene Zschech & team in Indonesia/Philippines.  What an amazing time…

There’s really something to be said about the generosity of spirit & just the kindness of the people in that part of the world aye.  It’s so humbling & kinda really takes you aback when you meet them.  Definitely one of the first things that grabbed me (apart from the sky-high temperatures – it was hot!!)…

Though I get to do this a bit, it’s still a huge privilege & a real treat every single time.  I know that could come across like a typical thing to say, but it’s true.  Pretty cool being able to travel the world doing what I love, but even cooler getting to be part of peoples’ lives being impacted too.  This time was no exception either…  Constantly pinch myself, “Huh?  How the heck did I get here, how did this happen?”.  Definitely counting my blessings…

Tiberius in Jakarta was our first stop.  That was a lot of fun.  The whole team there were just outstanding human beings, which only highlights the experience even more.  And there was definitely no shortage of nasi goreng (haha…).  The food was a huge thumbs up for me.  Especially remember this chocolate cigar dessert I annihilated, definitely a first but hopefully not a last :)…

We then headed to the Philippines, our first stop: Araneta Coliseum in Manila.  We were told only an hour before due being onstage, that we were given the green light from the government officials to even go ahead with the night  How crazy is that?  Talk about stepping out & hoping for the best, right!  More than 12 000 people came out, it sure was some kind of spectacular.  God is awesome…

Lastly, we headed to Naga City to APPEND Conference, only an hour’s flight away.  It was funny, because as we got off the plane, there was this dance group welcoming us with a routine (haha…).  Cool but hilarious!

Where we stayed was one of my faves to date, out on this water-park/reserve type property, each having our own cobana bungalow.  Had a very Survivor feel to it, just the whole vibe (some Survivor training is actually done/filmed there funnily enough).

Before making the final journey home, we flew back to Manila for a day,  where I possibly had the most amazing feast of my life.  Wow…  Even if you’re not a foodie, you would have felt like you were in Food Heaven!  Haha…  All in all, a pretty incredible time to say the least.  Definitely gets a big, resounding ✓…  Oh yeah, I probably drank more Coke this tour than I have the past 10 years.  Yikes..!

Gearing up for USA next week.  Huge thanks to everyone for all the support & big love from me…

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For a couple of years now, I’ve been mega blessed to be a part of a movement founded by Grammy Award-winning recording artist, Israel Houghton.

More than just a typical band or group though, New Breed is really a family.  One that spans the globe too – I’m actually not the only South African, yesss (haha…).  The one common thread that unites us is taking the message of Jesus to the world.   Not in a whacky, spooky way, but in a way that’s relevant, relatable & just real to young people.

We recently released the very first New Breed album (usually it’s Israel & New Breed) titled Generation Love & I highly recommend it ☺!  Seriously though, if you’re looking for something positive & soul-lifting, be sure to pick it up on iTunes.   Here’s a pic of the gang in Houston last year:

And below is a fly-on-the-wall insight put together just for you guys.  Hope you’re really blessed by it…

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Wow, I’m on a roll – two days of blogging in a row (haha…).

Welcome to the first installment of The BCS Plug.   I wanted to turn your attention to an amazing artist & good friend of mine, Ginny Blackmore.

Haha…

We wrote/recorded this tune a few years back in the UK:

For those who don’t know, we were in the NZ group, Jireh, together way back in the day.   She’s now signed to Sony as a songwriter in London & doing big things aye.   She’s worked with some of the music industry’s finest, both in the UK & beyond.  Simon Cowell sure knows her name, let’s put it that way…

Definitely keep an eye out ;).

http://www.myspace.com/virginiamcgrail

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What’s up everyone?

This update comes at you from the family home in Auckland (New Zealand) & on just my second day of being a 27 year-old.   I like that combination (haha…).   Huge thanks for all the thoughtful bday messages aye.   Wherever in the world you were writing from, I sure felt the love…

Here are my performances/interview from Good Morning last December. Enjoy ;)…

Christmas Time Again:

The Christmas Song + Interview:

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Hey everyone, how’s it going?

A kind fan sent me this: “…out of all the singers/actors/artists I follow on Twitter, you are the only one who responds to my tweets.”

Now I’m not blowing any trumpets, because – to be honest – I hardly get back to everyone.  But it really stirred the question: “When was it ok to be exclusive?”

We are people & we are all the same aye. Don’t ever think “status” justifies a right to pick & choose who’s “worth” responding to.  Like, what the..?

Yes – it’s unrealistic to get back to every single person. I totally get that. But it’s so important to treat people consistently aye.

And if you’re wondering why I titled this note Public Perception VS Personal Selection, it’s ’cause too often people choose who to associate with, based on how it would be perceived publicly.  I unapologetically post this as a wake-up call for anyone needing to be reminded that…

…People matter.

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Hope you all have a swell day with that special somebody ;)…

And, hey, if you don’t have one, it’s all good.  Just make sure you’re loving your family, friends & yourself.   That’s the cool thing about love: it isn’t exclusive, it’s inclusive.

Peace!

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Hey people, how’s it going? Well, it’s a Wednesday morning here in Sydney, currently 26.7°C & rising. Getting stuck into my day…

During the interim, till the EP’s done & ready, I’ve been in writing mode. Doing a bit of songwriting for a publishing company, as well as some freelancing. Today I’m excited to be working on a demo for an upcoming artist you should all be aware of: Tarryn Stokes.

She’s an incredible talent & has the kind of voice that knocks the wind out of you. Crazy, because you would never expect it, she’s a real powerhouse! And if you’re a Guy Sebastian fan, you might recognize the name & voice from a song called Magic, off of his new Like It Like That album.

Guy told me he originally called Tarryn in to record the demo of the song, but she was that good he ended up keeping those vocals for the final version. So there you go aye! To learn more about Tarryn Stokes, you can find her on MySpace & Twitter.

Anyways, better get to it. Will keep you guys posted on more happenings. Have the best day ;)…

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Happy 2010!

Wow… A whole new decade. Pretty crazy, huh?

I hope this first year of the new decade is only just the beginning of the best years of your life – that your best is still yet to come. I don’t think 2010 is even ready for you..!

So spare no expense in the celebration stakes, make sure you go out & have fun. God bless, much love, keep safe & let the games begin!

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Hey all, what’s up?  Hope you’ve all got a relaxing weekend ahead.  Mine’s already started here in Australia & is going great so far :).

I wanted to take to my blog to write about a current, very public disgrace involving a certain top golfer.  From headlines screaming at me from every direction, to “water-cooler” comments made by every other person I’ve caught up with this week, it’s been kinda hard to avoid.  I’m sure you all know who I’m referring to…

This whole Tiger Woods debacle really bothers me aye.

Yes, I know what he did was beyond wrong, that’s undeniable.  But people getting kicks out of gossiping about it..?  I know fame & privacy don’t have the easiest relationship, but that’s disgusting.  And some of the worst offenders of it are Christians.  That’s not ok…

I really hope pastors don’t turn this into a Sunday sermon.  We have enough problems/flaws of our own to deal with.  The church pulpit should not be a vehicle for “holy” gossip.  No such thing.  At the same time, I want to insist that I don’t for a second think infidelity is ok either.  Of course, there will always be consequences to our actions & we should be prepared to pay for what we choose to order in life.  But that’s a whole ‘nother blog altogether!

Society today is becoming so increasingly desensitized to pop culture & the idea of “celebrity”, it’s like they don’t even think of them as actual human beings.  That it’s somehow ok to be extra negative towards them, saying things they wouldn’t even normally say about anyone (go figure!), all because they’re in the public eye?  I don’t know about you, but that to me is just downright scary…

Quite often, peoples’ response to that would go something like this: “Well, they asked for it.  They knew what they were in for when they got famous.  Everyone knows your business anyway, it’s normal, it just comes with it!  They’re rich, they’ll be fine…”.  That’s a poor excuse.  At the end of the day – with or without fame & money – people are people.

Just because a celebrity shames themselves, it doesn’t make you & I any more decent as human beings when we choose to follow the status quo & involve ourselves in regurgitating gossip…

Two wrongs = Right..?  Hardly.

Hey everyone, how’s it going?

So I’ve finally succumbed (or I should say “awakened”…) to the world of online blogging.  It feels good though & I’m kind of doing this at the right time.

This blog will be a place where I’ll share my thoughts & happenings.  Apart from it being a good way to streamline things a bit (as opposed to starting up a zillion-&-one different social networking profiles…), it’s an exciting new way for me to rekindle my love affair with writing/journaling.

Thanks heaps for stopping, hope you enjoy what you read :)…

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