The wait is over…
2015 is FRANCOIS VAN COKE’s year. He takes a new path with his self-titled debut solo album… doing things his way. He has screamed enough. He lays himself open on probably one of the most exciting releases of 2015. Francois van Coke’s album is out NOW and available on iTunes, in shops and at his shows.
The iconic frontman of legendary groups Fokofpolisiekar and Van Coke Kartel launched his solo career with the successful release of his first single, Moontlik Nooit from his website on the 20th of February. The next single is the heartbreakingly beautiful ballad, Toe Vind Ek Jou featuring Karen Zoid.
Every song on this album is individually unique, but there runs a golden thread through the album that is exceptionally Francois van Coke.
This album celebrates a new chapter in Francois van Coke’s personal life and career. It is a rock based album, imbued with folk, country, alternative, industrial and even pop influences. The songs as a whole are not as heavy as the bands (Fokofpolisiekar & Van Coke Kartel) Francois plays in.
Francois’ self-titled album went live for pre-order on iTunes in the 18th of March and reached the overall 3rd spot on the SA charts within 24 hours. Today the album is at the number 1 position.
FRANCOIS VAN COKE – Album track list and Francois’ song descriptions:
Francois teamed-up with old and new friends to bring this album to life. They are Jedd Kossew, Karen Zoid, Laudo Liebenberg, Hunter Kennedy and Arno Carstens.
Behoort aan niemand nie
The opening track kicks off with spooky vocals and distorted bass guitar. The verse moves in rhythm to rock ‘n roll of the 80’s. The chorus ‘Staan terug vir niemand nie, behoort aan niemand nie’ (‘Stand back for no one, belong to no one’) is a mission statement for the future exposed with straightforward acoustic guitar and piano. Jedd Kossew plays a fantastic melodic solo, underscored with industrial and electronic sounds close to the end.
Moontlik Nooit
Dark electronic rock accompanied by an unforgettable guitar line and basic beat. Jedd’s falsetto backing vocals gives the song a pop feel for this dark and cynical lamentation.
Die Skip
Laudo Liebenberg boards the ship for this three-minute-thirty-second sail on the ocean. Francois, Laudo and Jedd’s harmonic vocals accompanied by soulful rhythm and guitar tones is reminiscent of an island holiday. Cheerful music positioned against dark lyrics. ‘Ek is hierdie skip wat sink. Anker onderkant.’ (‘I’m this ship that sinks. Anchor at the bottom.’)
Hulle Sê It’s a dark, optimistic mission statement about getting older, accompanied with a strong pop sound. The bridge moves to a fantasy world with beautiful guitar strumming, but returns with the chorus - ‘Ek voel ‘n f*k wat die mense sê.’ (‘I feel a f**k about what people say.’)
Waar daar ‘n wil is…
It’s the heaviest song on the album. A technical distorted bass intro that leads to a primitive drum rhythm, coloured-in by atmospheric guitar sounds. A sudden break changes the pace to hard rock and metal, momentarily reminiscent of Van Coke Kartel. A sweeping chorus with a massive drum invasion by Sheldon Yoko drives the point home - ‘Waar daar ‘n wil is, is daar ‘n weg’ (‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’). Don’t miss the end of the song.
By die Huis
The longest track on the album starts with a shuffle beat and beautiful guitar work, violin sounds and a driving bass. Francois whispers his discontent about how bad it feels to lay awake in South Africa. A massive twist leads to a loud and heavy ending.
Skree Things take a lighter turn on this folk rock number. Acoustic guitars weaved with tight and hooky guitar lines drive this melancholic party folk song.
Ek Weet Nie
Arno Carstens sings in his best Afrikaans on this song since Sprinbok Nude Girls’ ‘Pappa, ek wil ‘n poster word.’ A soft piece builds up to an immense chorus with Francois and Arno’s floating vocals. Another ode to uncertainty. ‘Ek raak ouer, maar die opslossing kom nog nie.’ (‘I’m getting older, but I still don’t have the answers.’)
Waarheid, Weg en Lewe
A hurried rock song reminiscent of the 70’s. Harmonic singing underlined with pulsing guitar rhythms. Jedd performs one of the biggest solos on the album.
Neonlig
Die Heuwels Fantasties contributes to this grunge pop somber number. Things also get a bit funky (for the first and only time) here. Hunter Kennedy and Pierre Greeff lend their vocals to this song.
Toe vind ek jou
A country-ish ballad with Karen Zoid. The most beautiful song on the album.
Maanskyn & Rose
Johnny de Ridder’s piano encircles atmospheric sounds and light rhythms. Moonshine and roses from here on out.
FRANCOIS VAN COKE ALBUM LAUNCH TOUR:
FRANCOIS VAN COKE’s album launch tour kicks off with a free show at SGT. Pepper in Cape Town today. Francois put together an amazing band of great musicians to give fans an unforgettable live experience.
The band includes Jedd Kossew (Van Coke Kartel) on lead guitar, Richard Onraet (Jesse Clegg) on rhythm guitar, Rudolph Willemse on bass and keyboard and Sheldon Yoko (Die Heuwels Fantasties) on drums.
Date: 8 April 2015 Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: SGT Pepper Address: Long Street, Cape Town Time: 8pm Contact: 021 424 5608 Tickets: FREE ENTRANCE
Date: 9 April 2015 Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Rembrandt Saal Address: CP Nel Museum Complex, Baron van Reede Street, Oudsthoorn Time: 5:45pm Date: 10 April 2015 Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Rembrandt Saal Address: CP Nel Museum Complex, Baron van Rheede Street, Oudsthoorn Time: 5:45pm Date: 11 April 2015 Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Rembrandt Saal Address: CP Nel Museum Complex, Baron van Reede Street, Oudsthoorn Time: 5:45pm
Date: 14 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Aandklas, Stellenbosch
Address: 43a Bird Street
Contact: Marcus - 021 883 3545
Tickets: R50
Doors open: 7pm; performance at 10pm
Date: 15 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band, Outlaws Venue: Mystic Boer, Bloemfontein
Address: 84 Kellner Street, Westdene
Contact: Etienne - 051 430 2206
Tickets: R50
Doors open: 7pm; performance at 10pm
Date: 16 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band, Outlaws Venue: Mystic Boer, Potchefstroom
Address: James Moroka Street
Contact: Eloise – 082 783 9316
Tickets: R40
Doors open: 7pm; performance at 10pm
Date: 17 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Rumours Lounge
Address: Shop 20 Palm Court, Cornelius Street, Weltevreden Park
Contact: Fred - 079 825 7995
Tickets: R60
Doors open: 7pm; performance at 10pm
Date: 18 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Arcade Empire Pretoria
Address: 256 The Highway Street, Equestria
Contact: Rudolf 082 449 5144
Tickets: R100
Doors open: 7pm; performance at 10pm
Date: 19 April 2015
Line-up: Francois van Coke & Band Venue: Atterbury Theater
Address: Daventry Street 4 (Corner of Lynnwood and Daventry Streets), Lynnwood
Contact: 012 471 1700
Time: 20h00
Tickets: R120
