FOKOFPOLISIEKAR released their third full length album, Selfmedikasie, on 3rd October 2017.
History will look back at Fokofpolisiekar as a culturally significant phenomenon. From the get-go they have been pulling at threads unravelling debates and emotions; tapping into the uncomfortable to play their part in culture building. With the release of the music video for Parkiebank, herfs 2017 they continue to do so.
Fokofpolisiekar wanted to create something more than just a normal music video and wanted to fuel a social dialogue, so they approached filmmaker and photographer, Sean Metelerkamp. Sean was also responsible for the visually impressive Fokofpolisiekar video called Antibiotika.
The result is a 3-part visual piece:
1. A “conventional” music video.
2. A series of interviews with young Afrikaners documenting their views about their place in the world and how they see their future.
3. A cutting edge virtual reality world that only Francois van Coke has seen.
1. The “conventional” music video
2. The interviews:
In November 2017 Fokofpolisiekar invited their fans via their social media channels to be a part of the Parkiebank, herfs 2017 music video. Interviews were held in Durbanville, Stellenbosch and Bloemfontein. Anyone could take part and their opinions were captured without judgement.
These interviews were shared on Fokofpolisiekar’s social media networks over the past two weeks leading up to the music video’s release.
The viewpoints of this peer group varies and inspires more questions than answers.
"Ultimately I think the point of the song is to get people to ask themselves important questions regarding their identity and the role they see themselves playing in broader society; in order for them to make informed decisions,” says Hunter Kennedy, lyricist and guitarist for Fokofpolisiekar.
Hunter Kennedy shares his mindset about Parkiebank, herfs 2017:
“In this piece I’m contemplating financial prosperity as a measure of success and the ethical dilemma around wealth in a country like ours where as a result of centuries of colonization, civil wars, exploitation of cheap labour and natural resources, blatant racial oppression and gross mismanagement at governmental level the rich/poor line still has a colour.
“It’s also about measuring our happiness by our achievements and the irony of working our whole lives just to one day, hopefully, be able to do nothing.
“Clearly I have a problem with being neck deep in our product-driven, capitalistic construct. I often entertain escape, but we never do what we say we're going to.
“My love/hate relationship with the media causes sleepless nights. An urgent paranoia washes over me from time to time and I think about escaping, not just the constant drudgery of the pursuit of wealth and luxury, but also the racial discourse in our country (this was when Bell-Pottinger’s evil master plan was in full swing).
I often feel like I don’t belong here, but then I wonder, where the f*ck do I actually belong? In other pieces I’ve questioned the validity of borders in our increasingly integrated world. I feel that we, and people like us, don’t think of ourselves as patriots and thus we don’t have a homeland and that, in fact, we don’t need one.
“‘Wat maak ons nog hier?’ (What are we still doing here?) is a challenge to do an internal audit and to grapple with the question until you have an answer.”
3. The big question now is: what does Francois see in that virtual reality world?
Komma at Kirstenbosch on 21st January 2018
On Sunday, 21st January, Fokofpolisiekar will deliver a monster of a 90 minute set at Kirstenbosch in Cape Town. The audience will be treated to old and new classics. Some songs from the new album, Selfmedikasie, will be performed here for the first time.
They will film a live music video for their deeply moving ballad, Komma, at this show, so get your tickets now to be a part of this special experience.
More Fokofpolisiekar performances to look forward to…
Date: 27 January 2018 (Up The Creek)
Venue: Up The Creek camp (Felix Unite River Adventures)
Directions: http://bit.ly/2mxsaDZ
General Enquiries: Red Hot Events Office / 021 510 0547
Tickets: http://www.upthecreek.co.za/tickets/
Date: 1 February 2018 (Puk Jool)
Venue: Puk Jool plaas
Address: Puk Campus/ Fanie du Toit sports grounds
Contact: Leon - 082 492 3362
Performance time: 22h00
Purchasing tickets: R120 per night @ gate
Pre-sales @ Campus/ Jool Offices 018 299 2882 or door
Date: 4 March 2018 (Concerts in the park)
Line up: Fokofpolisiekar, MR Cat & The Jackal & Joe Emilio
Venue: De Waal Park
Address: Molteno Road, CBD, Cape Town
Event time: 3 – 6pm
Tickets: FREE
Date: 5 March 2018 (Woordfees)
Venue: Jan Marais nature reserve
Address: Marais Rd, Mostertsdrift, Stellenbosch
Performance time: 18h30
Purchasing tickets: R100 - http://bit.ly/2mHP3Fp
Date: 23 March 2018 (International tattoo convention)
Venue: The Lookout, V&A Waterfront
Address: Granger Bay Blvd, V & A Waterfront
Purchasing tickets: R195 – R590 http://bit.ly/2mDG2xm
Date: 31 March 2018 (Lush Festival)
Venue: Linwood Guest Farm
Address: R711, Clarens, Free State http://bit.ly/2myQLIv
Purchasing tickets: R545 – R1 295 http://bit.ly/2DjK7QH
