Just imagine the picturesque heights of the Bains Kloof Pass framed, not only by warm seasonal colours and contours, but the sounds of an acoustic guitar being bowed like a viola.
The kloof echoed sounds from a hiking composer, Gary Thomas, performing musical mystique on the peaks of the peering mountains.
“I’ve done numerous hikes in Bains Kloof and been up there about three times in the past three months. Friends of mine, the McBains, who offer travel and retreat accommodation, guided me to genuine gems the kloof has to offer.”
During his stay he spent his free time on the river, exploring trails and shooting videos while performing his unique styles on an acoustic guitar, “all this while dragging some equipment along.
“I had a guitar in a soft case on my back, with a backpack at the front, my GoPro, a recording device in my back pocket and a tripod in hand. It was slightly challenging climbing rocks and waning through water. At times I had to clamber barefoot . . .”
In one video, the 38-year-old is seen in a waterfall cave, surrounded by a rush of water intertwined with stroking soundscapes.
“While filming there, I could barely hear my guitar,” he chuckled. “It was incredibly loud, but my guitar has a blend-pick-up, so it’s like a slider I can oscillate between a tiny on-board mic and the actual line-out sound. That way I could control how much audio the mic put out. In post-production, I generally equalise it and add a bit of a reverb to harmonise it all.”
The beauty of the Bains Kloof certainly was a source of inspiration.
“It’s incredibly beautiful there… it was paradise walking upriver and finding water pools around every corner, nestled between the mountains. You’d find beautiful waterfalls as you travel up the mountain path. The natural elements are incredibly rich, and more amazing, it’s within reach of Cape Town.”
Up, up, up the pass, on one of the hills, Thomas said he was able to see a corner of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.
Originally from Durban, he moved to Cape Town in 2016 and continued his repertoire for live music, in addition to composing and producing music for documentaries, film and television since 2012.
“I’m an all sorts in the sound world. Live music seems to be healthier these days after the pandemic and studio work is slowly trickling in. It’s still in an awkward phase.”
Most fascinating was seeing Thomas stroking his acoustic guitar, creating soul stirring sounds with a bow.
“I saw Led Zeppelin’s guitarist, Jimmy Page, do it once. I had no idea you could achieve such melodic control with the bow until I started trying it myself.
“I figured it out and am still on the never-ending journey. It’s really fun and useful for both the live music and film worlds because it lends itself to cinematic landscapes.”
He owns a few different types of guitars – a steel string acoustic, nylon classical, electric and 12-string acoustic. “I also have an old classical banjo that I must get into. I can play bass, piano and a little bit of drums. I’d love to own and learn the cello one day.”
Starting 23 June, he will feature at the National Arts Festival, to be held in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) until Sunday 3 July.
But would he be playing in the bountiful theatres of the Boland anytime soon?
“I’d love to come out and play some concerts around that area. It’s a simple matter of research on my part. I love travelling and performing in new places and meeting new people. It’s a great part of the job.”
You can find Gary Thomas on LinkedIn, or follow his music on his other handle Moodship on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
