SINGER-SONGWRITER, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Rikalet, will launch her debut EP, Mother Tongue, at The Barn at The Opera House on Saturday, January 26.
For Rikalet, music is her mother tongue, which is why she chose the name for her first collection, and its title track.
The five songs on the EP are connected in various ways through the instrumentation, the vocals and the style, which is a blend or fusion and contain blues, folk, gypsy and cabaret influences.
Rikalet primarily focused on vocals and piano on her album, as she was determined to have raw acoustic sounds for these songs; therefore nothing was created electronically.
Rikalet has been playing music since the tender age of five and prides herself on always writing her own music and lyrics.
Although her main focus is playing the piano, singing and composing music, she has experience with various other instruments such as pipe organ, violin, and acoustic guitar, accordion and various percussion instruments.
Not tied to writing in a specific genre, she believes that as time goes by her style is constantly changing and evolving based on what she is exposed to or listening to at that particular period of her life.
“My music is just one expression that gives music a voice as a universal language. The possible connections it creates to others, to our individual and collective futures and our pasts – I’m just in love with that. Music is always best played and experienced with other people,” said Rikalet.
She will take the stage with five other musicians in a colourful collaboration including Timon Oosthuizen (drums and percussion), Tiago Vital (bass and trombone), Curt Rix (trumpet), Tiaan Uys (double bass, clarinet and saxophone), and Ashton Cusens (accordion).
Some Nelson Mandela University music students and alumni will also join this spectacular performance.
For a taste of what one can expect on the evening, visit Rikalet’s Sound Cloud at www.soundcloud.com/rikalet.
Pre-sold tickets will be available for R90 online from Quicket at www.quicket.co.za /events/64828-rikalet-mother-tongue-ep-launch/#/ or at the door for R100.
The event starts at 19:00.
