Fusion of Pop and Traditional Music
Indie-pop band Beatenberg is most likely on any South African hipster’s playlist. Their effortlessly cool sound and blend of pop and SA flavour has made them increasingly popular with young adults around the country. Beantberg is a trio of musicians - Matthew Field, vocals and guitar, Robin Brink on drums and Ross Dorkin on bass.
The band formed in 2008 in Cape Town, aiming to make music that sounded different from the ordinary. Fusing pop, Kwaito, House and Mbaqanga, the band opted to showcase legendary South African music genres with a fun, upbeat twist. They stretch the possibilities of what pop music can be in the South African music culture, and as a result, attract a huge following.
In 2014, the band released their debut album ‘The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg’, which resulted in numerous awards, including a sweep of the South African Music Awards - Album of the Year, Duo or Group of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Best Pop Album and four awards for their hit single “Pluto (Remember You)”.
Beatenberg is signed to international record label Island Records and released ‘12 Views of Beatenberg’ in 2018, which was a huge success. The band continues to redefine SA’s pop music industry as they focus on bringing indigenous South African styles of music to international stages.