Carl is also the co-founder, singer and guitarist of THE HOTTENTOTS.
www.thehottentots.com
Influences
caetano veloso, bert jansch, buddha, martin carthy, abdel gadir salim, randy newman, big bill broonzy, joni mitchell, joao bosco, bob dylan, baden powell, the everly brothers, arthur rimbaud, sister rosette tharpe, kurt weil, ray charles, townes van zandt, pat metheny, leadbelly, ali farka toure, jacques brel, jerry lee lewis, narciso yepes, the golden gate quartet, ravi shankar, sandy bull, lightning hopkins, tom waits, abdullah ibrahim, buddy holly, nina simone, rufus wainwright, hukwe zawose, the beatles, brownie mcghee, tintin
Flemish-born Carl Cleves, troubadour, adventurer, global citizen and ethnomusicologist has recorded 9 albums: 4 solo and 5 with The Hottentots and is the author of ‘Tarab: Travels with my guitar’. His rollercoaster ride of emotions, eclectic melodic gems and wonderful storytelling have captured the hearts and imagination of audiences in countless countries around the world.
Carl's many years of travel throughout Africa, the Middle East, the Orient, the Pacific Region and South America result in highly original songs, ranging from polyrhythmic exuberance to intimate subtlety, the personal to the political. Traces of Brazil, Africa, folk and blues are the spice in the stew of Carl’s songs.
Carl founded The Hottentots & the dance band, Hottentot Party, together with greek-australian singer-songwriter, Parissa Bouas. Hear their music at myspace.com/thehottentots
Of his first book, ‘Tarab: Travels with my guitar, Bruce Elder (Sydney Morning Herald) writes: ‘Cleves deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Thesiger, Burton and Newby. He is a true traveller in an age of holidaymakers and gawpers.’ From the Sudan to Australia, Tarab is an epic, mesmerizing tale of high adventure and the search for meaning of a guitar-toting minstrel in his roles as young beat poet, law student, single father, ethnomusicologist, relief worker in India and recording star in Brazil. It is the story of an artist’s quest for Tarab: a place where music and poetry bestow true bliss upon the lucky one. It’s by turns philosophical, funny, adventurous and insightful.
'Carl never ever tries to sound like anybody else. Approach and sound vary widely but always with a complete lack of pretence and trendiness.He has managed to absorb these other influences while retaining his own muse. As a result he is an uncompromising artist with a personal vision that is both whimsical and wise and yet he’s not averse to injecting a bit of hokey fun into the proceedings. His melodies are memorable and moving….In fact Carl is the only acoustic guitarist in Australia whose work I can detect after two notes…his sound is that singular.’ Richard Jarsituowicz Diaspora World Beat Magazine
Hi Carl .I like your tracks ...Thats the first time I've heard your music . I've seen your band name advertised for years around the Byron area when I've been up on tour but I never get a night off so I don't get to see any other acts.
Carl, é você mesmo??? Há quanto tempo não nos vemos ou nos falamos!? Saudades de você, meu amigo. Gostei das novas canções. Precisamos tocá-las juntos, quando vem aqui? Um grande abraço e espero você aqui em BHZ.
Salve Carl! Já gostava de seu som, a começar que fala de minha terra, Minas Gerais. Mais importante, acho que você morou em minha rua, em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 1978/9. Você e seu pequeno filho. Era rua Tenente Garro, bairro de Santa Efigênia. Chico, Efigênia, Verinha, Célia eram alguns dos amigos comuns. Abraço irmão, muito bonito seu som. Luz e alegria, Paulo Mourão
Hi Carl! You are a well traveled man...no doubt. Your sweet & deep lyrics and melodies takes the listener to a trip around the world. Great job!!! Thanks for add me as your friend. Cheers from Florida!
Eduardo.
Carl, obrigado pelo carinho das palavras e parabéns pela sua bela música! É impressionante como a identificação musical independe das distâncias! Um forte abraço do amigo violeiro! Manda notícias!
Hello Carl and Parissa! I got the book in the post! Thanks a lot! I read it from cover to cover and what a wonderful journey... beautiful! Lots of love from us all! Hanitra
Dear friend Carl! It was great to find you here and have news from you. Keep in touch. Loved your tracks here. Seus amigos mineiros sentem sua falta. Grande abraço. Luiz
tis a honour to share with you Carl thank you for sealing the connection again...will look forward to tangible connecting one day soon we hope....kaeleen & angelika
Hi Carl...Hope you're having a great tour...sure looks like you're getting about with all those dates. I am just finishing up shooting a short film here in Coffs and have been having a fantastic time! Please say hi to Parissa for me. Michael
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