Creator: Donovan Copley---------------
Management: Sue Copley---------------
International Management: Marcel van den Berg-----
Muscial Director: Ronan Skillen----------
Mp3's Available: Itunes & Amazon
Influences
Johnny Clegg, Juluka, Paul Simon, Tracey Chapman, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Robert Johnson, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepellin, the Beatles, Mason Jennings, Ben Harper, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Elvis Presley, LR Burnside,
Sounds Like
Paul Simon -- Johnny Clegg -- Jack Johnson -- Ben Harper
“Hot Water must easily be one of the most exciting musical projects to come out of South Africa recently.” The Citizen
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South African singer, song-writer, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, facilitator and band leader, Donovan Copley, has a talent not only for creating uplifting and authentic South African music…he has the knack for bringing together a consistently evolving group of musicians from very diverse backgrounds with an ever-fresh musical result that leaves audiences feeling inspired and proud to be South African.
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And for the foreign audience, Hot Water opens a gateway to the soul and spirit which Africa and South Africa has to offer. In a world in crisis Hot Water’s music brings space, perspective and insight as well as inevitably drawing people to their feet.
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Hot Water’s Live performance is a dynamic and often spontaneous tapestry of inspired songs from one of their two albums…and their upcoming third album. Donovan compares the band to a wheel, seeing himself as the hub in the centre while the band and collaborators hold and help the whole wheel spin.
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Simply put: the music brings people together - across ages, across cultures, across races, across gender, across borders. Hot Water creates a space where people from any background have the opportunity to relate on common ground.
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RECENT NEWS 2009
Hot Water recently returned from a very successful tour to Europe performing at the prestigious Hague Jazz Festival, alongside the likes of Freshlyground and Hugh Masekela – the two other SA representatives on the festival’s line-up.
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Earlier in the year, inspiration found Donovan collaborating with South African Comedian of the Year 2008, Nik Rabinowitz, on the cross-over song ‘Laduma’ - Hot Water’s 2010 football offering. An uplifting and authentic anthem of unity, the song is currently play-listed on national radio in the Netherlands and discussions are under way for release in South Africa.
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To round off the third quarter, Hot Water was signed by touring agent Griot - the premiere South African Music agent in Europe - who exclusively represents South African greats such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh Masekela, Freshlyground and Lira.
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In the final sprint of the year, Hot Water is to record their third studio album to be released early 2010.
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BRIEF HISTORY
In mid-2005 Donovan created a platform to collaborate and perform with the musicians he felt inspired to work with. Hot Water was born. Within a few short months the band was booked to perform at the prestigious Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts at the National Botanical Gardens in Cape Town. Here they launched their debut album, ‘Home’ in early 2006.
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In line with the band’s organic approach to the music industry, the music spread naturally and within the year Hot Water had been recognised as representative of South Africa. The band was featured on BBC World’s ‘Destination Music’ series and was included on international record label, Edel’s ‘A Day in Cape Town’ cd-book compilation.
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Shortly following this, their upbeat single ‘Bushfire’ was used as the musical face of the Italian children’s shoe manufacturer, Primigi’s European and US commercial campaign.
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Back at home the band embarked on a City of Cape Town upliftment initiative performing in disadvantaged areas throughout the city and surrounds.
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To kick-start 2008 the song ‘Thembi’ - a salute to African mothers - found its way onto an Italian Commercial for their National Health Service.
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Hot on the heels in early 2008, a second album ‘One’ was launched with the single ‘Shushu’ showing what cross-over jive is all about - reaching no 1 on the UJFM charts for several weeks.
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In August 2008 Hot Water was invited to Europe for the Waterpop Festival held in Holland. In September of that same year, Hot Water was voted Best Band in South Africa in Men’s Health magazine.
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To end off the year, the track ‘One Name’, inspired by the works of Eckhart Tolle, was selected by the Niall Mellon Township Trust Initiative for their Irish advertising campaign. As part of their ‘November Blitz’ - during which time 2000 Irish tradesmen built 250 houses in 6 days in Khayelitsha - Hot Water entertained residents and builders alike, driving through the township on the back of a flat-bed truck.
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SOUNDS OF SOUTH AFRICA
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Stylistically Hot Water’s music incorporates elements of traditional African music (such as kwela, mbaqanga, maskandi and kwasa kwasa) with folk, blues and indie-pop rock.
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They have mixed a brew that somehow manages to capture an authentic and unique South African feel and flavour.
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Southern African music has a natural instinct for celebration and Hot Water’s live performances have a magical way of spontaneously warming any event.
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Combining unusual instruments from South Africa and around the world, this cross-over collaboration creates a show at every performance, cutting across boundaries of age and culture.
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Hot Water offers a unique money-back-guarantee on all their performances (as well as their albums) and if you see them perform, you will understand why.
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PRESS COMMENTARY
What’sOnSA (Review from Splashy Fen Festival 2009) May 2009
“After Watershed, Hot Water picked up the pace and continued to build the audience into a frenzy with their truly African sound, I would liken them to Paul Simon, anyone would have to be either dead or paralyzed not to get up and dance to their driving rhythms. It's hard to believe that Donovan Copley is a white man because he definitely has the township flowing in his veins.”
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Sunday Independent Jan 2009
“Hot Water, some say, is the next big South African band, about to take the country –perhaps even the world - by storm. “They’re the next Johnny Clegg,” effuses Patti Hanley, the owner of Funxion Junxion, a Jo’burg-based events management company, introducing the band to a upmarket crowd at a gala charity on Cape Town’s foreshore recently. “They’ve got huge potential,” says Aron Turest-Swartz, keyboard player and founding member of the platinum selling crossover band Freshlyground.”
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Cape Etc Apr .. May 2006
“Donovan Copley is a young man determined to be heard and his voice is indeed one that is unique and very South African. The songs draw on many traditions from folk and blues to township grooves…this music is honest…and one of the many important voices of young South Africa.”
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Blunt Magazine Mar 2006
“The band is something of a musical cross section of the city. The result is a surprisingly infectious collection of acoustic driven grooves with a strong South African flavour. Defining talent Donovan Copley writes great songs, and the unexpected instrumentation gives their sound a unique, undiscovered quality that has an interesting effect on audiences. I’ve seen everyone from metal heads to old timers enjoying these vibes..”
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Zig-Zag Magazine Feb .. Mar 2006
“Immediately we’re all going “Hows these ous? ” – that’s how good this album is…there’s a very unique South African sound and flavour mixed in here that makes it stand out on its own. Hot Water…definitely gets our vote as a must have local album and homegrown group that are going to go far. “
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Cape Times Feb 2006
“I saw a band with a lead singer that looks like Chris Letcher with curls, with a fine voice to match, who plays acoustic guitar with a sound sweeping from Bob Dylanesque musings to shades of early Urban Creep – remember Sea Level? They are at melting ease with Afro-beat grooves or soulful Ballads. This band is called Hot Water.”
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The Citizen Jan 2006
“Hot Water must easily be one of the most exciting music projects to come out of SA recently. Its concoction of homespun melodies and esoteric clarity makes for a welcome mix of African warmth and Eastern wisdom. Although [their debut album] “Home” starts off with commentary about the state of the world, songs like Bushfire are evidence that even when serious, Hot Water’s primary motivation is having fun. Home is cultural versatility in music…”
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Beter late than never: Hot Water, the best there is!!!!! All you boys 'n girls, go and buy their albums !!!!!! Your parties will be like never before...
Hi guys thx for the add! bushfire is awesome. anyway to get your cd in the states? if you ever get to myrtle Beach, south carolina USA let me know I have a small rest/pub maybe you could play! have fun! Mike
hey you could make me a top freind as you've only got 8.
And please write some bloggs or put something about yourselves, your music, on here
your page is...er sparce?
love J
OK... so there are only a few days left before my CD goes to print.
Its all sounding wonderful and the artwork is looking fantastic too. All that missing are the last of your names to be included.
This is the last push so if YOU or YOUR FRIENDS want YOUR NAMES on the artwork for the album. Then all you have to do is follow the links below or visit my profile for more information .
Buy the album on-line and we will post it to you as soon as its out.
Buy before 4th of March you can have your name in the artwork.
