Simon Chauke = Electro-acoustic Guitar/ Lead Vocals
Sam McGowan = Rhythm Guitar
Keith Miller = Electric Guitar/ Backing vocals
Dave Auguste = Bass Guitar
Thierry Deneux = Drums/ Backing vocals
Influences
While I was a child I found myself drawn to the music by some of the pioneers of Tsonga music: uncle Thomas Shinyori Chauke, Daniel Shirindza and Samson Mthombeni. As I grew up my taste of music changed from soul music of Luther Vandross and others to music from the continent of Africa. I can confidently say that I am one of the biggest fans of the Zimbabwean music legend Oliver Mtukudzi and his music has shaped my music in more ways than one. Apart from the above artists and musicians the following men and women have and continue to shape my music: Ismaël Lo, Miriam Makeba, Salif Keita, Youssou N'Dour, Hugh Masekela, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, late Sipho Gumede, Sankomota and late Frank Leepa, late Gito Baloi, Kofi Olomide, Louis Mhlanga, late Ali Farka Toure, Mahotella Queens, Vusi Mahlasela, Judith Sephuma, Selaelo Selota, Jimmy Dludlu, Jonathan Butler, Baba Maal, Caiphus Semenya, Letta Mbulu, Jonas Gwangwa, Thomas Mapfumo, Musa Manzini, Richard Bona, Kaissa, Lucky Dube, Tracy Chapman, Angelique Kidjo, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Dorothy Masuku, Bhundu Boys, Dolly Rathabe, Zim Ngqawana, Khadja Nin, Papa Wemba, India Arie, Cheikh Ndoye, Bakithi Kumalo, Les Nubians, Mary J Blige, Souleymane Diamanka, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Sade, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Peter Gabriel, Jeff Maluleke, Ringo Madlingozi and of course Bob Marley.
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Sounds Like
Our sound is uniquely African but it's a crossover of various rhythms across Africa. As an African band we would like to represent the sounds from Cape to Cairo.
PAMOJA means 'togetherness' in Swahili. Pamoja is a 5-piece Afrobeat world music band based in London, United Kingdom and is a brainchild of Simon Chauke. Simon hails from the Limpopo Province of South Africa, a stone throw from the famous Kruger National Park. A second-born from a family of 6 [one elder brother, Thomas, and 4 younger sisters], Simon has loved music from an early age. His first guitar was made from a 5-litre can of Castrol oil and fishing strings. It was on this self-made guitar that he taught himself how to play. At 17, the family lost their father (the breadwinner) and the next few years the family had to experience the true meaning of poverty and spending a night without food. Luckily Simon and his brother always did well at school, and this led to Simon going to the University of Cape Town where as expected he did Civil Engineering. Throughout his academic life people encouraged him to pursue music as they thought he had the potential to make it but Simon never took it seriously.
It was only in 1998 that Simon started focusing seriously on his music and made his first demo (containing eJoni) in 2000 which those who listened to thought that it was great song. Ever since then Simon has written songs touching on sensitive issues about life. His music use humour to inform society about key social issues prevalent today such wars, urbanisation, discrimination and xenophobia. Simon believes that it is difficult to sing about love and laughter while the world is experiencing so much problems. Therefore, he believes that music should be used as an instrument to inform people about social ills within them. Since 2002 Simon has been based in London, United Kingdom where he continues to work as an Engineer. Simon teamed up with Dominic Angadi in 2005 to play as a duo. Together they had a number of gigs around London with one spell in France. These gigs entrenched them as one of the up and coming world music acts in London. However, due different aspirations of where the band should go, the duo disbanded in June 2006.
Following the breakup of the duo Simon has teamed up with a London born Sam McGowan, a talented rhythmic guitarist who was met by chance at a recording studio in February 2006. Sam immediately fell in love with African music and wanted to be part of this Renaissance of African music. Sam is a brilliant guitarist, given that he is self-taught - he is certainly going places for sure.
Keith Miller provides the second guitar. Keith is very talented musician who can play guitar, keyboard and flute. Apart from playing the instruments Keith has a great voice and he provides backing vocals as well.
Dave Auguste recently joined the band as the new bass guitar. Our appearance at The Prince George in Thornton is the first time Dave plays live with the band. He is a great bass player and words cannot fully describe how good he is. You will have to see him live to fully understand how much he can play. Dave is also paints and make beautiful posters. Check him out at www.daveexpress.co.uk.
Drums are played by a brilliant monsieur Thierry Deneux. Thierry hails from Toulon in France and he has been involved in music for a long time. Thierry loves and understands African music hence his contribution to these tracks speaks for itself.
PAMOJA is certainly a band going places. You will have to catch us live to share these sentiments. Our ambition is to establish ourselves as one of the most sought after live world music act because we believe that anyone can make records but not everyone can give a great performance. With time we would like to follow in the footsteps of Ladysmith Black Mambazo and win a grammy for Africa.
Hey Simon, Apologies for being so quiet. We were still looking for a more effective way to directly communicate with you, offer you free downloads and fan exclusives. We have found the solution:
Just enter your email address. (We do not sell, rent, trade, or give away email addresses. We are aspiring musicians, not aspiring criminals. We will not flood your mailbox with unnecessary mail/spam. A weekly newsletter will be sent to you with offers from RUB-A-DUB only. You will also have an option to opt out at any time. So chill and join) We are giving away two songs for free downloa
"If you listen close at night, you will hear the creatures of the dark, all of them sacred -- the owls, the crickets, the frogs, the night birds -- and you will hear beautiful songs, songs you have never heard before. Listen with your heart. Never stop listening." --Henery Quick Bear, LAKOTA
The night time is full of life, full of song and full of beauty. Have you ever gone outside at night and listened? One has access to serenity and peace. At night all our senses change their roles. Because we can't see, our hearing is much stronger, our smell is even more enhanced, our sight is different. We are able to join nature through sounds and smells, through the songs of the night birds and through the night winds. We can close our eyes and experience interconnectedness in a different way. Try it tonight and experience oneness with the Creator.
Thanks for being a friend and showin some love. I really appreciate the support, hope all is well with you, keep doin what you do and all your dreams will come true like you planned. If you’re feeling my music please leave a comment. I would love to hear your opinion, cuz it helps me grow as a writer. Holla back anytime – Peace and respect, one love
