MindMap-SA Issue 7

Nibs van der Spuy and Guy Buttery whoshare a strong musical connection had takena five year break from performing togetherin order to pursue the individual careers.This included mainly travelling for performancesoverseas. This album comes asa way to reunite their shared passion andcreate work which echoes their ingenuity.Each of the artists have been successful in theirefforts to grow as musicians with Guy Butteryhaving been awarded three national awardsincluding a South African Music Award for“Best Instrumental Album”. He was also featuredin Guitar Player which is the world’slargest guitar magazine. Both of these artistshave received worldwide critical acclaim.The resonating sound ofguitars, mbiras and percussionsoon filled the theatreand with it a subtle aura ofmysticism and peacefulnessand folk noir motes.The guitarists seemed tofall into a trance like stateas they became so caughtup in the music that theywere eventually completelyunaware of mypresence as they pluckedtirelessly at their instrumentsrefining their thesis.Both have travelled overseas to showcase theirunique sound to different parts of the world.Nibs’ sounds tell a story through his maskandainspired guitar strumming and the expressive,measured voice which he is able to controlvery well. He has travelled to a number of placesoverseas, performing regularly in France.Guy Buttery has also gained a lot of success inthe last couple of years. He released his thirdand most mature album, Fox Hill Lane whichreceived a great response from critics and musiclovers. The album was the one featured inGuitar Player and won him several awards. Hislatest offering before the release of this duo albumwas a vinyl which was called To Disappearin Place. It was unique in the sense thatmany artists do not release vinyls nowadays.This album he toured nationwide in 2011.Nibs van der Spuy who is amore seasonal musician, hastoured extensively. He spenta large part of 2011 touringEurope and made an appearancein the June issue of aleading French publicationcalled Unplugged, which focuseson guitar music. He ismost popular in the UK andFrance in terms of his internationalappeal. It is not theonly place he has travelledas he has also recently releasedan album consistingof music that is all acoustic.The unique fusion of soundsis heard on this album. Theworld music sounds areheard on the track Up ToMy Neck which combinesIndian sounds with thestrumming of guitar withNibs whispery voice complementingthe instruments.The music produced on