‘Goddank vir klank’
Most South Africans know the sound of Arno Carsten’s swooping vocals thanks to his 2003 hit “Another Universe”, a song popularised by an early 2000’s Volkswagen TV advert. Yet, few of us know the story of how he rocketed to initial fame right here in Stellenbosch.
He burst onto the scene as a part of the daring and dizzying band, the Springbok Nude Girls. They were able to stoke both curiosity and dismay from a town not quite ready for such a controversial group.
The documentary of the same name charts their epic party from those initial days of unrestricted self-expression in an era of new freedom after ’94, to the band’s 11th OppiKoppi in 2014.
A colossal soundtrack, intimate interviews and an archive of footage spanning almost 20 years makes this documentary far more than just a PR stunt, but a true explanation of the thinking behind the band and their art.
The Springbok Nude Girls cited the Sex Pistols, seen here performing in the 1970’s, as a British influence on their early style. International media never quite knew how to classify SNG’s unique style, despite the traces of both American and British rock in their music. SOURCE: Creative Commons.
In an era of angst and optimism, the 5 band members met separately, and by chance. They were all young adults when a new-found freedom of expression was introduced after 1994 – a breath of fresh air after the censorship and conscription of the past regime. This was the blank canvas that the band needed.
They were Afrikaans boys singing in English in a conservative Afrikaans town. Their audience of students didn’t know what they wanted to represent, only what they didn’t want to stand for.
They mixed genres and instruments never imagined together. Their lyrics, while mostly unintelligible, were often profound. With one openly gay band member and all the others often in dresses, they were fiercely individualistic in a claustrophobic environment. Their live performances were hypnotic and their rock ’n roll image and lifestyle made them the icons and envy of white students.
The documentary, whilst explaining the initial euphoria, also details the thinking and spontaneity behind the band’s style and their individual musical careers.
It takes the viewer from those early days of naivety when they burst onto the international scene, to their sudden downward spiral as drugs and fatigue got the better of them. All the while, they explain their most influential songs, shows and life experiences with a host of friends and fans alike.
The documentary was released in June 2016, after filmmakers spent 4 years crowdfunding and sourcing material. They use old footage to remake the frenzy and fun of their live performances and travels, while the soundtrack is crafted to take you along on a journey through their highs and lows.
The storyline is also far more than just a timeline, as it explains major turning points in their personal lives and musical style.
The Springbok Nude Girls opened for U2 in Cape Town in 2011. This special stage gives the audience and band a 360 degree experience of the show. SOURCE: Creative Commons
The viewer is also able to gain great insight into their creative process, unlike many other bands, who remain secretive about it. This complete transparency may serve to one day inspire budding young artists.
The documentary’s ability to transport the viewer to another world is something that will ensure that not only “Nudies” fans will love it. The film is also able to give insight into the emotions and thoughts of students at the time, through a gripping combination of music, visuals and storyline.
This is perhaps why the Nudies are so great- they captured the essence of a young person’s experiences at the time, and put it into a form that you feel, not just merely hear about. This period in time forms an important string in the tapestry of the town and the students that inhabit it. It was a fleeting moment, but one to look at carefully as students are now again at a turning point of confusion and anger.
In true Nudies spirit, there were no bars held in this documentary and their personalities, life philosophies and artistic thinking shine through. One gets the impression that they would still play shows for a crowd of ten people with just a beer as payment.
Be ready to be transported back to the heyday of the Stellenbosch music scene and gain a deeper understanding of one of South Africa’s most iconic and mysterious bands.
- Catch the “Springbok Nude Girls” documentary during Woordfees at Pulp Cinema in the Neelsie on the 11th of March at 15:30. Tickets can be bought online (R40) or at the door (R50).
Watch the official documentary trailer: