Journey | Petronel Baard

Virtual Show to bring Hope

May 12, 2020

Some of my special musical/artistic friends, whom I met over the years of my career, are joining me on 31 May 2020 in a virtual show to bring a message of Hope.

Petronel and Friends – a Message of Hope

I met Godfrey Johnson Live – Official Show Calendar when I was but a young singer. We recorded my second album “Déjà vu” in Darling at EVITA SE PERRON and there he was! A true, kindred spirit. We even share a page Two Pianos – One Voice for we are from different sides of the cabaret scene in SA, but it is still the same coin! What a talented, passionate artist. He made something very fun for our show with his partner “in crime” Nicholis McDiarmid, to make you laugh and feel a little better.

I met Luna Paige 20 years ago and love her and her incredible voice dearly. We travelled together with our show “Miss-Meraais” with our other partners between 2004 and 2007. She is well-known for her production house Iluminar Productions, travels internationally with her music and fellow-artists and I cannot wait to share her beautiful voice and music with you. It will bring you peace and hope!

Mccoy Mrubata Artist Page is an internationally acclaimed artist and played sax on my first album, “Lank al”. It was nominated for a South African Music Award and I remember being so charmed (and chuffed) that this huge star, so humble, saw me at the awards where he was nominated on more than one album of course, and said: “Hey Petronel, I see our album was nominated, well done!”. He is fantastic and I am very pleased that my friends can enjoy this talented musician and huge star in my show!! Thank you!

Riana Scheepers is a phenomenal writer, artist, woman, lady and her compassionate and passionate nature is evident in every word she writes. We are honored to have her reading one of her poems (that I am also arranging in a song for our program). It is a special kind of poem, a “pantoen” that uses repetitive sounds to lure you into it just like the subject in this poem are lured deeper and deeper into her cave. Apt to express how we all feel at this point! I really appreciate you for coming aboard, Riana!

Jannie du Toit is a fantastic singer, musician and father of Afrikaans music in many ways. I signed with his (and other partners) music company, JNS MUSIC, many moons ago. It was a budding time for Afrikaans music and he has always been like a guiding star in my skies. He has recorded two, beautiful songs on his guitar for us and it will certainly make you very happy to hear it! An internationally acclaimed artist, visionary and patron of the arts all in one. What a star to have aboard!

Riku Lätti and his beautiful wife, Jackie Lätti, are dear friends and we have walked quite a road with Die Wasgoedlyn since 2016. I know Riku from 20 years ago, though when his music was as revolutionary in Afrikaans as it still is today. We worked together on many projects and I proudly sing on no less than three tracks of Wasgoedlyn Vol. 3…so chuffed with that, lol. It is such an honor to know these multi-talented musicians, theater entrpreneurs and magic-makers. Their spirits alone is like a shining star! Thank you for sharing a video with us!

Soetmelk Musiek – my partners in crime. I met Schalk Maas and Altan Ungerer through their involvement in the band SkallaBrak. We have since then done many productions together, recorded a full album (our acclaimed album ‘Die heelal Draai’ that would have been a full production at the KKNK this year) and two singles (including our hit ‘Life us Good’) and they are still my favourite band – with them…”Life is Good”! We share our lock-down video “Wie sien die Maan” that is on Tunes Studio album “Diversiteit” and was released over lock-down. Schalk also made us a special home video too, to send personal greetings to you all from them both!

That brings us to Jean Tunes Marais from Tunes Studio. He is part of Die Wasgoedlyn’s band with whom I have performed at more than one arts festival, made the incredible album “Diversiteit” with him and his colleauge, Mark Ellis that they released online on the 30th of April…He is a studio owner, producer musician that plays drums to light up your soul. He has prepared something very special for our show!! Can’t wait to share it with you!

Pilippe Kangi is a singer, song writer, musician that I met in Secunda two years ago at their Secunda Music and Wine Festival. He has a fantastic vioce, sings in French and is a fun, beautiful soul who made us a very special, home-brewed video of one of his own songs. On the track he played all the instruments, wrote the song and sung it like an angel! A true treat to share!

Stef Kruger Fanpage – my other partner in crime from our show Verdubbel die Geluk/Double the Joy – needs no introduction on this page. Another father of Afrikaans music with a legacy of over 300 of the most beautiful Afrikaans songs in the market, whether sung by other artists or himself. Full of “true stories” and music that hits the mark even if you do not understand the language. Soother of souls!

Gavin Jay from Crystal Blaq Ent is the other artist from my home-town I include in this round. He has an incredible voice, is a true poet and a new kid on the block. We recently released a song “Seek the light” that you can see in my web page or Youtube. We are in the middle in fact of the release still, so new it is. Thus we are including our lock-down video for that in this virual experience and Gavin Jay on his own track too. Welcome aboard! He will talk to your heart and express what you feel.

Ben Schoeman has piano fingers of gold! A friend of my cousin, Henry Lamprecht, I was so very thrilled when this internationally acclaimed, piano virtuoso said yes to make us a home video for our show! He was an honorable guest at my special UK show earlier this year, lol, and I just couldn’t believe my luck when he said he will take part in this fun project! Thank you!

Combined with some fresh recordings and favourites I shared over lock-down, we bring you a virtual experience of hope from our homes to yours. Full of heart-felt good wishes expressed in musical/artistical gold!.

https://qkt.io/9afOLd

You can also book through Pierneef Teater, Pretoria for your convenience

“Seek the Light” – a new side of my journey with music and music with me…

Apr 30, 2020

“Even when it’s dark in the Middle of the night imma seek for the light. I am fit for the fight, just put on the beat and I’ll flight like a kite. Yeah right you can sight, burning one that I might. Trails and tribulations killing me inside. I be on the room cause it’s cold outside. Concentrating on my kid and my grind. Lately I’ve been hearing dead press on my mind. No mistake I am wild and awake. Future bright and it’s mine for the takin.”

Gavin Jay and then my echo to him:

“Every day you live, every day you try and try, every day you die and die and die.
Seek the light!”.

I could not wait to share a whole new side of my journey with music and music with me.

Click to listen to the song on all major music platforms: https://lnkfi.re/SeektheLight

Join us for a watch on 1 May 2020 at 18:30 when “Seek the Light” will be in a live stream on my FaceBook Page as we share the song for the first time. You can also then watch the video right here via You Tube.

God bless and keep you.

Available from 18:30

Proud to be part of this album

Apr 2, 2020

Tunes Studio proudly presents this one of a kind compilation album, DIVERSITEIT (Diversity) in collaboration with some of our country’s finest artists and wordsmiths across a multitude of different genres as diverse as the album’s title implies.

The album features a total of nine tracks and an intimate introduction to each artist through their song, sound and message. Owner and co-producer of Tunes Studio, Jean Marais has structured his entire business model towards accessibility and inclusion and the album was for him a natural extension of his studio’s core values.

We all know that music heals and this album has truly come at the perfect time – here to remind us to be more tolerant, kinder to each other and accepting of our differences and similarities.

Not knowing what exactly tomorrow might bring, we can only control how we react to our current circumstances and while we do that, let our hair down a little while dancing to the sound of the songs on Diversiteit – an escape through the music.

Available to stream and download at the links below!

The artists featured on the album include Churchil Naudé, Riaan Nieuwenhuis, Riku Lätti, Bacchus Nel, Frazer Barry, Tuin, Petronel Baard en Soetmelk, Charel Kleinhans and Jolyn Phillips. Diversiteit was mixed and produced by Mark Ellis and Jean Marais who also provided the rhythm section on eight of the nine tracks.

Another legendary element to the album is its mastering which was done by TL Mastering’s own Tim Lengfeld. A soul food recipe is served up with this album during a time we can all use some wholesome music.

Even though the album features mostly Afrikaans songs, there is the one exception titled ‘Ubunye’, written and performed by Charel Kleinhans, with Danie du Toit (Spoegwolf) as featured artist.

‘Die Bloed’ (The Blood) was the first single that was released off the album and is the only track that has been released before on Churchil Naudé’s own album which was titled, ‘Kroesified’.

The version of ‘Die Bloed’ featuring Riku Lätti on this album, is a completely new take on the song and it is making the rounds on radio stations across the country.

The creators of this collaboration album hope to use their songs, through the language of Afrikaans, to convey the message that it is time to celebrate our diversity, to break down cultural barriers and to allow the flow and freedom of each song’s unique voice.

Follow Tunes Studio’s Facebook Page and Instagram Account for regular updates and behind the scenes footage.

Kyk Video: Grootbrakland

Apr 2, 2020

Grootbrakland wat oor die area se geskiedenis gaan en spesiaal vir ‘n dorpsinsiatief opgeneem is by Darryl de Lange in George en die video deur Wessel van Heerden: Saam met Lesley Rae Dowling.

Die “lang vrou” van kabaret oor nuwe projek album

Apr 2, 2020

Hierdie artikel deur Leonie Bezuidenhout het oorspronklik in Maroela Media verskyn op 17 Maart 2020. Lees gerus hier. Foto deur Jorina Kriel.

Petronel Baard, die sangeres en liedjieskrywer wat in die Suid-Afrikaanse vermaakbedryf bekend staan as “die lang vrou” is al 20 jaar lank ‘n gevestigde kunstenaar en bekende in teaterkringe nadat sy in 1999 die ATKV se Crescendo-sangekompeisie gewen het.

Sy vertel sy het nog altyd ‘n voorliefde vir die teater gehad. “As Matie-dramastudent het ek en my vriende ure lank gefilosofeer oor ons passie vir die kusnte. Sedert my studentejare is ek nog altyd baie nou betrokke by teaterontwikkeling en is ek by verskillende inisiatiewe en kunsteorganisasies betrokke.”

Baard was die afgelope paar jaar in verskeie aanbiedings en toneelstukke en het die gleentheid gehad om met kunstenaars soos Stef Kruger en Riku Latti saam te werk.

Sy sonder ook die opname van haar sesde vollengte album, Die heelal draai, uit as een van haar grootste hoogtepunte tot dusver. Die album is in 2017 uitegreik en word beskou as tydlose wereldmusiek, folk en kabaret. Dit bied ‘n unieke en verfrissende alternatief vir die gewone style wat in Afrikaanse musiek voorkom.

“Die album kombineer verskeie fantastiese elemente. Fado-musiek is ekspressief en melancholies, wat regtig aansluit by my kabaretstyl. Dit het alles begin met akkerblare: ‘n Vrou uit die Noordkaap het my gekontak nadat sy vir jare na my gesoek het. Ek het my interpretasie van haar booskap getoonset en een liedjie het in ‘n album verander.” deel Baard.

Haar splinternuwe kabaretvertoning Musiek van die Lang Vrou: Die Heelal Draai sou op die Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees gedebuteer het. Die fees gaan egter nie voort nie weens voorkomingsmaatreels vir die vir die verspreiding van die koronavirus.

Hoewel die album reeds in 2017 uitgegee is, wou ek dit langer rakleeftyd gee deur weer lewe daarin te blaas met ‘n nuwe teaterproduksie’” verduidelik Baard.

Sanger, kitaar- en mondfluiteispeler Schalk Maas en Altan Ungerer, baskitaar-, kitaar- en perkussiespeler en sangers van die groep Soetmelk, en saxofoonspeler Boesman Keyser werk saam met Baard aan die produksie.

Sedert die uitreking van haar jongste enelsntit, “Life is Good’”, het die kabaretster van krag tot krag gegaan. Die liedjie wat in Oktober verlede jaar uitgereik, is, is uitstekend ontvang en het bo-aan die treffersparades van verskeie radiostasies gekuier.

Baard, wat gereeld deur die gemeenskapsontwikkeling terugploeg in die gemeenskap, werk ook tans aan ‘n nuwe projek getiteld “Seek the Light” saam met Crystal Blaq Entertainmnet. Die snit sal op Werkersdag uitgereik word.

“Die liedjie gaan oor amoede en klasseverdeling. Dit spog met ‘n house- of trans-musiekstyl wat iets heeltemal anders is as waaraan ek gewoond is. Gavin Jay is ‘n uitstekende kletsrymer en die manier waarop ons stemme mekaar aanvul maak die eindresultaat baie interessant,” se sy.

Baard beplan ook later vanjaar ‘n toer na die Oos-Kaap “Ons moet besig bly en is heeltyd hard aan die werk”

Life is Good Music Video

Mar 29, 2020

A feel-good song full of hope with a truly South African twist. I dreamed it one night after a severe panic attack and dedicate it to the memory of my dear friend, Sonia Pretorius as well as my beloved sister-in-law who left us too early. May they both rest in peace – may love blossom from pain as life is good, sometimes despite everything and because of everything and even when from hurt and comes new hope. Produced and recorded by Schalk Maas, David Cruickshank with the talents also of Altan Ungerer, Jean Tunes Marais, Cornèl Engelbrecht and Hanli Cruickshank. Video by Efpe Senekal and cover art work as well as photography on the single itself by WIlhelm Vincent. For more info on my work, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or mail me at langvrou@gmail.com Filmed in the beautiful South Western Cape of South Africa in October 2019 in and around the coastal town, Mossel bay.

“Die Heelal Draai behoort met elke denkbare musiektoekenning vir Afrikaanse musiek bekroon te word”

Mar 26, 2020

Petronel Baard se jongste album, Die heelal draai (Lang Vrou-produksies) behoort met elke denkbare musiektoekenning vir Afrikaanse musiek bekroon te word; beoordeel op grond van artistieke meriete. Dis ‘n album wat nie net krities beïndruk nie, maar ook luisterryk bevredig.

Sy besing die lewe en haar mense, die passie en die pyn, die onverwagse draaie, die verrassings en helaas, ook die onvermydelike; afskeid.

Resensie deur Christiaan J de Swardt

Deel van die album se bekoring is die feit dat dit nie selfsugtige, egosentriese selfverheerliking is nie. Die eiesoortige, universele albumklank – gekap aan die Portugese Fado, maar tradisioneel-stilisties in Afrikaans en in Afrika gesetel – is die resultaat van musikale samewerking.

Die intieme produksie is deur Petronel se jarelange musiekvennoot Schalk Maas, met insette deur David Cruikshank, by Africa Sun Studios in Plattelkloof, opgeneem en deur Phillip Pels gemeng; lewend, sónder rigiede tegniese beperkings.

Alles is oorspronklik, met tussen die hoogtepunte, Petronel se toonsettings (met toestemming) van die digter Antjie Krog se werk: Hier dien die musiek die vers in volledigheid: inhoud, stemming en struktuur.

Inteendeel, elke noot hierop, ook in haar eie nuutskeppinge, het doel. Die liriese stiltes, veral, ook. Dit is akoestiese kuns.

Petronel se formidabele stemvermoëns is deurgaans boeiend en uitdagend en haar kabaret-aanslag is skitterend.

Haar kabaret-aanslag skitter op die smeulsnit, Nita se blues (Anita Jonker se woorde; Petronel se musiek en klavierspel deur Hanli Cruikshank).

Die klank is deurgaans vars, onverwags en verfrissend.

Schalk Maas se musikale verwerkings, albumregie, mondfluitjie en trekklavier ontgin en verewig ‘n musikale erfenis. Sy folknuutskepping, Liefde van eensaam (wat hy in duet met Petronel uitvoer), is ‘n melancholiese juweeltjie; nostalgies verwerk met die kenmerkende tregterklank van die destydse grammofoon en die naaldgeruis op viniel.

Altan Ungerer se baskitaar en perkussie, André Janse van Vuuren se trekklavier en Boesman Keyser se saxofoon (op die snit Ma) komplementeer die stemming en styl van elke lied.

Dié meesleurende musikale reis word afgesluit met die instrumentale snit, En draai, ‘n meesterlike klaviersolo; kenmerkend aan dié musikant se sonderlinge klawerbenadering; opgedra aan haar onslape pa, Bertie.

Hier is minder meer, eenvoud veelvuldig en artistieke integriteit die stempel van meesterskap.

Saam met Jorina Kriel-Maas en Wilhelm Vincent se fotografie en kunsregie is Petronel Baard se album Die heelal draai bloot die mooiste mooi nóg!

Die album is aanlyn beskikbaar, by haar vertonings en kan ook bestel word by langvrou@gmail.com.

Oorspronklik op Afrikaans.com: https://afrikaans.com/vermaak/die-hart-van-die-langvrou/#.W_01XNs0xwU.blogger

Die hárt van die langvrou

Mar 26, 2020

Afrikaans se kabaretster, Petronel Baard, is gebore in Riversdal en getoë in Villiersdorp – die platteland haar grootwordplek en die verhoog … haar vrywordplek. Sy maak haar hart oop vir Afrikaans.com en vertel van die kronkeldraaie op haar pad. Christiaan J de Swardt het met haar gesels. Oorspronklike plasing op Afrikaans.com. https://afrikaans.com/vermaak/die-hart-van-die-langvrou/#.W_01XNs0xwU.blogger

Petronel Baard tydens ‘n optrede in Mei vanjaar by die Adam Small Teater in Stellenbosch. (Foto: Jorina Kriel)

Sy het haar stoeltjie al kleintyd voor die klavier getrek en kon nie wag om met les te begin nie. Sy onthou dat die natuur haar geroep het om te sing. Die bome en die wind was haar gehoor en het haar geïnspireer. Op die agterkant van haar nuwe album Die Heelal Draai, is daar juis ‘n foto van haar as dogtertjie wat met bloeisels speel. Sy het toe al geoefen om te poseer.

Sy het op die familieplaas in bome en op windpompe geklouter om haar hart uit te sing. Villiersdorppers was gewoond daaraan om haar in die reën te sien hardloop, dans en sing.

‘n Regte vrygees

Dié liedjieskrywer, sangeres, aktrise, pianiste en teatermaker Petronella Maria Baard (42) het kleintyd al geweet die kunste roep haar!

2018 was ‘n goeie jaar vir haar. Resensente het haar vyfster-album Die Heelal Draai met volpunte gestempel. Sy en haar lewensmaat van tien jaar, Jaco Swart, het verloof geraak en sy is pas as ‘n lid van die Wes-Kaapse Kultuurkommissie ingelyf.

Dié boorling van Riversdal en oud-Heidelberger in die Suid-Kaap se paadjie het wyd deur die land gekronkel – van Villiersdorp waar sy van voorskool tot in matriek in 1994 aan De Villiers Graaff geskool is, Kaapstad en Johannesburg – maar nou is sy weer uit en tuis: op Reebok in Mosselbaai.

Haar loopbaan

Haar loopbaan het in 1999 afgeskop met die album Hangers in die kas. Toe wen sy die ATKV se Crescendo, waarna sy ‘n aantal grensverskuiwende albums aan die Afrikaanse kultuurskat toegevoeg het: Lank al (2000), Déjà vu (2001), Weergaloos (2008) en Vonnie (2010) .

Daaruit het ‘n SAMA-benoeming vir Lank al ,‘n Vita-benoeming vir kabaret en die Geraasmusiektoekennings vir haar album Déjà Vu en talle verhoogproduksies gespruit.

Haar mense – haar man, Jaco, haar ma, Miena, haar suster, Sorita, broer Danie, die kleinkind, Emma en die ooms en tannies en niggies en nefies – is haar hele wese, haar kat, Moo, is haar hart se punt, haar klavier is haar reisgenoot, die wêreld word in haar stem vasgevang en sang is haar voorreg – en haar bed bied haar die nodige nagrus, en die see en Karoo se silte, af en toe, voed haar met wat sy nodig het om kreatief te skep.

Ons loop die kronkeldraaie van herinneringe en onthou…

Petronel kies haar era. (Foto: Rooi Rose)

Die Langvrou en die maan … (Foto: verskaf)

Petronel en sangervriend, Stef Kruger. (Foto: Beeld)

Vertel van die ervarings en die mense wat jou geslyp het tot die mens en kunstenaar wat jy is.

Ek onthou hoe ek pouses vir my maatjies, seuns en dogters, wat ewe vrolik hul broodjies kom eet het op die stoeptrappies van die saal, “gepreek” het, terwyl ek eintlik niks anders wou doen as om konsert te hou nie. Toe ek twaalf was, het ek ‘n solo in Sleeping Beauty gesing – en die hele dorp was daar. Dit was ‘n koue, nat Bolandse aand en die mense het gedink dis ‘n onderwyser wat sing. So is ek “ontdek”.

Dan is daar natuurlik die mense wat jou vorm. Ek onthou my Afrikaans-onderwyser, Juffrou Maritz, wat ons uitgedaag het om die blad op sy sy te draai voor jy jou opstsel skryf. Ek onthou my kunsonderwyser op laerskool, Juffrou Pecar, wat my raakgesien het en my die geleentheid gegee het om die solo te sing. Ek onthou my musiekonderwysers; onder andere Juffrou Roux, Tannie Heidie, Tannie Joey, Juffrou Nel en so baie ander wat altyd hul passie uitgeleef het en my ook aangemoedig het sonder ophou. Daar is nog baie mense wat my help slyp het; ons maak en breek mekaar regtig in die lewe.

Altyd, altyd, was daar die musiek binne my wat wou uitkom. Ek het eers ten volle begin skryf toe ek op 16 begin kitaar speel het. Ek is bly vir die vryheid waarmee ek myself en my talent kon ontwikkel en glo dit is steeds hoorbaar in my werk.

Jy was hoofdogter, akademies sterk en redelik goed in sport, veral netbal, maar jy was veral intens betrokke by kultuur – en natuurlik het jy graag ‘n show opgesit!

Daar is baie konsert gehou en dan is almal betrek. As ek nou daaraan dink, kan ek nie glo hoe gewillig my skoolmaats was om pouses saam met “malligheid” te oefen nie. Vir mondeling het ek sommer plays geskyf en dan is die hele klas betrek. Hulle het my kreatiwiteit onvoorwaardelik vertrou – soms tot hul eie skade… Soos die keer toe ek Ryan Lloyd, ‘n goeie rugbyspler, in matriek opgedress het as “Mej Iets”; kan nie onthou wat nie. Ek het hom tydens die prefekte se spreekbeurt in die saal laat verskyn – op hoë hake! Alles is opgejazz en Maandae was erg genoeg; dié bietjie lag het altyd gehelp. Op laerskool het ons ook ‘n paar keer ‘n spookhuis by die tiekie-aande opgesit. Ek het nog iewers so “spook tape” wat my ma en ons drie kinders gemaak het voor die klavier; kompleet met diep basnote en gille.

En toe is dit Maties toe, maar jy het eers rekenaar-sekretarïeel by Stellenbosch College studeer voordat jy in 1996 besluit het om drama te studeer. Hoekom?

Op daardie stadium was ek onseker oor watter rigting volgende; ek het geweet dis in die kunste, maar soos ons weet, is dit ’n groot uitdaging. Ek het wel vroeg besef daar is selfs in die kunste politiek betrokke. Daarom het ek toe al my eie ding gedoen en vir kampustoneel ingeskyf met ‘n teks wat ek self geskyf het. Ek en ons groepie goeie vriende is op eie stoom KKNK en Grahamstad toe, selfs as ons nie in departemenele topproduksies sou gespeel het nie. In 1998 het ons ‘n fliek saam met studente van City Varsity gedoen. In daai tyd moes ons drie keer ‘n week Weskus toe ry om te gaan verfilm – alles tussen dramaklasse, toetse en eksamens, repetisies tot elfuur elke tweede aand vir blokprojekte… Maar dit was presies hoe die bedryf ook is: harde werk! Ek het in die Nerina-dameskoshuis gebly vir twee jaar; heerlik. Ek is trots dat ek vanjaar, tydens die koshuis se verjaarsdagvieringe, in ‘n spesiale boek opgeneem is saam met ander Nerina’s wat ons beskeie bydrae tot die samewlewing gemaak het. Dit is ‘n eer vir my.

Daar is baie klavier gespeel en konsert gehou. In ons tyd kon mans slegs Sondagaande in die koshuis kom kuier. My en my kamermaat se kuiers was kompleet met ‘n geskrewe, gedrukte uitnodiging! (Nicola is geweldig kreatief en ‘resourceful’). Daar was koffie, sjerrie en, as ons gelukkig was, ook vriend Graeme Bootsma se kaaskoek. Dan is die kitaar uitgehaal – ek was nooit sonder my kitaar nie – en daar is goed musiek gemaak. Ja. It was the best of times; it was also the worst of times. Daai “swart hond” in jou gemoed is ‘n gesel wat baie kunstenaars ken; ook dit is ‘n pad wat ek moes (moet) loop en dit het my baie gevorm as kuntenaar, hoewel dit nooit maklik was nie. In 1999 het ek na goud gestreef en ATKV-Crescendo gewen in my honneursjaar. Dit het my ‘n voet in die deur in die groter kunstebedryf gegee – en ek moes Johannesburg toe trek.

Daarna het jy so bietjie rogue gegaan, soos hulle sê en begin toer. In 2015 is jy as een van twintig afgevaardigdes uit Afrika gekies as ‘n spesiale Kulturele Entrepreneuer. Is erkenning en toekennings belangrik?

Toer is ‘n eensame werk en teater- en nasie-ontwikkeling is deugde wat nie onmiddellik beloon word nie. Ek moes baie hard werk vir erkenning. Daar is baie politiek as dit by erkenning (en lugtyd op radio en TV) kom; ook ek het die pyn daarvan gevoel. Ons kan maak of dit nie saak maak nie, maar as ons enige iets wen of ’n benoeming kry, is ‘n mens altyd bly. Só is jy ook vir ander bly is as hulle welslae behaal. Ek moes leer om myself te vier en stel steeds my eie standaarde. Dit is juis wat my werk uniek maak. Die werk in die kunste is sonder ophou. Ek is bly om my beskeie rol in die teaterontwikkeling en ontwikkeling van SA te kan speel en sien my rol as lid van die Wes-Kaapse Kultuurkommissie as die volgende stap in daardie proses.

Is jy tevrede met hoe jou loopbaan ontwikkel?

Ek is tevrede. Ek het baie geleer. Dit was soms baie moeilik. Ek het regtig my lewe lank met depressie gesukkel, reeds as klein dogtertjie, en wanneer mens dan met sulke onseker omstandighede moet werk, is dit soveel moeiliker. Ek dink nie ek het altyd ander mense verstaan nie en hulle nie vir my nie. Ek het ‘n groot hart en is bietjie soos ‘n rasieleier vir ander soms. Destyds het iemand opgemerk dat ek ander kunstenaars altyd goed laat lyk saam met my op die verhoog. Ek hou van harmonie, maar dit is nie hoe dinge altyd uitwerk nie. Life happens to all of us. Soos daar vir my deur ‘n baie bekende, briljante kunstenaar verduidelik is: “Dit maak ons wie ons is.” Dit is ook wat my, soos ander kunstenaars, noop om met mense se siele te werk. Ek dink wel dis onnodig dat ons so moet sukkel; dit kan en moet baie beter gaan. Dis moeilik as deure vir jou toegehou word. Ons almal ken die politieke klimaat van die mens en ons algehele heelal en goed word soms teen ‘n mens gehou – selfs as jy die waarheid praat. Tog hang dit net van jouself af. Dit is waarom ek tevrede is. Ek val en staan op, kan sê waar ek jammer is en ek besing steeds die vryheid. Die impak van dié loopbaan op mense is langdurig. Dis ‘n voetpaadjie wat jy so deeglik uitloop soos ‘n bokkie in die veld. Dis selfs dieper as teer en dan moet mens altyd glo dat die beste nog voorlê.

Hoe ontspan jy en hou jy lyf fiks en siel gesond?

Ek het ‘n Christelike huis grootgeword; dit is ook my geloof. Ek is dankbaar vir my ouers se voorbeeld. Hulle het Christus gelééf en nie hul geloof op boekekennis gegrond nie, maar in en uit hul hart. Ek het nou vir jare net gewerk en nooit gerus nie. Ek het ‘n baie besige jaar agter die rug. ‘n Mens moet tydmaak vir stap, swem ontspan en kuier saam met vriende. Ek het oefening en tyd daarvoor baie verskerp die laaste tyd – juis om myself ook kans te gee vir iets anders as net werk. Dit kan nogal jou lewe oorneem; dié loopbaan! As ons die kans kry, is ‘n besoek aan die Warmwaterbergspa in Barrydale net die ding. Ek is ook lief vir lees en ‘is versot daarop om ‘n reeks op Netflix te verslind.

Hoe mode- en optertbewus is jy?

Nie juis nie! By ‘n Loeriefees destyds het ‘n jong joernalis my gevra oor my gunsteling-ontwerpers… Ek moet bieg ek het ‘n paar name genoem wat as “oud” afgemaak is en ek is gevra of ek nie nuwe ontwerpers ken nie. Ek dink dis ‘n ongelooflike kunsvorm, maar uit die aard van my werk, het ek toe onomwonde vir die man gesê dat ek al my klere by Pep Stores koop, want as mense nie kos het nie, hoekom moet ek duur aantrek? Hy het dit nie waardeer nie. Ek trek graag mooi aan en het baie bewondering vir mense wat hulself mooi oppas. Ek dink dis baie belangrik om goed te voel in wat ook al jy aantrek en is al ‘n keer of twee opgetooi in uitrustings wat my nie regtig gepas het nie. My tannie Elize, en my ma maak pragtige klere. Ek dra veral graag lang rokke. Uiteraard …

Jy versamel mense, jou familie is vir jou kosbaar en jy het jou album aan jou pa, Bertie, opgedra.

My pa, ŉ seun van die Weskus wat jare lank die skoolhoof by Laerskool De Villiers Graaff op Villiersdorp was, was my groot bewonderaar. Hy is in 2015 oorlede.

Ek het ‘n versteekte snit – waarop ek klavierspel opgeneem het; sommer so uit my kop net soos wat ek vir ek hom gespeel het – en die snit “en draai” ook aan hom opgedra. Daar was net een. Hy het siek geword met ‘n langnaamsiekte wat hom weggeneem het in dieselfde jaar wat ons Adam Small gegroet het. Ek kon nie help om te vergelyk hoe verskillend hulle ervarings van Suid-Afrika was nie en kan eerlik sê dat my ouers se voorbeeld van liefde in my en ons kinders se lewens ‘n genade is. Mens kan nie sonder liefde deur hierdie lewe gaan nie. Dit verander alles en ek is dankbaar vir hulle mensheid. Daarom kon ek Adam Small se woorde so inkorporeer in die lied, “Die Small Weg” op my album.

Hy het geskryf:
“As hierdie land myne is, in al sy rykdom, maar die liefde ontbreek my, dan is hierdie land myne net in sy armoede. As daar nou bruin en swart en wit bly, dan is die grootste hiervan die liefde.”
Toe skryf ek by:
“Ek hou jou vas tussen groet en tas, tussen spykers in ‘n muur en die hawe op die kas. Ver by my is liefde nie, ook die smal weg is al op my toe ingepas. Ek min jou meer as mag, rus sag.”
Rus sag.

Waarheen draai die heelal?

Ons waardes as ‘n gemeenskap is onder bespreking. Mense moet oopkop kan dink en, soos Christus gesê het, die “boom aan sy vrugte” ken en nie met wie hy/sy trou of uithang of wat mense aantrek of watter karre hulle ry en ander statussimbole as maatstawwe gebruik nie. Ek dink ons moet baie meer fokus op kuns en kultuur in Suid-Afrika. Dit sal die land nie net help genees nie, maar ook die ekonomie stu. Mense kan vir hulself werk. Ek dink ons het baie oop gesprekvoering nodig en moet daagliks bid vir goeie leierskap, nie net vir óns land nie, maar vir en in die hele wêreld. Die aarde – én ons – kan nie só voortgaan nie.

Petronel se produksies

Petronel het ‘n hele aantal uiteenlopende produksies waarmee sy landwyd toer:

Diva Galore saam met Boesman Keyser op saxofoon. Dit is ‘n outobiografiese produksie wat die diva-invloede in haar lewe vier.
Die Heelal Draai saam met Schalk Maas en Altan Ungerer, wat ook die album se amptelike vertoning is. Dié produksie het vroeër vanjaar by KKNK, in “Die Geheime Tuin” by Art Karoo se nuwe venue as een van die feeshooftepunte gedebuteer. Schalk staan ook bekend as “Soetes Maas” en hy en Altan is saam as “Soetmelk” bekend.
Verdubbel die Geluk, saam met die liedjiereus Stef Kruger.
Triptruuk is ‘n spesiale samevoeging van Stef, Petronel en Soetmelk. Dié vertoning fokus op liriek en melodie en word met ‘n heerlike kombinasie van klank en humor aangebied.

With a song in her heart

Mar 26, 2020

Petronel Baard is a survivor. There’s something about her eyes that hint at a life spent learning hard lessons. The optimism and self-confidence she wears are hard-won.

She’s in town touring her one-woman show, Miss Déjà Vu, at Baran’s Theatre Restaurant. It’s an acoustic revue of classics like Wind Beneath My Wings, Autumn Leaves and Love Story. She also performs her own compositions. These include the haunting Rebecca’s Gaze and Voluit Mens. The show is an absolute delight. The best part is her breezy stage manner and consummate show-womanship. It looks as if she were born on the stage.

“I’ve been singing since I was a pikkertjie,” she says. “My first audience was with the trees and mountains in the Overberg where I grew up. When I was still a tiny girl I used to thump the keys on the piano and sing along. Lord only knows what I was playing but I loved it.”

She studied drama and music at Stellenbosch University and finished up with an honours degree in cabaret and directing. While at university she entered the ATKV Crescendo Competition. She ended up winning this national music competition and was able to record her Sama- nominated debut album, Lank Al. “Recording the album was very challenging,” she recalls. “I was forced to make a lot of very big decisions very quickly. But so many good things came from that.”

She says she can’t think of anything she’d rather be doing and is planning on making music her life until she keels over. However, as anyone who’s had a passing interest in the local music scene knows, it’s hard to make a decent living out of your passion in this country.

“Ag well, there are so many things counting against you that you have to know this is what you’re willing to bleed for. Passion is the most important thing. But I know it’s important to have other things on the go too.”

These “other things” include a theatre-restaurant venue she’s hoping to launch in the platteland.

“I’d love to contribute to the place where I grew up. Who knows, I may be able to retire there,” she smiles.

Published on IOL: https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/with-a-song-in-her-heart-948757

DIE HEELAL DRAAI is considered timeless and offers a different and refreshing alternative

Mar 26, 2020

Following the release of her latest single, Life is Good, cabaret star Petronel Baard has been riding the waves of inspiration and success. The single, which was released in October last year, has performed phenomenally; it has reached the top spot on several radio stations’ charts while the video has racked up thousands of views on social media.

Life is Good’s success is not surprising, as the passionate singer with the soothing storytelling voice has established a firm place for herself in the music industry over the past two decades. To build forth on the momentum created, she has announced that will be returning to the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) this year where, along with Soetmelk, she will be performing music from her renowned album DIE HEELAL DRAAI as part of her latest cabaret,

Musiek van die Lang Vrou: Die Heelal Draai. It has been two decades since she first made her debut, as a solo artist, at this prestigious arts festival.

Written by the artist and produced by Langvrou Produksies, it features the singer herself on vocals and piano, Soetmelk’s Schalk Maas (vocals, guitar and harmonica) and Altan Ungerer (bass, guitar, percussion and vocals); as well as Boesman Keyser on saxophone. The show is scheduled for 27 and 28 March at the Windpomp Restaurant and Theatre in Oudtshoorn. “Soetmelk and I perform intuitively, which results in the perfect balance on stage,” she says. To avoid disappointment, tickets can be book in advance at Computicket.

In addition, Petronel will be releasing a video for AKKERBLARE, one of the most popular tracks off the album. “The video for AKKERBLARE is based on a video by Maritza, a singer from Portugal, as Die Heelal Draai was partly inspired by the Portuguese Fado style. However, it is totally unique and showcases South African images and words built around the theme of loneliness. The video, which is the work of artist Wilhelm Vincent, was shot in Ruiterbosch in the Western Cape. The style is simplistic, stripped down and authentic to support the music, making the fadista and her instrument(s) the focus.”

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhZK4KpN3IY

DIE HEELAL DRAAI, which can be categorised as world music/folk/cabaret, is considered timeless and offers a different and refreshing alternative to the usual style found in Afrikaans music. The album offers various extraordinary moments, especially vocally. “Fado music is expressive and melancholic, which truly resonated with my cabaret style. It all started with AKKERBLARE. A woman from the Northern Cape contacted me after searching for me for years. I set my interpretation of her message to the Fado music style, which is where it all started – one song turned into an album.”

In preparation for the KKNK Petronel will be doing a flash tour of the Cape at the end of the month to rehearse with Soetmelk and do a Riebeek Cellar music and wine pairing event with them at Zest Restaurant in Gordon’s Bay, before continuing with the rest of tour. Click here for more information.

On Saturday, 29 February 2020, she will also be doing a music, food and wine pairing, with Org de Rac Wines at De Stalle Restaurant in Moreesburg. More information about this leap day event is available at https://facebook.com/events/s/food-music-and-wine-pairing/2621937091374159/?ti=as

Sunday, 1 March, she will be celebrating the in aid of DS de Wet School of Autism at Van Brakelstoor in Caledon: https://facebook.com/events/s/diva-galore-life-is-good/167295237893293/?ti=as

The artist also regularly performs at venues and functions in Grootbrak and Klein Brak, including Salty River Beer House and Fynbos Paradise Flower Market. On 14 March, she can also be seen at the Grootbrak Fragrance Festival.

She is also currently working on a new project, Seek the light, with Crystal Blaq Entertainment. It is due for release on Worker’s Day. “The song is about poverty and class divides. With a house/trance vibe it is unlike anything I have ever done, but Gavin Jay is an excellent rap artist and the combination of our voices delivers something interesting,” the artist explains.

Petronel grew up in Villiersdorp. The singer’s mother and uncle (who was a principal and conductor of the Drakensberg Boys Choir) inspired her love for choir music. Her exceptional solo voice was discovered at the age of twelve during a school production of Sleeping Beauty and that was also the moment that she fell in love with both acting and singing. After school she studied Drama at Stellenbosch and started acting professionally in 1998. At the end of her honours year, she won ATKV’s Crescendo competition and became involved in the entertainment industry full-time.

Over the past few years, she has done numerous performances and plays and has had the opportunity to work with a few highly respected artists, such as Stef Kruger and Riku Lätti. She credits the recording of DIE HEELAL DRAAI, her sixth album, as one of her biggest career highlights to date. Her debut album, Lank Al, was nominated for a SAMA and two Geraas Music Awards.

Petronel reveals that she is very excited about the fact that meaningful music is becoming more evident in the industry, because she believes that melodies and lyrics should speak to the heart. “I want people to experience peace when listening to music. I believe that should resonate on a deeper level.”

Fans can follow her on Facebook to find out what she is up to and for information about her shows.

ALBUM TRACK LIST

Akkerblare
Die Heelal Draai
Met liefde van Eensaam
Vanaand
Die Smal weg
As ek sou raai
Ma
Nita se blues
En draai

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