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Netherlands based South African alt-pop-rocker
CINDY-LOUISE
has released EP
‘What You Made Me’
track-list:
Innocence
What You Made Me
Nothing Hurts Anymore
produced by Cindy-Louise & Calibeats (Callum Melville)
mixed & mastered by Calibeats (Callum Melville)
engineered by Martijn de Groot
music video by Stefan Sparky Smuts Media
Alternative/Ethereal Pop-Rock Singer-Songwriter Cindy-Louise has just unveiled her latest EP, ‘What You Made Me’.
Renowned for her unique writing style and captivating sound, Cindy-Louise is making significant strides in the international music scene, following an outstanding 2023.
This 3-track EP takes listeners on a journey through Cindy-Louise’s personal experiences, exploring the transformative power of life.
From overcoming introversion to emerging stronger through compelling circumstances, Cindy-Louise passionately declares,
“This is what you made me!”
The new EP, ‘What You Made Me’, serves as a testament to Cindy-Louise’s musical evolution and storytelling prowess.
Her commitment to authenticity and self-expression shines through every note, promising a profound blend of emotion, storytelling, and a theatrical Alternative Rock experience.
Erick Gerber, the mastermind behind South African Progressive Metalcore act Red Helen and former guitarist for international platinum-selling Pop/Rock artist Jesse Clegg, adds his virtuoso touch, elevating the EP’s sonic landscape.
Calibeats (Callum Melville) further adds to the magic!
“The EP was an immensely enjoyable venture. Although each song was written individually, I was determined to publish them collectively as they interconnected narratively. These compositions expose my vulnerabilities, reflecting my struggle with anxiety, my habitual insistence on my well-being, and my continuous battle with self-imposed societal expectations. The emotional strength of these songs often moves me to tears, delving profoundly into my soul. The intricate layering of the instrumental accompaniment and vocal lines contributes significantly to the overall sound. The complexity of the sound is intentional, aiming for a theatrical rock aesthetic. This decision was not made to add unnecessary drama but to truly encapsulate and communicate my emotional state to the listener. Upon completing ‘Innocence’, I was invigorated with a desire to further my creative endeavours. This was coupled with the conception of an interconnected concept in my mind. Simultaneously, I felt a sense of cohesion in my artistic style. I had finally discovered the unique sound that resonated with my identity. I hope these songs provide enjoyment and an opportunity for self-reflection. May this music serve as a catalyst for you to connect with your emotions and simply allow yourself to feel.”
‘Innocence’:
“For approximately two years now, I’ve been meticulously crafting this song. It’s imbued with profound pain and intense emotion, making it quite a challenge to determine the exact sound I wanted it to encapsulate. Initially, my desire was for the song to embody a smooth, dark pop genre. However, as I delved deeper into its creation, I found myself growing increasingly agitated. This ultimately led me to a revelation – this song, while tinged with sadness, also held a powerful undertone of empowerment. This song, to me, symbolises a fresh chapter in my life. It serves as a transparent medium, allowing individuals to gain insight into my genuine emotions and the journey I undertook to reach my current position. The lyrics affectingly narrate my tale of abruptly confronting a life-altering experience, and the subsequent realisation that every moment thereafter requires a fight. It’s a harrowing lesson in understanding that not everyone embodies authenticity. The purity and innocence of childlike trust in others have dissipated, leaving me awash with sorrow. I found myself greatly attracted to the artist Evanescence and was profoundly inspired. In my composition, I particularly appreciated the extended melodic chorus and the sudden verses. I also devoted significant attention to the instrumentation, with the intent for the song to burst with sound. It narrates a tale of resilience amidst rupture, and I have found the strength to express and share this openly.”
‘What You Made Me’:
“The essence of this composition is the subtle layering of musical elements. My intent was to cultivate an escalating intensity throughout the piece, creating an illusion of increasing tempo as the melody unfolds. In keeping with the EP’s theme, this piece articulates the transformation I have undergone with age. I was characterised as kind and had an introverted nature, but circumstances compelled me to evolve and acquire the ability to assert myself. While I do feel the loss of the greater compassion I once possessed, I recognise this evolution as a necessary survival mechanism for achieving my aspirations. The opening lines of this song deeply captivate me, emanating an almost surreal ambiance. The incorporation of folk elements, a personal touch of mine, lends it a unique, magical resonance that I find truly enchanting.”
‘Nothing Hurts Anymore’:
“Life is not solely comprised of joy and beauty, much like how music does not always resonate with pleasant notes. This is the very reason why I created this EP, with ‘Nothing Hurts Anymore’ standing out. It embodies unapologetic honesty in its purest form. The song provides a platform for me to express how my struggles with depression and anxiety impact me and the measures I take to manage these challenges. It sheds light on how external pressures can be overwhelming, given the chance. My ability to rely on myself and possess confidence in my abilities is the reason why the only impediment to my progress is myself. The concluding part of the song, ‘Come at me and do your worst, come at me nothing hurts anymore,’ is particularly compelling to me. The song presents a dichotomy; one aspect reflects my numbness, while the other aspect exudes strength, challenging you to bombard me with your views, inundate me with negativity and criticism, because I am beyond the point of caring. I have a clear understanding of who I am and the audience I aim to connect with. I am in tune with my community.”
Netherlands based South African pop-rock artist
CINDY-LOUISE
had released single/video
‘Outcasts’
Authors: Cindy-Louise & Erick Gerber
Composers: Cindy-Louise & Erick Gerber
Performers: Cindy-Louise & Erick Gerber
Vocals: Cindy-Louise & Erick Gerber
Additional Instrumentation: Calibeats (Callum Melville)
Guitars: Erick Gerber
Producers: Cindy-Louise, Erick Gerber & Calibeats (Callum Melville)
Mixed by: Calibeats (Callum Melville)
Mastered by: Calibeats (Callum Melville)
Known for her unique writing style and sound, Singer-Songwriter Cindy-Louise has teamed up for a dynamic colab called Outcasts with Erick Gerber, known as the founding member of South African Progressive Metalcore act Red Helen, as well as former guitarist & backing vocalist of international platinum-selling Pop/Rock artist Jesse Clegg.
Cindy-Louise Commentary:
“Erick and I have known each other since childhood and I am always so inspired by his work and his band. We got to chatting one day and decided that doing a collaboration would be so much fun and off the bat we were on the same page. We wanted to write an anthem to all the outcasts of the world, anyone who feels they don’t belong and send a message of unity. The message and feeling of the song is quite intense and almost angry because we both feel so tired of conforming to society’s standards. The message is to praise those who stand out and dare to defy the suppressor. Let’s hear it for the outcasts! This song was an absolute blast to work on, Erick and I just knew what we wanted to say and what we wanted it to sound like. We drew a lot of inspiration from the bands Yonaka, Dead Poet Society and Sleep Token. I wanted to experiment more with my writing style and I knew Erick would help me push my sound and my vocals to the next level, he is a super talented songwriter, guitarist and vocalist. We worked with CaliBeats on this project, and just wow. He is honestly such a dream to work with. The cover art was done by a South African Artist (CHRISTI DU TOIT), he had worked on previous project with Erick and his band Red Helen, and I was so happy with the outcome, the detail is just amazing. When you zoom in, you just see how delicate and detailed the artwork is. We really wanted a steam punk look and something that really captured the songs essence.”
Erick Gerber Commentary:
“To me, the song is about feeling like you’re the odd one out in almost every situation, EXCEPT when you’re with your ‘tribe’. Your people. I’ve always felt like a bit of a black sheep in almost every setting – family, school, college, even just being in public. But there’s this kind of powerful, liberating feeling when you realize there are people who feel exactly the same as you, and you automatically have this strong connection with those people because of it. Working with Cindy was awesome. She has an unmatched excitement and energy about music and creating ‘Outcasts’ with her just felt super easy. We were just popping out ideas and things were flowing easily from the very first session. I can be a little pedantic and easily get caught up in the super fine details of a song. Things that probably no one else would even notice has changed. Where Cindy, I felt, was a little more pragmatic which really kept me grounded while creating this song. When Cindy and I decided that I would do a guitar solo on this track, I was a little nervous because I’ve always found it hard to write solos that excite me while also maintaining a sing-able melody and not ‘overdoing it’ technically. I hope I achieved that with this one. When we got the first draft of the produced song back from CaliBeats, I was both blown away and terrified at the same time. I was amazed at how good it sounded yet, at the same time, it was so far from anything I’ve recorded in the past, which was scary to me. Strangely, it almost felt like I didn’t co-write the song. But that’s what stepping out of your comfort zone is all about. Now, I love the song completely and the terror has faded. Cindy is an insane vocalist and she delivers an amazing performance all-round. I especially love the gritty, belty vocals she pulls off on parts of this track. It takes me back to the music I grew up listening to and I don’t think I’ve ever heard another female vocalist pull it off quite like this. Conceptualising the artwork for this single, I just couldn’t picture anyone other than Christi Du Toit doing it justice. He’s designed a few things for my band Red Helen and he just exceeds expectations every time. This time was no different.”
Known for her unique writing style and characteristic voice, independent artist Cindy-Louise has been making waves in the global music industry since starting her career in 2019.
The South African-born singer-songwriter (now residing in The Netherlands) began singing and taking piano lessons at 16 and followed a strict Classical training program.
In University her instruments where Classical-and-Jazz voice.
She majored in Music Philosophy and attended the Mediterranean Opera Festival Program in Italy, studying and performing the roles of Despina (Cosi fan tutte) and Susanna (The Marriage of Figaro).
Her debut album ‘Humanity’ was released in 2020 to critical acclaim.
She likes to keep things fresh and flexible by regularly switches her musical styles, complementing her Pop songs with Rock.
She states that
“I’m trying to figure out who I am, and I try to speak and act my truth everyday.”
In 2023 she will be focussing on Rock, saying
“It’s going to be a wild ride!”
Erick Gerber is a guitarist, vocalist, composer and songwriter whose emphatic focus on detail and ability to execute highly technical passages is contrasted by his soulful feel, voice and versatile musical expression – a byproduct of his broad musical tastes and formal music education (BMus Hons).
Erick is best known as the founding member of South African Progressive Metalcore act Red Helen , as well as former guitarist & backing vocalist of international platinum-selling Pop/Rock artist Jesse Clegg.
Some of his most notable performances have been on live television in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers (Miss South Africa 2019) and at a music festival in Germany attended by over 50,000 people (Wacken Open Air 2014).
His eclectic musical background, mixed with even broader influences from styles like Funk, Blues, Jazz and modern Cinematic music, equates to a unique artistic sound, worthly of acclamation by both eccentric ‘music nerds’ and ‘conventional’ radio listeners alike.
As a vocalist, Erick enjoys singing breathy, soulful, R&B-like melodies in his low range while adding sustained Rock-like fervent vocal tones in his high range.
As a guitarist, he stands out with his slow, soulful, Blues-like expressions combined with his fast, technical runs during dynamic peaks.
Originally from Johannesburg, South Africa, he and his wife Lindsay have recently (mid 2022) moved to Northland, New Zealand where Erick has, for the first time, started his career as a solo artist – combining his eclectic experience to form a unique artistic sound like no other.