Nibs van der Spuy

Bio:

ABOUT NIBS van der SPUY:

It would be modest to say that Nibs van der Spuy is an unsung hero, and an acoustic guitar legend of Southern Africa. Nibs's spellbinding acoustic guitar style was first taken notice of, with his band, Landscape Prayers, performing live and on their four highly acclaimed Acoustic/Instrumental albums, between 1993 - 2003. His diversity as a songwriter, singer and finger stylist, reached a broader audience with the release of his solo albums; 'Lines on my face'(1999) and 'Flower in the rain'(2002). Both these acoustic gems were nominated in the best instrumental category at the South African Music Awards in their respective years of release. Nibs's versatility to cross pollinate various musical styles, from, African, Classical, Celtic, World, Maskanda, Indian and folk can be traced back to his formative years growing up in the old mining town of Benoni, 20 miles east of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Born on 20 February 1966 to parents of a 2nd World War decorated fighter pilot and a classically trained pianist mother, the diverse musical seeds were sown at an early age. Sharing a room with an older brother, Nibs went to sleep with the songs from, 'Beatles for sale' and the Rolling Stones, 'Aftermath'. These alongside his mother's classical piano repertoire and his dad's 30's and 40's Big Band records had a profound impact on his musical development. Nibs first picked up the guitar at age 14 and learnt chord shapes and progressions from a Lennon/McCartney songbook. His early signs as a songwriter and composer were broadened with the influence of such bands as the Allman Brothers Band and the Dixie Dregs.In the late 80's, after completing two years national service, Nibs moved to Durban, Kwa-Zulu, Natal, where he studied and lectured music at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Whilst a student he formed his first two bands, 'Little Nomads' and 'Plagal Cadence', then in 1994 signed to the SHEER label with his newly formed band, Landscape Prayers.

In 2006, Nibs signed to the 2FEET label with the release of his 3rd solo album, ‘Beautiful Feet'. This has seen him been released in the UK, Australia, Japan, USA, France and Germany. Since its release, it has received rave reviews in every country, from the London Guardian to the Sydney Herald, and in May 2007, was album of the month in 4 major German publications. This has been accompanied by intensive touring across the globe with a highlight being the prestigious East Coast Blues & Roots festival in Byron Bay, Australia. Here Nibs shared the stage with such luminaries as Ben Harper, Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, Bela Fleck and Piers Faccini. Besides his own solo career, Nibs got to record a beautiful duo album, 'Sweet-Thorn'(2004) with Mozambican, Gito Baloi and 'Hadeda'(2004) with drummer extraordinaire, Barry van Zyl, from Johnny Clegg's band. He has also got to perform and record with folk Legend, Shawn Phillips and Italian band, the Modena City Ramblers. Mostly touring as a soloist, Nibs also plays across the globe with his young virtuoso guitarist/multi instrumentalist friend Guy Buttery and the incredible violist, Brendan Jury.

VIDEO OF NIBS PLAYING HIS NEW SONG "SHADED IN BLUE" WITH PIERS FACCINI:

BEAUTIFUL FEET REVIEWS:

" 'a Bird in the Hand’ is expressed through beautifully weighted and filigreed acoustic playing and van der Spuy’s use of compelling metaphors in sensitive appraisal of his homeland’s pain and traumas. Magisterially persuasive." - UNCUT (Jan 2009)

"Nibs has set out to produce the most sensitive and breathy songs on the continent with instrumental pieces showing off his classy, gently sturdy guitar work" - The Guardian, UK (Dec 2008)

"Nibs van der Spuy may well have succeeded in creating a future classic of the genre" - 5/5 JAZZTHETIK, Germany (Nov 2008)

“A discovery, the South African Nibs van der Spuy who originates from Durban. His guitar playing with classical touches and Zulu melodies and his thrilling airy voice is a Folk Rock from elsewhere.” - Le Monde Fr Aug 2008

“ Spare simplicity and the sheer radiance of his playing is done to heart rendering effect” - Uncut Jan 2008

"The ghost of Nick Drake floats upon the whole album, the similarity in the guitar playing, melodies and especially the voice tone, soft as an embrace, is disturbing.” - Les Inrocks, Johana Seban, 18 Dec 2007

“Beautiful feet” offers pure compositions in which Nick Drake’s ghost rubs shoulders with tablas and harmonium echoes and the evocation of mutations current in Africa. With his voice as a murmur, Nibs drones out his memories, softly, like a bearer of good news”. - Vibrations Music (France) Oct 2007

"Musically, van der Spuy acts almost reserved to put his virtuosic playing in the centre, but rather the song. So what distinguishes the album, is its rather relaxed, peaceful atmosphere and exciting musical display.” - Amazon, Web, Tontrager, Germany

“ It will be a shame not to know Nibs van der Spuy on his great album, “Beautiful Feet”. These collection of songs represent a natural sound culture that leaves every instrument its authentic timbre in a homogeneous sound, and pictures details clearly. It is an ideal combination of artistic inspiration and musical brilliance.” - Audio Live, Germany

“this is a terrific recording that no fan of music at its most unaffected should miss out on" - Billboard / Entertainment Africa

"a real charmer" ****, Dominion Post, New Zealand

"remarkably beautiful" - Sydney Morning Herald, Australia

“an album of disarming beauty” - Fly.co.uk

"search out this album" - Birmingham Post, UK

“one of the most unexpected releases of the year" - The Guardian, UK

“Beautiful Feet” is an irresistibly gentle ballad in which the mundane seems pleasant.” Mediasearch, Australia

“Do yourself a favour, buy this album. It really is special.” SL Magazine, South Africa

“Forget every prejudice or stereotype that you may have of African music... It really is that special." - www.latinvibe.co.uk

"the album as a whole is really brilliant...delivered in a masterful way by a truly gifted musician" 5/5 - www.mio.co.za

Member Since:

April 17, 2006

Members:

Nibs van der Spuy booked by:
Sheer Sound
Please contact Melissa Conradie:
Email: melissa@sheer.co.za
Tel: +27 (0)11 438 7000.

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Influences:

George Harrison, Allman Brothers, Tim Buckley, Nick Drake, Tananas, Dixie Dregs, Kansas, Hank Williams, Gov't Mule, Derek Trucks, Spirit, Gito Baloi, Guy Buttery, Neil Young, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Steve Marriott, Rick Derringer, Alexander Borodin, Bach, Nigel Kennedy, Valiant Swart, Steve Morse, Emilia Earhart, Bjorn Borg, Duane Allman, Bix Beiderbecke, Nelson Mandela, Lee Underwood, Rory Gallagher, Randy California, Shawn Phillips, Piers Faccini

Sounds Like:

Nibs van der Spuy

Record Label:

2 FEET MUSIC