Sons Of Shem have been a beloved presence in Durban for quite some time, and they've undergone significant changes in their setup and sound since their last appearance on our show five years ago. We recently had the pleasure of hosting them for an interview, and here are some of the key insights from the episode.
Enhancing Your Band's Marketing
Sons of Shem have consistently maintained their social media presence over the years, a feat that many find challenging to master, so we got some tips for bands looking to improve their social media marketing.
Mandy offers this valuable advice, 'Especially in this age of TikTok and similar platforms, consistency is key. It's about maintaining an ongoing conversation with your followers, building a genuine relationship with them, and letting them get to know you better. Consistency is paramount.'
Brandon adds, 'I'd like to emphasise authenticity as well. While it's good to ask for likes and shares, it's equally important to connect with your community, forming real bonds. That's what music is about for me.'
The Importance of Branding
Success as a musician or band extends beyond creating music; it involves branding. Brandon sheds light on their approach to branding and the business side of their band.
Brandon explains, 'Something Mands and I really try hard to work on is branding, the business side of the band. What are we doing, how are we doing it, and how do we come across? How do we carry the personality you see on stage, and that personality is an extension of who we are as people; it’s not a put-on? And how do we get that genuine, authentic feel with the people we love, which is our fanbase? And that’s been incredible because not only was it a vision in my head, but it’s come to life now, and we’ve had to work damn hard at it.’
Embracing Authenticity in Music
In a world where conformity and commercialism often prevail, we seek advice from Shems on infusing authenticity into one's craft.
Brandon states, 'It's important to be aware of your audience, but don't lose yourself in their expectations. Authenticity in branding and music is sometimes overlooked as bands chase trends. Fans want to experience something unique, not a repetition of past trends.'
The Durban Resurgence
Sons of Shem, a long-standing presence in Durban's music scene, share their thoughts on the exciting developments in the city's music landscape.
Brandon comments, ‘It’s a very interesting time in the Durban music scene; there’s a very beautiful resurgence happening, but at the same time, it does sometimes run the risk of running into little cliques; you do get one or two bad apples in every single scene. Things have been going really well with okes like Reverberate, Durban Rock City, and The Vern, to mention a few. We’re also taking it to the next level as bands, and that’s something that Shems has been doing for a while; we don’t just rock up and play the gigs; we are sometimes the ones throwing the gigs, and it’s something we are exceptionally proud of.’
In Conclusion
Sons of Shem not only deliver outstanding performances but also contribute to Durban's musical landscape by organising events and sharing their experiences, in the hope that others can learn from them. Their upcoming album will be released gradually, capitalising Spotify’s algorithm. Be sure to check out their brand new single ‘Prophit Kings’ taken from their 14-track album here, stay updated on their future plans here, and check out the full audio episode here.
