Durban Episodes

*Disclaimer: This episode is a little late and some of the events mentioned have already passed. This week on Sludge we Introduce our newest host Rowan, joining Marcel for the first time on the May episode of GroundUp. They dive into the wave of AI generated posters, music, and art that has the Cape Town scene divided. We're also proud to introduce SAHARA, the South African Heavy/Alternative Release Archive, a project Rowan and Meagan have been working on behind the scenes, aimed at d...

This is the story of one of South Africa's most promising hip-hop artists, filmed at the places that made him. We start at PEGG's high school, where he found hip-hop, fell in love with drama, and met the late Simon of PosterBoy. We end off at Dropkick Murphy's, the venue where he won an open mic that led to a Cotton Fest mixtape feature and a life-changing performance. PEGG breaks down: Why Glenwood's brotherhood shaped him The Alt vs Hip-Hop venue problem in Durban What makes a lyrici...

Your monthly GroundUp for April is here! The segment where Nasiphi and Marcel cover whats been happening within the local music scene. From events like the @GhastZA National Breakdown tour or the @WalkTheseSkiesOfficial Pray For Cyanide show at Railways to upcoming shows like Devilnest's Venom at The Werehouse and Misty Waters Music Festival. They look over some of the new release's from the likes of @moshmallowband and @ManAsMachineTV Nas and Marcel get into a discussion about The Doors com...

From his involvement in the scene as far back as the early 2000s, his roots with prolific bands like The Overmind and Divine Affliction, and his present successes with Imperious Vision, Deven has solidified his place as a local scene legend, at a relatively young age. On this episode we discuss: South African Metal: Whether it's in a better place now than "back in the day" Wacken Metal Battle: We break down Imperious Vision's recent victory at the Durban heat New Music: We get updates on the ...

February was jam packed full of highs and lows across the South African alternative and metal scene, we're breaking it all down! On this episode, Marcel & Nasiphi recap the month's biggest stories: The cancellation of Calabash, the success of Emalyth Fest, and the latest releases from Sonder The Africanime, Mouse, and Lucy Kruger. We're also joined by Myke Taylor of Devilnest/Your Cynical Sanity, who gives us a recap of their Durban show featuring heavyweights DOOMTRIGGER & No Closure. It does...

Join the boys as they look back at the best South African band releases and events of 2025. From memorable gigs to standout music releases, they highlight their favourites and share a glimpse of what's coming in the remainder of 2026. #SouthAfrica #SouthAfricanPodcast #SouthAfricanBands #SludgeUnderground Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and...

We're having a chat with Devilnest's Myke Taylor & Brynn Huxtable about their upcoming Durban metal event, Recoil. The event sees Gauteng heavyweights Walk These Skies and Die Gemeente coming down to Durban for what promises to be South Africa's most explosive metal event! #southafricanmetalmusic #sametal #durbanmetal #devilnest #metalevents Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s somethin...

Devilnest is a Durban-based entity that runs metal events. It comprises of Myke Taylor & Brynn Huxtable of South African Deathcore band Your Cynical Sanity. In this video, they talk all things Devilnest and how they aim to get Durban metal events on the map again. Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@sludgeundergrou...

Cantrel are a father/son duo making music together. On this episode we touch on their upcoming EP, ties to Prime Circle, their upcoming South African tour, their music video hitting over 1million views, and a whole lot more. #bandinterview #southafrica #cantrel #primecircle #southafricanband Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies, there’s something for every listener. Show your support and grab your f...

From a high school drama studio to the heart of Durban’s underground scene, The Non Fiction has been active since 2018. Starting as a two-piece punk band, they honed their sound at Reverberate events, carving out a space in the local music scene. Now, they're turning it up, taking that punk rock mentality and channeling it into bigger songs for bigger audiences. With raw energy and unstoppable drive, The Non Fiction say they're on the brink of something great, and they’re here to talk about it....

EP381: Join us as we dive into the world of Nine Refrain, the Durban-based band that just won their Durban Heat and is headed to the Wacken Metal Battle finals in Johannesburg! ️In this exclusive interview, we explore what sets Nine Refrain apart as a unique Durban band, their thoughts on the dominance of Johannesburg's previous winners and how they see their provincial difference as an edge. We also get their views on tough competitors, Walk These Skies, the first thing they plan to do if they ...

EP376: What happens when a talented singer-songwriter decides to take the reins of their musical journey? Join us as we welcome Dawn Melanie, a gifted artist from KZN, who reveals her transformation from a hopeful musician to an empowered independent artist. Dawn's journey involves the release of two albums, an EP, and multiple singles, highlighting the trials and triumphs of marketing music independently. Her candid experiences shed light on the complex dance between creativity and the demands ...

EP375: Hop in as we take a look at Jay Reid's journey as a Techno/Minimal DJ, and thriving events organiser. In this episode, we examine Jay's remarkable transition from hosting house parties to becoming a professional DJ, alongside the critical role of selecting the right artists to create unforgettable events. We chat about the unique challenges of running music events in Durban versus Cape Town, and the power of collaborative efforts in strengthening the local music community. The importance ...

EP374: Ever wondered how a Hip-Hop artist transitions into the vibrant world of Hyperpop? Swoger from Durban shares his remarkable journey with us, revealing how his early experiments with FL Studio and a love for audio engineering led him to embrace the pioneering sounds of Hyperpop. Discover how Swoger crafts music that speaks to those who feel different, using auto-tuned and distorted vocals to create a unique resonance. He talks about convincing even his Hip-Hop friends to appreciate Hyperp...

EP373: Starting off 2025 with a bang Marcel dives into the age old question of is heavy music dying out in South Africa. Listen in as he shares his thoughts from being a part of the scene as well as interviewing dozens of local metal bands. Check out our merch here: https://sludgeunderground.store/ Intro track: ‪@facingthegallows‬ Intro Footage: ‪@notrussellcrow‬ Explore our exclusive merch store for unique and high-quality items inspired by our podcast! From stylish t-shirts to snug beanies...

EP363: Pure N' Black Ent, a Durban-based music administration powerhouse, has been instrumental in propelling some of South Africa's biggest names to stardom. In this exclusive interview, we sit down with @Vumanivee and @ubestworld to look into their journey and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into doing music admin for artists like Babes Wodumo, Holly Rey, Zee Nxumalo, and DJ Maphorisa. Discover their meticulous artist selection process, the intricacies of music administration, and the un...

EP356: We learn all about the female-fronted band FAET from Durban, South Africa! Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://sludgeunderground.store/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxyLW9b_W81ETvby7J4wmwA Twitter https://twitter.com/Sludge031 Facebook https://ww...

We embarked on a side quest to review the new horror flick "Longlegs." Did it leave us spooked or just wanting to crank the amps? Meena, Brynn, Nate, Myke, and Nasiphi share their HONEST opinions and ratings (out of 5!). Subscribe for more alt madness and maybe some unexpected movie reviews! Remember to let us know what YOU thought of Longlegs in the comments! #longlegs #HorrorReview Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + ...

EP348: Meagan chats to Mika, Brett, Adam and Kat from Indie/Alternative Rock band - Angst Party. They talk about their first year as a four-piece, embracing variety in their discography & balancing their time in studio. The band touches on their upcoming work, getting goosebumps & releasing music consistently. This episode features an exclusive appearance from Freddy the Chicken; you’re welcome. Support the Show. Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to...

EP347: Meagan chats to Damien from Durban’s gnarliest Afro-punk band - Hawema. He gives us the goods on forming the band, developing their sound & recording the EP. Learn more about local punk as Damien gets into future releases, touring Joburg, and letting the crowd go wild. Resist the road rage & take something for the pain instead; Hawema was here. Scene N Nerd A weekly podcast talking about TV shows, movies, and entertainment news for geeks! Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support t...

Let us know what you thought of this episode and we’ll put it up on our pages✍️ Marcel has an in depth chat with Durban's own Myke Taylor of Deathcore band Your Cynical Sanity. From Their performance at the finals of the South African Waken Metal battle to dealing with a variety of new members and direction shifts over the 13 years of the bands existence. Support the Show. Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere by subscribing to Sludge Underground Podcast + Website htt...

Let us know what you thought of this episode and we’ll put it up on our pages✍️ EP344: KZN is legendary for epic festivals like Splashy Fen & Ballito Pro, but what about building a sustainable scene for artists? The awesome Rocc Lobsters join us to discuss the highs and lows of Durban's music landscape, from rocking out at Splashy Fen to the importance of crowd interaction and genuine stage presence. Get ready for a fun and insightful conversation about music, entertainment, and why you're guara...

EP341: Twins, rhymes, & prison times?! Chyna The Artist gets real on fatherhood, the Durban Hip-Hop scene, and more! Help us continue making great content for listeners everywhere with Sludge Underground Podcast + Website https://www.sludgeunderground.com Merch https://casualsex.store/pages/all-artist-stores/sludge-underground Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sludgeunderground TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@sludgeunderground YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxyLW9b_W81ETvby7J4wmwA Tw...

EP340: Hold onto your crockery, it's tea time! Marcel and Nasiphi dive headfirst into the crazy world that is the South African music scene. Buckle up as we dissect the exorbitant ticket prices for the upcoming event, Daisyland, and whether their focus on glamping justifies the cost⛺️ Next, we shift gears and discuss South African musician Johni Holiday's recent advice for local artists, but then things almost go pear-shaped when one Clive Hendrikse, throws some shade Johni's way. Did Johni o...