Shifty Records
Encyclopedia
Founded by Lloyd Ross and Ivan Kadey, Shifty Records was a South African anti-apartheid record label
which existed for over a decade beginning 1982
. In 1986 Ivan Kadey left South Africa to pursue opportunities in Acoustic Architecture, specializing in top level recording studios, he became partner with the Waterland Design Group in Hollywood, CA, designing studios at Capitol Records, Virgin Tokyo, Sony/Epic Santa Monica, and many other world renowned recording venues. At this time Warrick Sony
bought in as partner with the purchase of recording equipment.
Aimed at providing a platform for independent music with a social message, Shifty was an outlet for numerous South African musicians opposed to apartheid. As a result, Shifty struggled to gain exposure on the radio stations of the Broederbond-controlled South African Broadcasting Corporation
. However, its anti-establishment stance was appealing to young and politically marginalized South Africans. This was evident when poet Mzwakhe Mbuli
's unadvertised Change is Pain went gold after the apartheid regime bannedhttp://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=123 possession and distribution of the album.
The label helped establish boerepunk and the alternative Afrikaans
genre at a time when it was a reflex to stereotype all Afrikaners as supporters of the National Party
. Operating from a caravan hitched to a Ford V6 truck, the Shifty studio would produce an album every two months until 1993.
Kontaktnätet, a Swedish non-governmental cultural organisation financially supported Shifty Records from 1986 - 1992 and held various manifestations in Sweden for the company and the various artists associated with Shifty.
Shifty Records often made use of the of a core group of musicians who appeared on different artists' recordings as support instrumentalists, e.g. drummer Ian Herman
and trombonist Jannie 'Hanepoot' van Tonder who can both be heard on many albums from the Shify Catalogue.
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
which existed for over a decade beginning 1982
1982 in music
This is a list of notable events in music from 1982. 1982 was a big year in music with Madonna making her debut as well as the year that Michael Jackson released Thriller which became the world's best selling album and it still holds that title today....
. In 1986 Ivan Kadey left South Africa to pursue opportunities in Acoustic Architecture, specializing in top level recording studios, he became partner with the Waterland Design Group in Hollywood, CA, designing studios at Capitol Records, Virgin Tokyo, Sony/Epic Santa Monica, and many other world renowned recording venues. At this time Warrick Sony
Warrick Sony
Warrick Sony is a South African composer, producer, sonic artist, performer and sound designer, who has worked for two decades on a multitude of films, documentaries, art events, theatre, dance, and project albums...
bought in as partner with the purchase of recording equipment.
Aimed at providing a platform for independent music with a social message, Shifty was an outlet for numerous South African musicians opposed to apartheid. As a result, Shifty struggled to gain exposure on the radio stations of the Broederbond-controlled South African Broadcasting Corporation
South African Broadcasting Corporation
The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the state-owned broadcaster in South Africa and provides 18 radio stations as well as 3 television broadcasts to the general public.-Early years:Radio broadcasting began in South Africa in 1923...
. However, its anti-establishment stance was appealing to young and politically marginalized South Africans. This was evident when poet Mzwakhe Mbuli
Mzwakhe Mbuli
Mzwakhe Mbuli, a devout former Deacon at Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Naledi Soweto South Africa, known as "The People's Poet, Tall man, Mbulism", is a popular poet and mbaqanga singer in South Africa...
's unadvertised Change is Pain went gold after the apartheid regime bannedhttp://www.music.org.za/artist.asp?id=123 possession and distribution of the album.
The label helped establish boerepunk and the alternative Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
genre at a time when it was a reflex to stereotype all Afrikaners as supporters of the National Party
National Party (South Africa)
The National Party is a former political party in South Africa. Founded in 1914, it was the governing party of the country from 4 June 1948 until 9 May 1994. Members of the National Party were sometimes known as Nationalists or Nats. Its policies included apartheid, the establishment of a...
. Operating from a caravan hitched to a Ford V6 truck, the Shifty studio would produce an album every two months until 1993.
Kontaktnätet, a Swedish non-governmental cultural organisation financially supported Shifty Records from 1986 - 1992 and held various manifestations in Sweden for the company and the various artists associated with Shifty.
Artists
Artists appearing on the label included:- Koos KombuisKoos KombuisKoos Kombuis is a South African musician, singer, songwriter and writer who became famous as part of a group of anti-establishment maverick Afrikaans musicians, who, under the collective name of Voëlvry , toured campuses...
- The Genuines
- Happy Ships
- Isja
- James PhillipsJames Phillips (musician)James Phillips was a South African rock singer, songwriter and performer.-Biography:Phillips grew up in the conservative East Rand mining town of Springs, the son of a Presbyterian minister. He finished high school at Witbank High in 1976...
& The Cherry Faced Lurchers - Bernoldus Niemand and Corporal Punishment, AKA James Phillips
- Jennifer Ferguson
- Johannes KerkorrelJohannes KerkorrelJohannes Kerkorrel was an Afrikaner singer-songwriter, journalist and playwright from South Africa....
- Kalahari SurfersKalahari SurfersThe Kalahari Surfers is the moniker of South African composer and musician Warrick Sony. It began as a solo recording project in the early 1980s to subvert the total media and propaganda onslaught of P. W. Botha’s Apartheid South Africa...
- National Wake
- Noise Khanyile
- SankomotaSankomotaSankomota - One of the greatest musical bands to come out of the tiny 'mountain kingdom' of Lesotho, Sankomota was formed around 1976...
- Simba Morri
- TananasTananasTananas, is a South African band formed in 1987. Originally it consisted of Mozambican Gito Baloi , Ian Herman and Steve Newman . First recorded by the independent label Shifty Records. Tananas combines jazz, Mozambican salsa and township jive...
- Vusi MahlaselaVusi MahlaselaVusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane is a Sotho South African singer-songwriter.His music is generally described as "African folk". His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies...
services - Winstons Jive Mixuphttp://rhythmmusicstore.com/music/6028/Winston's-Jive-Mixup/Winston's-Jive-Mixup
Shifty Records often made use of the of a core group of musicians who appeared on different artists' recordings as support instrumentalists, e.g. drummer Ian Herman
Ian Herman
Ian Herman is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and Richmond in the Australian Football League .-External links:* at Blueseum...
and trombonist Jannie 'Hanepoot' van Tonder who can both be heard on many albums from the Shify Catalogue.
See also
- List of record labels
- Artists United Against ApartheidArtists United Against ApartheidArtists United Against Apartheid was a 1985 protest group founded by activist and performer Steven Van Zandt and record producer Arthur Baker to protest apartheid in South Africa...
- The Market TheatreMarket TheatreThe Market Theatre, based in the vibrant inner-city suburb of Newtown in Johannesburg, South Africa, was opened in 1976, operating as an independent, non-racial theatre during the country’s apartheid regime...
- Music of South AfricaMusic of South AfricaThe South African music scene includes both popular and folk forms. Pop styles are based on four major sources, Zulu isicathamiya singing and harmonic mbaqanga...
- Recommended RecordsRecommended RecordsRecommended Records is a British independent record label and distribution network founded by Chris Cutler in March 1978. RēR features largely "Rock in Opposition" and related music, but it also distributes selected music released on other independent labels.In 1982 Cutler established November...
and Rock in OppositionRock in OppositionRock in Opposition or RIO was a movement representing a collective of progressive bands in the late 1970s united in their opposition to the music industry that refused to recognise their music... - United Democratic FrontUnited Democratic Front (South Africa)The United Democratic Front was one of the most important anti-apartheid organisations of the 1980s. The non-racial coalition of about 400 civic, church, students', workers' and other organisations was formed in 1983, initially to fight the just-introduced idea of the Tricameral Parliament The...