South African music journalist on his way to Coachella

[The Eagle]

Hi there Coachellans,

My name is Kurt Duvel, and I'm a freelance music journalist from Cape Town, South Africa. I run my own website/online portfolio "The Eagle's Nest", and when Coachella tickets went on sale for Weekend 2, I took one of the biggest leaps of faith in my adult life, and bought a ticket!

As a South African music journalist, being able to report on a festival with the calibre of Coachella is a dream come true. I'm so nervous and excited for the big intercontinental trip, as it'll be my first visit to the US West Coast and my first truly world-class festival.

Things are a little crazy right now with regard to planning for the trip, but that 'golden ticket' to my American Dream is all the motivation I need to get through! I'm trying to organise a fundraising campaign for my trip on Indiegogo, which is due to go live in one or two days. But in the meantime, it's all visa applications, rallying of my Californian friends for accommodation, and a steady stream of emails & meetings with potential sponsors and/or business partners.

I hope to see as many of you as possible on Weekend 2, and enjoy the Coachella vibe and spirit together! The USA really is a land of hopes and dreams, and I just want any American reader of this to realise and appreciate the wonderful opportunities you have right on your doorstep with regards to globally-recognised artists and the massive festivals that they perform at. I'm literally willing to travel to the other side of the world to be there, because in my home country, although we have some incredibly talented local artists and the occasional big-name superstar performing on our shores, we currently don't have any festival that compares to the wonder of Coachella.

If you want to keep in touch with me about my trip, or what work I do, my details are below.

Yours in music,

Kurt

The Eagle's Nest Business Card - FINAL.jpg

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Cell: (+27) 812701332
Website: www.theeaglesnestza.com
Blog (Archived): http://welcometotheeaglesnest.wordpress.com
Twitter: @EaglesNestZA
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheEaglesNestBlog

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[fibes]

Is Rodriguez really that huge down there as made out to be?

[KickerConspiracy]

I chatted up a girl waiting for the Wedding Present to start in SF last night and she was from SA and I asked her that same question. She said they were as big as U2. She went to one of the first shows when he first visited the country after being found on the web and also said she had never seen so many older white people at a concert.

[Sensuality]

Sounds like someone is going to get scammed.

[The Eagle]

Is Rodriguez really that huge down there as made out to be?

Yes, he definitely has a special place and influence on South African popular music history. He's sort-of like a Bob Dylan figure, except way more mysterious and with less material (since he only released two albums in the early 1970's). But those two albums really had a big impact on young people during the height of apartheid, as seen in the 'Searching For Sugar Man' documentary. As a 23-year-old, I never grew up being explicitly aware of him and his music (mostly due to my parents not having such a deep taste in music, or owning a large music collection), but songs such as 'Sugar Man' and 'I Wonder' are like feel-good nursery rhymes to many white, middle-class, liberal South Africans.

The 'Searching For Sugar Man' documentary is accurate, and the dedication of fans such as Sugar Siegerman and the SA musicians interviewed has kept Rodriguez's spirit alive in South Africa.

[The Eagle]

I chatted up a girl waiting for the Wedding Present to start in SF last night and she was from SA and I asked her that same question. She said they were as big as U2. She went to one of the first shows when he first visited the country after being found on the web and also said she had never seen so many older white people at a concert.

Maybe the U2 comparison is a bit of a stretch, but I wouldn't be surprised about the amount of older white people at his concerts. 'Searching For Sugar Man' has definitely raised his profile in our country, especially amongst my relatively younger generation. I unfortunately couldn't get a ticket to his recent run of shows in the last two weeks, but I know of many 20/30-somethings that are fans of his.

[The Eagle]

Sounds like someone is going to get scammed.

And who exactly is getting scammed??

[theStank]

And who exactly is getting scammed??

I wouldn't worry bout that type of shit. Keep goin........ interesting

[captncrzy]

Wow, that's a long way to come.

Make sure you get a churro and a frozen lemonade. A Freshers frozen lemonade, not a Minute Maid one.

[The Eagle]

Wow, that's a long way to come.

Make sure you get a churro and a frozen lemonade. A Freshers frozen lemonade, not a Minute Maid one.

Yeah, it definitely is! Point noted: Freshers, not Minute Maid

[canexplain]

Welcome to the show and the board. Don't be surprised if you get razzed here if you haven't already skimmed the board and got a feel of the board. We are friendly but brutal. cr****

[The Eagle]

Welcome to the show and the board. Don't be surprised if you get razzed here if you haven't already skimmed the board and got a feel of the board. We are friendly but brutal. cr****

Thank you for the heads-up, and for welcoming me.

Maybe the best advice is from this little guy -------->

[canexplain]

FYI, you shouldn't post a link to a site that is not up and working .. Just saying .... cr****

[Zafocaine]

Wait a second... is this guy trying to get our bank account numbers? I think I got this e-mail once...

[The Eagle]

FYI, you shouldn't post a link to a site that is not up and working .. Just saying .... cr****

Fair point. It is currently being upgraded, and I'm pushing for it to be done by Tuesday, maybe Wednesday (SA Time). However, there are links to my old blog, Facebook and Twitter accounts, if any of you are concerned about legitimacy.

[fibes]

Wait a second... is this guy trying to get our bank account numbers? I think I got this e-mail once...

If someone gives out their bank account numbers they deserve to be scammed. Look if anyone feels the need to donate to any cause online just use paypal or send the dude 10 bucks cash in the mail.

[The Eagle]

If someone gives out their bank account numbers they deserve to be scammed. Look if anyone feels the need to donate to any cause online just use paypal or send the dude 10 bucks cash in the mail.

My Indiegogo campaign has just gone live, as well as my new website:

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/th...port/x/2381922

I agree with you, fibes. That's why I've set up a Paypal account

[TomAz]

Hey Kurt, if you went to Weekend 1 I would buy you a beer.

I will be in Capetown in June.

[The Eagle]

Hey Kurt, if you went to Weekend 1 I would buy you a beer.

I will be in Capetown in June.

Ah man! Unfortunately we will not cross paths then But I should be back in Cape Town in June, so pull through for a drink. I'm right in the City Centre.