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Licensed To Play April 2017

Dear SAMRO Licensee

Welcome to the April edition of SAMRO’s Licensed to Play newsletter. In this edition, we take a look at Southern Africa’s foremost dramatic licensing agency, the Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO). DALRO’s Theatricals division is responsible for administering the rights of authors, visual artists, poets and playwrights, and this week we show you how you can acquire a licence from DALRO.

KZN, are you ready? The latest leg of the SAMRO CEO Music Industry Roundtable discussion will be held in the fun-loving city of eThekwini on Friday, 19 May 2017. We invite licensees to join SAMRO members at the Durban Playhouse to take part in the information-sharing session and engage with our expert panelists on industry matters.

We also have a quick chat with house music hitmaker Prince Kaybee, who has proven that small-town roots needn’t stand in the way of big-time ambition. After winning first prize on the second season of SABC1 talent show “1’s and 2’s”, the Free State-born DJ hasn’t looked back. He shares his plans of wanting to give back to the community by mentoring aspiring musicians in his home province.

We recently spoke to Thakgatso Setseta, the public relations officer at the South African State Theatre, and found out about this Pretoria landmark’s rich history. The theatre plays a leading role in the development of the performing arts, and is host to various entertainment activities drawn from our country’s diverse cultures.

How can you make connections in the music industry to ensure optimal revenue and exposure for your venue? Just like you, musicians, record label owners, publicists and publishers are also trying to network so that they can get their music out there. We’ve put together a simple five-step guide to making effective industry connections.

Lastly, we have a great line-up of music events happening around the country in the next few weeks that you can indulge in.

Enjoy!

Tiyani Maluleke
General Manager: Marketing and Communications

HOW A DALRO THEATRICALS LICENCE CAN HELP YOU STAGE A PLAY – OR EARN YOU ROYALTIES

The Dramatic, Artistic and Literary Rights Organisation (DALRO), through its Theatricals team, is responsible for administering the rights of authors, visual artists, poets and playwrights. It’s the first port of call for anyone wanting to produce and license works for professional or amateur performance.

DALRO Theatricals’ licensing services include the supply of scripts, musicals and other theatrical resources to schools and theatres in Southern Africa. It holds a catalogue representing thousands of shows, including iconic South African theatre works, as well as hits from the Broadway and West End stages.

Schools, colleges, universities and community theatres are currently performing a large number of amateur productions licensed through DALRO Theatricals.

Here are a few of the DALRO-authorised professional productions currently being produced in Gauteng:

  • Frecklaceface Strawberry – National Children’s Theatre
  • Winnie the Pooh Junior – Peoples Theatre
  • Sophiatown – Market Theatre
  • Sarafina! – South African State Theatre
  • Itsoseng – Market Theatre
  • Rent: The Musical – Joburg Theatre

Catalogue of theatrical works

DALRO Theatricals’ international catalogue of musicals and plays incorporates shows from:

  • Music Theatre International
  • Rodgers & Hammerstein Theatricals
  • Pioneer Drama Services
  • Josef Weinberger
  • Dramatic Publishing Company
  • The Really Useful Group
  • Baker’s Plays
  • Dramatist Play Service
  • Theatrical Rights Worldwide

DALRO Theatricals licenses a number of iconic South African theatre works by notable luminaries such as:

  • Andrew Buckland
  • Can Themba
  • Mbongeni Ngema
  • Athol Fugard
  • John Kani
  • Barney Simon
  • Lara Foot
  • Dalene Matthee
  • Junction Avenue Theatre Company
  • Zakes Mda
  • Reza de Wet

For producers…

Should you wish to produce a work for performance, whether as amateurs (schools, community theatres and so on) or as professionals (for commercial performance), you must apply for a performance licence through DALRO. Even if DALRO does not administer the rights of the work you wish to perform, they will direct you to the correct place to apply for your licence.

For playwrights and literary creators…

Should you wish to sign a mandate with DALRO, allowing the organisation to license performance rights on your behalf, send them an email and they will happily assist you.

For more information on DALRO Theatricals, visit their website: www.dalro.co.za 
Email: theatricals@dalro.co.za
Telephone: +27 (0)11 712-8330

SAMRO’S MUSIC INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION HEADS TO ETHEKWINI

After the success of another Southern African Music Rights Organisation NPC (SAMRO) CEO Music Industry Roundtable discussion in Mpumalanga, we are pleased to announce that the latest leg of this information-sharing session will be held in eThekwini on Friday, 19 May 2017. The session will take place at the Durban Playhouse from 10H00 until 14H00.

Durban takes the baton from Nelspruit, where SAMRO held a successful session in March on music consumption and the latest available channels for music promotion.

The concept of rotating music industry roundtable events was born out of a need to host nationwide conversations that could elicit meaningful input and help develop the South African music industry. SAMRO saw a great need for such a platform, to facilitate regular engagement among those who contribute to the wellbeing of the local music industry.

Since the roundtable discussions began last year, industry representatives including the SABC’s Kaizer Kganyago and Nomvuyiso Batyi of the Independent Communications Authority of SA; music legends Ray Phiri, Gabi le Roux, Arthur Mafokate and Sipho Makhabane; and representatives from Kaya FM, Ligwalagwala FM and Rise FM have been among the participants.

“Hosting this session just two months after a successful stop in Nelspruit suggests we are on a roll, and we are delighted to be taking the forthcoming meeting to Durban. We hope for an even larger turnout and we promise to have another great panel of experts to share their know-how on issues affecting the industry,” says Tiyani Maluleke, SAMRO’s General Manager: Marketing.

As was the case at previous gatherings, in eThekwini, SAMRO will address members’ concerns and the topical issues of music airplay and local content quotas. SAMRO’s acting Group CEO, Rev. Abe Sibiya will once again take part in the discussions and share his vast knowledge of the industry and of SAMRO’s operations.

If you are based in or around Durban, this is also your opportunity to engage with SAMRO on topics relating to membership and royalties.

For more information, contact the Marketing Department on 011 712 8521 or email marketing@samro.org.za

FIVE MINUTES WITH HITMAKER PRINCE KAYBEE

Kabelo Motsamai, better known as Prince Kaybee has proven that it’s possible to make it in the industry no matter where you come from. Hailing from the small town of Senekal in the Free State, the house music producer who doubles as a DJ burst on to the music scene when he took part in, and won, the second season of popular SABC1 talent search programme “1’s and 2’s”.

Coming from humble beginnings, Prince Kaybee has certainly proved his talent, skill and ability to get any crowd on the dance-floor with his smashing beats. He solidified his place in the industry with his first album, released in 2015 called “Better Days”. He continues to showcase the best talent in the industry with his latest single, ‘Charlotte’ which features female vocalist Lady Zamar.

After monitoring his rise since he entered the mainstream industry, we decided to have a chat with this hitmaker about when we can expect the second installment of the Prince Kaybee magic.

Question: Your talent is undeniable – with the numerous hits you’ve produced in a relatively short period, you’ve become known on a national scale. What inspires your music?
Answer: Firstly let me say, I draw my inspiration from God and my mother. God has given me the opportunity to live out my dream and my mom has always believed in me. My fans always expect a hit from me and that drives me to excel even more.

Q: You’ve got a banger of a single, ‘Charlotte’ on high rotation at the moment. How did this hit come about? You have everyone wondering who this Charlotte is…
A: After I composed a song, still with no title at the time, I called the talented Lady Zamar, who is featured on the track. She came in and wrote the lyrics for the track and ‘Charlotte’ was born. Charlotte represents insecurities that people have.

Q:  What is your favourite track of your own to date?
A: I have produced a number of tracks and they all are my favourite because of the hard work that went in, but I have to say ‘Better Days’ holds a special place in my heart.

Q:  What can we expect from you this year?
A: I actually finished my second album last December and am currently finalising its release. Look out for it. It will be a banger of an album.

Q: If not music, what else would you be doing?
A: Grooming and mentoring young, up-and-coming Free State artists. Music is my life and I have recently founded a record label called Low Key Records to fulfil what I believe is my purpose.

Q: What advice would you give musicians or DJs trying to make it in the industry?
A: To never give up and give every opportunity you receive your very best. No matter how small a gig or opportunity, act professionally and see how God rewards your hard work.

Q:  You always look well put together, whether it’s at awards or gigs or on social media. Do you have a team that ensures you always look your best? Is how you present yourself important to your brand?
A: People buy you before your product and the way you present yourself becomes important. I can produce good music but if I’m not presentable, people will not take me seriously. You always expect the chef to be neat before you indulge and if he is not neat, you cannot enjoy the meal.

Q: Who’s your favourite DJ, locally or internationally?
A: I have always drawn a lot of inspiration from Black Coffee, with no exclusion of the likes of DJ Fresh, who actually paved the way for us. It’s these gentlemen who I have looked up to.

LICENSEE PROFILE: HOW THE SOUTH AFRICAN STATE THEATRE IS PROMOTING THE ARTS

We recently spoke to Thakgatso Setseta, the public relations officer at the South African State Theatre in Pretoria, who was happy to share its rich history of staging critically acclaimed plays from the country and around the globe.

The opening of the state-funded theatre complex in May 1981 was a milestone in South African theatre and marked the beginning of great things to come. Over the years, the State Theatre has been evolving to fit the post-apartheid environment by adopting a pan-African outlook.

The theatre today plays a leading role in the development of the performing arts, as a national flagship institution that promotes arts and entertainment and encourages cultural diversity on its stages. The State Theatre seeks to play a vital role in the cultural life of the nation, the province of Gauteng and the City of Tshwane.

Question: What can one expect at the theatre and who’s the target audience?
Answer: Our programming of shows caters to a wide variety of audiences, including children’s theatre shows that play for young ones from as little as three years old.

Schools are leading our audience list in terms of their response to our theatre offerings. The schools are very supportive towards our shows and they are becoming accustomed to (and are loving) the theatre culture in our society.

The embassies around Tshwane are supportive of our shows, when invited to attend. We are still making strides to attract larger numbers of university and college students to fit them into the theatre-going culture. The business fraternity is needed to keep the commercial aspect of the theatre (sponsorships and donations) alive; we also extend our invitations to corporates to use the opportunity to entertain staff at our venues.

Q: What are some of the most memorable plays you’ve hosted at the theatre?
A: In 2000 the theatre re-opened as a receiving house (it was primarily a producing house in the past) and has since been host to blockbuster shows like “Kalushi”, “Rivonia Trial”, Mbongeni Ngema’s “Sarafina!”, “The Phantom of the Opera”, “The Sound of Music”, “Saturday Night Fever”, “Burn the Floor”, “The President’s Man” (written and directed by Paul Grootboom) and Bogosi Bolokwe’s “Umshado”, to name a few.

In 2015, “Marikana – The Musical”, directed by our artistic director, Aubrey Sekhabi, played to an overwhelming audience response. The musical is set to return in July this year. Not forgetting the Vavasati International Women’s Festival, the Youth Expression Festival and the Mzansi Fela Festival that we host every year.

Q: You’re a SAMRO licensee. What is the importance or significance of this to the theatre?
A: We see SAMRO as an archive hub housing the historic work of our artists. We find it important as a theatre to align ourselves with the right bodies that will help protect the works to benefit the rightful copyright owners.

Q: You are currently staging a revival of Mbongeni Ngema’s “Sarafina!”, one of the most loved and memorable musicals about the fight for freedom in South Africa that was also adapted into a hit film. How is it being received?
A: Thirty years after it was first staged, “Sarafina!” has once again received critical acclaim, rave reviews and standing ovations. It opened to a full house in March with the who’s who of the entertainment landscape in attendance. It has helped the State Theatre to start the year on a high note and is still going strong. When Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela attended the show – she, by the way, inspired the story of “Sarafina!” – she was taken down memory lane when she saw the revived masterpiece.

“For me, it was very nostalgic and I think the performance was absolutely wonderful. I cannot believe that someone can recreate something to this extent. It is as relevant today as it was all those years ago and the songs are so relevant,” Madikizela-Mandela said.

FIVE STEPS TO HELP YOU MAKE BETTER INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS

You may be wondering how to forge effective connections in the music industry to improve your venue’s performance and revenue stream. They may often seem unreachable, but just like you, musicians, record label owners, publicists and publishers are also trying to network with the right people so that they can get their music out there.

So, how do you make these industry connections to grow your own business? Here are five steps that can help you meet the right people to propel your operation to the next level.

1. Use social media 
Social media has become the simplest and most affordable way for a business to promote, connect and network. It is generally easier to reach musicians and potential patrons online than anywhere else.

You have to identify the musicians that you would want to perform at your venue. Do not just pick anybody; ensure that the musicians you select will be right for your patrons. For example, if you are a jazz venue owner, then associate yourself with jazz music publishers, record label owners/companies and musicians.

Make sure that when you begin to follow them on social media, you engage in their conversations in a professional manner and let them know who you are and what you offer.

2. Get out there  
You cannot contain yourself within the walls of your venue and hope that the best performers will show up. You need to know what the patrons are listening to and the types of music they prefer.
Meet people face to face, when possible. Personal contact is still the best way to build relationships. Talk to musicians, let them know who you are and suggest a gig or two at your venue.
Visit other venues and see how other people do things, what they are playing and how the crowd responds to the performances.

3. Network 
Remember that every conversation you have is an opportunity to network. This means that you need to have your basic marketing tools such as business cards at hand. Don’t miss the opportunity to get your establishment known and to showcase how it could be of benefit to a musician, company, publicist or music publisher.

4. Follow up 
After your initial engagement, follow up to establish whether the performers, musicians or music publishers would like to perform or host events at your venue. No matter how good people’s intentions may be, sometimes they may get busy and forget to follow up, so make the call.

5.  Never neglect relationships 
Musicians come and go, and with time a lot may change in the industry. Do not neglect your relationships, but keep in touch with the relevant music industry players and identify ways in which you can partner in order to help each other stay relevant. Remember that often, patrons become committed to musicians and venues that are committed to them.

GIG GUIDE

Here’s a list of our top talent picks for live performances this month in conjunction with the Concerts SA #venuecircuit and #mobilityfund initiative.

Kgalagadi Soul
Wits School of Arts
2- 3 May 2017 @ 4:00PM – 7:00PM
Free

Vuma Levin
Afrikan Freedom Station
4 May 2017 @ 8:00PM – 11:00PM
Free

Linda Sikhakhane Quintet
Luthuli Museum
5 May 2017 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PM
R30

Vuma Levin
Alma Café
10 May 2017 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PM
R180

Mike Rossi Project
NMMU South Campus Auditorium
11 May 2017 @ 7:30PM – 9:30PM
R70

Ményatšô Mathôlê
The Headroom
19 May 2017 @ 7:00PM – 9:00PM
R60

Spha Mdlalose
Hard Rock Cafe Pretoria
7 May 2017 @ 6:00PM – 9:00PM

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