Metropolitan Republic recently briefed Howard Music to compose a 60 sec TVC, to re-establish the name FNB Stadium. During the 2010 Fifa World Cup, the stadium went by the name “Soccer City’ in accordance with Fifa regulations.
The brief was to use Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika, but with a twist. Instead of using the usual “major’ key, Howard Music kept to the minor, which gave a sense of reflection. The major version was only used right at the end.
“The orchestration is different to what is normally used on Nkosi Sikelel’iAfrika. We just used a guitar, percussion and right at the end, strings. This was a crazy deadline, but happy clients made this one to remember,’ says Adam Howard.
Another TVC that Howard Music worked on recently was for Naturella with Leo Burnett as the agency.
The brief was to create a light, uplifting track. “We went with a live sounding jazzy vibe, whilst retaining a South African musical identity,’ says Howard.
Also involved in the production of the TVC was MOI, Ettienne de Villers (Passing Trains) as director and Glasshouse editor Angela Whitehouse.
The music keeps on flowing from Howard Music and other projects include Hugh Masekela’s new album, produced by Don Laka; Jazz festival – Moretele Park – Thandiswe Mazwai anjd Don Laka; Discovery Awards – Lira, Abigail Kubeka, Sibongile Khumalo; Live DVD recording – Dr. Victor; Jock of the Bushveld (horns arranged on one track and played for the back tracks); and coming up the musical direction for a Blue Moon event.
