ShortStraw is an indie rock band from Johannesburg, South Africa. ShortStraw is currently signed to their independently formed publishing label Boosh Records in South Africa, with digital distribution by Sony Music.
With their simple melodies and catchy rhythms, Shortstraw has taken the greatest of pleasure in rocking the most prominent live music venues and clubs in South Africa, and is well known for getting the crowd dancing. After 2014 took the band outside South Africa, Shortstraw continue to bring their uniquely South African “Indie-Bele” sound to the rest of the world.
- Alastair Thomas (lead vocals and guitar)
- Tom Revington (lead guitar)
- Gad De Combes (keyboard and backing vocals),
- Russell Grant (bass guitar)
- Jake Rubinstein (Drums)
Discography: They recorded their first EP, We Slept Through it All in late 2008.
Followed by their debut album, You’re Underfed, I’m Wonderful in 2011. The album was well received across South Africa and the video for their single “One Long Day” went to number 1 on the MK Top 10 Music Videos Chart. The band won a grant to produce a music video for their song, Waterworks through the MK Music Video Project. The Song “One Long Day” was featured in the then new Nissan X-Trail advertisement in late 2012. In 2013, the band won the Best Indie MK Award for their music video for One Long Day.
In April 2013 the band released their second album Good Morning, Sunshine. They won best album at the 2014 MK awards, Couch Potato reached no. 4 on 5FM’s top 40, Good Morning Sunshine reached no 3 5FM’s top 40 and Bikini Weather no 19 5FM’s top 40. The Good Morning, Sunshine music video also went to number 1 on the South African MTV Rock Chart.
The band won best video at the 2014 MK Awards for their 2011 release Waterworks from their first album You’re Underfed, I’m Wonderful.
2015 will see the release of Shortstraw’s third full length album Youthless. The first single Heaps Keen, inspired by their time in Australia was released in Dec 2014.
Awards:
-MK Awards 2014 Best Album for Good Morning Sunshine
-MK Awards 2014 Best Video for Waterworks
-MK Award 2013 Best Indie for One Long Day
-MK MVP for Waterworks 2012
-Nominated for the 2014: MTV Africa Music Awards for Best Alternative
Seen in/on: Shortstraw has played at all the prominent music festivals in South Africa as well as the Vic Falls Carnival in Zimbabwe. In 2014, Shortstraw joined Aussie indie hotcakes The Jungles Giants in a capital city tour of Australia. The tour was then be followed by a tour through Japan courtesy of Flake Records, who have re released both YOU’RE UNDERFED I’M WONDERFUL, and GOOD MORNING, SUNSHINE in Japan.
Website: www.shortstraw.co.za
Facebook: Shortstraw
Twitter: @Shortstrawband
