I’ve never witnessed a band quite like Make-Overs, a band that has the unique ability of being brazenly edgy, loud and unapologetic, while still having so much appeal to a varied and diverse audience. Their ruthless touring schedule and workaholic disposition has seen them put out countless albums and EP’s in record time. All while touring extensively, to destinations in North America, Europe and South Africa. They will be playing tomorrow night at The Winston Pub for the opening night of Zakifo Music Festival 2019. Aweh.online, caught up with the band before they head to Durban, to discuss, touring life and what it’s like to be pretty much full time rock ‘n rollers in an era where making money off your creativity is proving to be increasingly difficult.
1. Firstly can you give us your full names, age and what you do for a living (if anything besides for music)?
Andreas (aka A. Computer or just A) sells rare pop culture collectibles ranging from records, vintage guitars, and music memorabilia, to toys and games. Also involved in some side projects and dabbles in design.
Martinique (aka Miss Overs or just M) has somehow managed to maintain her part time employment as a Videography Lecturer at the TUT (arts campus) and does freelance video projects when she has time (something we have less and less of lately as the band is doing well).
2. You’ve been touring quite extensively, how have the tours been as you gear up for another extensive one?
M: Funny you mention extensive because this next one does not feel that extensive, it’s only a month (we’re used to two or three months at a time). Later this year (Sept/Oct/Nov) we will go on a longer tour again.
We love it, it suits us, we love to travel, and we have been all over and seen so many amazing things and met some super awesome people along the way.
A: It’s been such a treat for us. Touring is hard work and can be exhausting but we live for it. We are used to extensive touring having done some lengthy tours all over Europe, Canada, and the US. I’m really looking forward returning to the venues we love in France and the adventure of all the new places we will be visiting.
3. So you’re playing in Durban this Friday for Zakifo Music Festival at The Winston Pub, it’s a pretty awesome show, tell us a little bit about playing at The Winston and Durban and what can the audience expect, for those who have never witnessed a Make Overs show?
We’ve played the Winston before and it’s one of our favourite venues in South Africa. It’s been around for such a long time it’s an institution at this point. You can expect us to give our all, we always try to give high energy performances, we have some newer songs in the set, and our sound ranges from loud energetic rock/punk to experimental, groovy loop based tracks. We have never used a set list before so we never know exactly what we will be playing.
4. So you’ve played at Zakifo before, how was the experience and what sets this event apart from other festivals?
Yes, we played the very first Zakifo it was a great experience. I remember being taken care of exceptionally well by the team and crew. We had a lot of fun but I am almost more excited for this year as it’s at the Winston. Zakifo has an incredibly eclectic range of music; there is definitely something for everyone.
5. You’re also off to play Sakifo, surely that must be quite exciting, will it be your first time in Reunion Island?
No, I think this will be out 6th time in Reunion Island. We have been going there for the last 5 years repeatedly for various shows and love going there, super excited to see all our friends and fans, and we love to hang out and explore the island, it really has a lot to offer. We were at Sakifo a few years back as guests of friends who played and it was on the beach and very busy, so I am looking forward to being back again this year but this time on stage.
6. Any interesting stories from your recent tours?
Where to start? Our guitars and pedals were stolen whilst on tour in France last year, amidst that we had to deal with the yellow jackets, who were protesting heavily in France at the time, so it meant we had to drive through night after shows so we could make the next show in time (road blocks everywhere during the days). During that same tour we were in a meeting and a riot broke out outside, and the police started teargassing everyone, including us. Then we got to travel with the Limiñanas, a group we both love, all over following their massive tour bus in our tiny rental, and the places we got to drive through and see is just beyond amazing – even the rest stops are breath-taking 🙂
7. Touring isn’t all glamour and glitz, what kind of advice would you impart to younger musicians who want to become a full time touring artists?
Ease yourself into it, do some local touring, and build from there. You will know very quickly if it’s for you, on the road a week can feel like a month and constant travelling can take a toll on you. If it works out then expand and keep adding new places to your schedule until you feel comfortable with how much time you will be away from home. Make sure to go back to territories where you’ve had success and build a circuit. It’s not easy sticking to something when times are hard, and on tour things can get tough, if you persist and put your best foot forward, give it your all and never let up and find your niche market, because there are so many out there, you can carve a road that’s much more rewarding down the line. You need to be realistic about how long things take, and how many things can go wrong, the show must go on regardless. We’ve been stuck at airports, had vital equipment stolen before big shows, car breaking down and a deadline to make, stuck on trains with no alternatives trying desperately to find them…. so many things always will and can go wrong, so be ready with a plan b,c,d and e and always try and stay positive. The reward of being able to create your art full time is worth it, at least it is for us.
8. Ok lastly, what time are you guys on this Friday and will you have any new merchandise on sale, as Make Overs always seem to have the coolest merch?
23h30 – and we have an hour set.
Thank you so much, we are always so happy to hear people like our stuff! We will have records and CD’s for sale. Unfortunately, we have sold out on most of our merch after the last tour (so sadly no shirts in just yet). We’re busy working on a load of exciting things, there’s a new album with art by Anton Kannemeyer coming soon. We recently acquired a tape duplicator so there will be cassette releases of our back catalogue in the near future.
9. Anything you’d like to add?
We can’t wait to be back in Durban – it’s been far too long since our last show there, and who knows when we will be able to make it back again.
Aweh Online 