Former Overtone band member, Emile Welman, visits South Africa to release first Afrikaans single and music video
Thirty-five-year-old singer and songwriter Emile Welman, who was born in Pretoria and currently calls Newport Beach in California home, is no ordinary artist. If you take a look at his Instagram profile, you will find this crooner barbecuing with Clint Eastwood, visiting Charlize Theron or hanging out with other international celebrities – a glamorous lifestyle, just like in the movies! If you are South African and you take a closer look, you will see it – OVERTONE – and suddenly everything makes sense!
Emile, who studied law at RAU (now the University of Johannesburg) after school, fell in love with music and started singing during this time. But it was only when he started with his practical training as an attorney that the group Overtone was formed. After a performance in Cape Town, the group caught the attention of Dina Eastwood, wife of legendary actor and filmmaker Clint Eastwood. Captivated by Emile’s exceptional vocals and the band’s powerful presence, Dina brought Overtone to the attention of her husband, which led to him using the band for several tracks on the soundtrack to his 2009 rugby film, Invictus. The rest, as they say, is history.
While with Overtone, Emile worked with artists like Academy Award-winner Charlize Theron, hotelier Steve Wynn, and musical icon Tony Bennett (who compared Emile’s vocals to that of Frank Sinatra). Their past stage performances include concerts with OneRepublic, Grammy Award-winner Corinne Bailey Rae, actor Kevin Bacon, and producer David Foster. The band appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, and Lopez Tonight. They also received several South African VONK awards.
Now the time has come for the South African born singer, songwriter and composer to release his first Afrikaans single, SPROKIESLAND, and he decided to travel to his home country to do it in person. It is his first South African single as a solo artist – he previously released a single with the group Overtone. Internationally he has released three singles in the US and one in Australia. “My style varies greatly depending on where a song is being released,” he explains. “Musically, every country has different taste. You have to be adaptable to that market, so I have released singles ranging from pop to Jazz to Hip Hop, and now Afrikaans.”
This impressive pop ballad with an edge tells the story of a couple’s date at the beach, staying out late, and knowing that she is the one. The single offers a fresh take on Afrikaans music, and with its catchy melody and beautiful story, it is sure to enchant listeners.
Emile explains that the song was inspired by his father. “In July 2019, my dad was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. I had been living in the US for almost 10 years and had returned to South Africa only once or twice a year. My dad loved Afrikaans music and I wanted to write something that he would like and appreciate, something he could listen to and be proud of. So, I wrote the song hoping to get it recorded and playing on radio as soon as possible. Unfortunately, my dad regressed dramatically and while I was on tour in Australia in February last year, my dad passed away. He never heard the song, but I am determined to still make him proud.”
His solo career took off in 2012. He released his first single, Love Away, in 2013, after which he performed a variety of shows throughout Los Angeles. He also released Best of Me in 2013. In 2015 he joined the California Crooner’s Club alongside Hugh Sheridan and Gabe Roland to perform a highly anticipated tour in Australia. He released Just a Little More in 2016. More recently he walked away with the accolades for both Best New Act and Best Overall Act at the world’s second largest music festival in Australia.
In addition to continuously writing and composing new music, the singer is currently filming a show for FOX in America, as well as working on the soundtracks for a couple of new films. He looks forward to being able to travel and perform all over the world post-Covid.
Aside from releasing an Afrikaans song as a tribute to his father, Emile hopes that SPROKIESLAND will help him inspire the local youth. “I think a lot of kids grow up thinking that their world only consists of what is around them. I would like to prove to them that if you work hard and have self-discipline and drive, you can expand your world as much as you like. You can be and do whatever you like!”
With his dashing appearance, smooth vocals and unique sound, Emile is sure to continue impressing local and international audiences for years to come.
SPROKIESLAND is available for download on all digital platforms.
