VREDE SINGS ABOUT THE ADULT WORLD IN A NEW SINGLE
Your university years are considered the best times of your life. It's a time for friends, self-discovery, and where the only responsibility staring you in the face is to pass your degree. Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and when the 'jol' is over, there's the realization that you must leave your friends and your comfort zone and scratch your own itch somewhere. These are the themes that Vrede, consisting of singers Francois Roux and Storm Opperman, discuss in their new single entitled 'Klein Wêreld'.
'Klein Wêreld' is Vrede's fourth single and follows the release of their songs, 'Perspektief', 'Onskuld van ‘n kind' and 'Die Son'. All three singles have been very well received on the radio, with both 'Perspektief' and 'Onskuld van ‘n Kind' reaching number one on Reputation's Alternative top 40 chart.
Both Francois and Storm are only 26, but they already play like seasoned musicians and have shared the stage with Spoegwolf, Die Heuwels Fantasties, Francois van Coke, Fokofpolisiekar, Riaan Benadé, Elandré, Juan Boucher, Karen Zoid, and Dozi. Vrede is a regular at major festivals like Mieliepop and Park Acoustics and has also been invited to perform at Innibos this year where they will share the stage with Zaan Sonnekus, Loufi, Droomsindroom and Rubberduck.
However, Vrede did not achieve overnight success, and it took a lot of hard work from the guys to get to this point. 'Klein Wêreld', which is described as a 'nice brandy and braai song', delivers tongue-in-cheek commentary on the uncomfortable transition young people experience between their university years and adulthood. ''It's about the fact that you must grow up and take responsibility for yourself,'' says Storm, who wrote the song.
''We grew up in Stellenbosch, we studied there, and our friends and family are there, but we had to break away from everything we knew in the Western Cape to try to make something of ourselves,'' Francois shared.
The guys moved to Johannesburg to make music full-time, but they quickly realized that things were going to be different. In Klein Wêreld's lyrics, Francois and Storm sing: 'Things are getting fast now, turn a blind eye, talk to the wind, and see how everything turns out in the end.' And it's about how they had to make it on their own when they moved to a strange city. 'Our parents took care of us when we were at university, but when we came here, they said we had to fend for ourselves. It was a difficult lesson, but it was a valuable lesson because Storm and I learned to stand on our own two feet,' Francois laughed.
For Storm, the hardest lesson was learning to do his own laundry. 'I always thought we had a 'laundry leprechaun' because I would leave my dirty clothes in the basket, and when I looked again, they were clean and neatly folded in my closet. Today, I realize it was my mom,' he joked.
Vrede has not only made a success of their music career, but they also recently bought their first washing machine. 'You know you're becoming an adult when you get excited about something like a washing machine or the fact that you can buy three bags of groceries at once,' teased Storm.
The song also discusses a more tender aspect of growing up. The lyrics which read: "Greetings from the runaway child, have always made me sad because it feels as though we have neglected our people," explore how you must exchange what is comfortable for the unknown. "We had to leave our friends and everyone we know behind when we came to Gauteng. It was difficult but we quickly found our people again. You suddenly realize that you will find your people wherever you are. It's a small world," Francois concludes.
"Klein Wêreld" is now available on all digital platforms.
