Hatchetman Celebrates First Album Release at Alexander Upstairs

The folk rock band Hatchetman will perform a 50-minute set of original songs written by Jonathan Tait at the Alexander Upstairs in Cape Town this month. This show forms part of the release of Hatchetman's first full-length album, which has been 3 years in the making.

The Hatchetman foursome - Jono Tait, Matt Catto, Nick Catto and Stephane Corneloup - combine their prodigious musical and vocal talents to cut straight to the heart with songs on life, love and most things in between. Their soaring harmonies - of the sort not heard since the days of Crosby, Stills and Nash ruling the airwaves - and searing dynamism in the musical accompaniment has brought many a person to tears.

Hatchetman aims to use their honesty, a willingness to explore the darker and more tender sides of the human condition and a very personal presentation to sets themselves apart from many of their contemporaries. Lyrical topics range from heartbreak to ruminations on the multifaceted nature of Cape Town, while musically, the band meets somewhere between folk, rock, funk and acoustically inclined sounds, all delicately underpinned by the powerful, yet gentle blend of three voices.

Jono Tait is the son of Richard and Retha Tait, owners of the Alma Café, one of Cape Town's premier live music venues. Tait is a spirited character and the main songwriter for the band. He is very candid in his lyrics as well as in his onstage interaction with the crowd. He sings and plays acoustic guitar for Hatchetman.

Brothers Nick and Matt Catto complete the original trio of Hatchetman. They bring an incredible blend of harmony and musical talent. This talent was inevitable considering the strong musical family background of the Blundells. Nick plays the bass guitar and sings, while Matt plays the cajon and sings.

The Hatchetman family recently added new member Stephane Corneloup to their lineup. Corneloup plays lead electric guitar and added a new dimension to the style of music that the band performs, without detracting whatsoever from the three-part harmonies. He has the amazing ability to play incredible guitar solos whilst still remaining subtle in his approach to the nature of the band.

Hatchetman performs at the Alexander Upstairs on 23 April at 19:00. Tickets are available from the Alexander Bar website, with tickets costing R90 if booked and prepaid online or R100 if paid on collection at the bar. For telephone enquiries, call 021 300 1652. The Alexander Bar, Café and Theatre is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.

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