The Runaway Train Cult
Location: Based in JohannesburgBiography
Runaway Train Cult is a band of music revivalists going into the past for much of their influences. The band began as an offshoot of Afrikaans Roots band, Radio Kalahari Orkes, and is part of a broader collective of musicians who session at Dan Roberts’ StoepStudios and share a love for acoustic folk and roots music.
The band’s original influence stems from their interest in Gypsy jazz, Bluegrass, Appalachian, Americana, New Orleans swing and the instruments associated to those genres: Violin, guitars, upright bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, accordion, brass and percussion. The various styles have become so integrated that it’s hard to hear where one genre starts and another stops. Recently Hip Hop and soul have got into the mix, so the journey continues.
Besides original material, the group not so much covers songs as UNcover them - songs that have been buried, going back to the early 1900’s through the rich picking ground of the 20’s 30’s and 40’s. They also re-compose (or dDE-compose) contemporary songs converting them to Gypsy, Bluegrass, Appalachian or swing – or whatever else is handy.
The band consists of full time professional musicians: On vocals and ukulele, Miss Christine’s clear tone is in the plains tradition of Alison Krauss and Gillian Welsh while Wynand ‘Gypsy’ Davel (violin) and Friso Woudstra (guitars) both feature in the well known Afrikaans roots group, Radio Kalahari Orkes. Brendan Ou Tim is a widely experienced upright bass player who has played with a variety of artists including Arno Carstens & Karma. Ruben Samuels is the drummer for artists such as Rodrigues when touring South Africa and Dan Roberts (banjo, mandolin, guitars) is a often SAMA nominated Music Producer and winner of a SAMA award in that category.
Noteworthy Performances
- The Chairman’s Dinner, Sasol.
- FNB Main corporate Event 2016
- Harley Davidson Corporate event. 2016
- Oppikoppi Festival
- Grahamstown Festival
- Dullstroom Festival
- Capital Craft Festival
- Good Luck Bar
- Bassline ‘Across The Bridge’ concert.
- St Stithians Rugby Festival
- St. Peter’s School annual event
- Midstream School annual Event
- Saturday Night Live Heineken Corporate Event
- Mason Management Corporate Year Event
Repertoire
Expect songs like No Diggity, Ring of Fire, Dance me to the end of love, Minor Swing, Bad Moon Rising, Tainted Love, Mad World, Dirty Old Town, Home and many more!
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BUDGET INDICATOR
Below budget range is merely a guide; you will receive an exact quote based on your unique event details upon enquiring
Budget Range for The Runaway Train Cult is
R16000 - R30000
BOOKING ENQUIRY
Submit a booking enquiry directly with The Runaway Train Cult, and the Artist or their manager / representative will be in touch with you soon!
Should you be unsure about which acts to enquire with, you can choose to SEND GIGSTER YOUR EVENT DETAILS and we will forward your enquiry to up to 5 suitable acts.
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