"Garth Johnstone caught up with Umhlanga's Shannon Hope - one of South Africa's brightest music stars..." about songwriting, touring and future plans. Read the full interview here.


 

Hope hits the road for Newcastle, Johannesburg and Cape Town in August with shows at the following venues (full details on the tour page):

6 August - Mello's, Newcastle
7 August - Pint & Pig Out, Newcastle
8 August - Tanz Café, Johannesburg
14 August - The Purple Turtle, Cape Town
17 August - Studio 54, Cape Town
19 August - Zula Sound Bar, Cape Town
20 August - Villa Pascal, Cape Town
22 August - Barleycorn Music Club, Cape Town
25 August - Dorpstraat Teater, Stellenbosch


 

Fans outside of South Africa can now order signed copies of the album direct from Shannon Hope here. Check the Merch page for more info.

 

Following her 12 show run at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, Hope returns to Durban for eight shows in the KZN region in July. In August, she heads to Gauteng to join UK singer-songwriter Gemma Ray who is touring SA, alongside the always cool Ramblin' Bones, before hitting the skies for Cape Town. Check out full details of all shows on the tour page.

 

Hope returns home from the National Arts Festival 2010 to critical acclaim. The full reviews are on the press page.

 

"What you see when you look at her is rock 'n roll,
but what you hear when she plays is heart and soul."
Kgomotso Moncho, Tonight
 
"With a sound charged with emotional intensity,
Shannon Hope's performance brought goose bumps to my skin.
The powerful combination of her singing and song-writing
is sure to leave any audience captured."
Isabel Rawlins, Cue
 
"...as she started to sing,
I instantly pictured her on a dark stage, lit by a single spotlight
in an auditorium filled with thousands of fans."
Fiona Gordon, Cue

"Shannon Hope is awesome! Her voice is amazing,
and the way she puts her all into every melody is admirable.
Her music really touches you and when you walk out
of the performance, some things just make sense."
kei-ella, Artsblog
 
"I felt inspired and moved for having heard Shannon Hope sing;
and that’s the highest endorsement of any artist, in my mind."
Andrea Buchanan, Channel 24

 

With all the excitement in Mzansi at the moment, it's hard not to get caught up in it all! So, until the end of July, new and existing mailing list subscribers receive a free download of "Oh Boy", just because. Sign up below or if you're already a subscriber, check your inbox for details! And while you're in the festive mood, spread some love around South Africa and the world by inviting your friends, family, neighbours and visitors to sign up before 31 July 2010 to qualify for this exclusive World Cup download.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ---> "Regarded as one of the hardest-touring self-managed artists on the national circuit, Shannon Hope makes her National Arts Festival debut in 2010 with her intriguingly powerful heart songs. With 12 performances during the festival, Hope will deliver an intense personal commentary on emotional fragility and power in a one hour vocal epic that promises to leave audiences mesmerised." [Tickets available from Computicket.]

 

1 June 2010
It is one year, today, since I took the plunge and decided to do this music thing fulltime, and looking back over the past year I cannot believe where I stand now in comparison to those daunting days not so long ago. I’ve been so happy on the open roads of this beautiful country over the past 12 months, and cannot describe the intense satisfaction that comes from truly “living the dream”. The first print of the album has sold out (the second is already in circulation), and I have to send a huge shout out to everyone for their support. Your support is my independence, and I truly cannot thank you all enough for making this dream a beautiful reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Love & Rockets,
Shannon H

[Read more news here.]

 

"She dresses as you could expect a rock star to dress. A little bit grungy... but cool. But when she opens her mouth, it's not what I expect at all. I sit, breathless..." says journalist Fiona Gordon, who attended a performance during Hope's recent Cape Town tour. Read the full review here, or visit Artslink or Cape Town Creatives.

 

The year is shaping up to be jam-packed with tours as Hope heads back to Cape Town and surrounds in May for another five shows, performing in the City Bowl, Rondebosch, Hout Bay and Muizenberg. After Cape Town, Hope debuts in Bloemfontein at Die Mystic Boer, before returning to Gauteng to share the stage with Wonderboom's Cito at Espresso Jazz in Linden - watch the press for details! [Full details on the tour page.]

 

Performing tracks from her debut solo album and talking all things music, Hope makes her television debut on Sunday 25 April from 7.00am - 8.30am on SABC2's Weekend Live.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ---> The full schedule for the National Arts Festival 2010 has been released, and Shannon Hope will be in attendance. Check the tour page for full details on her 12 performances during the "15 days of AMAZ!NG". The full festival programme is available at Standard Bank branches nationwide and ticket sales are open at Computicket.
 

 

Hope hits the road again in April, heading up to Gauteng for two shows in Johannesburg and Pretoria, and then in May heads to the Mother City. Full details are available on the tour page.

 

At the end of February 2010 Shannon Hope embarked on a month-long road tour across South Africa with shows in Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Port Elizabeth, Jeffrey's Bay, Cape Town, Durbanville, Gordon's Bay, Scarborough, Muizenberg, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and East London, sharing stages with the likes of Dan Patlansky, The Pixie Bennett Band, Voodoo Child, Ian Henderson, Naming James, Bed On Bricks and jacSharp. With a tour schedule currently booked up months in advance, you can expect more of the same from the Art Pop pianist and vocal artist throughout 2010. Check the tour page for full details of national tour dates in coming months.

 

Following the performance at The Northway Showcase in Durban North in February 2010, Gloria Rhodes has published an online review admiring Shannon Hope for her "unpretentious vulnerability with star quality". Read the review on the press page or visit WhatsOnSA.
 

 

To download the singles from S T I L L direct to your mobile phone, SMS the following unique codes for each track to 33333, or visit www.exactmobile.mobi or www.exactmobile.com. R16.99 per Full Track + WAP Charges

Blue Skies – SMS 28425277 to 33333
Oh Boy – SMS 28425275 to 33333

Please ensure bill payer’s permission before requesting any content or using any of the advertised services. ExactMobile may contact you with offers or information by SMS or MMS. To opt out, sms STOP SMS to 36175 (50c/sms). WAP enabled handset required. Errors billed. See www.exactmobile.co.za/tc for detailed terms & conditions. Help 0822302222 (Vas Rates) Free Minutes do not apply.
 

 

The singles "Blue Skies" and "Oh Boy" have been playlisted on radio stations around South Africa, and you can now request Shannon Hope on the following: East Coast Radio, UCT Radio, TUKS FM, Bay FM, MFM92.6, Red Cap Radio (Home stores), Rock Out Radio. If your favourite radio station is not listed, please contact them to let them know that you'd like to hear Shannon Hope.

 

G & H Hair Studios, in association with label.m, are offering a discounted rate for KZN audiences to visit the salon, so be sure to pick up your promotional voucher from Shannon Hope at the next show.

 

There are a few ways to keep up to date with music news from Shannon Hope. While the website is your main source of information, signing up to the mailing list ensures that you are receiving updates directly to your email inbox, including tour dates and news, so you'll never miss a thing. Sign up via the website (below), or via email.

 

"Oh Boy", the second single from the debut album by Art Pop solo artist Shannon Hope has entered the Top 9 @ 9 East Coast Radio charts. Go to the East Coast Radio website to vote for "Oh Boy".

 

Shannon Hope was recently interviewed by various online publications. AllThingsGirl, a UK based ezine published the article "Inspirational Women: Seven Questions with Singer-Songwriter Shannon Hope". Search the Music News section of Entertainment Africa for their interview entitled "Do you like Art Pop?", and published by Sovereign Express, "Music According to Shannon Hope".

 

Just in time for Christmas! The debut release from Art Pop solo artist Shannon Hope is now available at all Look & Listen stores countrywide, and comes recommended by the retail chain in their Christmas Catalogue! Get your copy of S T I L L before the silly season claims yet another shopping victim, and check out The Look & Listen Magical Christmas Emporium for all your stocking filler needs!

 

 

The live video for "The Waiting Room" has been released online. The song was written using Facebook Status Updates (and a little poetic license) over a 24 hour period. The video was filmed by New Age Television at The Red Door in Pietermitzburg in September '09.

 

Channel 24 attended the sold out show at Corner Café in October 2009, and shared their thoughts on the live show and the album. "Music has the ability to take you to places that you can't always access in everyday life. This is why we need artists like Durban-based Shannon Hope. Her music is emotive, evocative, and delivered with such honesty that you can’t help believing every single word." Check out the full review on the press page or read it online at Channel 24.

 

G & H Hair Studio, the innovative, funky and upmarket new salon in Umhlanga New Town, in conjunction with label.m Professional Haircare, are officially responsible for Shannon Hope's rad stylings.

 

 

Check out the live version of “Oh Boy” filmed by New Age Television at The Red Door in Pietermaritzburg in September ‘09.

Shannon Hope has been getting pretty eloquent in studio with voice-over projects ranging from corporate and local documentaries to national campaigns that challenge social norms.

What is South African music worth? You decide! Retail stores around South Africa tend to price South African releases lower than international releases, and it is with this in mind that Shannon Hope has challenged her audience to re-evaluate the value of South African music. The album is selling at a base price of ZAR100 or US$10 (excl. VAT, P&P), however those who feel it is worth more are invited to set their own price for her debut release. All additional proceeds collected over and above the base price will be donated to POWAR, an organization which aims to provide support and a safe haven for survivors of abuse and rape. Patrons contributing R20 or more will receive a POWAR bracelet in recognition of their support. If you purchased the album online or would like to make additional contributions to POWAR, drop us an email and we’ll hook you up!

April 1st 2009 saw the release of S T I L L, the debut solo album from South African born Art Pop musician Shannon Hope. Listen to samples from the album here, and find out where to buy the album here.