- Photo courtesy of Liam Lynch
We got the oppurtunity to interview Johnny de Ridder, the laid-back personality that has had a big impact in creating the sound of a band that changed the consciousness of their followers. Johnny is a person that has a great understanding of music and he is a great guitar player with an original style.
▲1.) Musically, what have you been up to since the release of the Fokofpolisiekar album, Antibiotika?
I’ve been spending most of my time at Soft Light City. We compose/produce music for commercials, artists, bands, doccies… basically for anyone that needs original tunes.
▲2.) Is there a specific reason, in contrast to the rest of Fokofpolisiekar, that you haven’t undertaken any new musical endeavors?
I guess you can call Soft Light City my musical endeavor. Although I haven’t been on stage that much I’ve been busier than ever creating music.
I feel much more at home in the studio than on stage.
▲3.) What would be your favourite Fokofpolisiekar song to play live, and why?
Its hard to say… Let’s go with Angsaanval. The older stuff generally goes down better.
I’ve been spending most of my time at Soft Light City. We compose/produce music for commercials, artists, bands, doccies… basically for anyone that needs original tunes.
▲2.) Is there a specific reason, in contrast to the rest of Fokofpolisiekar, that you haven’t undertaken any new musical endeavors?
I guess you can call Soft Light City my musical endeavor. Although I haven’t been on stage that much I’ve been busier than ever creating music.
I feel much more at home in the studio than on stage.
▲3.) What would be your favourite Fokofpolisiekar song to play live, and why?
Its hard to say… Let’s go with Angsaanval. The older stuff generally goes down better.
▲4.) Your favourite local and international bands/arists?
Locally, all the fokof off-spins. hehe!
Internationally, my iPod is on constant shuffle through everything from Bring Me the Horizon to Bach. I’m dealing with a musical identity crisis.
If its good, its good.
▲5.) Due to the amount of touring undertaken by Fokofpolisiekar over the years, it could be taken for granted that you guys have ended up in all sorts of (planned or unplanned) destinations. Could you perhaps share your favourite destination while touring with the band, as well as some of the stranger ones.
The small towns were the best. Interresting people and home-made PA systems. Other than that, the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium was amazing.
▲6.) Can you attribute Fokofpolisiekar’s success to any one factor or perhaps the group’s dynamic?
No, i think any band’s success relies on a few factors and ‘The right place at the right time’.
▲7.) The South African music scene has certainly come a long way since the release of “As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand”, from the perspective as a key player in this shift, how would you describe this change?
We were in the eye of the storm and didn’t neccessairly experience this ‘change’ like an outsider would.
To me, it feels like everything just multiplied. More bands, more music videos, more festivals, more live venues, studios etc..
Technology had a massive impact.
At the time of the first EP, the only thing we used the web for was sending out a press release via email.
Now, marketing is basically impossible without social networks.
▲8.) Your favourite Fokofpoliskar album, and why?
I’ve never had a favourite, but let’s go with Lugsteuring.
It’s a good mix of raw energy, pace and melody.
In hindsight, our blatant disregard for song structure actually helped for the longevity of the songs.
Locally, all the fokof off-spins. hehe!
Internationally, my iPod is on constant shuffle through everything from Bring Me the Horizon to Bach. I’m dealing with a musical identity crisis.
If its good, its good.
▲5.) Due to the amount of touring undertaken by Fokofpolisiekar over the years, it could be taken for granted that you guys have ended up in all sorts of (planned or unplanned) destinations. Could you perhaps share your favourite destination while touring with the band, as well as some of the stranger ones.
The small towns were the best. Interresting people and home-made PA systems. Other than that, the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium was amazing.
▲6.) Can you attribute Fokofpolisiekar’s success to any one factor or perhaps the group’s dynamic?
No, i think any band’s success relies on a few factors and ‘The right place at the right time’.
▲7.) The South African music scene has certainly come a long way since the release of “As Jy Met Vuur Speel Sal Jy Brand”, from the perspective as a key player in this shift, how would you describe this change?
We were in the eye of the storm and didn’t neccessairly experience this ‘change’ like an outsider would.
To me, it feels like everything just multiplied. More bands, more music videos, more festivals, more live venues, studios etc..
Technology had a massive impact.
At the time of the first EP, the only thing we used the web for was sending out a press release via email.
Now, marketing is basically impossible without social networks.
▲8.) Your favourite Fokofpoliskar album, and why?
I’ve never had a favourite, but let’s go with Lugsteuring.
It’s a good mix of raw energy, pace and melody.
In hindsight, our blatant disregard for song structure actually helped for the longevity of the songs.
▲9.) Could you share some of your lesser known hobbies/interests, besides music?
Nope, its just music.
▲10.) When you were in high school, how did the music scene differ from now?
Unlike now, not everyone played in a band.
Going to gigs were more of an underground thing, and it didn’t happen every weekend.
No MK, no facebook. Can you imagine?
▲11.) To what degree has the years of traveling, or more specifically touring, influenced your song writing process, or perhaps even your outlook on life?
Hours of boring sound-checks gives you lots of time to think.
But seriously, seeing our country (and some of the world) at ground level is propably the most valuable experience of my life.
▲12.) What makes you feel liberated?
Being in a band with FOKOF in it’s name.▲
Nope, its just music.
▲10.) When you were in high school, how did the music scene differ from now?
Unlike now, not everyone played in a band.
Going to gigs were more of an underground thing, and it didn’t happen every weekend.
No MK, no facebook. Can you imagine?
▲11.) To what degree has the years of traveling, or more specifically touring, influenced your song writing process, or perhaps even your outlook on life?
Hours of boring sound-checks gives you lots of time to think.
But seriously, seeing our country (and some of the world) at ground level is propably the most valuable experience of my life.
▲12.) What makes you feel liberated?
Being in a band with FOKOF in it’s name.▲
- Photo courtesy Juan White
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Best fokof member. You where the soul of the band
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