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=> Click here and listen to the official 2004 "MIRRORS & SHADE ALBUM MEDLEY"! <=
79. Overtone, press release, www.overtone.co.za, SA, 22.07.08
ZIMFEST 08 | Ike Moriz, Coda, New Altum Confirmed!
International indie-pop star and actor Ike Moriz has returned from the UK, where he received wide acclaim for his two albums ‘Mirrors & Shade’ and ‘Play Me’. In the US, Ike was described as ‘Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance teamed with UK chart alternative without the boredom.’
Representing a fresh new wave of contemporary South African music, CODA brings together local and international influences by combining influences of African music with electric strings and DJ. Barely a year old, CODA has been hailed by many as one of the most exciting new groups in South Africa.
As far as “sound” goes, New Altum don’t try and go for a particular sound when they write music but rather concentrate on freedom of expression. They believe in the entire production and not just the music. “People want to be entertained at the end of the day”, so they try and hit as many of the senses as they can.
The festival is gathering momentum as South Africa’s first ever charity fundraising festival for Zimbabwe. The primary beneficiary of the one-day concert is PASSOP (People Against Suffering, Suppression, Oppression and Poverty), an NGO that works primarily with refugees and asylum-seekers from African countries.
Overtone is proud to annouce that three new artists have been added to the confirmed lineup at ZIMFEST 08!
This year, pop icon Ike Moriz, neo-classical outfit Coda and post hardcore experimental alternative rock fivepiece New Altum will be playing at ZIMFEST 08 on the 6th of September at Tafelberg Tavern, Cape Town.
78. Karin Burger, Kaap Rapport, Cape Town, SA, 13.05.2008
77. Madelein Oosthuizen, 24.com, JIP, SA, 08.02.2007
CD RESENSIE: IKE MORIZ - Album: All around the world
Agtergrond: Die naam van sy nuutste album som omtrent sy musiekloopbaan op. Sy songs is al in 17 lande oor die wêreld heen gespeel en sy vorige twee albums, Mirrors & Shade en Play Me, is baie goed ontvang in Brittanje. Dié Suid-Afrikaanse sanger en akteur se musiek is ook al gehoor in gewilde rolprente soos Alfie, Shanghai Knights en Love Actually.
Wat om te verwag: Sy musiek wod beskryf as Indie-pop wat duidelik is uit sy alternatiewe rock-aanslag en sterk ritmes. Ná die depressiwiteit van die eerste twee songs was ek amper oorgehaal om die CD af te sit . . . maar hoe bly is ek ek het nie voor hierdie impulsiwiteit geswig nie. Van daar af tel die musiek beslis op en dit word al hoe duideliker hoekom hy soveel internasionale sukses behaal het. Die lirieke raak meer opgewek, maar verloor nie hul wortels wat diep in die soet en bitter van die lewe geplant is nie.
Hoogte- en laagtepunte: Die songs wat veral aan my hartsnare gepluk het, is Always you, Starry Night, wat hy saam met Elana Afrika sing, en die titelsnit All around the world, wat dominerende kitaarklanke en ’n wonderlike beat het. Minder mooi en heeltemal te hardcore vir my sensitiewe ore was, is Bite the dog.
Gevolgtrekking: Koop die album en luister dit ten minste een keer van voor tot agter deur. Daarna het jy my toestemming om net jou gunstelinge van die mure te laat bons. – madelein oosthuizen
76. Arnold Ras, Die Burger, JIP, SA, 09.12.2007
75. Emile Butler, TV Plus magazine, SA, 28.11.-06.12.2007 issue
"Ike recently released his 3rd CD and it's contagious! This 12 track CD surprises you with a variety of emotions and music styles which resemble the British Pop/Rock genre. The track 'Starry Night' is hot
Also try: George Michael, Oasis.
74. Clarissa Grobler, "Volksblad / JIP", Bloemfontein, SA, 26.11.2007
Ike se album spog met wêreldklanke
IKE MORIZ het in wat ’n mens sou kon beskryf as ’n kort tyd in ateljee-terme sy nuutste album, All Around the World, uitgereik. Dié album volg kort op die hakke van sy vorige album, Play Me. Soos met sy vorige album is daardie Bowie-agtige klank steeds daar, hoewel ’n mens ook ’n klein tikkie andersheid kan bespeur. Dié musikant-akteur het met CLARISSA GROBLER gesels oor die nuwe album.Daar was Mirrors and Shade (wat omtrent vier jaar geneem het om te ontwikkel), toe Play Me en nou All Around the World wat gou in sy voorloper se spore gevolg het. Hoe het die maak van jou derde ateljee-album verskil van die maak van Play Me? My hoofdoel was om ’n album te skep wat ’n baie melodic, warm en natuurlike vibe het. Daar is al vir my gesê dit klink steeds baie internasionaal, maar dat mense sekere klanke, ritmes en melodieë herken het wat meer aan Suid-Afrikaanse musiek herinner as te vore. Ek het ook saam met meer musikante as te vore gewerk. Dit is ’n baie internasionale mix van mense van Malawi, Suid-Afrika, Noorweë, Duitsland, Italië, Skotland en Engeland. Ek het saam met vier kitaarspelers, vier tromspelers en vyf baskitaarspelers tydens die opname in die ateljee gewerk. Al my vorige albums en singles is oorsee geskryf en opgeneem, maar dié keer is die meeste van die songs hier geskep terwyl ek in Kaapstad en Johannesburg gebly het. Baie het gebeur sedert my terugkeer van Londen twee jaar gelede, en ek het probeer om hierdie “nuwe lewe” terug in Suid-Afrika te reflekteer in die songs.
Hou die titel van die CD verband met jou eie reise? Die titelsnit, All around the world, staan vir die idee van “volg jou hart?.?.?. maak nie saak wat nie”. Ek het agtergekom mense reis of verhuis om verskillende redes. Ek het gevind die belangrikste deel van om na ’n plek te reis nie soseer die eindbestemming is nie, maar die werklike reis om daar te kom. Ek het die reis om All around the world te skep baie geniet! Ons doen die dinge waarin ons glo en ons leer deur dit te doen. Dit is daardie ervaringe wat ons gehelp het om te word wat ons is. All around the world sê basies: Doen dit – wat ook al dit is wat jy droom om te doen! Die lewe is gereelde verandering. As ons ophou verander, is ons dood. Gunsteling-track op die nuwe album? Dit is altyd moeilik om te sê. My gunsteling is gewoonlik die een wat ek laaste geskryf het. In hierdie geval All your heroes are dead. Maar dit verander heeltyd en wissel tussen Killing Games, All around the world, All your heroes are dead en Whereof one cannot speak. Daar is ’n onbetwisbare charm in jou musiek, ’n sekere sin van styl. Wat is vir jou die belangrikste in jou musiek? Ek was nog altyd veral gefassineer deur die ideaal om “tydlose musiek” te skep?.?.?. maar dis ’n heel anderste storie. Essensieel wil ek my persoonlike gevoelens en gedagtes met ander deur my musiek en lirieke deel. Ek het gevind dat ek dit die beste doen deur ’n baie eerlike benadering tot liedjieskryf: Ek probeer om na my hart te luister tydens die liedjieskryfproses.
Hoe hanteer jy kritiek? Dit hang af van die omstandighede, maar ek is altyd bereid om waar te neem hoe mense op my musiek reageer: Ek vind dit fassinerend om te sien hoe verskillende mense reageer. Wat lê nog vir Ike Moriz voor om te bereik? Ek het so baie idees vir toekomstige albumprojekte dat ek hoop ek lewe lank genoeg om te sien hoe hulle geskep word. Ek wil electronic pop, tradisionele Afrika-musiek, jazz en heavy rock verder verken in die toekoms. Ek speel nou ook weer toneel en wil aanhou om verskillende karakters en toneel scenario’s te verken. Het jy ander musiekprojekte op die spyskaart? Ek bestuur tans ’n tradisionele Afrika vocal ensemble van ’n township in Kaapstad en ek werk live op die verhoog en in die ateljee saam met hulle. As jy nou, ná drie albums en ander ervaringe, terugkyk, het jy toe jy met jou musiekloopbaan begin het, gedink jy sou dit wat jy reeds bereik het, bereik? Ek het altyd in my vermoëns geglo om goed te wees met dit wat ek doen, maar ek sou nooit geraai het hoe alles in plek geval het in die afgelope jare nie. Ek sou nooit in ’n miloen jaar geraai het nie?.?.?.
73. 24.com, SA, 15.11.2007
STARRY NIGHT (single off 'All around the world": Self-made indie-pop idol gets up close and personal with 5FM’s Elana Afrika on this swooning, Xmas-ready love song off his third CD, All Around The World.:
72. Barney Simon, Radio 2000, SA, 13.11.2007
Barney Simon presented the new album ALL AROUND THE WORLD as featured album of the week in his Tuesday night show. He played all tracks saying:
"Fantastic album! I love it! The song 'Peace Dream' reminds me of David Bowie's Space Oddity"…
71. Overtone, www.overtone.co.za, SA, 24.10.2007
69. Argus, The Good Weekend, TOP20+, Lyntina Aimes, Cape Town, SA, 03.03.07
'IKE MORIZ
& ELANA AFRIKA'
70. Die Burger, Mariana Malan, Cape Town, SA, 03.03.2007
"ELANA SING
SAAM MET IKE"
68. Argus, Tonight, Evan Milton, Cape Town, SA, 28.02.07
'Rock on at these gigs
67. ELLE MAGAZINE, 03/07, page 153, Johannesburg, SA, March 2007
'FASHIONABLY FIRST'Another SA magazine covers the story of indie idol Ike Moriz's visit to the FASHION TV CAFE 'ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY' party in Sandton on 2.12.06 with 5FM star DJ Elana Afrika.
What a party!66. PEOPLE MAGAZINE, vol20/no49, Johannesburg, SA, 08.12.2006
'LOCAL STARS HIT THE TOWNSA's indie idol Ike Moriz visited the FASHION TV CAFE 'ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY' party in Sandton on 2.12.06 with his friend Elana Afrika (DJ from SA radio station 5FM).
What a party!65. THE STAR, Helen Herimbi, Johannesburg, SA, 09.10.2006
'Prodigal son' returns to show local musos what good music's
all aboutSouth Africans become expatriates for many sound reasons. The crime rate, the HIV/aids epidemic, the poverty - but not singer Ike Moriz. His reason for leaving our shores years ago was, in fact, because of the sound. "Besides all the heavy metal, I was just sick of hearing good bands play cover songs. They were much better than that," says the Capetonian who lived in London for five years but now calls Jozi home.The adult contemporary artist is back in SA not only because he missed the nature: "I love the outdoors, that's one of the reasons I came back," but also to settle down here. He released his album, Play Me this year to an audience that is slowly but surely catching on to the man's style. While overseas, Ike had roles in British soapies and made a significant living from starring in musicals. His resumé even includes that he taught mathematics and music in London. About this experience he says, as his eyes widen: "It was traumatic, the students seemed to have no respect for anybody and I had trouble keeping them under control." Needless to say he was only too happy to swap the blackboard for a studio booth.
The crooner produces all of his own music and hopes to work with quite a few of SA's top musicians on future projects. He is keen on collaborating with kwaito kid Brickz and has been in talks with Fokofpolisiekar to go into studio together. Speaking of the latter, Ike joked about how cool it would be to have him sing in Afrikaans while Fokofpolisiekar (attempt to) sing in English. This multi-faceted entertainer plays the piano, the guitar and the keyboard. He also shot videos for Play Me and I Feel Real, off the current album, in SA. But it seems he is somewhat ambivalent about South African music, particularly the Cape Town scene. "I've noticed that they (the musicians) have become a lot more authentic, a lot more open nowadays, a lot more meaningful, but most are still clueless," he pauses and thinks for a moment. Cautiously he continues. "Maybe that's not the right word, they're (the musicians) sometimes just not interested in music. "Just how the South African public with buying power will receive the return of the "prodigal son" remains to be seen. But from where I'm sitting it seems as if Play Me has the potential to end up on repeat.64. 24.com, South Africa, October 2006
“Play Me” is getting much play
It’s the first single from his second album and “Play Me” has become a hit of its own glamourous accord.
Ike Moriz took SA by the horns with his second album. The South African indie pop star released the first single off it called “Play Me”, which got major airplay both locally and internationally. After five years in London he had returned to South Africa to promote and launch the new album as well as perform for his fans. His new single has received positive response. You can decide for yourself.
Melanie says: Gorgeous
Both Ike's looks and sound are gorgeous! what a great international sound for a south african pop star! Awesome. I'll support him! Any day!!!
Nina says: What a fantastic sound!
I love his songs!! I've seen Ike many times live now and heard his songs on the radio. they rock. His latest video is on MK89 now (I feel real). It's totally awesome!! Go IKE!!!
Suzan says: WOW, This is brilliant!!
This guy is amazing. I rate him one of the top5 South African singers of the moment. His video rocks and the songs are so catchy!! also saw him live at the waterfront last weekend. he'll be the SA star of 2007 for sure!! Rock on!!
Tracy says: Cool
I like it, I heard the song on the radio and liked it straight away, had no idea he was South African. Look forward to hearing more off the album.63. CAPE ARGUS, John Monsoon, Cape Town, SA, 4.10.2006
"There is a rumour in the air that Cape Town music is about to ignite a fuse that will send SA music into orbit. It's a music explosion not seen (or heard) for at least a decade. We gathered some of the Mother City's finest minds in music to see who is holding the matches." ... ""only really in the last four years that indie rock has started to make its big global come-back and even in the late 90s modern music just never had the sorts of bands that it has now," so it's not too unusual that Cape Town bands are pushing the envelope and being noticed. "Ironic," says Ike Moriz, the well-selling solo artist, "Cape Town used to be known for its cover bands!"" ... "Moriz is passionate about his home town but also under no illusions that he sells more CDs in Gauteng, because "it's just the way it is". Cape Town bands are also generally more creative by way of location." ...
62. DSTV channel MK89 interview, September 2006
Read Ike's latest interview from Sept'06 on DSTV channel MK89 (click here)
61. Tonight Music, CAPE ARGUS, Cape Town, SA, 14.09.2006
"Cape Town's CD launches continue with Ike Moriz and Madame Afrique. Moriz has been dubbed "South Africa's indie idol", and rightly so. Moriz cut his teeth on local music and drama productions and then headed to London where he signed to Mosquito Records. He launches a Tarantinoesque video for his new single, I Feel Real (Friday, Opium, 6 Dixon Street, De Waterkant, Greenpoint, Cape Town, R50, 10pm)."
60. S.J., Represent, Gauteng, SA, 04/09/06
SA rock artist IKE back in SA
"WATCH THIS FACE - and it's a gorgeous face at that - ladies you'll love SA's next big Rock boy, step aside Arno, IKE MORIZ is here. Welcome back to SA Ike, we're glad you're home, we wish you all the best in your musical dreams... COME ON FANS - give Ike lots of love. See IKE's website..." (Read the full article online by clicking here)59. COSMOPOLITAN magazine, August 2006 (page 34, click pics for full versions):
"His rock/indie sound is acoustic and edgy but still made for easy listening!" (Cosmopolitan)
.
58. GQ magazine, July 2006:
57. CDWherehouse, SA, 01/05/06
Underneath the radar
"...South African rocker Ike Moriz actually has the musical muscle to back up his own hype.
And his uncanny Bowie croon isn't the only thing that makes Play Me worth tuning into either: Moriz runs the retro rock gamut from hook-heavy 70s glam rock swaggers ("Hey, Hey-hey, Hey") to Britpop breezes reminiscent of Suede's shoegazing ("Play Me") or Blur's anthems ("Every Time The Sun"), and edgier Brel-meets-Bowie piano ballad implosions ("The Sad Songs")."56. FHM Magazine, SA, March 2006 issue
IKE MORIZ - PLAY ME
"This dude wears his influences with about as much subtlety as a man wearing one of those hats you can drink beer from. Which is not a bad thing if you like beer. Or rather, if you like your indie pop with large doses of seventies Bowie via nineties Suede you`ll dig this. Ike hails from the Cape but has spent time in the UK perfecting his Brittish accent and pop sensibilities. He also acquired a taste for eyeliner, but don`t let that put you off, this cat writes a fine tune. Listen to it when wearing velvet and drinking martinis! Tracks to download – Play me, Light is dark and The sad songs."
55. Clarissa Grobler, "Volksblad / JIP", Bloemfontein, SA, 03/04/06
54. Christina Kennedy, "The Citizen", Johannesburg, SA, 09/03/06
SA'S OWN INDIE-POP IDOL
He’s one of the few South African musicians to have met with success in the UK lately, yet Ike Moriz has decided to return here to settle. Christina Kennedy spoke to him. Many South African pop-rock outfits look to America for their inspiration. Not so Ike Moriz. This Capetonian’s style pays fond tribute to Britpop and Seventies glam rock. Moriz has returned to settle in South Africa after pursuing a relatively successful music career in London for the past five years. This week has seen him launching his album Play Me in Joburg, with another gig scheduled for tonight at the Blues Room in Sandton.Moriz has lately been enjoying airplay on 5FM, OFM and campus radio stations with the title track from his second album, which he wrote and produced himself. It seems his infectious, melodic, dramatic indie-pop is finding favour with an increasing number of South Africans, having already been widely hailed in the UK and Europe.
‘BOWIE WITHOUT THE GLAM’
He has been described as “Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance teamed with UK chart alternative without the boredom”. However, Moriz confides that while the constant comparisons with Bowie are flattering, they do get a bit tiresome. After all, it’s natural for every artist to want to be defined in terms of his or her own style and not be known as a pastiche of others, but most people, it seems, feel the need to fit new musical endeavours into their frame of reference. Nonetheless, if you’re going to be compared to anyone, The Thin White Duke himself is not a bad place to start... And Bowie himself once voted Moriz’s song You Could single of the week on his website – quite an endorsement. So who exactly is Ike Moriz?
Blonde, blue-eyed and distinctly Scandinavian-looking, Moriz is truly a citizen of the world. Thanks to his parents, he had a jet-setting childhood, and was fortunate enough to study music in South Africa, Germany and the Netherlands.As a child, he was “an early Shakin’ Stevens fan” (brave of him to admit that) and also listened to the Eurythmics, Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Velvet Underground and the Talking Heads, shaping, no doubt, his affinity for indie pop/rock with a distinctly English flavour.
A BAPTISM BY FIRE
After completing his studies, he decided to try his luck in London’s cut-throat music scene. “I’d always wanted to see what London was like, considering that musicians like Suede, Pulp and Blur built their careers there. I wanted to see where that feeling in their music stemmed from. And I love Monty Python, and I wanted to see where the British acting world got their inspiration from.“But when I got there, it was actually very different to what I expected. Some Londoners are very rough, and it’s very expensive to live there. I managed to fit in there musically – people there have always liked my music – but there’s a lot of competition. But it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it would be.”Seemingly born under a lucky star, early on Moriz met up with George Michael’s and Marc Almond’s producer Steve Kent, who put him in touch with a great set of session musicians who were into the same music as he was, and he ended up doing both albums with them.He also did some work on movie sets, playing small parts in movies such as Alfie, Bridget Jones’s Diary 2 and Love, Actually, as well as playing a body double in Wimbledon.
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Having achieved some success and acclaim in 17 countries with his first three singles, though, he became thoroughly homesick and has returned to South Africa.“I’ve had enough of London,” he says. “It was fun and I learned a lot, but I think I’ve learned what I had to learn. I’m most at home in Cape Town. It was an emotional decision to return to South Africa – it felt like the right thing to do.” His plans are to focus on establishing himself in South Africa and continue running his own label, as well as doing some acting on the side. However, he reluctantly admits that he may have to keep up his profile overseas as well. “I just don’t wanna go,” he says mock-petulantly.
He is currently working on the video for a song called I Feel Real.Moriz will be playing with The Parlotones tonight, and says that he is gratified to hear how “authentic” South African bands are sounding. “They’re not necessarily trying to sound American any more. Kwaito artists aren’t rapping about corvettes in LA, which they know nothing about, but about their own stuff. It’s more interesting.”What can locals expect from his live show? “A very high-energy, theatrical experience” Bowie would be pleased...* Visit www.ikemoriz.com for more information.
53. Cornelia LE ROUX, "DIE BURGER", CAPE TOWN, SA, 27/02/06
52. Jane Mayne, CAPE TIMES, Cape Town, SA, 06/01/2006
"... Most of the songs are put together with a bare-bones backing which provides a somewhat jerky backdrop that echoes early 1970s Brit bands - This is Moriz's second studio album with Mosquito Records, recorded after his Mirrors and Shade tour last April, and it perfectly captures his Bowie-esque leanings."
51. Karin Burger, ("Kaap-) Rapport", Cape Town, SA, 27/11/2005
50. Leon Muston (The Herald), Port Elisabeth, SA, 25/11/2005
The title-track is an up tempo song similar to Franz Ferdinand or Kaiser Chiefs, while Hey, Hey-hey, Hey has an early ?90s Brit pop feel.His vocal style at times sounds like David Bowie, although at others it could remind listeners of Prefab Sprout's Paddy McAloon.The result is quite a diverse album, which is highly recommended.
49. Evan Milton, CAPE ARGUS, Cape Town, SA, 10/11/2005
48. The CapeTowner, Cape Twon, SA, 10/11/2005
COMING HOME TO PLAY
"International rock musician Ike Moriz will spills theatrical, edgy pop into Rhodes House at the "Play Me" CD launch on Friday November 11. Based in London since 1999, Moriz has returned to his home in South Africa with a new drive and energy that springs from his exposure to many different countries and life on the road. Moriz has been described as 'Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance, teamed with UK chart 'alternative' without the boredom'.
Moriz is back with a new 8-track CD: the title track "Play Me"opens softly with "Hey, hey-hey, hey", and picks up tempo with heavier rock guitar in parts. Other tracks include the dark decadent pop of "Visionary" and the epic and grand Bowie-esque piano ballad "Another Day". Previous worldwide hit singles have included "Fall Into the Sun" and "You Could", which topped charts from the SA Top Ten, Matchbox Radio 24 chart to Halo Radio in The Netherlands. "You Could" was voted "Song of the Week" by Bowie himself in 2004. Moriz's songs were also featured on over 100 radio stations worldwide and put Ike on the map as a leading Indie pop star. 'All together an album well worth the wait that lives in a decadent, emotional, dramatic and almost theatrical world,' said Dale Olivier of Matchbox Radio 24 in the UK. This scorching internationol rock session opens its doors at Rhodes House on Queen Victoria Street on Friday November 11 at 10pm ... "
47. CAPE ARGUS, Cape Town, SA, 09/11/2005
46. Barney Simon, Tuks FM, Pretoria, SA, 16/10/2005
"...this week's hottest party is probably the being held at Rhodes House this Friday, where international rock musician Ike Moriz will take the stage. Moriz spills theatrical, edgy pop into Rhodes House (60 Queen Victoria Street) at the PLAY ME CD LAUNCH, sponsored by Chivas Regal Premium Scotch Whiskey.
Based in London since 1999, Moriz has returned to his home in South Africa with a new drive and energy that springs from his exposure to many different countries and life on the road. He has been described as "Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance teamed with UK chart 'alternative' without the boredom..."
"I dig the album. Good songs. ... I will play 'Evaluate Me' on my show on Monday,18.10.05 on the SA music explosion. 21h00-21h30. Rock on!"
45.Tony Dee , ZAzone.com, Cape Town, SA, 16/9/2005
IKE MORIZ - PLAY ME
"Ike Moriz is back with a new 8 track CD: `Play Me`.It opens softly with `Hey, hey-hey, hey` but the song picks up tempo. It got pop elements to it, but has heavier rock guitar work in parts," ... "`Play Me`, the title track, is very good - great lyrics, good hooks and nice mix of music and vocals - no wonder it was chosen as the title track. `I Feel Real` takes one or two listens before becoming a song that you can really enjoy, it`s different and has a good edge to it. `Every Time The Sun` slows things down with a slight acoustic guitar feel, a very good variation between the other tracks. `Light Is Dark` is my second favourite song on the CD. The chorus is filled with backing vocals which adds a great effect to the song." ..."`Dull Blue Eyes` makes up for the previous song and is quite catchy. The album closes with `The Sad Songs` which slows things down and is one of those typical slow... well... sad songs... The piano in the song really sets a great atmosphere.
Ike has grown significantly after releasing his first CD and `Play Me` is a step up, and in the right direction." ..."fortunately for South African Ike Moriz fans, he`s back in South Africa and will be playing at venues around the country - so look out for Ike and get hold of his CD. There are videos and images on the www.ikemoriz.com website.
44.Kim Wild, ZAzone.com, Cape Town, SA, 2/3/2005
43. Thomas Feist, Crossover review, Germany, January 2005
Ike Moriz at the Acoustic Café
Can one refer to a gig as being romantic? Well, I just did! It was initially the setting with the low lighting and candles ... and then it was the presence of Ike, a single person that held his own on stage.
I must be honest and say that I hadn’t heard of Ike until that evening, which is pretty embarrassing considering that I pride myself in knowing what I consider to be a lot of South African bands and artists, especially the very talented, so I don’t know how he slipped by me. I’m going to try using the excuse that he has been overseas for the past few years! He does however still say ‘Ja’ a fair bit which is fantastic to hear and at least we know that he hasn’t forgotten his roots; an accent comes across more in his singing than his speech. I have read in numerous places that he sounds like David Bowie and it must be quite annoying to be compared to someone else all the time when you’re writing your own original material, even though everyone has their, what you might call, ‘musical influences’. He then ironically sang a Bowie cover and I saw what the critics meant! He sounds a lot like him!
I loved every song he played; `Drowning` I had listened to on a website earlier in the day and was thrilled when he sang that second - it’s a great song. I was sorry to see the set come to an end and was sorry to have the cat leave my lap where it had been sitting all evening - Acoustic Café is a truly classic place!
Ike deserves all the international acclaim he gets and will hopefully be more recognised on the local scene as well. I would have to agree with “he’s like Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self-importance teamed with UK chart “alternative” without the boredom.”
Mirrors and Shade
"... A voice as melodic as Lennon and as cool as David Bowie... arrangements full of hooky choruses and dark theatrical pop... highly recommended, buy the album!"
42. Elizma Nolte, SA TIMES article, London, U
K, July 2004Making it in London
"Ike Moriz has a claim to fame that few other South African musicians can boast – he has shared a movie set with René Zellweger. The young musician landed a role as a singing piano player in her latest Bridget Jones II movie. But Moriz has far bigger dreams for his music career than a small stint in a Hollywood film. Moriz has been trying to break into the UK music scene and make a name for himself internationally. Competing with the thousands of bands that perform on the London circuit every night is extremely difficult, he admits. “Due to the internet and all that big labels also haven’t got the money they used to have. They tend to only go with the sure bets and the Pop Idols.” It’s a pity, says Moriz. “There’s so much talent out there – just go to Camden and see. Then you turn on the radio and you think: ‘what’s going on here?’.” It’s this amazing wealth of acting and music talent that attracted Moriz to the UK in the first place, as well as the fact that South African music seemed to be going nowhere at the time. “ When I left Cape Town the music scene over there was pretty dark. It was all ‘local is lekker stuff’. Now it is very different. There is a new breed of South African music coming up – interesting and very different.” His own music Moriz describes first and foremost as “interesting”, secondly as “edgy pop”. “ People say it sounds a lot like Bowie or Morrissey.” Ike’s first single, Fall into the Sun, has received wide radio play and high acclaim in South Africa. So much so that Moriz has been inspired to return to his home country for a tour. “ I’ll go wherever people want to hear my music,” says Moriz. “If things pick up in South Africa, I wouldn’t mind going back there for good. I miss the quality of life there.” Moriz recently recorded his debut album Mirrors and Shade here in the UK. It is available at www.ikemoriz.com as well as at www.oneworld.co.za."
41. David Bowie, New York, USA, June 2004
Click here and listen to the official "MIRRORS & SHADE - June 2004 ALBUM MEDLEY" (2.8Mb), that has just been voted "Featured Original Music of the Week" at davidbowie.com (7.6.04)
40. Zazone, proudly South African Music, Cape Town, South Africa, June 2004
"Capetownian Ike Moriz moved to London in 1999 and has been building up his musical talent until now with the release of his debut album `Mirrors and Shade`. Ike's style is unique, but extremely familiar, sounding like a cross between David Bowie and Suede. His band consists of several musicians who've worked with Ike for a while, including Jim Barnes on guitars..."
"...What's very pleasing about the album as a whole is that, although similar to David Bowie, Ike does not attempt to mimic his work (or cover it), but rather release a pleasing sound unique to Ike. `Mirrors and Shade`, the title track, for some reason did not move me as much as I expected it would. I find that `Another Day`, `Fall Into The Sun` and `Flame Blue` are better tracks. `Still` is a laid-back emotive ballad while `Visionary` has a very good rock riff running through the track. `Drowning` is a good track, laced with familiarity..."
"...Overall a good album with a classic sound which should appeal to pop and light-rock fans alike. Some tracks don't quite seem to fit with the others in terms of a common theme, but they do show Ike's amazing ability to cross from style to style easily and keep the listener attracted to the album. A definite keeper, but watch out for future work from Ike Moriz, I think it's going to get even better!"
39. Tony Bates, 3WBC 94.1 FM, Victoria, Australia, May 2004
Absolutely excellent!
38. Amazon.co.uk, UK, May 2004
"...charming and addictive"
"...I was hooked right away!"
"It just ripped my heart out!"
Click here to check out the complete customer reviews here
37. Magic Mushroom Records, Holland, May 2004
After his great Singles Fall Into The Sun and You Could, now his debut album Mirrors & Shade: Mirrors & Shade opens with the hauntingly good song Another Day, Ike' s voice is as good as it gets and the recording is sublime, to be honest we couldn't' t stop listening to it. Along with a bunch of new songs, the songs You Could (thrill me, kiss me, kill me, ...), Visionary and Drowning are also on this full album release, AND RIGHTLY SO !!!Ike and his band are spot on and all we can say is : A Big Congracts from us to Ike and his team !!!
36.By Dale Olivier, Matchbox Radio24, London, UK, May 2004
After much anticipation and hard work the debut album " Mirrors and Shade" from IKE MORIZ has landed on planet earth. Featuring the worldwide hit singles "Fall into the Sun" and "You Could" that topped many charts from The SA Top Ten, Matchbox Radio 24 Chart to Halo Radio in The Netherlands. "You Could" was actually voted as "Song of the Week" by Bowie himself. The songs were also featured on over 100 Radio stations worldwide and put Ike on the map as a bonafide Indie pop star. This album features 11 tracks of pure emotional glamour pop. The new single and title track " Mirrors and Shade" is dark, infectious, melodic and has a massive chorus that sticks in your head and never leaves. "Still" that was featured on UK SKY TV for millions to see
is an incredible pop ballad that is cleverly crafted and extremely melodic. It is the song Suede were always looking for. Moriz was recently described as "Better than Bowie himself" by Island FM. Other tracks include the dark decadent pop of "Visionary" and the epic and grand Bowie-esq piano ballad "Another Day". Ike also recently starred in "Bridget Jones 2" playing and singing the piano. All together well worth the wait and a superb album that lives in a decadent, emotional, dramatic almost theatrical world. Proper emotional melodic pop with a shiny surface and a huge anthemic mood.
Release - Mosquito Records London 2004
35. By Spinzone, Pennsylvania, USA, May 2004
Hip-ometer Rating ~ 9.4
I
ke Moriz - "Mirrors & Shade" Ike, if you didn't know, could best be described as South Africa's answer to David Bowie and this is his debut LP. At first I thought he committed a faux pas by putting all the songs from his first 2 EP's on this album. Because who will buy them when they can get everything here? However, by and large they are all mixed differently and not just the music, as the vocal tracks are redone as well. That essentially makes them all new versions, so it's interesting for people who were aware and it still leaves reason to get the original ep's if you like it. This was particularly clear on the track Fall Into The Sun which I always liked, but I think I prefer this new version even more. That pretty much is the feeling for most of the re-recorded stuff here. It was all good to begin with, and doing it over didn't hurt as it often does. At worst the songs are different, but at least as good if not usually better. The tracks new to this outing tend to be more on the lighter side, perhaps because the other stuff was very "single" oriented to begin with. Songs like Still or Fake Fatale are really nice adult styled ballads and fit with the rest very well. About the only critique is there is a degree of style variety on the album, which does prevent it from having a common theme or thread that ties it all together. I think this is because Ike has true talent, but he needs to find his footing. He's still teething as it were, but at that it's some fairly delicious bites. He's like Bowie without the glam meets Oasis without the self importance teamed with UK chart "alternative" without the boredom. Certainly worth checking out, that's for sure! sound clip video - StillLabel ~ Mosquito, 11 Tracks, 2004
34. Tony Bates, 3WBC 94.1 FM, Victoria, Australia, May 2003
"Ike Moriz, fresh from South Africa, based in London now, has a great debut album out.
Top notch songs, without being either retro or pretentious; instantly memorable leaving you wanting more. So now we know where David Bowie gained his influence from!"
33. David Bowie, New York, USA, March 2003
David Bowie voted YOU COULD "SONG OF THE WEEK" at www.davidbowie.com!! (18.3.03). He also made the live-version of Ike's STILL "SONG OF THE WEEK" (11.3.03)!!
32. By Matchbox Recordings, London, UK, March 2003
"You Could" is the second single from number 1 Matchbox artist IKE MORIZ. This catchy and dreamy pop gem has already been played on 50 radio stations worldwide and has charted in South Africa, Holland and the UK . This single features a new track " Visionary" and a Radio edit of " Drowning". Ike was also recently voted for best song by Davidbowie.com. He delivers a poppy, radio friendly song with lots of Suede/Bowie esq. glamour and hit potential.
" You Could" is an infectious , melodic and melancholy Indie pop classic." (MR)
31. By Spinzone, Pennsylvania, USA, February 2003
Hip-ometer Rating ~ 9.8
Ike Moriz - "You Could EP" This is the second release by my friend Ike Moriz, a now London based South African. This takes right from where the last single left off (same cover too) but I think he really finds himself on this new single. The title track is a dreamy Bowie like soundscape meets Oasis and it melds all the hooks of those two genres to perfection. It really ought to be climbing charts someplace. The second track, Visionary is actually a grungy outing, coming close to being like Nine Inch Nails with better vocals. (I would say he reminds me of a cross between Bowie and Peter Murphy of Bauhaus fame). It's got chirping, edgy guitar and a very black but sexy feel to it. The last track is a remix of the song Drowning from his last single, and I
