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Cape Town - South African musician Louise Carver has had a long and illustrious career, spanning decades and gaining fans all around the world.
The 39-year-old told Channel24 about launching her record label, her upcoming show on 2 January 2019 with Ard Matthews at Stanford Hills and a lot more.
CHECK OUT CHANNEL24'S INTERVIEW WITH LOUISE CARVER:
How did it feel to launch your own label? What were some of the challenges you faced?
It felt incredibly natural, launching Carver Entertainment is the next step in my life as a musician and entrepreneur. The challenges are the same as anyone starting their own business but I do have the advantage of being in the music industry since I was fifteen. I have had a long learning curve and understand what to spend on and what is a complete waste of time.
How did you discover the first artist you signed? Can you tell us more about that process?
A friend sent me this demo of his friend Owen Kay. He asked me to listen to it and I was not keen. I had a lot on the go and wasn't looking for anyone at that point. One morning, I just opened the file and listened while I was lying in bed. It took all of 10 seconds to know that I would be part of this young man's journey. I was absolutely blown away by his natural talent and by what he was saying. His lyrics got me immediately and his raw emotion and honesty on life in Soweto made me excited to get to know him better as an artist. We are working on his debut single release Stakes are High, to be released early in 2019.
Can you tell us more about your show with Ard Matthews at Stanford Hills? What can fans expect from the show? Lots of new music or what they've come to expect?
This concert is the highlight of my year. My parents have been living in Hermanus for the last fifteen years so I know the area very well. I had fallen in love with a wine and Protea estate in Stanford [just outside Hermanus] called Stanford Hills and created Sunset concert four years ago. I always ask another artist with lots of hit songs to join me on stage and for this one, I have asked Ard Matthews again because our concert last time was so incredible and fans got to hear songs like Home, Empty Fantasy, Shallow Waters, Father and Father; all at one show. Ard and I will always do our big hits but we have both launched new albums so we will do a couple of the latest songs that people have heard on radio plus some surprise collaborations of each others songs and covers. The concert is on 2 January 2019 at the beautiful Stanford Hills Estate as the sun sets. Children are welcome, as it is a family friendly venue so bring your dogs too if that's your passion. Please do bring your old blankets to sit on and then drop them at the collection point as you leave. I then deliver them to Hermanus Animal Welfare the following day. Tickets are available at www.louisecarver.com.
Do you still get stage fright before shows like this?
I don't actually get stage fright but instead get OCD, which I suppose is where my nervousness finds a home. It's exhausting but I have learned to manage it and be kind to myself.
What's one thing you always take on tour with you?
I have quite a few things I always take on tour but I suppose I always take my Yamaha keyboard with me- that's quite essential to the show. A non musical thing would be a beautiful dress, preferably by my designer friend Vesselina Pentcheva. No matter how tired you feel, when you put one of her fantasy dresses on, you are ready to perform!
What's next for Louise Carver?
I will be focusing on launching my new artist [on my record label] early next year, as well as creating beautiful events around the country. I will also be working on the follow up single to Crazy Enough, my second Billboard No. 1 in the States, and hopefully doing some more shows in the US. I will also be creating new pieces for my jewellery range, Louise Carver Collection. I have made a busy life for myself and I'm in a good place and looking forward to where 2019 will take Carver Entertainment.
