Terri Dunbar-Curran
OVER the years singer Arno Carstens has staged several acoustic shows with various artists, so with the release of his fifth solo album it seemed fitting to reflect more of an acoustic style. “What transpired was a surprisingly fresh sound,” he says.
Lightning Prevails has been described as “a seductive departure” from his usual offering. The album still features his thought-provoking lyrics, but it marries organic sound and electronic beats.
“Stylistically, it’s atmospheric and well-paced. In that itself you find its departure from my older work. On this album I celebrate 20 years of Springbok Nude Girls’ Bubblegum on My Boots, and 10 years of Another Universe, in the form of stripped down acoustic performances.”
Lightning Prevails also features two acoustic covers of AC/DC’s Highway to Hell and Hold On I’m Comin’ by Sam and Dave. “The rest of the album comprises all new songs with guest vocals from various amazing artists,” says Carstens.
While songs like Another Universe and Bubblegum on My Boots are special to him “for obvious reasons”, Lightning Prevails is possibly the track he feels the most connection to. “I think it is a bit of a self-portrait and the instrumentation is great. Then there’s Highway to Hell… I remember when I used to play chess with my older brother – him playing air guitar and singing to that song, ultimately distracting him from my underhand chess moves… it’s special.”
Carstens sees this album as a benchmark. “I’m celebrating my time in the music world, playing with a bit of nostalgia and some new creations maybe paving a different road forward for me.”
Lightning Prevails was produced by Dan Roberts, and saw Carstens working alongside artists like Johnny Clegg, who played a mouth bow on Another Universe, Laurie Levine, who performed on the emotionally-charged duet Good Morning Sunshine, and Jamali’s Mariechan Luiters, who provides backing vocals.
“I always think the sky is the limit when I enter the studio,” he says. “So I’m very open to an adventurous journey of discovery, but I still think we can be bolder.”
He’s hoping fans enjoy this latest offering and that they “get that it’s fine to relax, take a break from all expectations and just enjoy the moment”.
In addition to his role as a judge on reality talent show X-Factor, Carstens has, in recent years, turned his attention back to visual art, having studied graphic art in 1992. He is working on a new exhibition which shares the title of his latest album.
l Arno Carstens will perform with Albert Frost at Die Boer in Durbanville on September 20 and 26 at 8.30pm. To book, call 021 979 1911. For information on Carstens’ music, see www.arnocarstens.com. Also www.arnocarstensfineart.com