Angie has a heart for music
Many people are born with an ear for good music. Some embrace it and live up to it while others just push it aside. Angie Venter is someone that embraced her ear for good music and made her love for music her full time job. Angie created 'Heart of Music' which is an event organising project which is changing the alternative music scene one show at a time.
When did you realise you had a love for music?
"I can honestly say music has been part of me since a little kid, but the passion for live music and local music was only discovered later in my teen years after discovering the local live scene."
How long have you been running the event organising project?
"I've been doing events since 2009. Back in the day the shows were a lot smaller."
How did you come up with the name "Heart of Music"?
"When I first decided I want to do something to help South African music I was working in a Christian book store and MICHAEL W. SMITH's song The Heart Of Worship was on repeat in my head. Eventually I realised why; my aim and passion is to go back to the heart of music, back to why bands make music, why EVERYONE in the world enjoys music. Music gave me life, it gave me hope and if I can shine that on at least one other person I've achieved my main goal."
What do you love/hate about your job?
"I love that I can't really call it a job. It's more a passion or a hobbie than a job. I get paid to party after all (that's when I actually do get paid). But I would have to say the thing I enjoy the most is meeting so many legendary people. There's so many talented muse's out there and I'm truly honoured to know a hand full of them.
"I can't really say I hate anything about the music industry, yes there's things that irritate me from time to time, like bands not taking things seriously, only doing what they do for the fun of it. Your band is a business, make it grow while having fun with it. But I must say my biggest frustration in the scene are other organisers that mistreat bands and eventually give other organisers and promoters a bad name. You hear a lot about bands not being paid to play, or bands being disrespected ect."
How many bands have you worked with?
"I've only started counting the beginning of last year and I've worked with +-170 until now."
What is your favourite venue to use?
"My favourite venue is Rumours lounge by far. It has such a cool homely vibe to it. Good music, Great food, amazing company and the best sound around. I am where I am today thanks to Rumours. The owner Fred Otto really helped me to grow Heart of Music and encouraged me to take risks and to dream bigger. Rumours really put a lot of effort into supporting South African music and I'm honoured to be part of it. The waiters, the sound engineers, bartenders, and the owners really love what they do."
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
"I would love to be able to host a festival by 2020 even better host shows for some of my favourite international bands - like August Burns Red, Oh Sleeper, For Today, just to name a few. But other than that I wouldn't want to change much. I'm sticking to my roots!"
If you like what you read go check out some of the muse's in the Battle of the Bands hosted by Heart of Music! Find Heart of Music on Facebook and get invitations to all the events that take place!
Article: Bron-Hilda Meyers (Maree)