One of my all-time favourite artists just emailed me...

Jack-Flash-Jr

These guys: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howlin%27_Rain won my personal album of the year in 2006 for their eponymous "Howlin' Rain" and 2008's "Magnificent Fiend". Most surprising solo of the year 2006 for "Calling Lighting With A Scythe" etc. etc. They just released a new EP which (surprise surprise) is impossible to buy in SA (I with got their first album from a friend from the US and their second off Take2 WOW for next to nothing). I emailed their site requesting avenues to purchase. The guy behind them is Ethan Miller (star of Comets on Fire as well) and he mailed back:

On 2011/02/16 9:17 PM, "Ethan Miller" <> wrote:

Hi Jason,
thanks for the great note and seeking out the EP. I asked the man in charge of international digital at the label and he said:
This would be the best buy link for you for South Africa: http://music.ovi.com/za/en/pc/Product/Howlin-Rain/Howlin-Rain/1663852

<http://music.ovi.com/za/en/pc/Product/Howlin-Rain/Howlin-Rain/1663852> if you have a vinyl record player you can order a copy directly from Birdman records also (the site says pre-order but they are mailing orders now):
http://birdmanrecords.com/howlinrain/index.html

Try these and if neither works for you let me know---we'll get it to you somehow!
thanks and best
Ethan
http://silvercurrant.blogspot.com/

On Tue, Feb 15, 2011 at 12:20 AM, Jason Coetzee <> wrote:
Hi there -
I have, with some difficulty, managed to import both prior albums... Will the new EP be made available online for non-US buyers? Happy to purchase MP3s but cannot find authorized downloads for South Africa...
Howlin’ Rain has a small but EAGER fan base here...
Warm regards,
Jason.

Ovi only has their first album so I'll request paypal purchase of the MP3s directly (my car record player is broken)... The first album is only R40 on OVI btw, if you even vaguely like the samples it'll be the best R40 you ever spent.
I just thought it was pretty cool of him to personally make the effort to get his music heard.

[deleted]

That is cool. Personally, I also had good experiences with David Helfgott (although his wife typed the mail) and Mystery Science Theater 3000 (who sent me a HANDWRITTEN reply to my own handwritten letter). Oh, and Bernard Butler via facebook, although I don't believe it was really him. ?

Nice, J - these are things you remember.

giggsy

Very cool!

giggsy

Stratisfear wrote: Mystery Science Theater 3000

Was that the show with three puppet things that sat watching old movies and did funny voiceovers etc? (excuse the bad description)

Stratisfear wrote: Oh, and Bernard Butler via facebook, although I don't believe it was really him. ?

Formerly of Suede?

Thanks Singe ?

Bob-Dubery

A while ago I got an FB message from Linda Thompson.

She must know who I am on GFSA because the message ended with 4 Xs.

[Edit]: Turned out she did some of her growing up in Durban

[deleted]

Giggsy wrote: Was that the show with three puppet things that sat watching old movies and did funny voiceovers etc? (excuse the bad description)

Yes - funny as hell.

Formerly of Suede?

That's the one. (And producer of Duffy. etc. All-round good guy, methinks.)

TI-Distribution

I Got an email from Mick Box- Uriah Heep the other day which was pretty cool!

Seems like a laid back guy. I can't wait till they come out here again.

Squonk

TI Distribution wrote: I Got an email from Mick Box- Uriah Heep the other day which was pretty cool!

Seems like a laid back guy. I can't wait till they come out here again.

Brilliant I bet he has a few stories to tell.

Heep were a huge part of my musical developement in the early 70's

giggsy

Just remembered now - I've also been emailed by Jason Perry, singer from the band A and producer for Kids in Glass Houses, The Blackout, and Futures amongst others.

Stratisfear wrote:
Giggsy wrote: Was that the show with three puppet things that sat watching old movies and did funny voiceovers etc? (excuse the bad description)
Yes - funny as hell.

I remember it used to be on Dstv on a Sunday and I would literally laugh myself sore at it (mental note... check for DVD's on eBay)