Press Article

2003 Sept 28   "One man show"
Publication: Sunday Times
Byline: Lesley Mofokeng

“Do-it-yourself approach reaps reward for resourceful musician”

Enterprising musician Concord Nkabinde has turned himself into a one-man record company.
A bass guitarist, Nkabinde, 35, has written lyrics, composed music, recorded it, released it and is now distributing his own CDs that feature vocals by him as well.
Nkabinde said he chose to go it alone after record companies wanted him to change his music.
And his endeavours have earned him recognition on national radio stations. His world/jazz style debut album, Concord - The Time, The Season, was voted album of the week on Kaya FM and he was also voted artist of the week on SAfm.
He has worked with artists such as Ernie Smith, Louis Mhlanga, Gito Baloyi and Barry van Zyl, with Finnish musicians Eero Koivistoinen on saxophone and Seppo Kantonen on piano.
Solo
Having been in the industry for about 13 years, Nkabinde is now counting on his own skills and contacts to realise the dream of a solo project.
"I think I am a sucker for growth. Having worked with artists who are signed to record companies, I wanted to learn how the companies operate. I had picked up things but lacked the experience," he said.
Nkabinde added that he felt, in most cases, there were too many middle people who were not serving any purpose in record companies.
Thanks to the do-it-yourself production of his album, Nkabinde must share his profits with his engineer and assistant producer only, and pay back a family friend, Joe Maswanganyi, who helped him with money to press CDs.
Already 2 000 CDs have sold and Nkabinde will be pressing more soon for general release.
Given Mkhari of Metro FM described Nkabinde as "a go-getter with a hungry spirit who wants to define his future in his own terms".
Nkabinde said fear of the unknown was the biggest challenge facing aspirant music businessmen.
"We have been made to believe that an artist cannot make it without a record company. But it never made sense to me, because my success and career can never depend on someone else."