On the Couch with Sterling EQ
SK : Who is Sterling EQ?
S EQ : Sterling EQ is a SAMA Award-winning instrumental pop band whose fresh sound and innovative approach has changed the face of instrumental music in South Africa. The band consists of pop flautist Carina Bruwer, electric violinists Eriel Huang and Renate Riedemann, and cellist Ariella Caira
SK : What inspired the fascination with such "strange" looking creations (instruments)?
S EQ : The modern look of the instruments really represents the contemporary sound that we make; and that is one way of visually presenting the fact that – although we are Classically trained – our music is NOT Classical. The instruments are sexy and in line with what the contemporary world is doing, and complete the package.
SK : Why opt for electrical music instruments?
S EQ: The electric instruments allow us to play around with distortion and other cool sound effects, while its look complement our contemporary sound.
SK : I hear a new album is being launched, tell us more about the inspiration behind the album?
S EQ : The album has been a long time coming; it's been 2 years since we released our second album, so this third one has really be greatly anticipated. We wanted to create a new sound in instrumental pop music – locally and internationally –
SK : Where did the ladies spend most of their lives?
Eriel: My life is a bit of a mixed bag: 6 years in Taiwan, 5 years in Durban, 10 years in Jo'burg and the 3 years in Pretoria, and now just over 5 years in Cape Town
Renate: The scenic hills of Durbanville. Although we lived in Durban (Westville) about 3 years of my life, chasing monkeys out of our backyard!
Carina: I was born and grew up in Stellenbosch, and moved to Cape Town in 2005
Ariella: Born in Port Elizabeth and moved to Cape Town as a toddler
SK : How did the ladies meet?
S EQ: Likeminded musicians seem to attract each other! Carina and Ariella had played together in a Classical Quartet before Sterling EQ, and always wanted to grow their audience and take their music into a "Classical crossover" direction. Carina started growing the concept with different musicians, until in 2007 it was time to commit to a permanent 4-piece. This is when Eriel auditioned to join, and Renate auditioned the following year.
S EQ : We've come so far from the classical realm that our music has become a genre of it's own. It is 'instrumental pop' - everything you'd want from a chart-topping track, but minus the vocals and with funky distortion and groovy melodies thrown into the mix.
The only similarity really would be the 'ensemble' effect - creating music within the boundaries of a group. Great sensitivity is needed to blend in and to add (and not overpower) the music as a whole.
SK : In SA or abroad, who would Sterling EQ like to collaborate with?
S EQ : We love collaborating with artists who expand our musicianship- rappers, singers, dancer and drummers, you name it, we'll do it! We can never say no to a challenge!
SK : As a group, how do you maintain your individualism?
Carina: Sterling EQ consists of four very strong and diverse personalities; this is exactly what makes Sterling EQ unique! I think the respect that each girl has for the others' individualism is key to being able to maintain this and work together as a team with minimal conflict.
Eriel: Our instruments and our playing styles are very much personal expressions, to the way we do our hair and make up.
Ariella: We each have our own little personality traits and quirks that come out when we perform- it's clear when we interact on stage that each of us is unique and it's when we are together our individuality really shines. We also have our own interests and hobbies and lives away from Sterling EQ which inform who we are in the world. I am an avid yogi, learn Italian and have a Diploma in patisserie, Renate is an active member of the Christian community and practises Muay Thai, Eriel is a Buddhist and is doing a Masters degree in Music and Conflict Resolution and Carina is a passionate and highly decorated long-distance swimmer with two gorgeous daughters!
Renate: It's vital! And I think it's the only way to remain unique and to find that dynamic within the group to cherish exactly that! We are who we are and we try to improve on things wherever needed, but we will never completely conform and imitate something that has been done before. Where's the value in that?
SK : There are almost always cat fights when women band together, how do you go about finding a balance between the different personalities?
S EQ : We luckily all just get along. When you spend so much time with one another in high pressure situations, you subconsciously know that conflict is just not worth it. we love laughing and joking around together, so there's rarely any tension. And if there are ever issues, we discuss them openly and deal with them immediately so we can move on and make some awesome music together. And when that fails, well, we’ll just poke the offending band member in the eye with our lipstick.
SK : Musicians are known to be hot-headed and passionate. How does Sterling EQ handle tense situations?
S EQ : We laugh! Pull faces. And drink a glass of wine! Also, bad behavior travels fast - performers LOVE gossip! So, we keep each other cool, calm and collected and discuss things diplomatically with clients and sound engineers. standing up for yourself doesn't need to be about raised voices and trashed equipment :)
For Eriel
The beautiful Eriel hails from Taiwan but spent part of her life in Durban, tell us more about her and her beginnings at Sterling EQ?
I have very fond memories of growing up in Durban. This was the first city my family settled in after immigrating to South Africa. I started violin lessons in Durban and continued with piano. My musical foundation was really solidified there. We spent a lot of time on the beach after school, so I was a very happy child! I got asked to audition for Sterling EQ after returning to Cape Town from a bit of globe trotting in Sept 2008. The band was exactly what I was looking for, and I am very grateful to have made it!
She plays one of the electrical violins, when did she start and what does she highlight as her major accomplishments?
I started playing violin when I was 6, in Durban. Major accomplishments... goodness, em... living my dream being a performing artist and humanitarian, and travelling the world:) I'm completing a Masters degree in Music, social development and conflict resolution, and doing a lot of community work at the same time. I'd like to graduate next year, then it will be a major accomplishment:)
SK : What advice can she pass on to budding violinists, hoping to follow in her petite footsteps?
Erierl : (laughs:) Yes I do have very small feet, and I struggle to find shoes in a size 3! Ok seriously... Find what you love, and do it with your whole heart. When you get weary, remember why you started. Remember what makes you happy. Surround yourself with people who truly care and support you no matter how you're feeling. At the end of the day, there is only one you, so be you 100%!
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