Evan Milton, Cape Argus, Cape Town, SA, 10.11.2005: "Moriz back in SA after rocking the UK"

Evan Milton, Cape Argus, Cape Town, SA, 10.11.2005: "Moriz back in SA after rocking the UK"

"Ike Moriz is something of a paradox: he's part German and part South African, and the unsentimental precision of the one surfaces as often as the slightly self-deprecating, yet easy-going nature of the other. Then there's this business of making it overseas in less than six years to garner interest from George Michael's recording studio, earn a nod of approval from David Bowie, boast respectable European live-gig and radio impact and then decide to head home to the Cape. 

After graduating from our College of Music, Moriz relocated to London in 1999, fronting bands there and in Rotterdam and Hamburg before going solo and recording his debut EP, Fall Into the Sun (2002). Back home, its title track hit Stellenbosch's MFM No1 spot. A second EP, You Could, followed, reaching No.1 on the UK's Matchbox Radio, and the Top10 on Holland's Halo FM. Perhaps more importantly, early in 2003, the title song was voted Song of the Week by Bowie himself on DavidBowie.net. Impressive after only four years in the Big Smoke. His sophomore EPs and debut album, Mirrors and Shade (2004), have more than a smattering of Bowie-styled vocal bends, and left of centre lyrics in them, but there are also hints of Blur and Oasis. And, to Bandstand, though Moriz certainly has his own unique style, the earlier work has suggestions of a somewhat sane, somewhat sanguine Syd Barrett - another contradiction. 

Meeting Moriz, one is unsure whether to guide him to a chair and go easy on the radio interview, or be on full alert for an industry-hardened veteran. He's a nice guy, but he's no fool, and he knows there's a mountain of work ahead. Making that road easier is a launch-sponsorship from Chivas Regal, promoting "the Chivas life" and a forthcoming video directed by Johan Nel (Fokofpoliesikar's image maestro). Moriz's new CD is called Play Me and it is being launched tomorrow at Rhodes House at 60 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens. ... Doors open at 9.30pm, video screening and performance at 10pm. Cost: R50. More on www.ikemoriz.com”