Dancing to a Brand New Style

This article originally appeared in Edition 6, 2007 of VARSITY Newspaper.

They aren’t signed to a record label, yet they are already one of South Africa’s hottest musical exports. CODA have managed to make a name for themselves in the city and across the country with their unique electric sound. They have recently returned from touring Dubai, adding to their list of impressive performances, which also includes a recent show at Victoria Falls.

Featuring the extremely talented Yolanda Yawa on vocals, accomplished electric cellist Carol Thorns, the gifted Rayelle Goodman on violin and one of South Africa’s hottest DJs, Nick Matthews, it’s unsurprising that CODA is achieving so much success. Unlike many new bands, all the members of this band have been in the business for years, sharing stages with some of the greatest local and international musicians.

Many make the mistake of comparing their eclectic mix of sounds and genres to that of Freshlyground, but they adamantly defend the fact that they are not a replica of the group. ‘It’s an honour to be compared at this stage, but we don’t want to be accused of copying them,’ says Thorn. ‘Our music is very different, our sound is very different,’ adds Yawa. And they are totally different, combining Afro-pop and jazz with strings and house, their sound is groundbreaking as far as collaborations are concerned.

Initiated by Thorn in late 2005, the band has gone from one success to another. They were nominated for a Top Billing Lifestyle Award for band of the year, after only a few months together. Their debut album Believe was released in November last year and has been very well received. The band also has a broad fan base that seems to transcend all boundaries of race, class and gender.

With a PR background, Thorn also acts as the band’s manager: ‘I love promoting CODA, because I am a part of it. I love marketing us. Everyone has skills outside of the group that make us successful.’ Ensuring that the band always looks good, Yawa runs her own design company, Yawa Creations. Matthews has an extensive background in writing, producing and recording music and Goodman has an amazing social network, which they confess to utilising.

The band started out performing at corporate events, before crossing over to the public market. With lots of international demand, Matthews considers their success a privilege. ‘To be able to do your passion, and for people to actually take you seriously enough that they want to do that with you, is an honour.’

Their name comes from a musical term, which signifies the end of a piece of music, when all the significant themes come together. The meaning of CODA, for the band has grown and evolved over time to encapsulate their personality. The name of their album was suggested by former Minister of Education, Kadar Asmal, who met them after they performed for diplomats and celebrities at Desmond Tutu’s 75^th birthday party.

Often referred to as South Africa’s best new live act, listening to their promising album fails to capture the lively energy they possess onstage. They are thrilling live. The band is constantly bombarded with requests to perform their covers of musical icon, Brenda Fassie’s hits. ‘It’s a very overwhelming feeling. When I was younger I grew up singing Brenda Fassie. To get the privilege of singing her songs and continuing her legacy is something I am very proud of,’ says Yawa.

All the band members contribute to composing and writing the tracks. ‘It’s a process…’ laughs Matthews. ‘It doesn’t have a certain method – it just happens,’ adds Yawa. In addition to calling in some of South Africa’s best artists to work alongside them on Believe, they feature a couple of brilliant covers – including Fassie’s ‘No No No Senor’. They are currently in the early stages of conceptualising their second album.

CODA will be performing a free show at Relish in town on Friday at 6:30pm. Their debut album, Believe, featuring their hit single ‘Yiyizela/ Brand New Style’ is in Look and Listen stores now.