After many years in the making; local band Float Parade has finally released their much anticipated self-titled debut album. The band, which hails from Pretoria , comprises of: Nic Dinnie-Vocal/guitar and songwriter, Hugo Radyn- Drums, Thean Heynecke-Bass and Pule Makona-keyboard.
Float parade have recently returned from touring the U.S playing gigs such as Musikfest and the SteelJam Festival both in Bethlehem, with Michael Frank & Friends at the Pearly Bakers Alehouse in Easton Pennsivynia and Arlene’s Grocery and SOB’s in Manhattan New York City.
YM: Wow, 3night at Musikfest that must have been awesome. How did the band cope?
Nic: We all had a great time, Musikfest is a great multi-genre festival so there was lots to see and do. They also put us up at the Holiday Inn which was great fun, this is where we filmed Thean and Hugo doing there Aladdin duet, classic!
YM: I noticed Float Parade was scheduled to play an hour and a half set at the SteelJam Festival, what was it like?
Nic: That was a tricky one, we were expecting a tough show but the 90mins flew by. We had some rain falling that evening but that did not stop the local college kids from gathering in front of the stage and dancing in the rain (great experience to hear them chanting “daddy P” while Pule took a solo).
YM: How does South African and American fans/audience differ?
Nic: Well firstly the American fans adore our accents so we get a lot of compliments haha, but in general there is not too much difference between the fan bases, perhaps the only one I could really say is the ages of the audiences in the US are a lot more varied than the common 16-25 bracket in SA. In the US we were asked to sign a lot of the merch etc. which was also quite new to us.
YM: What would Float Parade’s dream festival be to play?
Nic: Glastonbury for its sheer size and atmosphere!
YM: What feedback has Float Parade received from U.S audiences?
Nic: Well the crowds loved the music and we have been invited back to perform at some more of the US festivals next year, which, if all goes to plan, we will do gladly.
Float Parade’s first single ‘Only In Summertime’ is such a funky sound, it’s a fun, happy song with African inspired percussion, perfect for days in the sun on Camps Bay beach. I am Looking forward to seeing the response of local and international fans alike.
Keep posted on up and coming gigs via www.floatparade.co, look out for Float Parade on facebook and follow @floatparade on twitter.
Words: Nicole Groenmeyer
Image: Elsa Bleda
