Arno Carstens is a South African singer, songwriter, fine artist and frontman of Springbok Nude Girls (which is one of the greatest band names ever) and one of my favourite rock bands from South Africa.
The band was formed in 1994, the same year that South Africa became a “democracy” (whatever that means, these days). My high school years were coming to a close and I was firmly embedded in the local rock scene, from frequenting rock shows and festivals to playing in a really terrible punk rock band.
The Springbok Nude Girls is a rock band from Cape Town, South Africa. An alternative rock band, the Nude Girls introduced punk rock, ska, acid jazz and heavy metal into their songs, introducing a new world of music to the youth of South Africa in the mid-to-late 1990s. They played their first big gig in September 1994 in Stellenbosch. Since then, the Nude girls have toured extensively. In 2000, the band received a South African Music Award for Best Rock Album. The Nude Girls were voted the Best South Africa rock band in a poll conducted by South African radio station 5FM.
Wikipedia
Their songs Blue Eyes and I Love You are probably my favourites.
Arno has since added to his portfolio by also performing as a solo artist (such as the song he did for a Volswagen advert) and painting with oils on canvas.
His website has a whole bunch of his work (which can be purchased).
Arno joined me for a very uplifting conversation in which he chatted about music, NFTs and his dog with bowel problems.
He is a true artist.
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