SINGER INTERVIEW: ARNO CARSTENS by Anna Grace

Arno Carstens is a South African singer-songwriter and guitarist based in Cape Town that started out performing as lead singer for the Springbok Nude Girls and also as a solo artist. Carstens has won 5 South African Music Awards and has released 7 studio albums. Carstens has also supported acts like The Rolling Stones, Paul Weller, The Police, Celine Dion, Simple Minds, Ultravox and Meat Loaf on their European tours. I asked him a few questions about his role in the music industry.

Describe yourself in 5 words?

ArnoCarstens: Artist , scientist, spiritualist, hedonist, optimist .

What is your favourite movie?

AC: Big Blue.

What is your favourite hobby?

AC: Painting and tennis.

What type of music do you listen to?

AC: Alternative Rock or electronica.

How do you like to spend your free time?

AC: Doing healthy outdoor stuff, watching a great movie or partying.

What is your favourite place in the world?

AC: Home.

What made you decide to start singing?

AC: I was attracted by the fun factor and the transcendental high of performance.

Who inspired you to start singing?

AC: All my musical heroes; Jim Morrison, Bob Marley , Nick Cave and many more.

What performance were you most nervous for?

AC: I had real stage fright with the Rolling Stones show .

What has been your favourite collaboration?

AC: "Little Evil" from my new album, Lightning Prevails with Mariechen .

What song of yours is your favourite?

AC: " Son of 11" - Springbok Nude Girls and "Tonight’s Dragons " from my solo stuff.

What was your biggest challenge in the music industry?

AC: Staying the cause while following my gut. You tend to make things hard for yourself and you find yourself all alone sometimes but in the long run it’s the best thing to do .

What are you planning for 2015?

AC: A Trip to the UK, an art exhibition, song writing and some nice shows.

What is your five-year plan?

AC: That’s too far in advance but spending quality time with my family is going to be a priority.

What advice can you give to new singers in the music industry?

AC: Well, everything has changed in the music industry so all the new artists are truly pioneers. They should be wild, push the unexpected and go where no man has gone before.

Arno Carstens new album, Lightning Prevails, can be bought on itunes at the following link, https://itunes.apple.com/za/album/lightning-prevails/id880857130.

For more information visit his website, www.arnocarstens.com.