South African singer-songwriter Steve Louw previews his forthcoming album, Between Time, with a mighty statement.
Release Date: 7th June 2024
Label: BFD Entertainment
Formats: Digital
You may well be familiar with the name, Steve Louw. The South African singer-songwriter began his career back in 1981, when he formed his first band, All Night Radio, whilst studying at Stellenbosch University, just outside Cape Town. All Night Radio released two albums, including their 1986 offering, The Killing Floor, now noted as being the first collaboration between Steve and producer Kevin Shirley – a relationship that endures to this day.
In 1990, Louw formed his second band, Big Sky, and released Waiting for the Dawn, the first of five albums that formed part of the soundtrack of those momentous years as South Africa shed the shackles of apartheid. The album also set Big Sky on the track to widespread acclaim, a journey that would culminate in 1996, when they received the FNB Music Awards for Best South African Rock Act and Best Rock Album (for their 1995 album, Horizon.)
However, after the release of Big Sky’s 2008 album, Trancas Canyon, Louw withdrew from the spotlight and it wasn’t until 2021 that he re-emerged, with his debut solo album, Headlight Dreams. Headlight Dreams was followed, in late 2022, by a second solo album, Thunder And Rain and Steve now has a third album, Between Time, ready to go – its release is scheduled for September of this year.
Giants Walk The Land is the first track chosen to preview the forthcoming album, and it’s a mighty statement. The song is a co-write with Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie, who also plays on the track. Other musicians to feature are: Kevin McKendree (keyboards), Greg Morrow (drums), Alison Prestwood (bass), Rob McNelley (guitar) and Doug Lancio (guitar) – all musicians of impeccable pedigree.
The presence and influence of Midnight Oil is evident right from the outset, both in the structure of Giants Walk The Land, and in the lyrical subject matter – the devastating impact of climate change. The tune is bright and rocky with a solid drumbeat, looping bass and a chugging rhythm, embellished by soaring, shimmering guitar licks. It’s insistent and relentless, with a repeated riff that serves to emphasise the song’s refrain: “Earth will heal.”
And that refrain can be taken as either reassuring or ominous, depending upon your outlook. Yes – the Earth WILL heal the damage that we continue to inflict upon it – but the question, perhaps inferred here is: Will we still be around when that happens? Who knows…
It’s dynamic, it’s direct and it pulls no punches. Giants Walk The Land is a mighty statement indeed, and it’s a statement of pure intent, as far as the forthcoming Between Time album is concerned. And we’ll be bringing you news of that particular goodie very soon…
Watch the official video to Giants Walk The Land here:
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