AlmaCast

In this third AlmaCast episode of 2024, Jono and I sit and discuss the early years of Steve Newman's career. As one of South Africa's virtuoso guitar players and a member of several renowned bands, most notably Tananas, he has many a story to tell in this in-depth reflection on a truly remarkable career. He reflects on his journeys between the UK and South Africa in the 70s and then how th...

In May last year Jono, Sarah and I had the chance to sit and discuss the music business, life and everything pre-, post and during the Springbok Nude Girls with Arno Carstens. The interview was a whirlwind of thoughts, memories and perspectives on one of the most acclaimed South Africa.  When Jono told us he and founding band members and producer-in-chief Theo Crous were coming for a double-troubl...

Welcome to our first AlmaCast recording and episode of the year.   We kick off 2024 with a bang and the wonderfully mercurial musings of Wonderboom duo, Cito Otto and Martin Schofield. Prior to them playing a stripped-down - but nevertheless electrifying - set at the Alma, the dynamic duo reflected on a career that spans almost three decades, numerous albums andSAMA nominations and a reputation as...

We close out 2023 with a "lost" episode of the first AlmaCast recording sessions - recorded in April 2023. Listen on for a trip down memory lane from the Alma's Royal Family Tait. Led by the master historian Retha we hear about the day Bruce Springsteen's backing singer knocked on the Alma's door and when one artist's "one night Royal Albert Hall, the next, the Alma" rang true! When PJ Powers redu...

Arno Carstens should need very little introduction to most South African listeners of the AlmaCast. As the front man for the Springbok Nude Girls, he and his band led the line of the new wave of South African alternative music in the 1990's. We met at the Alma Cafe three hours before his latest show there. What followed was a whirlwind of perspectives and anecdotes. From the halcyon days of th...

 Welcome to the latest episode of the AlmaCast, our regular deep-dive into the people behind Cape Town's premier live music venue and the guest musicians who grace the Alma stage. In this episode, we are back to a guest artist profile: our guest SA "king of the blues" Albert Frost, prior to another of his stripped back solo shows. It would prove to be another unforgettable night wher...

As our Easter gift to our listeners, this episode takes us down memory lane and behind the kitchen door as we hear from the Queen of the Alma: Retha Tait. It's a wonderful tale and insight into the history of the building, neighbourhood and venue.  The story begins with tragedy and trauma, skirts disaster and ultimately ends in the Alma magic we've come to love.   The AlmaCast - Monthly Po...

A wonderful deep-dive of the development of The Alma Cafe and the transition from corner shop to music venue! Owner and mainstay of the front of house, Richard Tait, talks about the formative years, the people and nights that have shaped the Alma. It's a charming and frank conversation that highlights passion, sacrifice and hard work. It's a special 30 minutes. Hope you enjoy! The AlmaCast...

In this episode the AlmaCast we check-in with regular guest artist, James Stewart. James reached the top of the charts back in the day with SA band, The Usual and continues to perform and collaborate across genres and continents. His reflections will delight those who grew up with the local music of the 90's and the SA music scene. His description of The Alma - from a performer's perspecti...

A warm and insightful conversation with Alma "newbie" and SA music legend John Ellis forms the basis of our second AlmaCast episode. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it!  Listen & join us on our monthly "deep dive" into the guests and stories behind the renowned live music venue in the heart of Rosebank, Cape Town: The Alma Cafe. The AlmaCast - Monthly Podcast...

Our Pilot Episode - testing the levels and seeing if there was a spark! Hear from Jono Tait - the young Tait and bearded musical wonder of the Alma.  He skims over the Alma’s past and looks ahead to the future!  Listen & join us on our monthly "deep dive" into the guests and stories behind the renowned live music venue in the heart of Rosebank, Cape Town: The Alma Cafe. The AlmaCast...