Lucy Kruger

“Her timbre is a great mixture of an early Dolores O'Riordan meets Kate Bush and it's clear as Kruger's set progresses that this kind of vocal quality and phrasing cannot be taught or made-to-order” – Tecla Ciolfi (YOUR LMG)

There are few things as inspiring as pure, unfettered talent in a hard-working, humble artist. Lucy Kruger is one of the few artists on the SA music scene that possesses all of these attributes and it shows in her work. Her soon to be released debut album ‘Cut Those Strings’ (produced by Schalk Joubert and engineered by Dave Langemann), features a host of innovative artists including Inge Beckmann, Schalk Joubert, Kevin Gibson, Melissa Van Der Spuy and Albert Frost, yet promises to remain true to the sound her growing fan-base has come to know and love.

The launch date is set for the 20th of September at Mercury Live. Further well-deserved accolades include being chosen as a finalist in the 2012 Barleycorn songwriting competition, as well as ranking among the top 12 entries for this year's Bushmill Band Search. Lucy has also been included in the line-up for the Rolling Stones weekend (14-15 September 2012), showcasing SA's most promising young artists, and recently numbered among the emerging artists chosen for the Big Issue 'Young blood, fresh talent' survey.

Originally from Johannesburg, Lucy (now 23) recently arrived in Cape Town after completing her undergraduate degree in Music and her Honours in Drama at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, and is set to take the notoriously hardnosed South African music scene by storm with her fresh take on indie/alternative rock. Her singular sound is reminiscent of the fearless, female vocals of powerful acts like Sinéad O'Connor and Dolores O'Riordan from The Cranberries fame and also draws influence from the work of Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, Alanis Morissette and Tori Amos – culminating in a rich tapestry of skilful, versatile vocals bolstered by soulful melodies.

Lucy has been writing and performing her own material for six years and has in the past had the pleasure to open for international act Linton Kwezi Johnson (LKJ), as well as respected local acts such as Josie Field, Wendy Oldfield, Cutting Jade and Shawn Phillips. Since arriving in Cape Town Lucy has treated audiences to foot-tapping performances at the likes of Daddy Longlegs, Waiting Room, Alma Café, the Jolly Roger, Pastis, Mojos, &Union, Obviouzly Armchair, Cape Quarter Market, Jackal and Hide, Hout Bay Harbour Market, 5 Reyneveld, Aan De Braak and the Barleycorn.

Lucy recently got back from playing at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival accompanied by Schalk Joubert on bass and Kevin Gibson on drums. Says Lucy of how she came to make music: “I started playing guitar because I wanted to write music. One of the first songs I learnt on the guitar was Joni Mitchell’s ‘A Case of You’. After hearing that song and feeling what it was to play it, I was completely hooked. After setting my heart on music I was constantly reminded (and still am) about how difficult the music industry is. Difficult perhaps, but hopefully not impossible. I want and love it enough to give it (and myself) a fighting chance. I am slowly starting to discover the rules of an industry that ‘has no rules’. It is certainly keeping me on my toes and that is an exciting place to be.”

It is this strong work ethic and drive to succeed that underscores all of Lucy’s endeavours and it set to launch her inimitable sound on the SA music scene.