Singer/songwriter… who would have thought? Well, that songbook in grade 7, filled with the most popular songs of the day, and carefully written lyrics was a dead giveaway.
Singing has always been a secret passion and a natural progression for me on life’s journey. Songs that move your soul, that stir your conscience, that speak to your mind, songs that make you want to change, to seek, to grow, to dream, or simply make you say yes to all that is good.
These are my favourite songs… simple, pleasant melodies, with enough range to keep you listening, which make you want to sing along without prompting, and with lyrics that are easy to understand yet meaningful and rhythmic. The guitar is my accompaniment of choice, due to its simplicity and ease of use.
I listen to many genres, gospel, contemporary rock, indie, hip hop, jazz, and pop music. Reggae (especially Bob Marley & The Wailers) is definitely my favourite genre to sing but I find that I incorporate many different styles when writing “new” music.
There is nothing new under the sun… everything that is, comes from what has been before. But experiences are new because we are finite, hence I believe that different places and interactions bring about new perspectives, thoughts, and actions.
Moments that would never have been, were it not for the coming together of certain people in one place to create anew through their sharing. I am undoubtedly thrilled at the opportunity that has been awarded to my fellow mentees and me and I intend to absorb and share as much as I possibly can through the experience.
As a side note: I very nearly missed this golden opportunity, but a kind-hearted mentor tagged me in the JGF Songwriting Mentorship post on Facebook and I managed to submit my application on the final day.
So now I am getting ready for a new time, where nothing will be the same as before. A time in which I hope the music will make you and me feel something really good and will keep us hopeful that together we can continue to bring about positive change through our shared talents.
* Carlo is one of five 2022 Jakes Gerwel Foundation songwriters who will be in mentorship with acclaimed musicians and theatre makers Frazer Barry of Tribal Echo and Zolani Mahola of Freshly Ground-fame. The sounds they create at Paulet House will be showcased at Suidoosterfees 2023.
Carlo Fortune is ’n Kapenaar in murg en been. In 2003 het hy matriek gemaak deur aandskoolklasse by te woon terwyl hy by die Epic Foods-fabriek in Maitland gewerk het. As tiener het Carlo klavierlesse geneem en in ’n koor gesing, maar die musiekskryfgogga het behoorlik gebyt toe sy suster vir hom ’n kitaar op sy 26ste verjaarsdag present gegee het. Hy het al met verskeie kunstenaars saamgewerk, onder andere die digter Diana Ferrus. Carlo is die hoofsanger van The West Coast Wailers, en hy werk in die onderhoud-afdeling van Good Hope-hoërskool in Kaapstad.
