Train Matters

Singer-songwriter Phil Higgins releases her long-awaited second EP, Blue + Green. A genre-blending journey through indie-pop, folky introspection, and soft indie-rock, Blue + Green is a heartfelt collection of songs born between continents and crafted across years of personal transformation.I spoke with her in early July 2025, on the day of her graduation, having completed a her Music degree in Rotterdam. Written over the past four years while completing her Bachelor of Pop Music (Songwriting) at Codarts Conservatory in Rotterdam, Blue + Green represents a major artistic step forward for the South African-born musician. Where her debut EP Beautiful Confusion (2020) introduced her voice, Blue + Green expands on it — layered with live band arrangements, 90s indie textures, and a poetic vulnerability that runs deep. “These five songs are love letters,” says Phil. “To friends, to nature, to strangers, and to the end of the world. They’re shaped by my time away from home, adjusting to the grey skies of Rotterdam, missing my community, but also feeling creatively lit up by new surroundings.” Each song reflects a different facet of Phil’s inner and outer world — from letting go (Yours Truly, Julie), to grappling with burnout (Empty Cup), to the longing for connection (Keep You Here), and the collective beauty of existence in the face of apocalypse (Fall from the Sky). Recorded between the Netherlands and South Africa, Blue + Green is a true collaboration across borders. Co-produced by Silas Houtman in Rotterdam and longtime collaborator Tjaart van der Walt in Johannesburg (who also handled mixing and mastering), the EP features a talented band of international musicians — including Nina van Beelen (keys), Ákos Németh (bass), Sofoklis Gkekas (drums), and Bart Versteeg (electric guitar) — all of whom Phil met during her studies. The title Blue + Green is both literal and symbolic — referencing earth, sky, and plant life, as well as the emotional duality Phil explores throughout the project: “Blue for the sadness and heaviness. Green for the curiosity and growth. Together they hold the colours of the planet, and how I feel in it.” With Blue + Green, Phil Higgins invites listeners into her evolving world — one rooted in nature, community, feeling deeply, and dreaming boldly.

JANN KLOSE REVEALS “WHEN I’M WITH YOU” – A JOYFUL NEW ANTHEM CO-WRITTEN WITH EVERETT BRADLEY (BON JOVI, SEAL) - I caught up with him just before the single broke.

𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴 𝘝𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘵’𝘴 “𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘶𝘫𝘢𝘩” 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘵-𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘶𝘮, 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘱𝘵𝘺𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳.https://youtu.be/ejsLsofxVHw?

For someone who had pop success, in the sense that his music was topping the charts in the late 1970s, 80s and 90s, Midge Ure has enjoyed an impressive audience long after his greatest hits left the charts.   “That’s probably because a series of events made that possible,” Midge says. “You must rewind to when people bought albums and things like that. A [commercially successful] piece of music would have a shelf life of six weeks if everyone did their job and you were incredibly, incredibly lucky getting your song on the radio or television; it would hang around for a couple of weeks and then drop, probably never to be heard again, except to hardcore fans of course. “We only had radio as a medium [back in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s],” he explains. “Even television offered minimal opportunities for live music performances. We didn’t have the internet. We didn’t have smartphones. We didn’t have 24/7 television or social media – none existed.” So, 30 years into a career, no different to Steve Louw or Cindy Alter, suddenly technology flips, and there’s a plethora of possibilities. “That said, how people listen and consume music at that turning point, and now, is radically different,” Midge points out. “Today, people buy very little; instead, they find and stream content online through games and similar platforms. For example, I recorded a version of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World” in the early 80s for a pretty dodgy British movie, and a game used it more recently, leading an entire wealth of young people to discover this piece of music. To them, it’s new. They can’t tell whether someone recorded it yesterday or 40 years ago.

Milky Chance recently announced their long-awaited return to South Africa with their “Living In A Haze” tour in February 2024 which will see them perform in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. I chatted to the German duo in December to talk about their rise to fame ahead of their South African return. Their 2019 single “Life Without Fantasies” reached the top of the South African viral charts amassing millions of streams in 2021 during Lockdown. The band connected with tens of thousands of fans online which led to their first sold out headline tour. They have continued to cement themselves in the industry here, having toured the country a number of times over the past few years and return in February 2024 to share the stage with Milky Chance in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. Sean Koch is one of SA’s most-loved indie-folk artists who brings a mixed bag of African and western, influence alongside messages of home, a connection to nature, the ocean and the people around him; to his storytelling, feel-good music. While rooted in his flowing-folk style, his music is diverse. From dance infused songs like ‘Lift You Up’ the standout single from his collection (including the Double MZK & G DOM remix) to the dreamier songs like ‘Feel the Energy’ that carry deeper messages of connection to the natural world and the people that surround us. There is something for everyone in Sean’s catalogue. Tickets are on sale from https://breakoutevents.co.za/ and are selling fast, so get yours now! Milky Chance “Living In A Haze” South African Tour Dates: 15 February 2024 – Green Point A-Track, Cape Town (supported by Neon Dreams and Sean Koch) 17 February 2024 – Marks Park in Emmarentia, Johannesburg (supported by Neon Dreams and Sean Koch + final opening act to be announced) 18 February 2024 – Durban Botanic Gardens uMphafa Field, Durban (supported by Neon Dreams + final opening act to be announced) Milky Chance “Living In A Haze” South African Tour 2024 details: For more info, go to: Ticketing link: https://breakoutevents.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abreakoutevent Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abreakoutevent Twitter: https://twitter.com/abreakoutevent

Australian singer, songwriter, musician, and multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd returns to South Africa in February 2024.Before launching his solo career, Rudd began playing music as part of the band 'Xavier and the Hum'. He drew inspiration from artists such as Leo Kottke, Ben Harper, Natalie Merchant and multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, as well as music from diverse sources such as Hawaiian and Native American music.Rudd's songs incorporate socially conscious themes, such as spirituality, humanity, environmentalism, and the rights of Indigenous Australians.

It's not every day you get to chat to someone who defined your professional life. In my case and a music journalist when "Drops of Jupiter" was the biggest pop song in the world. Fast forward a good two decades and Pat and Co. remain as relevant today as they did back then. As they embark on the biggest world tour in what seems like an age, ‘I Know, It’s Been A Long Time Coming Tour’, I got to spend 12 precious minutes with the man who has carved out a space in music that could not, should not be ignored.

Having just released their latest studio album, Bauhaus Staircase, I was gifted a rare opportunity to speak to both Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) on the eve of the most extensive world tour in 45 years. The best part is the synth pioneers will be heading to South Africa in April 2024, the third time we get to welcome them back, eager to hear new music and a wall of evergreen classics, too. While we wait, give this two-part interview a whirl, dust off those seminal records and prepare to be blown away. Thursday, 18 April 2024 - Green Point A-Track, Green Point, Cape Town Saturday, 20 April 2024 – Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg For all the details, head to Breakout Events for tickets and more information.

Having just released their latest studio album, Bauhaus Staircase, I was gifted a rare opportunity to speak to both Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys of Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark (OMD) on the eve of the most extensive world tour in 45 years. The best part is the synth pioneers will be heading to South Africa in April 2024, the third time we get to welcome them back, eager to hear new music and a wall of evergreen classics, too. While we wait, give this two-part interview a whirl, dust off those seminal records and prepare to be blown away.   Thursday, 18 April 2024 - Green Point A-Track, Green Point, Cape Town Saturday, 20 April 2024 – Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia, Johannesburg For all the details, head to Breakout Events for tickets and more information. 

In a world dictated to by AI and bots, how refreshing is it that Universal Music and Deezer are investing in the fans, super fans, to take back the power from the algorithm to generate real income and sustainable outcomes.