Instrumental pop group Sterling EQ won the Best Instrumental Album award at the Huisgenoot Tempo Awards ceremony in Johannesburg on 23 July. This is the Cape Town based supergroup’s third major award, after winning a Ghoema Music Award earlier this year, and a coveted SAMA in 2011.
Lead player and founder Carina Bruwer honoured producer and composer Mauritz Lotz for his contribution to the winning album Pulse, and thanked Huisgenoot for their continued support for instrumental music, and congratulated the other nominees in the category, namely Rocco de Villiers, CH2, Martin Lane, Ryan Watts and Klipwerf Boereorkes. ”Instrumental music is standing strong in South Africa, and I think that all the nominees have proved that music does not always need lyrics to touch people’s hearts”, she said in her acceptance speech. Cellist Ariella Caira extended special words of thanks to Sterling EQ’s management and production company Five Seasons Entertainment, record company EMI (now Universal), sponsors, friends and family, and the public for voting.
Known for changing the face of instrumental music in South Africa and beyond, Sterling EQ celebrates its 7th year in the industry, boasting more than 800 live performances across 10 countries since 2007, four successful releases and thousands of followers worldwide. These “Musical Movers and Shakers” are, according to The Guardian UK, “simply delightful” and look forward to more releases as they get closer to celebrating a decade in the industry.
** The Tempo Awards took place at the Lyric Theatre @ Gold Reef City on 23 July 2013. Carina and Ariella were dressed by Rosenwerth, and wore jewellery by Jenna Clifford, and shoes by Queue Shoes. **