Lira’s Return To Love is coming

Superstar Lira is back and ready to blow us all away again with her new album- coming at the end of this month. The album titled Return To Love is the multiple SAMA-winner’s fourth studio album. (2003′s ALL MY LOVE, 2006’s FEEL GOOD, 2008′s SOUL IN MIND).
Being the first South African artists to release a live music concert on DVD proves that the lovely Lira is always one step ahead, pushing the boundaries and making the unlikely seem quite easy. On this 11-track album, that is the case too says Lira, “On this album, too I didn’t want to be restrained in what sounds we included on the album so there is some funk, ragga, urban, traditional African sounds, and, of course, plenty of soul.”

I cannot wait for this album to be released. She truly is one of my favourite artists, locally and abroad. I have two fond memories of the lovely Lira. Back in 2008, I went through to Sun City for the annual South African Music Awards. On the Friday night before the big show, there were a whole host of artists performing in different areas around The Palace. In the main banquet area, jazz muso Jimmy Dludlu performed whilst people mingled, chatted, networked and were getting ready for SA’s big night in music. At one point he stopped and said he’d liked to welcome his close friend onto the stage to perform a song. He said she wasn’t aware of this but she’d do it justice and without further ado, he called on Lira to the stage. Let me tell you, for someone who wasn’t expecting to be called up to perform, she blew me away. Really what a good sport- and it was just the next night that she walked off with a few SAMAs for her cabinet. So well deserved.

My other memory of this lovely lady is when I interviewed her in 2009 for The Von Vodcast. The interview was simple, classy just like she is. At the end of the episode I asked her to perform one of the songs from the album, to which she was more than happy to oblige. I was surprised because in previous experience, other musicians have said thanks but no thanks. Not Lira, she took the bull by the horns and gave it her all. Believer is still one of my favourite tracks. Not only is her voice exquisitely beautiful, clear in it, but she performed it exclusively for me. I don’t know if I’ve ever said thank you to her, but if she sees this post, Lira. Thank you! I can’t wait to hear this new album and find out more from you in the weeks to come.

LIRA ONLINE:
Twitter: @miss_lira
Facebook: Lira
Website: http://www.misslira.co.za/

VIDEOS OF LIRA
Lira on The Von Vodcast

Gearing up for the Fifa World Cup:

Lira: Hamba (Live in Concert)

R&B star Craig David on The Von Vodcast

Ninja Assassin stars on The Von Vodcast

In this week’s episode of The Von Vodcast, Jason Von Berg travels to The Big Apple to interview some of the stars from the film Ninja Assassin. The film, which releases countrywide on Friday the 29th of January, tells the story of Raizo; one of the deadliest ninjas around. After an incident that leaves his love interest dead, he escapes the secret society of the Ozunu clan; he goes into hiding where he plots his revenge. Watch the interview.

Gearing up for the L'ormarins Queen's Plate

Tomorrow I’m jetting off to Cape Town to cover the L’ormarins Queen’s Plate. It’s one of South Africa’s oldest races, now in its 149th year. I’ve never been before, but if it’s anything like the J&B Met, it’s bound to be lots of fun. The theme is blue and white and according to the invite, all Ladies are expected to wear hats and the guys are asked to wear suits. Heatwave in CT + suit + budget= a slight problem for me, but we’ll make it work. Some of the performers on the line up include Goldfish, Shaun Duvet, Just Jinger and The Gang Of Instrumentals and you can check out this week’s episode of The Von Vodcast above to find out how ready they are for the races- and I’ll be bringing you all the video highlights on Saturday. You can also listen to my interview with Ard Matthews of Just Jinger below:

The Best Of The Von Vodcast 2009

It’s been a busy year on The Von Vodcast and host Jason Von Berg has traveled far and wide to get up close with some of the biggest names in entertainment. See what Annie Lennox thinks about The Von Vodcast, check out the one on one with Invictus star, Morgan Freeman; What does actor Jamie Bartlett eat for lunch and see an exclusive performance by multiple SAMA winner Lira in this and more in The Best Of The Von Vodcast for 2009.

Bow Wow on The Von Vodcast

Actor and rapper Bow Wow was recently in South Africa for the finale of Big Brother Africa. I caught up with on The Von Vodcast him to find out more about his music career and what big movie roles viewers can expect to see him in next year.

Getting to know Miss SA, Nicole Flint

She’s only been Miss South Africa for a couple of days, but already the new Miss South Africa, Nicole Flint is hard at work. Jason Von Berg finds out more about the beauty in this week’s episode of The Von Vodcast.

Invictus star Morgan Freeman on playing Mandela

The film Invictus opens worldwide tomorrow. It tells the story of how former President Nelson Mandela joined forces with Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar to help unify a very divided South Africa through the universal language of sport. On Tuesday I got the opportunity to chat to Morgan about this role, the film and what he’s hoping people will take out of the film.

Personally, interviewing him was the highlight of my career and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to him. He’s wise, humble and so relaxed… which helps. Trust me, walking into that interview my heart skipped a beat (or seven). What I also enjoyed about the interview was the fact that he took time to think about what he was going to say, he wasn’t just churning out a rehearsed answer for the purposes of getting it over with. I listen during my interviews, unlike a lot of people, but in this interview I felt like he was almost testing me to see if I was indeed listening. It was great, really it was. The film is also inspiring and well produced. Well done to Clint Eastwood and to his production team. I’m certain this is going to be a strong contender at next year’s Academy Awards! Check it out in theatres tomorrow!

Singer Selaelo Selota on The Von Vodcast

Singer Selaelo Selota performed a special story-telling set to a few select Kaya FM listeners in Zambia last week. Jason Von Berg went along and caught up the star. Watch this week’s episode of The Von Vodcast for more.

Kenyan star, Liz Ogumbo on The Von Vodcast

We’re going international, but from Africa… today’s episode of The Von Vodcast is with the super-talented Liz Ogumbo. She’s from Kenya, a fashion designer, model and singer. Gosh, anything else she wants to add to that resume? Well I’m sure there will be more things to come in the future! I look forward to it. In the mean time, check out the video above to find out more about this lady!