Lowveld Local | Natascha C

Singer, writer and performer Natascha C is one of Nelspruit’s shining stars! With a big personality, breath-taking voice, and cracking sense of humour, it’s hard not to fall under Natascha’s spell. She is the kind of person you could spend a week with and not run out of things to say.

When did your passion for music start – was there a pivotal moment?

I don’t think there was a starting point, music was always there.  Piaf and Brel, Streisand, Abba, Pavarotti – you name it we listened to it! My Mum had 7 brothers and sisters and they would always sing in perfect harmony. Everyone played an instrument, my grandpa was phenomenal on the guitar and my grandma trained as a concert pianist before the war. My father’s father started a community orchestra when he was still at school and recorded an album called ICHTUS. So I guess I was born into music, it runs through my veins!

My pivotal moment was probably in 2000. I had taken up singing lessons again for fun and performed in a house concert. I did Elton John’s Sorry and the reaction from the audience just triggered something inside me. The joy you can bring to people by singing, the emotions you can share, is a feeling no money in the world can buy.

What is your musical style?

Dutch and French Cabaret runs through my veins, the music of Piaf and Brel is where my heart lies. I also love performing old blues, jazz and soul numbers. Songs like ‘cry me a river’, ‘I put a spell on you’, ‘Sway’, ‘feeling good’, ‘man’s world’, the songs that used to be sang in smoky cigar lounges with an old school mic!

Who are your musical heroes?

I am not one for idols, but I do have a lot of respect for people like Amanda Strydom and Laurika Rauch, who are masters at what they do. Also people like Karen Zoid who is a brilliant artist and has worked her butt off to get where she is today. When it comes to who I admire vocally, well the list has no end!

Is show business as glamorous as everyone thinks?

People often think it is glamorous, but they don’t realise that the actual performance is only a tiny part of being and artist. You need to constantly learn the words of new songs, without forgetting the old ones! Plan wardrobes, organise your own equipment, do sound checks, rigging, rehearsals, marketing and PR. I spend most of my time sending emails to theatres and venues hoping that they might need an artist for some future event. It is a full time job and even the performing part can have its downside. Spending days and sometimes weeks away from home can get lonely, especially as a lot of bookings are on weekends when most people get to spend time with their own families. Still, I have a lot of fun and feel very blessed to have a job I love!

What has been your biggest musical achievement to date?

It is hard to say, as it has been a combination of things that have got me to where I am today and still there is always room to grow and improve. In this business you can always get better, that is what keeps it exciting and fresh! Something that I am tremendously proud of is that I have performed at every single Innibos since the very first festival. Nelspruit is my home town and I love everything about it, so being able to perform in front of a home town audience is always very special. I have also written three theatre productions and each of them have been a big success, so this is also something I am immensely proud of.

What has been your favourite memory and worst moment so far?

I have been so lucky and have had so many special moments on stage, it’s impossible to single one out. The best moments are when a show brings you out in goosebumps. It could be because you are sharing the stage with a great artist, you are performing in front of a special audience or simply because the lighting is creating a special mood. Often it is impossible to pinpoint why a show is so special, it simply is!

Worst moment for any singer is when you have to cancel a show due to illness. We have no control over these things which makes it worse and of course “no work, no pay” just adds to the pain!

What are your dreams for the future?

People always ask, “When will you get famous?” I think a lot of people confuse fame with success. I would love to be a successful artist who always has work. If fame comes as well that’s OK, but it also makes you someone else’s property, to always be judged and your life is never your own. So for me the dream would be for success and perhaps the day where I can simply arrive at a venue, do the sound check and then start performing without any other worries or cares.

What does the next year have in store for you?

I am very excited about the next 6-12 months! I now have a manager who will handle most of my admin and bookings. I am doing very well as an upmarket corporate event artist, so that will be my main focus along with small theatre.  It feels like I am starting a new chapter in my career. With the new direction comes an updated look and image, which is exciting. While it is important to stick with what you do well, you should never stagnate and have to move with the times. It is doing this while staying true to yourself which is the difficult part!

What advice would you give for someone trying to break into show business?

The only advice I could give is NEVER STOP trying to be better. Practise as hard as you can, keep going to lessons, be thick skinned, listen to constructive criticism, take part in every single competition, sing at every event, even put up a stage in your back garden and perform to friends! Oh and also ALWAYS do your vocal warm ups, as no one is ever good enough not to!