RIAAN NIEUWENHUIS /
ABOUT
INTERACTIVE
SESSIONS
ALBUMS:
BLEEDING MOONREMINISCENCE
COLLABORATOR
INSTIGATOR
MEDIATOR
PHOTO GALLERY
MUSIC DIARIES
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CONTACT
Riaan Nieuwenhuis is a composer and multi-instrumentalist, based in South Africa. His music spans the genres of Indie Rock to New Age, Classical and Blues. Compositions range from spacious, ethereal and melodic piano, to adrenalin-pumping, power-driven rock instrumentals.
Riaan has travelled the world, exchanging musical ideas and interacting with foreign musicians. Fusing his own ideas with these and local South African influences, he creates dynamic and delicate world compositions while maintaining his originality.
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Riaan has travelled the world, exchanging musical ideas and interacting with foreign musicians. Fusing his own ideas with these and local South African influences, he creates dynamic and delicate world compositions while maintaining his originality.
read more
Mediator Album
Riaan's instrumental double album, Mediator is available at selected outlets, including Amazon.com.
CD 1 consists of warm, contemplative, piano instrumentals. The twelve classical-contemporary tracks reflect the composer's blues influences. The melodies are delicate, minimalistic, spacious, and at times nostalgic yet epic. There is a distant, mysterious feel about these tracks. In essence it is relaxing, flowing and unique in its originality.
CD 2 consist of eleven original, powerful, more pulsing lounge instrumentals varying in genre and instruments. These energetic crossover-lounge/indie compositions reflect elements of funk, jazz, blues, latin, and classical.
The piano acts as mediator between the two CD's as the foundation from which each track has been composed. Other instruments include drums, bass, electric and acoustic guitars, sax, accordion, strings and harmonica.
Riaan Nieuwenhuis : Mediator. CD review by Mariana Malan, Friday 20-1-2012, Die Burger Newspaper.
Memories go a long way back when one hears the name Riaan Nieuwenhuis.He was everywhere where the blues was played, sometimes slightly hidden behind his keyboard, but always on the note.
He was part of several bands, but one could not actually suspect that he is also a composer and arranger to the music on this double album.
The first album sooths the senses properly, and the second overpower you with accessible blues.
There is saxophone, but also cello, violin and accordion. Together with the skilled Nieuwenhuis on piano, there are two other Nieuwenhuis brothers-Rikus on drums and Andre on Harmonica, as well as the track BOOGIE TRAP.
Melissa van der Spuy makes a visit on accordion on the lovely De la Noche and guitars with different personalities fill in.
From cool blue to red-hot, this double album grows on your heart.
[Translated. Album received four stars.]
Other local newspaper reviews:
- Paarl Post - RIAAN RELEASES A NEW ALBUM [By Liezl Dyson]
- Eikestadnuus - MEDIATING MELODIES [By Elbe Van Heerden]
- District Mail - BETWEEN EXTREMES [By Illana Frantz]
[Translated. Album received four stars.]
The album is being added to stores continuously, and is currently available at the following outlets:
CD Mail Orders
- CD Mail orders from Riaan at riaanmusic@yahoo.com or 0832730658.
Cape Town
- The African Music Store, 134 Long Street, Cape Town (www.africanmusicstore.co.za)
- Mabu Vinyl & Sugar Music, 2 Rheede Street, Gardens, Cape Town (www.mabuvinyl.co.za)
Clanwilliam
- Emil's Place, 33 Main Street, Clanwilliam, 8135. Tel +27 27 482 2661. Email: emile@isales.co.za
Franschoek
- African Art Gallery,40 Hugenot Rd, Franschoek, 7600 (www.africanartgallery.co.za). Tel +27 21 8762960.
Kleinmond
- La Pause, Kleinmond Spar centre, Kleinmond.
- Shopping Safari, The Yard, Harbor Rd, Kleinmond. Tel +27 72 0542223. Email: info@fynboscottage.co.za
Paarl
- Kikka, 217 Main Rd, Paarl, 7646. Tel +27 21 872 0685 Fax +27 872 1843 (www.kikka.co.za).
- Lyftaal, Peroldstraat 6, Paarl. Tel +27 21 863 4915. Email: paarlinfo@lyftaal.co.za (www.lyftaal.co.za)
- MikRi GaLLeRy, 68 Mill St, Paarl, 7646. Tel +27 82 373 0402 (mikrigallery.weebly.com | Facebook).
- Sante Wellness Spa. Tel +27 21 875 8100 (www.santesa.co.za)
- sit Cafe. 125 Main Rd, Paarl, 7646. Tel +27 72 397 5714 (Facebook)
Stellenbosch
- Protea Bookshop, Bergzicht Plaza, Andringa Street, Stellenbosch
- Classix on CD, Stellenbosch
- W Heuer, Stellenbosch (www.wheuer.co.za)
- La Pineta Restaurant, Stellenbosch (www.forest44.co.za)
- Lanzerac Spa, Jonkershoek Road, Lanzerac Estate, Stellenbosch. Tel +27 21 883 9444 / +27 21 883 9515 (www.healthandbeautyfinder.co.za/lanserac_spa/)
- Hazendal Wine Estate Resturaunt, Bottelary Wine Route, Stellenbosch. (www.hazendal.co.za/attractions/restaurant/)
- Delaire Graff Wine Lounge, Stellenbosch. Tel +27 21 885 8160 (www.delaire.co.za/index.php/wines/the-wine-lounge/)
Riaan performs regularly at Delaire Wine Lounge. For details contact him here.
Vredendal
- TREFFERS, 22 Voortrekker Str, Vredendal.