TOUCHING HEARTS & ROCKING SOULS

By: Melissa Mc Alpine

Music binds us in a way that language rarely does and listening to Takura Terry sing, it’s easy to see why people are so taken by him. A self-taught musician from a large family, Terry was born and raised in Zimbabwe. He started out by playing the guitar and reciting poetry. From there, he and a friend ventured into the world of rap, and a few years later, after finishing school, Terry picked up a guitar and taught himself music, one note at a time.

His dreams of making it big in Zimbabwe were sadly dashed when the record company he signed up with ran into financial difficulties and went under, leaving him stranded. It was at this point that Terry realised the only hope he had of getting his music out there was for him to relocate elsewhere, so he travelled to South Africa and settled down in Hermanus where he worked in the hospitality industry to earn a living. In his spare time, Terry continued playing his music, got to know the area and took up karate under Sen- sei Ruan van Romberg, who mentored Terry and had a positive influence over him.

During lockdown, Terry met Emmanuel Bhande (aka Manex) at a gig in Hermanus. He heard Manex playing the guitar and liked what he heard. The two became good friends and started making music together. Since then, they’ve brought out two albums, the latest of which is called “Red Wine & Coffee.” The name came about during the gloomy time of lockdown. The red wine symbolises the temporary escape from feelings we’d rather not experience. The coffee is the antidote, that “morning after” feeling of “I’ve had my coffee, now let’s get this day started.”

While Terry and Manex may sometimes let the red wine get to their heads, their feet remain firmly on the ground. It’s this humility that emanates from them as well as their music that reaches right into one’s soul.

Asked what his advice for aspiring musicians is, Terry says: “Buy the best guitar you can afford, believe in yourself and never sell yourself short.”

“Settle for a glass of red, because sometimes life requires red wine… and coffee.”

- Takura Terry

Other Facts about Takura Terry:

• Musical influences include Tracy Chapman, Mumford & Sons, Kanye, Austin & Elliot.

• Terry believes that success is measured by personal growth.

• The pair would like to tour and travel to Toronto, Germany, China, Japan, UK, Amsterdam.

• Growing up, Takura Terry had plans of becoming a chartered accountant.

• Other SA musicians the pair would be interested in collaborating with include the likes of Mikosi, Amanda Black, Albert Frost and Zahara.