
The Congo Cowboys are known worldwide for their blend of traditional African and country tunes, and they’re bringing their electrifying performance to East London on Friday November 17 at Old Selbornian Club.
The group was formed in 2016 by Freshlyground members, Simon Atwell on banjo, Julio Sigauque on bass and Chris Bakalanga on guitar and vocals.
The group makes music that they describe as ‘African cowboy’, a mixture of bluegrass and country, reimagined through African rhythms and soukous guitar.
While the band dabbles in American music, the message remains true to Africa.
“Without getting too heavy, our story is about exploring and weaving into our songs the history of the banjo, which left Africa to America on slave ships,” Atwell said.
“The akonting was a banjo-like instrument in Central and West Africa. We are bringing the banjo back to Africa,” he said.
Bakalanga is from Congo and has contributed greatly to the music that they make.
“I am from Kinshasa in the Congo, and in the ‘50s there was a group of gangs called the Congo Cowboys. We perform music that also has roots in America — old banjo tunes and traditional slave songs.
“We reinterpret these tunes with an African flavour, and I sing in the Congolese language of Lingala, that’s what makes us the Congo Cowboys,” he said.
In 2019, they released their self-titled EP, which was followed by their second EP, Yoka, in 2021. They have performed in Germany, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Zimbabwe.
The group is recording their first full length album, which they aim to release in January. For tickets and info, contact 082-660-6586 or 083-797-3546.