Based: Cape Town

Imagine hearing an extraordinary female voice. Imagine hearing an acoustic and electric violin. Imagine hearing multiple electronic sounds fused with Jazz components and live instruments. Now, imagine hearing it simultaneously. Larah is South Africa’s first singer-violinist who offers an eclectic mix that features in both her live and recorded collection. The sound is off the beaten track with multiple layers, but always accessible to audiences and nothing short of remarkable. 

As a multi-disciplinary creative that started playing the violin at the age of 3, graduated with two first instruments, performed abroad, studied music production in London, composed and produced for film and television, Larah has carved her way through many spheres in the music industry. She has collaborated with top artists – from Afro Pop to Punk- such as Judith Sephuma, J’Something, Donald Moatshe, RJ Benjamin, Albert Frost, Arno Carstens, Dear Reader, Fokofpolisiekar, Prime Circle, DJ Tira, Vicky Sampson and many more. 

Larah is no stranger in her hometown Cape Town, having performed for the opening of the CTICC, Sir Elton John, at three Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts and entertaining top management from Naspers. Her 4th and latest album called Take Four – a word play on Dave Brubeck’s Take Five Jazz standard – is a perfect unplugged unembellished soundtrack to any day of the week. It is delicate, sentimental and nostalgic and with this album she stuck with Jazz. Having proved her salts-worth in various music arenas, it is a natural evolution that Larah would go on and explore more. 

Miss Eksteen can stand her own ground and most certainly does. The vocals are crystal clear and kept rooted to the original which unapologetically contrasts with effortless violin chops and impeccable improvisation