Soulful songbird Carmen Rodrigues has a holiday playlist that we’re putting our hands up and snapping our fingers to right now.
Fraternizing with major labels and big names from the entertainment industry in New York. Performing on private yachts and seeing the world on a grand scale. Playing at popular SA music festivals and venues. But Carmen’s heart has always been drawn to Durban and it’s vibrant summers.
‘Nothing beats the year-end holidays. The festive spirit, endless summer days and the mood between people that just seems to make life so much more cheerful. It’s total bliss! Things have been hard for all of us with Covid, but I am so looking forward to the day we return to some form of normality.’
A country girl living in the picturesque surrounds of Summerveld in Upper Highway, she’s often referred to as the South African Adele. Her upbeat, powerhouse vocals and feel-good music make her one of the most lauded local artists, who thrives on ‘taking people to that special place’. She is also not shy to belt it out in front of thousand-strong crowds.
‘Adele’s music fully understood me. She helped heal me through very difficult times and I wanted to do the same for people in this world.’
From as young as 10, Carmen would sit in her room playing guitar and composing her own songs. She says she wanted to create the kind of music that brought about healing, boosted confidence and got everybody in the mood for a party.
‘At 37… my style is like popcorn… full of surprises. I enjoy the wow factor, spunkiness, the daring edgy-yet-sophisticated look with a definite POP of colour! I’m bold and passionate, I love people and I live on life’s waves in my busy determination to fulfil my big dreams and desires.’
Carmen’s latest single Like Me (which is available on all major platforms like Deezer, YouTube, Spotify, SoundCloud) is an anthem for hard times. She’ll also be releasing a more mature single…. something different from her upbeat party side… in the New Year.
In the meantime Carmen is counting the days to her upcoming gig on December 10 at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Umhlanga, with a host of other performances in the pipeline. Until then, she’s got a fabulous get-the-party-started playlist we know you’ll love, just as much as we do, to play over the hols, so be sure to download these before your year-end shutdown.
Details: You can follow Carmen on
FB: Carmen Rodrigues Music or
IG: @CarmenRMusic
Carmen’s party playlist
- Deliverance – Tanner Wareham
- Send me on my way – Rusted Roots
- Havana – Camila Cabello
- Dancing in the moonlight – Jubel and Neimy
- Summer Vibes Deep House Mix – Alok, Kygo, Calvin Harris, Robin Schulz, Alesso, One Republic
- Blinding lights – The Weekend
- Like Me – Carmen Rodrigues
- Summertime Sadness (Cedric Gervais Remix) – Lana Del Rey
- Mr. Saxobeat – Alexandra Stan
- Raise your glass – P!nk
- Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
- Wake Me Up – Avicii
CREDITS
Photo: Amy White, Double Take Multimedia, Dressed by: Christelle Veress, Bestallda
