Kirsty Bows mixes music with fashion, and she’s taking the world of entertainment by storm. We chat to her about her life.
Q: HAVE YOU ALWAYS LOVED MUSIC AND FASHION?
A: Back in pre-primary, we had a ‘dress up as your idol’ day and I went as a Spice Girl – Baby Spice (but now it’s clear I’m definitely Posh at heart!). The Spice Girls embraced edgy yet elegant fashion that I loved, and at the age of six I also knew I could sing. It was game on from then! It’s almost as if the one activates the other for me. My glove activates the violin’s bow or ‘wand’, as I like think of it. If you ask me to separate music and fashion, that would honestly be like separating air from earth.
Q: WHY COMBINE THE TWO IN YOUR PERFORMANCES?
A: I figured it would be the best combo to deliver a one-of-a-kind audio-visual moment. I am a believer in energy, and to transfer the energy of what you love to somebody else makes the world a better place. The power of two loves is very powerful. Then when I started my Instagram page, I knew this had to be a splash of moments on people’s screens that would manifest even better on the real stage.
Q: WHERE IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU PERFORMED?
A: The USA, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Austria, Dubai, Turkey, UK and SA.
Q: WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE?
A: Hands down, Finkenstein Castle in Austria, where the cellist Hauser has frequently performed. Imagine the scene with me surrounded by picturesque lake and valley greenery, on top of a medieval castle in ruins, in the most divine cheetah-print couture Ruald Rheeder dress. I played on top of the highest wall, with two suited bodyguards next to me. It was pure art and iconic.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
A: Getting a song request on my request series ‘Kirsty Bows It’ on Instagram from Michael Jackson’s former assistant, Sean Phillip, toplay his song ‘Childhood’ for MJ fans worldwide to listen to. Also, being selected as Artist of the Year for Business in Arts South Africa; performing for 50 000 people at Cape Town’s stadium for the Rugby Sevens; and performing and walking the runway for Jacques La Grange Couture.
Q: WHAT SONGS ARE YOUR FAVOURITE TO PERFORM?
A: I thoroughly enjoy Msaki’s tracks, and it was such an honour to perform with her last year. I love performing my rendition of her song ‘Ubomi Abumanga’ with Sun-El Musician, as well as ‘Mama Thula’ by Zakes Bantwini. And when I play ‘Kiss from a Rose’ by Seal, it always makes me feel like Batwoman, he-he!
Q: ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER CREATIVES?
A: Stay consistent and obsessed, believe in yourself and hold gaze with your vision.
Q: WHAT’S NEXT?
A: Are y’all keen for a massive stage performance?!
A: Back in pre-primary, we had a ‘dress up as your idol’ day and I went as a Spice Girl – Baby Spice (but now it’s clear I’m definitely Posh at heart!). The Spice Girls embraced edgy yet elegant fashion that I loved, and at the age of six I also knew I could sing. It was game on from then! It’s almost as if the one activates the other for me. My glove activates the violin’s bow or ‘wand’, as I like think of it. If you ask me to separate music and fashion, that would honestly be like separating air from earth.
Q: WHY COMBINE THE TWO IN YOUR PERFORMANCES?
A: I figured it would be the best combo to deliver a one-of-a-kind audio-visual moment. I am a believer in energy, and to transfer the energy of what you love to somebody else makes the world a better place. The power of two loves is very powerful. Then when I started my Instagram page, I knew this had to be a splash of moments on people’s screens that would manifest even better on the real stage.
Q: WHERE IN THE WORLD HAVE YOU PERFORMED?
A: The USA, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Austria, Dubai, Turkey, UK and SA.
Q: WHICH HAS BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE?
A: Hands down, Finkenstein Castle in Austria, where the cellist Hauser has frequently performed. Imagine the scene with me surrounded by picturesque lake and valley greenery, on top of a medieval castle in ruins, in the most divine cheetah-print couture Ruald Rheeder dress. I played on top of the highest wall, with two suited bodyguards next to me. It was pure art and iconic.
Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR OTHER CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
A: Getting a song request on my request series ‘Kirsty Bows It’ on Instagram from Michael Jackson’s former assistant, Sean Phillip, toplay his song ‘Childhood’ for MJ fans worldwide to listen to. Also, being selected as Artist of the Year for Business in Arts South Africa; performing for 50 000 people at Cape Town’s stadium for the Rugby Sevens; and performing and walking the runway for Jacques La Grange Couture.
Q: WHAT SONGS ARE YOUR FAVOURITE TO PERFORM?
A: I thoroughly enjoy Msaki’s tracks, and it was such an honour to perform with her last year. I love performing my rendition of her song ‘Ubomi Abumanga’ with Sun-El Musician, as well as ‘Mama Thula’ by Zakes Bantwini. And when I play ‘Kiss from a Rose’ by Seal, it always makes me feel like Batwoman, he-he!
Q: ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER CREATIVES?
A: Stay consistent and obsessed, believe in yourself and hold gaze with your vision.
Q: WHAT’S NEXT?
A: Are y’all keen for a massive stage performance?!
FOLLOW KIRSTY
Facebook: Kirsty Bows
Instagram: @kirstybows_
TikTok: kirstybows
Interview: Shani Tsai
Photo: Sasha West Photography
Interview: Shani Tsai
Photo: Sasha West Photography
GET TO KNOW KIRSTY BOWS
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
October 25, 2024
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
October 25, 2024
Rating:
