Behind the scenes of Openroom
The Fuss has been selected to #CreateWithCanon.
Canon South Africa has given us the pocket-friendly Canon Powershot SX600 HS to use over the next few months; snapping image galleries to give you a look into the things we do, the things we see, the things we create, and the things we love.
In case you didn’t know, we love local music at The Fuss. So it should come as no surprise that we decided to give you a look into one of our favourite contributors to the scene: Openroom Productions.
The music production studio was started 18 years ago by Darryl Torr. Music was a true calling for Darryl; he left his Matric year to pursue a career in music. After spending some time playing in a band and producing others; Darryl saw the need for the creation of a studio space which increases the quality of music, has a certain level of professionalism, and allows creativity within the music production environment. He took it upon himself to create a space that understands the industry, which is when Openroom Productions came to life in 1997.
The company operated out of RBF (Radio Broadcast Facilities) in the SABC complex until it found its home nestled in the heart of Greenside. Along the journey, his contributions and dedication to local music were noted various times. He was recognised in 2012 as one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for his contributions in arts & culture and has also received 3 South African Music Awards – most recently for his work producing Gangs Of Ballet’s Yes/No/Grey album. The most notable gong was a Grammy he received in 2007 for engineering a Soweto Gospel Choir Album. He is known to be a genial and humble individual; so it should came as no surprise that he had his Grammy hidden away in a box. It took some convincing from his team to have the award on display.
His dedication to local music was highlighted again in 2010. Darryl was a part of the Dear Reader duo who received considerable success with a SAMA award and Europe music tours. Their label, City Slang, asked him to move to Europe as it was better for them to be based there. Darryl declined the offer, choosing to leave the band to focus on his work as an engineer and producer.
It is the same commitment that saw him launch Openroom TV. The platform is an online music and lifestyle streaming channel founded on an appreciation for technology, a love of music and the vision to create an accessible, interactive platform that is an alternative to the commercial norm. Following the cancellation of MK’s TV channel, Openroom TV has created a necessary platform for the exploration, exhibition, and examination of music of an alternative and independent nature.
Take a look behind the scenes of Openroom Productions and Openroom TV through the lens of our Canon.
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