‘Prediker’: RAAF’s Gift to the South African Music Scene

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Picture this: a one-way ticket on a musical odyssey, charting a course across a sea of genres, and guided by an album echoing with the innovative sounds of a music phenomenon. This is RAAF, the dynamic duo behind the soul-stirring album, ‘Prediker’, that’s got every corner of South Africa humming their tunes.

Not your everyday band, RAAF – pronounced ‘raven’ in Afrikaans, the language of their heart and heritage – has been casting a magical spell over audiences of all ages with their unique sound. A sound that resists any attempt to fit into a single category, a genre-defying blend that makes every RAAF performance an exciting exploration of musical territories yet unknown.

As one fan shared, “There was… real magic… you owe it to yourself to attend a RAAF show at least once in your lifetime”. If music is a language that transcends barriers, RAAF has a knack for reaching every listener’s soul, transcending age, ethnicity, and language, becoming a universal language of its own.

And now, they’re turning the page to a new chapter with the release of their eagerly-awaited album, ‘Prediker’. This 16-track offering, unveiled single by single, is the culmination of five years of crafting and refining. A labour of love by the inimitable Esté and Lourens Raaf, ‘Prediker’ is much more than an album; it’s an experience, a journey, a narrative that paints the past, present, and future of this remarkable duo.

With its first single, ‘Vrygelatenes’, set to be released on the 9th of June 2023, RAAF is leading us on an extraordinary voyage aboard the metaphorical ‘RAAFtuig’, a vessel where we can dream, dance, remember, and discover who we truly are. It’s the future, it’s Afrikaans, it’s RAAF.

Beyond just making music, RAAF is a celebration of life in all its richness. Their mission is to inspire listeners to live fully, follow their dreams, care for one another, and embrace every opportunity to just… let go. In their words, life is short with so many people to meet and places to see.

RAAF’s story is intrinsically linked to their family name, Rabe. The raven, this beautiful bird that picks one partner for life, is playful, learns quickly, and likes to have fun – an apt metaphor for the musical journey that Esté and Lourens Raaf have undertaken. They found in their family name a symbol that resonates with their art, their passion, and their lives.

Having started as the Bottomless Coffee Band during their student years, they evolved into RAAF in October 2022, unveiling their new identity on RSG (radio sonder grense) at the Stellenbosch Woordfees – the very town where it all began.

With ‘Vrygelatenes’ now available on all digital streaming platforms and two additional singles, ‘Paternoster’ and ‘As en Stof’, lined up for release on the 16th and 23rd of June respectively, it’s time to jump on the RAAFtuig and set sail on an unforgettable journey through sound and emotion.

So grab your headphones, tune in, and allow RAAF to redefine your perception of music. Welcome aboard the RAAFtuig, music lovers, the journey has only just begun!

Listen to the song here: https://vyd.co/Vrygelatenes

PREDIKER tour dates:
14 July – Paternoster, Koelkamers
20 July – George, George Arts Theatre
21 July – Port Elizabeth, Music Kitchen
22 July – Jeffreys Bay, J-Bay Bru Co
27 July – Ermelo, Skemer
28 July – Bloemfontein, Warm Karoo
4 August – Tzaneen, Old Packhouse
5 August – Pretoria, Atterbury Theatre
27 & 28 September – Durbanville, Die Boer

Social media links:
Facebook: RAAF / Bottomless Coffee Band
Instagram: @raaf_bottomlesscoffeeband
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@RAAF
Website: raafhome.co.za
TikTok: raaf_musiek

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