Centurion guitarist creates music without boundaries

The Citizen

4 days ago

The journey of Centurion musician Andre Liebenberg, known to many as 'The Traveller', was never meant to begin or end with a band.
While he is a celebrated guitarist and founding member of the rock group Vabond, Liebenberg's musical identity has always been deeply personal, rooted in his individual journey as a solo artist.
'I have always had my own identity as an artist with my own solo work,' he said.
'Even long before Vabond, I was already creating my own guitar music, which started back around 2008.'
Liebenberg said the seed for his solo path was planted long ago, especially after spending time in bands that only played cover songs.
He recalled reaching a turning point when he realised he wanted more than simply to reproduce what others had already done.
'I did not want to copy and paste other people's work. That need to create my own sound is what really pushed me.'
And his sound is truly his own.
Unlike the rock-driven energy of his current band, Liebenberg explained that his solo music is introspective and predominantly instrumental, led by acoustic guitar and subtle bass.
He also incorporates rhythmic and percussive elements using the guitar itself, aiming for a sound that is rich in emotion and free of constraints.
'My solo sound is mostly instrumental guitar music, and for the most part, acoustic. I also do some electric guitar, but I really gravitate towards acoustic work,' said Liebenberg.
He told Rekord his productions are grounded in a commitment to authenticity.
Liebenberg plays his own bass parts, and if a song requires drums, he ensures he only includes rhythms he can physically play on a real drum kit.
'That is a big rule for me. I do not program something if I cannot sit behind the drum kit and play it myself.'
He admitted that the biggest challenge of being a solo artist has been gaining recognition and getting his music out to the world.
But instead of becoming discouraged, Liebenberg turned to learning.
'You have to be open to criticism. You have to be willing to learn new things, whether it is about production or how to market yourself. That is how you grow,' he said.
That openness has clearly paid off.
On August 7, Liebenberg's solo work received a major nod when he won Best Instrumental Album at the Afri-Indie Awards for his album Fifty Winters.
He shared that his win is the culmination of years of quiet dedication to crafting music that is honest, emotive, and true to himself.
'It means a lot. It validates the music and inspires me to keep going. My mission is to bring beauty to the world, and I think instrumental music lets people connect with that beauty in a very personal way.'
The award-winning album, which is set to be released in full soon, was created over the course of three months.
LISTEN:
His new song, Evening Blue
Another song on the album, Rendezvous
Liebenberg handled all aspects of the production himself, working from home without a professional studio.
While that comes with its own distractions, he mentioned that he has found ways to manage and remain focused.
One standout track is called Fifty Winters, a song he wrote in reflection of turning 50 this year.
'It is a meaningful track. It captures the experiences and emotions of those 50 years.'
He added that although his solo work and the band have completely unique styles, he has found ways to let both parts of his musical life influence each other.
'Balancing the two can be tricky. Vabond has a heavier rock style, and my solo work is much more mellow. But creatively, it is very exciting. I often find that the things I learn from one will affect how I approach the other.'
Liebenberg said that even though the band was not directly involved in the making of the solo album, they have been nothing but supportive.
'They appreciate my creative process. They were really happy for me when I won,' he added.
He believes the award is proof that honest music still matters.
'I did not focus on making something that would be popular. I wanted to create something beautiful. And this award tells me that there is still space for that.'
Next up for the Centurion musician are two new albums, one instrumental and one vocal, which will mark his first time exploring vocals as a solo artist.
'The next instrumental project will include some heavy metal and hard rock elements, along with ballads. I am expanding the sound.'
He is also open to collaborations with other instrumentalists and genre-bending musicians.
'I have collaborated before, and I would definitely consider doing it again. It brings fresh energy.'
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