Johannesburg - Prime Circle recently returned from yet another European tour. This time they played Italy for the first time. Since their inaugural tour all those years back their audiences in Germany, London and Austria have increased from a mingy seven people to sold out shows of up to 700. Therese Owen asked lead singer Ross Learmoth about his travel adventures locally and abroad.
First holiday memory?
We never went on a lot of holidays. We went to Sabi Game Reserve. There was a trampoline and that is all I loved to do there. Jump, jump and jump. The place also had springs where people used to swim.
Favourite holiday spot in SA?
I love Umdloti on the KZN north coast. The ocean and the waves are perfect for relaxing and chilling.
Best holiday?
Three years ago I partied on New Year’s Eve and stayed at a friend’s beach bar in Umdloti. We swam, danced, tried to surf, played darts. My surfing skills were hopeless.
Lessons from your travels?
How to pack well and to travel lightly. Although there are language hurdles, the universal one is music. That is what unites people.
Ideal travelling companions?
My band. We work well together. We’re like family.
Beach bum or culture vulture?
Neither. I am a bar fly, ha ha.
Greatest travel luxury?
My Beyer Dynamic headphones. I love listening to music.
Holiday reading?
I like books with weird titles like The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night. I’m always drawn to a strange title and find it a good read.
Which place has seduced you?
Anything in South Africa. I love all the cities, they just make you know “this is home”.
Worst travel experience?
The Alfred Hitchcock Hotel in London. A million fleas attacked me.
Best hotel?
15 On Orange in Cape Town. It’s our second home. I love the spa at the top. They’re good to us and we always feel welcome.
Best meal abroad?
It was an Argentinian restaurant in Paris (I don’t remember the name, just the ambience and the place). We were playing at a bar and afterwards the promoter took us there.
Favourite city?
We have travelled so much but I have to say I love Berlin. It is a city filled with art and music. It is extremely difficult to break into the German market as a musician and we have done just that which feels really amazing.
Where to next?
I’m staying south. We are touring the coast of South Africa. We are playing amazing gigs this summer; we are doing a Let The Night In coastal tour and playing a NYE gig for the Save the Rhinos; we are also playing our own show at Fancourt where we have invited guests such as Khan Morbee from the Parlotones and Gangs of Ballet. The best we are doing is our birthday bash on December 16. We are doing a Prime Circle Air promotion where we have invited fans to a treat at Rand Airport where they can go for flights and then once on the ground, we will perform for an exclusive crowd.
Any international travel planned?
We will be in Europe in the summer of 2015 for their festival season.
Saturday Star