Songs are created in different ways… sometimes with a specific idea and message in mind and other times words and melodies just come together perfectly to create a catchy pop song.
This is exactly how singer-songwriter, Cornel Viljoen’s latest single – AS JY NABY IS – was created and his hope is that it will appeal to listeners of all ages.
“The song means a lot to me, because sometimes I feel isolated from everyone else. Life can get so hectic that you don’t even notice the people around you… and even when you do, you still feel lonely. AS JY NABY IS reminds me of exactly that,” the singer explains. “I think the song can take listeners to many places, whether physically or emotionally. People will like it because it is unique and I tried to make it my own by adding drums, guitar and 80’s sounds in the background.”
Cornel initially had a rock song in mind. However, after playing it on the piano, he realized that it needed a gentler approach. He did the recording himself and finalized it with the help of Peach van Pletzen.
Johan de Kock produced the stunning music video. It was filmed in the small Free State town, Memel, because the musician has very special memories there. “I wanted to keep things simple and do a performance video. But it evolved into something much more. I am very nostalgic about Memel and when I wrote this song, I immediately thought of shooting the video there to convey the message of someone who feels far from his loved when she is actually close to him,” he shares.
AS JY NABY IS is his third single and follows in the footsteps of Ek Weet and Wonderwerk, which currently features on radio stations nationwide. Both singles have music videos that are available on YouTube.
Cornel grew up in the Vereeniging and has been working in the music industry since 2009. He gained fame as part of the group, Splinter Town, who released songs like Broken Sky, The River and Calling You. The band also shared the stage with big names like Dr Victor and The Rasta Rebels, Van Coke Kartel and Die Heuwels Fantasties.
Although he started playing guitar at the age of fourteen, studied at COPA, is a worship leader at his church and wrote songs for various artists, he only recently decided to focus on his solo career.
He enjoys listening to meaningful music, and shares that he would love to work with the likes of Die Heuwels Fantasties and Spoegwolf someday.
“I love songs with a powerful message and catchy melody. That is the type of music that I want to create, and my work should include something of everything”, he says.
Cornel loves cooking and acting, but for now his music is his main focus and his aim is to speak to people’s hearts through his creations.
This versatile musician learnt that hard work, passion and practice are the most important ingredients for success. AS JY NABY IS is a beautiful result of the hard work and passion that he has already invested in his career and is one of those songs that will stay with you long after hearing it for the first time.
The single is now available on all digital platforms. Download it here:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/za/album/as-jy-naby-is/1590291211?i=1590291213
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1zqa3adSl6xJqbPeiwQb6r?si=mkMQM_SfRyOhLCWGHc3j5w
Cornel Viljoen Steel Harte Met Nuwe Popsnit “As Jy Naby Is”
Liedjies word op verskillende maniere geskep… soms met ’n spesifieke idee en boodskap in gedagte en ander kere vloei die woorde en melodieë net perfek saam om lewe te gee aan ’n lekkerluister popsnit.
Dit is presies hoe die musikant en liedjieskrywer, Cornel Viljoen, se nuutste enkelsnit – AS JY NABY IS – ontstaan het en hy hoop dat dit die nodige emosie by luisteraars sal ontlok.
“Die liedjie lê my na aan die hart, omdat ek partykeer ver voel van almal af. Ons lewe is soms so ’n gejaag dat jy nie eers agterkom dat jy tussen mense is nie… en al is jy tussen hulle, kan jy steeds alleen voel. AS JY NABY IS herinner my hieraan,” verduidelik die sanger. “Ek dink die snit kan luisteraars baie plekke heen vat, hetsy fisies of emosioneel. Mense sal daarvan hou omdat dit uniek is en ek dit my eie probeer maak het met dromme, kitaar en 80’s klanke in die agtergrond.”
Cornel het aanvanklik ’n rockliedjie in gedagte gehad. Nadat hy dit egter op die klavier gespeel het, het hy besef dat dit ’n sagter aanslag moes hê. Hy het die opname self behartig en met die hulp van Peach van Pletzen gefinaliseer.
Johan de Kock was verantwoordelik vir die opname van die besonderse musiekvideo. Dit is in die klein Vrystaatse dorpie, Memel, verfilm omdat die musikant baie spesiale herinneringe het daar. “Ek wou dinge eenvoudig hou en ’n optrede-video gehad het. Maar dit het ontaard in soveel meer. Ek is baie nostalgies oor Memel en toe ek hierdie lied geskryf het, het ek dadelik gedink om die video daar te skiet om die boodskap oor te bring van iemand wat ver voel van sy geliefde wat eintlik naby aan hom is,” deel hy.
AS JY NABY IS is sy derde enkelsnit en volg in die voetspore van Ek Weet en Wonderwerk wat tans oor radiostasies landswyd gehoor kan word. Beide snitte word ook gekomplementeer deur pragtige musiekvideo’s wat op YouTube beskikbaar is.
Cornel het in Vereeniging grootgeword en is reeds vanaf 2009 amptelik in die musiekbedryf doenig as deel van die groep, Splinter Town, wat bekend is vir die liedjies, Broken Sky, The River en Calling You. Hulle het ook die voorreg gehad om saam met groot name soos Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels, Van Coke Kartel en Die Heuwels Fantasties op te tree.
Alhoewel hy al op veertien begin kitaar speel het, by COPA studeer het, baie betrokke is by die musiekbediening in sy kerk en vir verskeie kunstenaars liedjies geskryf het, het hy eers onlangs besluit om op sy solo-loopbaan ’n kans te gee.
Hy geniet musiek met ’n boodskap en sonder Die Heuwels Fantasties en Spoegwolf uit as groepe saam met wie hy nog graag eendag sou wou werk.
“Enige musiek met ’n mooi boodskap en melodie is vir my stunning. Ek wil ook so skryf en my werk moenie in ’n boksie geplaas word nie – dit moet iets van alles wees”, sê hy.
Cornel het ’n groot liefde vir kosmaak en toneelspeel, maar musiek bly vir hom die belangrikste en vir nou fokus hy daarop om mense se harte te raak met wat hy skep.
Hy het geleer dat harde werk, passie en oefening baie belangrike bestanddele is as jy graag sukses wil bereik. AS JY NABY IS is nie net ’n pragtige resultaat van die werk en passie wat hy reeds in sy loopbaan belê het nie, maar is ook een van daai liedjies wat jou sal bybly lank nadat jy dit vir die eerste keer gehoor het.
Die liedjie is nou op alle digitale platforms beskikbaar. Kry dit hier:
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/za/album/as-jy-naby-is/1590291211?i=1590291213
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1zqa3adSl6xJqbPeiwQb6r?si=mkMQM_SfRyOhLCWGHc3j5w
