“Nataal is a media brand and creative studio dedicated to diverse storytelling around Africa and beyond,” founded by actor Alassane Sy, known from ‘MEDITERRANEA – Refugees Welcome?’ by director Jonas Carpignano.
Daniela MÜLLER-BRUNKE c/o WILDFOX RUNNING filmed the 1-minute spot entitled ‘Platteland’ presented here for Nataal : “In this bittersweet story, Blake channels his sad, sexy music into memories of home.”
NATAAL : “Jared Ethan Blake’s story is one of a young South African man who has followed his dreams from the Platteland of the Western Cape to Berlin. The artist grew up between small rural towns where he fell in love with music by singing gospel at church at the early age of only five. From there, he dived into musical theatre and talent competitions, and at one show at a theatre owned by famed author and actor Peter Dirk Uys, his rendition of a Britney Spears song impressed Uys so much that he offered to sponsor Blake to have a private education in Cape Town that nurtured his talents for music and drama. After his studies, Blake worked in fashion magazines while pursuing acting and performance, his ambitions leading him to his present home in Germany.
Blake’s deeply touching songwriting often takes listeners on a journey through his personal experiences of melancholy and a search for love. He sings of a romance that many of us – including himself – dare not express out loud, and it’s through his vulnerability that we can all find ourselves. Following his soulful 2021 debut EP ‘Lovers with Tales’ comes his new release ‘Give It All Away’. We sat down with the artist to talk about that sweet spot between pleasure and pain.”
GoSee : nataal.com/platteland
