Old Graemian, Joao De Fanseco has sprung into the music scene with a fresh new flavour in the form of live house music band, “Mi Casa”. This soulful group is rapidly taking over radio airwaves and TV screens in South Africa and other countries.
Old Graemian, Joao De Fanseco has sprung into the music scene with a fresh new flavour in the form of live house music band, “Mi Casa”. This soulful group is rapidly taking over radio airwaves and TV screens in South Africa and other countries.
When he moved to Grahamstown about ten years ago, De Fanseco attended Graeme College to complete his schooling. The college's principal, Peter Reed, said it was in the Student Christian Association where Joao’s musical talents were exposed, and his enthusiasm for life is an example for many. “Joao is a true Graemian; reflecting everything we stand for and as a school we are all very proud of his achievements which are richly deserved,” Reed said.
Between the ages of four and five Joao was already singing his heart out to family members with a make-believe guitar and keyboard. When he reached high school, however, he came to a turning point in his musical career at a hostel Christmas function one year. After performing a song he had written with a friend, Songezo Mangqishi, his music writing skills and performance style blossomed. While he was still only performing at small school events, his passion grew until it turned into something that was soon recognised by the big music guns.
And so it was, that in 2010 De Fanseco’s talent was recognised by Soul Candi Records. He gives a lot of credit to his record label for his success, but also his friends who gave him confidence and the will to succeed. "My friends gave me the self-belief, and my label, Soul Candi Records gave me the platform." He is also grateful to his family, especially his mother and brother, who he said made sure that he thought about things properly before acting.
For a performer, De Fanseco admitted that he is actually quite a shy person. Once he gets on stage, however, a new person comes out – one that can conquer the world with the gentle, soulfulness of his voice. His close friend, Brent Williams said of him: “Shy? Definitely not on stage!" Williams described him as a confident and passionate performer while on stage, but also a humble person who strives for excellence on and off the stage.
De Fanseco said that ever since he can remember, he has dreamt of being a professional musician. After matriculating he performed a small tour in his homeland of Portugal, where he got a greater feel of what he could be doing. He decided to study first though, and got his BComm degree in Management Sciences at the University of Stellenbosch.
Now De Fanseco is a part of Mi Casa, the live house band that is the first of its genre that Soul Candi Records has signed. They were discovered at a party in Sandton at the Radisson Hotel when he and fellow band mates, Dr. Duda and Mo-T, were DJs and De Fanseco had asked to sing along. He immediately captivated the attention of the crowd and fortunately, management from Soul Candi Records were a part of that crowd.
De Fanseco is mainly the vocalist and song writer for Mi Casa, but he also plays guitar from time to time. The other musicians in the group are Mo-T who plays the trumpet and Dr. Duda, who is the producer / DJ, who also plays the saxophone and keyboard.
Mi Casa’s first music video for their first single, 'These Streets' has just recently been released and is regularly played on Channel O and MTV. It is also charted on radio stations like Metro FM, 5FM and YFM to name but a few.
Their music video can be watched on www.youtube.com/micasaTVroom and you can follow them on www.micasamusic.com as well as on Twitter: @MiCasaMusic, Facebook: MiCasaMusic and on the website www.soundcloud.com/micasamusic.
