Arno Carstens should need very little introduction to most South African listeners of the AlmaCast.

As the front man for the Springbok Nude Girls, he and his band led the line of the new wave of South African alternative music in the 1990's. We met at the Alma Cafe three hours before his latest show there. What followed was a whirlwind of perspectives and anecdotes. From the halcyon days of the mid to late nineties, to the doubt of his early solo career and his future aspirations.

From the Rolling Stones in Barcelona, to the dog bowls of Linden, Johannesburg! It's all here!

Structured, it was not. But insightful, it most certainly was.

What I enjoyed most about our conversation was the willingness of Arno to share his ideas: about the state of the music industry and his passion for his craft.

It's infectious. It's raw. And, it's another unique conversation with one of the Alma's most recent, favourite sons.

The episode concludes with an acoustic rendition of "About a Girl" recorded that night and taken from his album "Out of the Light and Into the Night".

Recorded May 19th 2023