Far From Since When

SOUTH AFRICAN SONGBIRD AND CAJUN DRUMMER MEET, MAKE MUSIC, MOVE YOU.

As musical storylines go, the tale of Far From Since When is one for the books. An introverted, precocious, language-aware South African girl, raised during apartheid, moved to Texas and found her own beautiful voice. In Baton Rouge, a young man’s head was swimming with jazz, an as-yet-unknown but gifted drummer finding the beat.

As a child, Candice Goetsch discovered music through hymns. But it wasn’t until a life-altering move overseas at age 10 that the stage was set for her to find true solace in guitar, in piano, in writing songs of her own. Singing with bands, by herself, and collaborating with some world-class musicians along the way, she eventually found the ear of a producer who invited her to lend her songs to a “Best of Texas” compilation album.

A passionate beat-keeper, lifelong student of drums, heavily influenced by the rich music of his native Louisiana, Kevin had studied under numerous jazz and percussion heavyweights, played the blues bars there and back again, and been in high demand for live and studio performances. He had moved from Louisiana to neighboring Texas in 1997, immediately finding work in bands that saw him play for 20 to 20,000 people over the next two years.

Enter that “Best of Texas” project and a songwriter who so moved Kevin that he vowed he would play with her for free. Soon after, the two were married.

As the years have passed, the duo’s music has incubated, evolved and matured into the band known as Far From Since When.

Their debut offering, “To Feel,” is about humanity. Candice claims, “We put our ugly guts into it.” To record songs that are honest, raw and beautiful is to observe the barrier between carnal and sacred and plow right through it. This, they have done with sublime musical artistry and great empathy for their audience. “To Feel” is a perfect introduction to Far From Since When -- a collection of songs that uplift, challenge, and find resonance in any open heart.