At SAE Institute, we’re proud to celebrate the bold, brilliant and boundary-pushing journeys of our alumni making waves across the creative industries. Meet Francois Viviers — sound producer, performer and entrepreneurial spirit — whose passion for music and storytelling has carved out a vibrant and inspiring path in the South African entertainment scene.
Tell us a bit about your journey since graduating from SAE.
What have been some of the most exciting milestones or shifts in your career?
Well, after I graduated, I took a bit of a detour in my career. I, along with a lifelong friend, founded a company called “Nog ‘n Dag in Potch”. The company began as a social media page where we interviewed locals in the party scene and gathered authentic reactions to burning questions. We quickly started using the traction on the platform as a basis for social media marketing and soon began MC’ing events due to popularity and our personalities.
Although the three years that “Nog ‘n Dag in Potch” was my whole day every day, I founded a band called “Kerk Straat”, a brand-new Original Afrikaans Alternative Rock band, in pursuit of my lifelong dream of producing and performing. We also quickly gained traction and have performed over 20 gigs in our first 6 months.
The experience I gained from social media, along with the education from SAE, has helped me to run the band completely independently. Our first single “Val” was released in early May, and we were so surprised by the positive feedback from fans and the industry. We even featured on a live interview with Groot FM. The most recent exciting addition to my life story is that I might have a chance to be the new producer at Vonk, one of the largest Afrikaans record labels in the country.
How did your time at SAE help shape your path as an artist and professional in the sound/music industry?
Were there specific skills, experiences or people that had a lasting impact?
I have to say SAE and its awesome lecturers helped me shape my perspective on the music industry. They equipped me with the tools I needed to carve my way into the industry without losing my sound. They helped me realise that having something to bring to the table is the biggest asset anyone looking to pursue a career in the music industry can have.
“Never just be another face following the beaten path” are words that stuck with me from my first year EMP class. SAE also structures professionalism into their way of doing things, which I found made me adapt to the industry as a newcomer very easily.
Your latest release “Val” is amazing!
Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the song and what the creative process was like?
Thank you so much. Val was one of the first demos our band got together to help us get some gigs and exposure. The song was written as a type of satirical joke on how guys can’t seem to stop falling for the same type of girls over and over again. The message is, of course, disguised in cool guitar riffs and lovey-dovey melodies.
I became quite close with Francois Van Coke over the years, having met him at an event where Nog ‘n Dag MC’d, and after he listened to the demos, he politely demanded that Val should be the first song we release. And when Francois Van Coke gives you that type of advice, you listen. The members of the band are also some of the best musicians anyone could ask for, so their own impressions and styles really helped shape the song to what it is. Seeing that I do all the band production, we could all sit in a room and play as well as change the song as much as we needed to get what we needed from it.
You’re involved in @KerkStraat_official and your blog @Nog_n_dag_in_potch.
How do you balance your various creative projects, and what keeps you inspired?
I’m the type of person that pours all my energy into one thing until it works out. That’s why I’m grateful to my Co-Director of Nog ‘n Dag in Potch – Wehan van Rooyen. He runs the day-to-day of the page while I pursue my dream with Kerk Straat. Seeing as Nog ‘n Dag is my baby that grew up, we have more time to pursue other ventures while business still goes on. Kerk Straat, being the new obsession, demands a lot of time and energy that I am more than happy to give it. Going out to gigs or rehearsals is some of the best moments, and getting to spend time producing my own band on music I LOVE is an absolute dream come true.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned while navigating the music industry so far?
Are there any challenges you’ve faced that taught you something valuable?
Like I’ve mentioned, having something to bring to the table is the biggest challenge. Many artists spend their entire lives perfecting their craft but never get the opportunity to achieve great heights. Combining the lifelong passion with what will work in the industry is the perfect combination for anyone to “bring something to the table”. Originality is also the biggest factor of any successful artist.
Looking back, what advice would you give to current SAE students or aspiring sound engineers and producers?
Anything you wish you knew when you were starting out?
Education is just as important as experience. SAE is awesome in the way they allow students to pursue the career they are currently studying for, and any student should explore that. So if you’re a student, go out and go get some experience in studios while you’re still studying. And also, Google your question before you ask it (meant jokingly of course).
What’s next for you?
Any upcoming releases, collaborations, or projects we should look out for?
Kerk Straat’s next song will be released soon. The song’s name is “Op Tel” and it’s meant to be a follow-up of Val. If you like hard guitar riffs and cool band production, you’re gonna love it. Like I’ve mentioned, I’m also exploring options in producing professionally to further imprint my sound into the industry. I am also looking forward to my new role as the Head Producer of Vonk, a South African record label dedicated to promoting Afrikaans music since 2006.
Lastly, how can people connect with you and support your work?
(Socials, streaming platforms, blogs, etc.)
Follow, Repost, Share, Like, Comment and Subscribe. That’s the best way to support any musician or artist. Kerk Straat is really new, so go and check us out on Instagram and TikTok!
I am also one of those weirdos who actually answers messages, so anyone can reach out via DM.
Francois Viviers’ story is a powerful reminder that when passion meets perseverance, extraordinary things happen. Whether you’re a current student fine-tuning your sound or a prospective creative eager to make your mark, let Francois’ journey encourage you to stay authentic, embrace every opportunity and boldly pursue your dreams.