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If It's All the Same was written a long time ago by frontman Kabaal klankbaan, and was inspired by a time he played a lot of shows and traveled to many interesting venues.

"Combine the gigging lifestyle with Jeff Bridges' character Bad Blake in the movie Crazy Heart, my love for Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen, and Nick Cave and my sense of humour, and you've got IF IT'S ALL THE SAME."

A somewhat traditional ballad, the song tells the story of a troubadour, or travelling singer-songwriter, who writes and sings about romance every night, but has never found someone to settle down with. It's about romantic desires, even when you can't offer the happily-ever-after that most romantic partners might crave. Despite its somewhat cynical narrative, If It's All the Same is a sincere offering that many people can connect with, or just enjoy from afar.

Kabaal klankbaan released a previous version of the song on their last EP, I'm Not Good with Promises. Strongly believing that songs are never finished or final, and there's always something different to be found in a reinterpretation or rearrangement of a song, Floris decided to get a little help from his friends and release a second, collaborative recording. The result: Fans can experience the intimacy of a crooning piano ballad showing off a completely different side to the upbeat drums-and-trumpets used before.

Regularly hearing Franco Prinsloo's musical work, he was a natural choice for a piano version. For vocals, Floris looked for the perfect voice to inhabit the character he envisioned – someone older than himself, who can sound weary yet energetic, cynical yet romantic. Michael Canfield ticked all these boxes. Each person left their unique stamp on the song, and creatively participated in making it their own. Because of that, and the freeform production process, If It's All the Same is a coming together of three creatives.

Vocalist Michael Canfield: "When Floris contacted me to be the voice of If It's All the Same I was initially quite flattered. My realisation, as I was tracking the performance, was that the feeling described in the song were actually not just personal, but universal. The desire for connection, however fleeting in a lonely world, is something many people will relate to.

It's All the Same, like the best songs, speaks the truth of many hearts and lets us all know we are not alone. And isn't that one of the purposes of all great songs?"

lyrics

You can be the title track of my next LP
If tonight, you'll just go home with me
I'll write a whole song rhyming with your name
If you promise me you'll feel the same

So walk home with me
Under the stars
I've had enough drinking
In smoky bars
Just trust me once
Take a chance on me
And I'll show you how full of love a one-night stand can be

I know I'm not the one for you, but you're the one for me
And maybe, if you let go, we can let it be
Let's not talk destiny, or what is meant to be,
If, for tonight, you'll just belong to me

SO drive home iwith me
In my old car
I've had enough dancing
In smoky bars
Just trust me once
Take a chance on me
And I'll show you how full of love a one-night stand can be

We've got until dawn - our chance is rife
You can be my angel, you can save my life

So fly home with me
Straight from the bar
I've had enough romance and staring at the stars
Just trust me once
Take a chance on me
And I'll show you how full of love a one-night stand can be

I'm not good with promises and I might forget your name
But you'll at least be a B-side if it's all the same

credits

released April 14, 2021
Written by Floris Groenewald.
Vocals by Michael Canfield. Piano by Franco Prinsloo.
Mixed and mastered by Louise Eksteen at The Backline.

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Kabaal klankbaan image

Kabaal klankbaan Pretoria, South Africa

Kabaal klankbaan is Gauteng-based musician Floris Groenewald’s folk-rock music project. “It’s not a stage name,” says Floris, “but a band, of which I’m the only permanent member.” They play acoustic, alternative folk-rock, which varies from indie-pop songs, folky dystopian love songs, bluesy rock & roll, to songs about robots and video games. ... more

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