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At a time when SA music seems to be booming, there are a few names that stand on the forefront of this local music explosion. Here in Cape Town one those names is Flat Stanley.

Andrew Mac (vocals), Clinton Gahwiler (rhythm guitar, backing vocals) and Neil Potgieter (lead guitar, backing vocals) have built up a huge following amongst local audiences with their unique rock sound, performing at sold-out gigs at various venues in and around the Cape. People's Post sat down with the band's vocalist Andrew Mac to find out a little more about the man behind the microphone.

Andrew grew up in Camp's Bay where he attended Camp's Bay High before deciding to study law at UCT.

While in his first year the entrepreneur in Andrew led him to start a company called Crew U - the first crew agency in the country that provided stage hands to the live entertainment industry.

"I used other students like myself who wanted to earn some extra cash," says Andrew, "and through it we had the opportunity of working with some big names like U2, Bon Jovi and Counting Crows."

During this time Andrew got involved with a group of friends to form a cover band called Armed Populous. As you sit and listen to him talking so passionately and with such enthusiasm about his music, it seems hard to believe that he had never before even considered music as a possibility.

"Not at all. Even when I was playing with Armed Populous it was just about having a little fun."

But by his third year Andrew had discovered that law wasn't for him.

"It wasn't half as glamourous as LA Law made it out to be," he laughs. "They lied!"

"When Clinton approached me later about forming a professional band I wasn't sure," he continues, "especially after seeing all these huge bands play at such a professional level."

But it had been a while since Andrew had performed and the more he thought about it, the more he began to realise how much he missed it.

"What really swayed me as well though," he continues, "was knowing that I would be working with such talented people."

"Clinton is really gifted as a songwriter and when Neil joined the mix it all just came together."

They named the band Flat Stanley and began to take on the world ? and now it seems the world is beginning to notice. In Cape Town they have a huge fanbase and with a bumper year planned for touring the country, it is only a matter of time before the Flat Stanley fever spreads.

Their latest album Between 2wo Worlds is a bit punchier than the last and he hopes it will reach an even wider audience.

"We try and take note of what songs people seem to respond to most at our gigs," explains Andrew, "and bring as much of that into our new songs as possible".

From being a law school student to performing in front of 40 000 people, Andrew's life so far has been a real ride and one can't help but wonder where he will go to next.

"Without sounding too new age, I think that everything that has happened, happened for a reason.

"My life was pretty much mapped out, but I think that all of it was supposed to happen to get me to this level.

"Without those experiences I wouldn't have the contacts I have today and the inside knowledge of how the music industry works."

"We are at a level now where we are comfortable and confident in our music and can take ourselves further."

At a recent gig held to launch the new album the venue was packed, a clear indication that the buzz is already out about their new offering.

Right now it seems that the only way Flat Stanley are going is up.

"Check out the new album," says Andrew, "and visit our MySpace site at www.myspace.com/flatstan-leysa and let us know what you think and where you would like us to perform. We really would love to hear from you."

If you would like to see Flat Stanley live get down to the following venues:

Green Dolphin at the V&A Waterfront on 10 June at 19:30 (Phone (021) 421-7471) or at Madam Zingara, Theatre of Dreams on 24 June at 19:00 (Phone (021) 426-2458). Check out the website for new dates and details.

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