Marno van der Merwe is known as an actor and has appeared in several TV programs and films, but it is his brand new single, “Uit my lyf”, that is currently making Afrikaans audiences sit up.
The singer and actor, who these days writes one hit after another with his cousin – the singer Riaan Benadé – wrote this new ballad himself, which is currently captivating Afrikaans music lovers.
Marno helped to write earworms such as “Vat ø bijte”, “Rowwe bliksem” and the theme song for the Solidarity Movement’s “Ons sal self” campaign.
“Riaan and I trust each other. We will always ask each other what the other thinks of what we have written, and then we pay attention to each other’s input. We work very well together,” says Marno in a studio interview with RNews.
“Uit my lyf” is one of three songs he wrote on the same day. “When I got the idea for the song I knew it was something that someone had already experienced, we’ve all felt that we just can’t forget or shake off another person. Like an addiction.”
Marno admits that it is not always easy to write songs and adds that a lot of hard rocks must be cut before he finally hits a diamond.
“Sometimes I’m immediately inspired and sometimes I don’t feel like writing at all. Other artists’ music excites me tremendously.”
The music video for “Uit my lyf” already has around 27,000 hits on YouTube and depicts the story the song tells.
Marno’s acting skills came in handy for the music video. “It was a bit rough when I was sprayed just after 06:00 in Johannesburg’s morning cold for one of the scenes, but it was a nice experience,” he laughs.
“I love a camera and acting. I enjoy the feeling on set and the creative changes that happen in that moment.”
It is important for him to assemble the teams that work with him on his projects himself, he says.
“It’s always nice when you work with nice people. I always choose my projects depending on who I’m going to work with.”
“Out of my body” is available on all major digital platforms.
- Listen to the full interview with Marno van der Merwe at the top of the report.
Watch the music video here:
