Arno Carstens’ latest single, “Sprokie”, is a hauntingly poetic meditation on endurance, transformation, and faith. Rooted in Afrikaans lyricism, the track carries the emotional weight of a generation searching for meaning amidst chaos. “Sprokie” (translated as Fairytale) draws listeners into a dreamlike world of broken beauty and fragile hope, echoing the central themes of Carstens' recent EP Sewe Sakke Hoop. With its sweeping soundscape and introspective storytelling, the single marks another bold step in Carstens’ evolving journey; bridging vulnerability with resilience and the personal with the universal.

The Making of 'Sprokie' Music Video:

Arno was doing a photo shoot with the renowned photographer Deborah Rossouw at the iconic Grand Daddy Hotel in central Cape Town. He says: “I had to take advantage of the surroundings. We shot parts of the “Sprokie” video while the song was still fresh, straight out of the oven. Between all the running around, we managed to piece together a feel for it. It’s a semi-conversational song, written in the thick of the COVID lockdown, during a time when I genuinely started to wonder if the madness would ever end. Being a forever optimist is a survival trick, and I think writing “Sprokie” was a kind of coping mechanism for me.” Rossouw was the videographer and Lionel Smit the video editor.

"Sewe Sakke Hoop" (2024)

In his EP Sewe Sakke Hoop, Arno Carstens delivers a powerful musical statement rooted in the collective longing for connection, belonging, and hope. Released against a backdrop of cultural uncertainty and mass migration, the EP becomes a sonic refuge, a place where stories of dislocation and renewal find voice. Each track, from the heartfelt “Hoe Gaan Dit” to the cinematic “Nagblind,” explores the emotional terrain of a world in flux. “Sprokie” is the third single-release from the EP. Following his acclaimed Afrikaans debut Die Aandblom 13, Sewe Sakke Hoop deepens Carstens’ commitment to authenticity and reinvention. It is an intimate yet expansive work that positions hope not as a conclusion, but as a path forward.

Short Artist Biography: Arno Carstens

Arno Carstens is a South African music icon and fine artist whose career spans over two decades of groundbreaking creativity. Rising to fame as the charismatic frontman of the legendary Springbok Nude Girls, Carstens redefined South African rock in the 1990s. As a solo artist, he has continued to evolve, fusing elements of rock, electronica, and Afrikaans storytelling into a uniquely powerful voice. His discography includes 15 albums (seven with Springbok Nude Girls, seven solo, and one with his electronica project Bhelltower), earning over 20 top ten singles and six South African Music Awards.

A dynamic live performer, Arno has headlined every major South African music festival and graced global stages from Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight to Hard Rock Calling, sharing the bill with legends like The Rolling Stones and U2. His visual art, much like his music, resonates with emotional depth and conceptual boldness. Crowned by Mail & Guardian as the “Godfather of South African Rock,” Carstens continues to push artistic boundaries.

Listen to “Sprokie” and the tracks on “Sewe Sakke Hoop” on your streaming favourite platforms.

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