The Black Keys' El Camino and Other Awesome Road Music

According to that font of all internet knowledge Wikipedia, an El Camino is an American muscle car from the 60s manufactured by Chevrolet. Its name comes from the Spanish for 'the road'. It's fitting then that the Black Keys chose the name for their latest album, an album which evokes the time and place epitomised by classic cars and road-trips across dusty American landscapes with nothing but a cassette player for company.





The Black Keys have polished their brand of bluesy garage rock to perfection on El Camino. They're more upbeat and catchier than ever but have remained true to their musical vision. With luck, this will be their breakthrough and catapult them into the Kings of Leon-level success they deserve.



But let's get back to that road-trip thing. Sure, you might not have a cassette player anymore or be traveling on Route 66, but that's no reason not to fire up some Black Keys for your next long-distance road-trip. One open stretch of endless highway is as good as another, whether it's the Karoo or the Nevada desert. This is driving-through-the-desert music through and through.

And with road-trips in mind, here's a list of some close-to-home artists to listen to when you take to the highways this holiday season.

340ml
Listen if you're travelling: to Mozambique




After you inevitably get stopped by a Moz police patrol for some inconsequential but very bribe-able offense, just put on 340ml. Your frustrations will melt away and those white, sandy beaches will seem closer than ever.

Guy Buttery
Listen if you're travelling: through the KZN midlands

Guy's from Umhlanga and plays chill acoustic guitar music. If there's anyone who can channel the spirit of the KwaZulu-Natal scenery, it's him.

Goldfish
Listen if you're travelling: to the coast

If you're in Cape Town, the ideal would be to catch them live at Submerged Sundays in Camps Bay. If you're somewhere else with sand and surf, you'll just have to hold your own beach party with Goldfish as the soundtrack.

Busi Mhlongo
Listen if you're travelling: through Zululand

What better way to experience the heart of Shaka country than listening to the Queen of Zulu music?

Jim Neversink
Listen if you're travelling: through the Panorama Route in Mpumalanga.



When driving along narrow mountain roads, some good alt-country hits the spot nicely. Bonus points if harmonicas are involved.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Listen if you're travelling: anywhere predominantly rural

There's something so quintessentially South African about Ladysmith Black Mambazo's music that makes it the perfect music with which to appreciate the country's natural beauty and traditions. It's music that suits any grand landscape well, from Limpopo to the Eastern Cape.

Valiant Swart
Listen if you're travelling: through Bloem



You could listen to "20 Beste Country Treffers" or whatever the latest abomination is that Huis Genoot is trying to unleash on the world. Or you could embrace sanity, roll down your windows and put on some Valiant Swart instead.