10 Questions For: Trenton Birch

Meet vocalist and songwriter behind the highly acclaimed band ‘Trenton and Free Radical.’ Along with the band’s bass player Thabo Mobo, the duo run an NPO called ‘Bridges for Music’ which aims to use music to break barriers of racial division and uplift underprivileged communities in Cape Town.

1. How would you describe what you do for a living?

I am a musician, businessman and social activist. Everything I do revolves around music in some way or another. At SAE Institute we educate people to help them realise their dreams of being in the creative media industry. At Bridges for Music we develop education initiatives in the townships to uplift disadvantaged creatives and in Trenton and Free Radical we get to talk about real issues and try to encourage people to become more unified and think more about the world we live in to facilitate positive change.

2. What is your most vivid childhood memory?

The first thing I remember was walking into a Masai warrior’s hut in Kenya where I spent some of my early childhood. I was petrified because it was pitch black to keep it cool and as my eyes adjusted I saw a woman feeding her baby it stayed with me forever. Oh and when I broke my hand punching a guy at school in a fight - the guy went on to become the bass player in my high school band and we are still friends to this day. Sorry, I know that’s two! :)

3. If you could invite any three people, dead or alive, for dinner, who would they be and why?

1. Nelson Mandela - No reason needed.

2. Sir Richard Branson - I respect his integrity, passion and drive to make a positive difference.

3. Martin Luther King Jr - I have fought against racism my whole life and I would love to understand what made him tick. 

4. If you ever found yourself auditioning for a music reality TV show, what song would you sing and why?

I wouldn’t. 

5. How would you complete this sentence?  The South African cabinet should include a Minister of____________

Human Rights. To protect our people from ourselves.

6. What would you say is the biggest misconception about you?

That I’m very serious, which I am to a degree, but I have a funny, relaxed side as well! 

7. What is your (honest) opinion of Cape Town?

Cape Town is racist. Not in the “I don’t like people of different colours” type of way but more of “my head is so far up my posterior that I am happy to just live in my little bubble and never make an effort with other race groups because it is inconvenient”. I mean, any white person in Cape Town that has never been to a township should be embarrassed. Everyone needs to make more of an effort. I also don’t find Capetonians very driven and they are super protective of their turf and don’t like to share and collaborate. Otherwise it is one of the most dynamic places to live on the planet. I love the contrasts but wish there were not so many poor people suffering.

8. What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?

The fear of not doing what I know I am supposed to be doing. Which happens when I get distracted.  

9. What's the one thing you'd like to achieve before you die?

There isn’t just one thing, there are many of things. Life is so full of amazing opportunities and experiences to be had. I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, walk down Hollywood Boulevard, go to Burning Man, swim with dolphins and open up Bridges for Music Academies across Africa.I better live a long life! :-)

10. Which well- known South African personality would you , without a doubt, be able to beat in a one-on-one dance-off and why?  

HHP - because he has swag but I have more. He is such a great dude that it would just be a jol to do it with him.

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ABOUT #CapeTownMag10Q:
CapeTownMagazine.com’s 10 Questions project gets to know some of the Mother City’s most creative and inspiring people. From television personalities and musicians to politicians and entrepreneurs, we find out more about well-known and up-and-coming Capetonians. You can follow #CapeTownMag10Q on Twitter and Facebook to track recent interviews or read more here about our other awesome 10 Questions candidates.

A FEW OF OUR OTHER 10Q CANDIDATES:

10 Questions For Cape Town-based Musician Jeremy de Tolly

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Cape Town-based Radio Personality Guy Mcdonald

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