There are myriad reasons why performance and profit are paramount in our fast paced, click bait, late capitalist society, good ones too. However, it is refreshing to find the nooks and secret passages where the arts, and the intrigue in life they are birthed from, still find a niche to thrive in. Where value is placed in creation and not capital, fostering unnurtured talent and not flavours of the week. Lying just outside of our usual radar, such a place exists.

Melody and Makers is more than a market. More than just a merry atmosphere of delicious food, hand crafted wares and musical shenanigans. What Melody and Makers truly is at its core, is a philosophy. I know this to be true, because when I first sat down with its creators Daina and Sam, what bonded us instantly was the ‘Why’ we do it. With little focus on profit margins or crowd pleasers, the topics visited repeatedly were community, bringing outsiders together, the joy of creating and the hope to shed a spotlight back on the arts in an industry that has unfortunately become just another way to make a living.

A desire to see a dream realised for the purest intention, the market represents an opportunity, a space, a gathering for creatives to pioneer their own platform where they felt one couldn’t be found, and to share in the joy of forging it. For me the space is for those of us who need an outlet, to feed our soul through the act of creation, to give back to ourselves and the chance encountered strangers, and do it through the catharsis of sacred melody and forgotten arts of crafting, making, baking and growing. 

I recently sat down with Daina, one of the market’s progenitors, to dig a little deeper into that ‘Why’ that keeps us doing it.

Tyla: “Where did the birth of Melody and Makers begin?”

Daina: “I really wanted to go to a market that had music – live music. I had this idea after attending markets and not really hearing the music I wanted to hear, or specifically anything that Cape Town has to offer. I selfishly wanted to create an event I want to go to. To be able to sell my wares like my gypsy calling and then be able to boogie into the night.

My best mate, Sam, had thrown her own bash at the backpackers at Oude Molen – called Music Fest – and that’s when I approached her to join forces. I am a person who really needs someone to bounce ideas off of. We are so much stronger together creatively, and that is exactly what we wanted for the creative people we are bringing together. Our mission is to create a community of local crafters and artists that support each other and bring the market to them.”

T: “Why the focus on the twin arts of melody and making?” 

D: “Because they go so well together! The name Melody and Makers makes it seem as though it’s two separate things but really it’s all kinds of artists and creators together in one space. We wanted to create a space for like minded individuals to collaborate and support each other. I was new in the craft scene and just starting out with markets. I started Salt Lovers a few years back, using all sorts of upcycled materials to make accessories, bags and hats, with the main purpose of giving new life to forgotten fabric. Being a crafter myself – and with many of our friends being super musically talented – we looked at the creative people around us and thought let’s do this cool thing together and create a space where we can lift each other up. There needs to be more of it! More of these platforms where creatives can shine! After our event more and more of these sorts of spaces are coming up; the likes of Blue Light Underground gatherings – where the weird and whimsical filled the grounds of the Kensington Manor, and Helter Skelter – a dream lineup with artists from all around South Africa. There are more ‘Melodies’ and ‘Makers’ sharing spaces, collaborating and showcasing their passion and love for their crafts.”

T: “What’s important to you?”

D: “To support the people around us. There is so much local talent and not enough venues or spaces to showcase it, even the people who are not participating as a formal business – it is just to have a space to share your passion and to meet those individuals who will support that. For example, we have a market coming with some vendors who have never done a market before. We want to be a safe space that can nurture budding creatives. 

We don’t need our money going elsewhere. When I see someone buying off some big online store away from Cape Town and SA it kind of hurts to see money leaving our country, especially when these big corporations don’t need your money. There is often no transparency on how they’re operated. But I fear we all know this and are not taking action by supporting local. I believe that it’s always better to form a connection with the people who provide something in your life. When it’s mass produced in a factory we lose touch with the hands that made it. Although it can sometimes feel quite daunting to think about all the support small businesses need, you gotta tackle your circle of influence. I think that’s the best way to lift people up around you.” 

T: “Community is clearly a central part of your mission, in what way do you facilitate that?” 

D: “Community is something we value. We kind of wanted to see what would happen if we brought a whole bunch of creative people together, put them in the same place, at the same time, and see what creative explosion might happen. And better yet what connections might be made and what it might lead to! Community is about people who support one another by investing their time, interest and help to sustain each other. The idea is to contribute to the growth of these kinds of spaces where people can collaborate and get to know your locals.”

T: “What is a stand out memory from your journey that makes all the work worth it?”

Sam: “It’s the moments every now and then when I would check out of being in work mode, and look around and see people enjoying themselves, see the band playing, the smiles on people’s faces, the satisfied looks of the vendors. Just all around good vibes. Actually seeing it all come together so beautifully after all the running around like headless chickens. That was a good moment for me. Seeing people happy makes it all worth it!”

Daina: “A huge highlight for me with one of the past events was where we thought let’s just see what happens if we kept the sound system on, where people made their own songs and people from the audience came and picked up an instrument. That was everything to me. Just to have a random guy watching rugby think, ‘ ah I can keep a beat’ and then proceeds to successfully have a go on the drums.”

T: “What would you hope to see in the future for melody and makers?” 

D: “Growing bigger and to be a place where local vendors can rely on us to be a space that they can go to, to collaborate, make money, and see their homies. I think there are many people who create and don’t consider themselves a creative. 

I believe I have the know how and guidance to help people to get to a market and to a space where they can share their gifts, even if it’s their first time. Also for the larger community, just to see people excited to come and support local talent and see that appreciation and that understanding and respect for the hard work that goes into their creations.

I really want for the market to be immersive. The open mic sessions will be a mandatory practice at an M&M market. Or, for example, if we had a wall we can paint and everyone who attends can just paint the wall. Anybody have a wall?

Melody and Makers has never been tied to a particular venue, and we are currently exploring different locations. We are a pop up market after all! We are keen to explore different pop-ups. As Sam still sends her ideas in voicenote form all the way from Vietnam, Alex has taken over the reins and has become the new ‘melody’ to the Melody and Makers team. For me, I just want a gang of vendors who want to do the same thing as me!”