Valiant Swart, real name Pierre Nolte. Born in Wellington, South Africa on November 25 1965. And now lives in Stellenbosch. Although he is famous for his singing and song writing, he is in actual fact a poet. Who offers his writings in the form of music.
He has over the years written and sung songs in both English and Afrikaans. But it is in Afrikaans, his home language, that he expresses himself the best. And this shows in his rock music for which he is so famous.
Literary critics these days are taking serious notice of Valiant Swart and his meaningful interpretation of life in South Africa.
In 1977, at the age of eleven his father gave him his first guitar. That’s where it all started. Through trial and error, and with only the help of a book of chords, he taught himself to play.
Things finally clicked into place one day. A moment that he remembers very well, and the reality hit him then. That more than anything else in the world, he wanted to be a rock star.
Valiant Swart Influences
He started writing his own songs and playing rock music after he got his first electric guitar in 1979 at the age of 13, and the rest, as they say, is history.
All sorts of influences, like Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, heavy metal, blues, and boeremusiek, helped him to develop his own style of music. Which he describes as country punk, with a hint of blues, bittersweet, and with a beat.
According to Valiant, no day job ever, no matter how good, could ever compete with the satisfaction and pleasure that he gets from his music.
Valiant Swarts Music Career
Valiant Swart, along with fellow artist Koos Kombuis, began his musical journey performing in some gritty pubs and clubs in the Hillbrow suburb. In 1996 he released his debut album titled Mystic Boer.
Over the years Swart has played countless gigs at pubs, clubs, and universities, as well as at numerous major festivals across South Africa. These include Oppikoppi, Splashy Fen, Rustler’s Valley, and the Grahamstown and Oudtshoorn arts festivals.
In total he has performed at over 3,000 shows across South Africa. His music. However, has also taken him beyond the country’s borders, with performances in Utrecht, the Netherlands, as well as shows in the USA, Namibia, and the UK.
Swart’s live performances vary sometimes featuring his full band while other times he plays solo, armed with just his harmonica and acoustic guitar. Whether supported by a band or performing alone Valiant Swart’s rock sound has captivated audiences both at home and internationally.
Though renowned for his rock music, Swart also has a talent for crafting poignant ballads. One of his most beloved songs is Sonvanger, a haunting ballad that explores themes of deep loss and sorrow.
Many fans have described being moved to the point of goosebumps with the hair on their necks standing on end. And some even brought to tears when they witness him perform Sonvanger live.
Other songs by this famous Afrikaans South African rock star include:
- Mystic Boer
- Kopstoot
- Deur die donker vallei
- Roekeloos
- Dorpstraat revisited
- Maanhare
- Mystic Myle
- Vrydagaand/Saterdagaand
- Wild en Wakker
- Song vir Katryn
- @ Jinx
- Boland Punk
- Horisontaal
- ‘n Jaar in die son
- Vuur en vlam
In 2001 Valiant presented a 13-part television documentary on Blues music, a job that he found to be an absolute adventure, as for about 40 days he went to places like Mississippi, Louisiana, as well as Tennessee.
It was the success of this show, which led to him getting the male lead in Song vir Katryn. A hit television series in South Africa for which he also wrote and performed the soundtrack.
In 2008, Valiant Swart won the SAMA award for “Best Afrikaans Traditional Album” Vuur en Vlam, with Ollie Viljoen.
Song vir Katryn, where Valiant made his acting debut, and wrote and performed the soundtrack, was an enormous success and did in fact, achieve gold status.
Valiant Swart has composed more than 100 songs. With his number of fans growing daily, it is no wonder that he is considered to be one of the best Afrikaans song writers within the past 20 years, and in addition to this, has the status of a number one performer. Not only here in South Africa, but in other parts of the world as well.