Burch becomes a trailblazer

MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Remember the name Burch Vaughn - because he might just be the next international success in popular music.

But why take note of a random name?

Because this 18 year old, crowned last Sunday, 12 October, in Dubai as the AllSaints Middle East Sessions Rock Star, is the very same Burchell Brinkuis whose roots are in Mossel Bay.

He is the son of Dexter Brinkhuis, a well-known local.

When the Mossel Bay Advertiser learnt of Burch's quest earlier this year and ran an article on it, the budding rock star explained that his genre is "alternative, encompassing different styles of music such as pop, alternative and acoustic indie rock. He concluded, saying: "Many artists influenced me and helped me to become shamelessly myself."

Well, it seems that his "shamelessness" must have done the trick. In a radio interview broadcast on Dubai 92.5 shortly after the announcement of Burch's achievement, it was said he won the competition "by quite a landslide".

He chuckles as the radio presenter calls him "not your typical rock star", explaining that his sound, as well as his style, is a fusion of old school rock and newer influences.

The winner of this competition not only secures good exposure among the United Arab Emirates music and culture community, but there are also other attractive perks to help build a music career.

Burch will now have the opportunity to record a song professionally in a studio. This song will be aired on radio in Dubai.

Influential people in the music industry who have seen Burch on stage during the competition, believe he could become a true commercial success and that he has the potential to be signed with one of the big music labels.

Burch told the Advertiser this: "The music we make has always been special to me and now holds so much more value, knowing it can create an impact like this." The band consists of only two members, Burch and Sam, who hails from Egypt. Burch has every intention of using the win as a stepping stone towards bigger things.

His father, Dexter, couldn't be prouder. "He is the first person from Mossel Bay who has ever achieved this." Naturally, in a father's eyes, this is probably more than enough already.

Burch Vaughn, aka Burchell Brinkhuis, the newly-crowned AllSaints Middle East Sessions Rock Star.