The real Elvis Blue
He goes by Elvis Blue, but his real name is Jan Hoogendyk. According to him, Jan wasn’t much of a ‘rock ’n roll’ name for a musician. Back when he had to decide on a stage name, he could not think of ways to brand his name as cleverly as local chef JAN, who has a Michelin Star restaurant in Nice, France. Honestly, we’re pretty sure had he put his mind to it, he would have come up with very nifty ideas – he is a wordsmith and songwriter, after all! Still, Elvis Blue sticked and after Idols 2010, few people didn’t know who he was.
“Yes, who in his right mind calls himself Elvis, even in South Africa?” he laughs. Elvis Blue’s wife worked at a hospice at the time when he had to decide on a stage name and there was a boy called Elvis Blaauw. They used to make music together and kept saying that the boy should change his name to Elvis Blue, because it sounded cool. Sadly, the boy passed away, but his legend certainly lives on every time Jan Hoogendyk – or rather, Elvis Blue – takes to the stage.
Elvis Blue has been making music since the young age of sixteen. He grew up in Joburg and went on to study music. When he was 25 years old, an opportunity arose to open a music school in the Garden Route, resulting in him relocating to George. He says while he’s been making music for many years, Idols and getting his name out there certainly helped him and his wife to create a more comfortable lifestyle for themselves and their family. “After Idols we could at least buy food,” he jokes.
Music for each season
He might be full of jokes, but Elvis Blue is also a man who often thinks hard about life. Not only with his head, but also with his heart. He writes the kind of music that echoes the hearts of those who listen. “Music is such a great gift,” he says. “If you get the opportunity to make music and you can write and release songs, it’s a wonderful thing. All music has its place. I’ve always felt that mine is the kind of music that wants to say something. We all have a lot of darkness and a lot of light through the seasons of our lives, and for each season you need music. I try to make music that people can resonate with.”
For Elvis Blue it’s not only about writing music for himself, but also for people. He tries to find universal themes to write about, love probably being the most universal of all.
Much more to it
For Elvis Blue, there are still many more journeys to be had, songs to be written and places to be seen. Elvis Blue gets to do all that with his lovely wife and daughters, which is ultimately what life is all about.
During the two uncertain years that Covid-19 brought about, the Hoogendyk family were unstoppable. They started a coffee shop amidst a pandemic, and as if that wasn’t enough, they also bought a bus to renovate! “I try to work with a plan. If I don’t make plans, nothing will happen,” he says.
The Elvis Brew farm stall
The Elvis Brew Padstal (farm stall) located adjacent to the George Airport was one the things that kept Elvis Blue and his family going during the Covid-19 pandemic. He says without it, he would have been out of work and he will forever be grateful for this special place. The owner of the nursery on the property where the Elvis Brew Padstal now proudly stands, phoned the singer up one day, telling him about his daughter’s musical talent and that they would love some input and guidance from him. It later came to light that the girl’s dad was the owner of the property next to the airport and Elvis told him that he’d been wanting to open a coffee shop there for years. Soon enough, they were in agreement and Elvis Blue’s dream of Elvis Brew was becoming reality. The farm stall turned coffee shop opened amidst the uncertainty of Covid-19, qualifying as a spaza shop and they’ve even added a second shop – Kleine Elvis Brew – in Hartenbos. “I was clueless!” says Elvis Blue about starting the business. “But we love the place and the people who come there. It helped us so much during Covid.”
The wheels of the bus go round and round
Elvis Blue and his wife have always wanted to buy a bus and renovate it. “I wanted to do it in my silver years, you know?” he says. But, Covid convinced them to do it earlier. We bought a cheap, old bus. It’s so cool – it has bathrooms, rooms, a lounge, satellite TV and everything.” They even made a television program of the renovation, called Elvis Bou. Elvis Blue will be touring with the El Bus this year, so be sure to keep an eye out for it when you’re on the road.
Elvis Blue, planning ahead
Clearly an entrepreneur at heart, Elvis Blue says he struggles to balance all the balls too, even though it sure looks like he’s got everything figured out. He says the secret to life and managing multiple businesses lies in having the right people in your corner. “I have many clever guys who help me. Over the years, it has helped me a lot to not be afraid to listen to all the clever people. Just get a couple of guys whom you are willing to listen to.”
Since he’s all about having a plan, Elvis Blue’s plan for 2023 includes an exciting and rather special new album. He will be recording the album differently this time; a way in which he hasn’t recorded an album in a long time. “While this might not sound very exciting to most, musicians will understand,” he says. He will be recording the album with some of his favourite musicians – all in one room – for the first time in thirteen years. You might not be able to anticipate the difference in the quality of music now, but once you hear it, you’ll know. “I’m very excited,” he says.
A singer all about family time
One of the other things Elvis Blue will continue to include in his planning this year and beyond is family time. Since building the El Bus, they’ve been exploring the country with it. They recently went camping in Buffelsbaai and they just love it.
In addition to that, they love their family “chill time,” watching television together. “We watch Survivor, The Block, and we talk a lot of nonsense!” he shares.
Get out and do something
He’s also a keen mountain biker. According to him, the Garden Route has excellent MTB trails to explore. “I love mountain biking,” he says, highlighting the George area, Stellenbosch and Cape Town as some of his favourite MTB destinations. “We sometimes also do the longer rides like in the Karoo, Montagu Pass and the Swartberg Pass.”
In addition to mountain biking, Elvis Blue also enjoys surfing. “I am always afraid of getting eaten by a shark,” he says, recommending safer surfing spots like Mossel Bay and Victoria Bay as his go-to options. “We also take an annual Jeffreys Bay trip – now, that’s the ultimate surfing destination. And a couple of pals and I go surfing in Indonesia every year. The waves are calm and it’s beautiful!”
See Elvis Blue here in 2023
Elvis Blue will be doing a production called Dis wie ek wil wees at various venues this year, so keep an eye out for dates and venues on his website. He will also be at the major local festivals, including Woordfees, Aardklop, Innibos and more.
