8

HOME

5 November | 2016

star home

TUNED INTO THE FAMILY

COMFORTABLE: The Baron familys living room.

CONTEMPORARY: Baron in the kitchen.

Musician Daniel Baron shares his Fairlands

home with parents and siblings
By Samantha Hartshorne

PIANO MAN: At home in Fairlands, Joburg, with Daniel Baron.

OUTDOOR LIVING: Swimming pool.

PICTURES: DUMISANI SIBEKO

ANIEL Baron, 25, has his

sights set on all aspects of
the music industry in South
Africa. He produces his
own music, writes for the corporate sector and TV and is carving a
niche in the pop genre. This week,
his latest single Beautiful Noise was
released and is already playing on
major radio stations.
The video debuted on Trace
Urban and will be on his third
album, to be launched soon.
It follows his successful Children
of the Sun, which reached No 1
on 5FM. Off-time is spent in his
Fairlands home of 15 years, where
he stays with his parents, sister and
two brothers.
Baron says it is perfect because of
the time he spends travelling. I am
away so often, its good to have a
busy home to come back to.
Creative hours are spent behind
his piano, which has pride of place
in an elevated bay window Baron
designed when the family home
underwent renovations a few years
ago. The self-taught songwriter
became involved with the plans.
I have always been fascinated
by architecture and creative
outlets and I suggested we open up
the family room area with a large,
wooden window; I have written
hundreds of songs in that alcove.
The garden has established trees
shading a rock pool and koi pond.
Baron has always been interested
in music and taught himself to play
drums at the age of seven.
I tried music lessons but they
frustrated me and I ended up just
teaching myself guitar and piano.
Its an intuitive thing I cant
describe it, it just happens.
By the age of 15, he was playing

gigs and while in matric, entered

SA Idols. The TV show jump-started
his career. Today, Baron performs
at corporate gigs and often MCs
shows. His first album Its Time was
released in 2012.
Baron does motivational speaking
and is involved at his old school, De
La Salle College. He also donates
time to Cansa. I rode the 947 for
cancer sufferers in 2014; we called
it Rock stars ride for cancer. I also
perform at Cansa events.
Barons voice and sound are
distinctive and he is known for
encompassing various genres with
an array of electro-infused popdance tunes. He is also known for
the anthems and emotional piano
ballads, which define his captivating
stage performances.
Baron opened for Bon Jovi in
2013 and has performed internationally to huge acclaim.
Much time at home is spent in his
comfortable and spacious TV room,
where Baron reviews music videos
and enjoys relaxing. The open-plan
living and dining area enjoys light
from expansive windows. Photos of
the four children adorn the walls.
All the siblings are featured from
birth, alongside religious references.
The kitchen, where the family
enjoy preparing meals together, has
a central island with glossy surfaces
and contemporary fittings. The
dcor is part country charm and
part New York loft, with soft
textures and light hues.
Baron and girlfriend Samantha de
Bruin, his manager, painted a pair
of canvasses that hang in the living
room. The paintings, titled Proteas
Pull Together, along with the subtle
earthy style of the home make a
South African classic for a homegrown musical talent with a sunny
future. Catch him on social media:
@danielbaronSA/ FB Daniel Baron.