Shortstraw Essentials

Although classed as indie, Shortstraw's music has a wide appeal, with its jangly guitars and easily accessible ska-infused rhythms. Formed in Johannesburg in 2007, they first tasted success with the hit song "One Long Day", which reached number one on one of the most popular video TV shows in South Africa—and their follow-up album, Good Morning, Sunshine, took Best Album honors at the same channel's annual awards. They specialize in happy-go-lucky music with a sprinkle of cynicism, always executed with wide-eyed excitement whether live onstage or captured on this custom playlist.