IN CONVERSATION W/ AJourneyOfMilez
Creative Process and Inspiration:
Can you share with us a bit about your creative process? What inspires your music, and how do you go from an initial idea to a fully produced track?
Besides my own personal experiences, my music is inspired by life, the world and everything in it. The concepts of my productions are always a translation of what I'm feeling, thinking or dreaming about - they could be random or at times linier. While most of the vocal songs I write and produce start from lyrics, all the upbeat dance compositions start from drums. I come from a tribal background - drums and bass are my first love.
With vocal songs, the message normally comes complete and once I start translating it to words, melody and record the music, the rest just connects, Yet with instrumentals, it always starts with a loop, be it drums or the music before it grows to a full song. Those are usually the hardest projects to finish but once it's done, there is no greater feeling. Unlike many great creations, composing a vibration that no one can see or touch but hear and feel is an ineffable feeling.
Experience in Johannesburg's Music Scene:
As a musician based in Johannesburg, how has the local music scene influenced your career? Are there any particular experiences or collaborations within the city that have significantly impacted your musical journey?
Surprisingly, Joburg's music scene doesn't inspire me that much (as it might have before). I completed my debut album after coming back from Denmark. It had been on the shelf for a while and my recent EP, Kwa Dumizulu, I produced after coming back from Cape Town. I don't find much inspiration here. There are venues, events and concepts that have been great towards our genre and contributed a lot towards my journey, more-so as a DJ but those initiatives have fizzled out with time. Good house music in the city is found in small pockets lately - events here and there created by lovers of the genre - be it Record Labels, Producers & DJ's that want to play/perform their music and international promoters that come to host in the city.
Future Projects and Aspirations:
What can your fans look forward to in the coming months? Are there any upcoming projects, performances, or collaborations that you're particularly excited about?
Well, I have started working on my second album which I am very excited about! It is probably some of my greatest compositions so far and awesome collaborations too - Mthunzi, Born Kxng, Keamo, Dato Seiko and more. I have also had the privilege to work on some exciting remixes which will be dropping later in the year including singles from my upcoming album. As for performances, on Sunday, 9 June I'm out at News Cafe Sandton for Baainar Sessions and Friday, 14 June I'm at Smoking Kills Melville for Raving in Johannesburg . Our flagship event, We Are Connected is back this summer as well, followed by Isgubhu, a collective under Connected & Ethnic Records.
