Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Hi, I’m from Pietermaritzburg, the second largest city in the province of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa. There was no moment where I sat down and said to myself, “I want a career in music”. I was introduced to EDM in high school and it was more a case of intrigue and curiosity as to how Steve Aioki, Dannic, Hardwell, Dada Life were making their music. I just wanted to peak behind the curtain and in the process I tripped and fell into the rabbit hole.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: Artists I’ve been listening to lately to name a few Burna Boy, Brent Faiyaz, Tems, Elaine and Kaien Cruz
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Sphephelo’?
A: My first and strongest influences were Black Coffee, Culoe De Song and Jullian Gomes. Sphephelo is not only my real name but it’s much more than that. Sphephelo is protector, Sphephelo is a shelter, Sphephelo is a place of refuge, Sphephelo is a sanctuary, Sphephelo is a rock. It’s a reminder of who I am and the power I have been gifted to embody all these endowments.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Déjà vu’. Is there a story behind it?
A: This Deja vu EP is part of the story that’s still being written, musically it’s formless aspects of it are slowly but surely unfolding taking shape but it’s still rough around the edges, its unpolished, unrefined and I’m very happy with that because thats where beauty lives.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: EPs, yes definitely. An album, not quite there yet, at the moment I’m only taking the steps that I can see but God willing in the future my life is anchored in all aspects to be able to wrestle with the exigency of assembling an album.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: That’s a good question. Music is subjective, my key elements in my music aren’t going to be key elements for potential fans or neutrals because, we’re all listening with different ears and opinions whatever resonates or doesn’t resonates isn’t important for me personally because, I feel I could potentially get lost in people’s thoughts and feelings. I would best describe the sound as afro house/tech with driving bass lines with a live energetic feel from the drums and atmospheric instruments soft as a whisper setting the colour.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: Like I said, my story is still being written and I haven’t even reached the halfway mark. There’s a lot of writing figuratively and literally that needs being done in order for my music to give me back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work I’m putting in.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do you usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: My creative process is an organized mess, for someone else looking in, it’s a nightmare. I start with a blank canvas every time and firstly I try setting the colour of the song at the very beginning to give me a guide to where I need to go, following right after that would be the anchor of the song, this element is a driving force in the song from start to finish and lastly would be arranging everything ensuring all the elements fit into their own pockets of space to gleam.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: There’s been quite a few things but losing my brother has been the most arduous thing I’ve ever had to grapple with.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Right now would be the tremendous support I’ve been receiving from DJs such as Jess Izatt (BBC Radio London), Jaguar (BBC Radio 1), Mele, Skinny Macho (NTS Radio) the list goes on but most importantly The BBC nationwide, everyone of you, I see you, I appreciate you and thank you.
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