Tell us a few things about The Blend. What is the main idea behind it?
‘The Blend’ broken-down is a positive song, lyrically it’s stacked with endless wordplay which compliments the futurist, HipHop, electronic and Spacey sounding score. The wordplay in the song is linked to space and the universe. The inner universe within you and the outer universe all around us. A nice fact about the song is it was written whilst myself and Peter Spacey were on an Instagram video call
How would you describe your musical progress over the years?
Xidus: “My musical progress has been great over the last couple of years.
I have written 40 projects in the last 40 months, and I’ve got to work with some legendary people, I have just delivered a Tedx Talk, I have recently been awarded a BBC / AIM Music Local Hero Award, and having the pleasure to collaborate with Peter Spacey is the Skygaze is the icing on the cake.”
Spacey: “I’m coming from a traditional background as a professional keyboard player, alongside early exposure to electronic music, beat-making, Djing (Turntablism), and music production.
I started playing the keyboard at the age of 7 – my first 5 years were focused on traditional music education as a classical piano player, which later transitioned into jazz keyboard playing.
I started Djing at the age of 15, bought turntables, learned the art of scratch, and grew up listening to electronic music and experimenting with synthesizers and drum machines, sampling, and beat-making.
My sound signature is a result of these combination flavors and is characterized by Spacey beats, glitched grooves, and some secret spices 🙂
These three elements are the main elements of my music-making – at the studio when creating and cooking my Spacey music, and on stage while performing.
Using these methods, skillset, and tools that surround me gives a solid framework for my creative process.
Throughout the years of living with the music beside and inside of me, I found a way to express myself and to communicate through music. I was always fascinated by frequencies, harmonies, and sounds, and was obsessed from early age days to playing by ear musical pieces that I love, synthesizing sounds, and exploring all the different dimensions of music.”
What first got you into music?
I’ve always loved music due to my mother playing music around me as a child from Soul Music, Gospel Music, Reggae Music, traditional Zimbabwean and African Music. My older brother got me into rapping.
My mentors The Sugarhill Gang’s song “Rapper’s Delight” is the first rap song I remember hearing and liking as a baby.
Spacey: “I grew up immersed in music, raised by musician parents in an innovative, inspiring musical environment.
Music was always there for me, a way to express myself, to communicate, to groove and move to, and to relax into.
I used to sit with my father during sessions when he was doing compositions and orchestrations for theater, making electronic music on his computer, or playing the guitar. Also, when mom’s lessons when she was teaching flute.
Also listening to music at home – everything from popular oldies throughout Brasilian and jazz up to electronic.
Some artists that influenced me the most in my first years were – Jobim, Chick-Korea, Jean Michel Jaar, Beastie boys, Fatboyslim, Gorillaz, and Queen, to name a few.”
Your dream collaboration?
Xidus: “My dream collaboration would have to be Jay-Z, common or Kanye. I love their beat choices, song arrangement and lyrics. The fact that they still make amazing, interesting and current music after over 20 years in the HipHop game is a testament within itself.”
Spacey “Collaborate with Nasa – play my music on the outer space / make music out of outer space field recordings, experiments with some music physics anomalies and science in the unordinary environment.”
What would you change in the music industry?
Xidus: “I would shift the power over so the artist has more control than their label.
I would also make sure artists get more money for streams and have more of a balance when it comes to messages sent out to listeners within mainstream music.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Xidus: “My music is mood music I have over 40 projects which explore different subject matter. I call it mood music due to having a project or song for different emotions and occasions so people can take their pick.”
What is the most useless talent you have?
Xidus: “I am good at classic beat ’em up video games, for example games like Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat, Marvel Vs capcom, Tekken, Soul Calibur and Power Stone.
Spacey: “i know how to make huge soap bubbles”
Thank you!
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