Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Calm’ . What is the main idea behind it?
‘I don’t want to run for another day’ is a feeling everyone has already experienced at least once in their life. If calm is able to make you relax and chill out when listening to it, then it has achieved its intended goal.
What first got you into music?
I was born in a musical family. My father played the violin, my mother the organ and my brother plays guitar. There was always music in our house. What really got me hooked on synthesizers was the album „Switched on Bach“ by Wendy Carlos.
Favourite ambient album of the past decade?
Still for me a masterpiece is the album ‘Zeitreise’ be the project Schiller
What would you change in the music industry?
Clearly the payout scheme of the streaming services. Tidal made a good start and the others should follow. Spotify is really the worst in my opinion. They make a fortune on us musicians and give back only breadcrumbs.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Learn to read and write sheet music (laughs). All I do is purely based on intuition and my mood when writing a song. There‘s nothing wrong with that of course, but I admire musicians who can readily play of sheet music.
What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?
GAS or Gear Acquisition Syndrome (laughs)! When there is a new synth coming out I need to check it out.
Winnin’ (feat. King Los) is very melodic but also has a trap infused bass heavy beat. Tell us a few things about it.
Honestly that’s what we were going for. I gravitate towards beats that have melodic overtones in terms of synths and what not, but also with that kind of timbaland hit hard heavy percussion. When I first wrote this single I knew that it was meant for the club and I wanted people to go hard to this. That’s been the goal all along.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
One of them is “Is it bad that I hate you with me if that means your friends show up”
When I’m dating, sometimes that girl I’m with has friends who are NOT for the relationship and it messes up the whole situation. So literally I’d rather not hang out with the girl I’m with sometimes if her friends decide pull up. Personal but true.
Favourite album of all time?
Confessions, Usher
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
You never know how close you are or far away from making it big, and that’s always the exciting yet nerve racking part. So I’ve learned to not worry about that and let my music speak to my audience and keep hustling all the way through.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
Well, I’m a BEAST at ping-pong, so i do that. And at times i’ll just lock myself in a movie theater for a day and watch every movie.
What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Outcast’. What is the main idea behind it?
‘Outcast’ delves deep into sensitive subjects, such as underage drug abuse, systemic racism, and poverty. Growing up in today’s society, especially as an African-American child, you are exposed to a lot of injustice and tragedies. It’s easy to feel hopeless and like you can’t do anything to change your life. I wrote ‘Outcast’ as a way to process some of those tragedies that I saw as I grew older, as well as hopefully to let others going through the same things know that they are not alone.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Honestly, I would say the entirety of ‘Outcast’ is personal and honest. I put my heart and soul into this song, and the words in it come from things that I personally dealt with or saw firsthand growing up in a small suburban city area. If I had to pick one, it’d probably be, “I just wanna live my damn life, but was only taught to get by.” Schools in impoverished and underrepresented areas really don’t prepare you for the world. They do their best, but for those kids who aren’t already growing up with money or connections, it’s insane how hard it is to just be successful and not have to struggle every day. I feel like I was told how to get by with the bare minimum, but I feel like we all deserve more than that. Everyone deserves to thrive and be happy in their life.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
I take a lot of inspiration from Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Pharell, and Kenny Beats.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Hip-hop and rap tell stories from the viewpoint of individuals that just want their voices to be heard. It started out as a way for underrepresented and silenced black voices to advocate for themselves and to express themselves in a safe space. It can be something as simple as just wanting to fuck around and have fun, or it can be an outlet to process complicated and raw emotions. That’s the beauty of hip-hop and rap – what it symbolizes is up to each individual. It’s art in one of its purest forms.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I imagine people will listen to my music in an introspective kind of way. Maybe they’re laid out on the couch, just chillen in their thoughts.
You’d give up making music for…
I’d give up making music if we could have world peace, but that’s about it. Music is my life, so unless it was something that would drastically change humanity for the better, I’m going to continue my passion!
‘Reign Love’ has a very nice chill vibe. What is the main idea behind it?
The idea behind the song is rooted in the concept of being prepared for a blessing to come into your life. It’s a very personal song for me and some of the lyrics touch on my own life journey, my dreams, and ambitious desire to prepare for the next levels of my life.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“You are becoming. Yes, you are transforming.” It’s such a direct and affirmative statement. I use that lyric as a personal mantra to remind myself that I’m on the right path.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
So many! On the male side I’d say: Michael Jackson, Usher, Chris Brown, Stevie Wonder, The Weeknd. On the female side: Monica, Brandy, Rihanna, Destiny’s Child & Beyonce
What would you change in the music industry?
I would love to bring the authenticity back into the music. Where not only the hits and music were created organically, but also where each artists had their own unique sound and lane. It made music a lot more interesting and everlasting; so I’d definitely bring that back!
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I actually imagine and hope that people are in all kinds of states of mind when listening to my music. Whether you are happy and in love, sad and lonely, bored and looking for entertainment, or a music lover looking for something fresh & new—I have a song for people to relate to and I hope they listen to it!
Tell us a few things about your new song “Dance”. What is the story behind it?
I was working on tracks throughout 2020 and 2021 for an EP. My good friend and producer Jordan Marcotte brought me this really moody sounding vibe that I fell in love with. I wanted a song that celebrated both individuality and being in love. It may sound like a dichotomy but that’s how I view life. I see things through multiple lenses.
How would you describe your musical progress over the years?
I didn’t feel in control of my own artistry at first. I was afraid to speak up and change anything (i.e. production, direction, overall release). I didn’t really know how to be honest with you. The older I get the more I realize that each release is an extension of where I am, how I feel, and what I want to express. It has to meet my own standards before release day. I like that kind of creative control.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
. It’s actually in my song “All The Right Ways” but the lyric goes “so pathetic, that I’m forgetting, I feel my face turning red”. This actually happens to me more than I’d like to admit. I turn red – easily – for many reasons that I won’t discuss here.
Favourite album of the past year?
I’ve been listening to a lot of John Splithoff. His album “All In” is what I’ve been diving into. He’s clear and direct – lyrically, vocally, musically. It rolls together so easily. At least he’s makes it sound that way.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
My biggest challenge has been to stop caring what others think and just be the artist I want to be. Not who others want me to be. Not how they want me to sound. At the end of the day if I don’t believe or even like the art I present, I’ll resent it and eventually be consumed by the regret.
Favorite film ever?
Titanic. The stories and backstories the movie intertwines make the film more profound that one may realize upon first viewing. I could go on but I’ll leave that there.
When was the last time you danced?
I kinda dance all the time to be real with you. Daily.
Feels like home. That is the kind of music I seek to create.
Tell us a few things about your new song, ‘Back To Harmony.’ What is the main idea behind it?
I wanted to release a record I enjoyed making. On a personal level, Back To Harmony is a track where I started to understand what completeness feels like.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
There are so many talented creatives I would love to collaborate with in the future. And I have written many songs with my sister throughout the years, so I’m no stranger to music collaboration. We’ve penned some pretty cool tunes when we created together. And solo songwriting, for me, is one of the ways I make peace with many positive and negative problems.
Favourite album of the past year?
Right now, I’m really into KEYS.
What would be your dream performance venue?
It depends on the vibe. But if I had to say, a place that holds many, yet feels intimate, a lot like the music I make now.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I’m an academic student researcher in my other life, so most of my time is spent on that. When I’m not researching for work or purely for leisure, I enjoy finding breathtaking scenery and other things to photograph. I also enjoy playing video games and getting in touch with my spirituality.
One last thing we should know about you?
That I am grateful for this opportunity. Thank you!
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”
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘Zurück Zuhaus’. What is the main idea behind it?
Zurück Zuhaus translates to “back at home” in English and of course it was inspired by the nice feeling of being at home. However, the song doesn’t refer to the place where I live, like my flat or my house. Rather, it praises my local community, my friends and family, without whom I’d probably be a totally different person.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love both collaborating with other musicians in the live context. Also in the studio I have worked with several artists. When writing lyrics or composing songs, I tend to need all my concentration, and therefore I typically withdraw.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
Writing music often feels like solving a puzzle. All the different pieces need to find their place. When the song is done, it feels like a big success. Performing my own music live elevates that feeling even higher, as I can see the immediate reaction of the audience.
What would you change in the music industry?
Personally, I think the digital age brought some great liberation to the music industry. Before digital age, music studios were accessible to a very small elite exclusively. Nowadays, kids with a laptop are reaching an international audience, which was unthinkable just a couple years back. Also my music wouldn’t exist without cheaply available digital technology. At the same time, competition is fiercer than ever, as there are literally millions of highly skilled and determined musicians out there. And there are some players in the industry that obviously build their business model around taking advantage of this situation. I wish people would treat each other more respectfully.
Favorite music related film?
I used to listen to the Beastie Boys a lot when I was younger. Recently, I saw their documentary and enjoyed it quite a lot. Also I remember the movie about Ray Charles as impressive.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
Not taking myself seriously in situations where I should.
Tell us a few things about your new EP ANOTHER LIFE. What is the main idea behind it?
The main idea is that I often imagine myself living other lives, having totally different experiences, backgrounds and beliefs than I do currently, and I wanted to explore those lives. Each song is about a relationship – two are exes, one is an ex best friend, and one is about my relationship with myself (When You Dream, Your Soul Grows Back – which contains the lyrics “I feel the pull to another life,” the title of the EP). Writing and producing the songs was therapeutic and allowed me to explore what I did in the past and some possibilities for how things could have gone differently. Coming from a more academic background with my music, where my experience was focused more on technique and execution rather than the feeling that inspired the music itself, it’s always been hard for me to push myself to be vulnerable, and so I hope I achieved that with this EP.
What first got you into music?
When I was 9, four musicians from a local orchestra came to our school to basically persuade kids to join the strings program. There was a violinist, a violist, a cellist, and a bassist. I remember sitting on the floor of the gym, criss-cross applesauce, and each one of them played alone for a few minutes to demonstrate the different features of each instrument, and I was completely blown away by how amazing they each sounded. I chose to play viola (because I’m not like other girls, rawr XD), and then ten years later I was doing that same presentation to a bunch of kids, which was really cool to see some of the kids’ eyes light up and ask a ton of questions. My dad is also a musician and has always played music around me so he probably primed me for that moment too.
Artists and people who have influenced and inspired you?
Björk, Kate Bush, Blood Orange, Tom Waits, My Chemical Romance, Tori Amos, Allie X, Idina Menzel, Remi Wolf, Jesca Hoop, The Used, 070 Shake, Young Thug, Phantogram, Rihanna, Cocteau Twins, Peter Gabriel, Debussy, Rush, Chopin, John Mayer, Fair to Midland, Bladee, Brian Eno, Dorian Electra, Circa Survive, Erik Satie, The Dear Hunter, Grimes, Arvo Pärt, Charli XCX, Oneohtrix Point Never, Queen, Demi Lovato, Sigur Rós, Kaija Saariaho, Julia Holter, Ricky Eat Acid, Kitty, MUNA, Dan Deacon and my dad.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
Probably letting other people in on my process. I kind of always thought I needed to do it all myself, from songwriting to recording to producing to mixing and mastering. But I’m learning that collaborating not only takes that weight off of you, it also blends the incredible beauty of someone else’s mind into your work, and that goes beyond workflow and efficiency, it’s priceless. It’s the whole point. Music is meant to be shared not only with other musicians, but the audience should participate. The audience are musicians too, just by listening.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Smoking a joint driving in your car after an exhausting day. Or on shitty phone speakers getting ready for a girls night out.
When was the last time you danced?
On a daily walk this week. To Vulfpeck on my headphones. You can just dance in the street, nobody cares.
HipHop Paranoia 