In the end, is it easy to recognize the patterns and change for the better?Tell us a few things about Patterns and the main idea behind it.
It’s never easy when it comes to self reflection. It takes a lot of discipline. When I created patterns I was at a time where I felt that I needed to make a change in my life. I began to notice the loop that I was in and the patterns that I stuck with out of comfort. So I decided to make a change and love myself more. There are so many issues that I’m still dealing with but I learned to take it one step at a time.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Definitely from patterns it was “I’m always stressing thinkin bout life and sh*t my job don’t work for me I think it’s time to quit.”
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
I have so many but my top three in no order would be Kendrick Lamar, Kanye, and Tyler, The Creator
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Symbolizes the art of expression. Some people see it differently I look at it as an art form and people just expressing their lives. There’s so many artists that are putting these bodies of work out. Most People don’t understand that as an artist to put a song out is probably one of the most vulnerable things that we can do because that song is a piece of us that were showing the world.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
When they need a little bit of motivation and just knowing that there’s someone else out there that understands how they feel when it comes to certain issues or situations. Maybe the listener is needing that extra reassurance about life. That’s where my music comes in.
One last thing we should know about you?
i’m someone who loves learning and creating. i’m not a big fan of school. Not saying that school isn’t beneficial for others it’s just not for me. what I mean by learning is learning new skills whether it’s learning how to mix & master music, graphic design, or even learning color palettes.
Life In The Background has very cool soundscapes. Tell us a few things about the EP, the story behind it.
Matt: We’re bursting with ideas so for this EP we tried to tame ourselves down and focus on some of our mellower and more lofi sounds. That was in part to fit the aesthetic of our label OAKHI. The EP is short and sweet and less intense than some of our previous work. I’m really content with how it came out, which I can’t say about everything I work on. To me it hangs together really well. Brett: Matt typically works out the ‘one of a kind’ names for our songs after we have gone back and forth through the first few versions of a song idea. After that I try to lean into the descriptive parts of those names to find inspiration, refine the details and also try to form a loosely connected narrative journey between various songs we are working on. To me Life in the Background sounds like it feels; from the outside looking in, a window into life from the background.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
Brett: Oneo Fakind is mostly remote collaboration in which we send ideas back and forth. Although it can be lonely working on new parts, receiving a revision is like having a musical conversation by email. It is not the same as jamming but it is definitely a social experience. Matt: The best part is when I get stuck on something I can send it off and what comes back has moved forward in a new direction I never would have dreamed of.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Brett: All Melody by Nils Frahm Matt: The Catastrophist by Tortoise
What would you change in the music industry?
Matt: I’d like to write soundtracks to books. That would be cool. I dunno if maybe that’s already a thing or gonna be a thing with ebooks.
If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?
Brett: Either of the Fantasia films. I think both movies are perfect as they are but also that it could be a fun challenge to create new sounds to match those visuals which were precisely designed to work with something else. Matt: Stalker by Andrei Tarkovsky. Very minimal atmospheric gem of a movie from the late 70s. Would be fun to make soundscapes for I think.
What is the most useless talent you have?
Matt: I can cross four of my five toes on each foot without using my fingers.
LOL. has a lovely atmospheric vibe. Where did you draw inspiration from?
I drew inspiration from my trips to Florida in 2021, I would fly there to work every month or so. It’s something about that Florida water, southern swang and Jamaican food just brings a different vibe out of me!
For which lyric you are most proud of?
I say a lot of cool things but recently my favorite has been “Even war zones have sunsets” – speaking to the silver lining. No matter how much chaos lies on earth, through all the smoke the sun will still shine.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
The artist that I’m into right now is “My Favorite Color,” a super dope rapper from LA.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Hip hop represents freedom of expression.Its not just music….its a way of life, nonconforming to the normal standards society tries to put on us and being yourself. Speaking the truth.Its the voice of the streets.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
I hope people relate to my music as an outlet. An expression of the things they feel but can’t exactly put into words. Whether it’s love, anger, bliss, comfort whatever I may be expressing at the time, I know God is using me as a vessel to show people they can be themselves and be unashamed. Just stay true, have faith and be fearless.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I got kicked out of school for throwing too many parties in my apartment
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”
HipHop Paranoia 