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Welcome back to BuzzMusic Jay Nomad! How inspiring has the NYC scene been for you so far? Thank you. I’m happy to feature on BuzzMusic again! NYC is an awesome place to get inspiration from other musicians and artists. I recently played a show here at Gold Sounds in Brooklyn and the support was amazing. I’m now looking for singers to do collaborations for my next songs. We took a look at your latest video “Forever And Ever” and we loved it! How did you manage to complement the song meaning with the visual? “Forever and Ever” is about summer love basically. The typical story of the guy who meets the girl and is immediately attracted to her. In the video we try to highlight that concept by showing the interaction between a model/dancer and the photographer. Many of the scenes focus mostly on her while she’s in the shoot and dancing on the street. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in creating the video? Our team had little experience making music videos although they’d worked in videography for other fields. I was the only one with some previous experience so I knew I couldn’t work on a complicated storyline. We basically improvised during most of the recording and for some of the team members it was hard to work that way because they’re used to having a set storyline. So trying to communicate my spontaneous ideas was a bit of an obstacle at first but we eventually made it work. How was “Forever and Ever” directed? Was the production of this visual a smooth experience? I was basically the executive producer and director through my small company “Nomad Creative Studios” I hired three friends to work with me, Tony Yang from Paperstudios and Jeeranan for videography, and Phillip Tour for lighting. The actress, Kaoru Tani, is also a dancer and a sword action performer from Japan. She’s amazing! She had no problem working with us and posing for the camera. Very professional! We recorded some of the scenes at SLIC studios in Long Island City. It definitely helps that it’s summer since we have a lot of sunlight, something you guys enjoy year-round in LA, but unfortunately here we have it for just a couple of months. For the editing I worked with one of my business partners Morcio Martinelli who’s an old friend of mine from Colombia. He’s a music video director and editor. The guy worked on one of my music videos back when I had a band in Bogota. He’s amazing. The whole experience in general was fun and I’m glad I worked with the team. What’s next for you Jay Nomad? There’s still a lot of stuff I’m working on this year. I’m releasing another single called “Jade’s Ballad” on September 20th. It’s a song with a much darker tone to it since it talks about abusive relationships. After that I won’t be releasing singles until January so I’ll be working on my own remixes and making alternate versions to the 5 songs I already have. In November I’ll also start pre-production on new music for 2020. I’m planning to visit Thailand and Colombia where I have a good following already and play some shows there. I’ll keep you all posted at BuzzMusic. I’m so thankful for the support you’ve given me. Hopefully I can visit you in LA as well. Give a listen to Jay's latest track here! We're keeping up with Jay Nomad through his socials, and you should too! Discover more below. Facebook Instagram #BuzzMusic

Vocalist, songwriter, performer and multi-instrumentalist Eleanor Tallie has been captivated by the groove of American music since her childhood in Israel. Classically trained on the cello and raised in a household of musicians, Eleanor began writing original lyrics and music when she was 12 years old, and studied classical music for 15 years. After completing her studies, she traveled throughout Israel performing original songs as a singer-songwriter and pianist, both solo and with a band backing her up. Eleanor is in the process of recording her new album with producer Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone, Busta Rhymes, Digable Planets and more). Her first single off the record, entitled “Promised Land” is available on all streaming platforms. Eleanor is set to release several additional single releases over the course of 2019-2020, all produced by Steve Greenwell. After five years of living and touring in the US, in over 35 states, Eleanor Tallie will be getting back on the road for her 2019-2020 Winter Tour in the upcoming months. Featuring a brand new music video, “Promised Land” brings vast and vibrant visuals to life. Eleanor’s vocals are quite wonderful, as are the lyrics. They swoop around a carefully constructed dreamscape of a backing track and the new visual match up perfectly. There is something so vibrant about the choice of melody fused with the psychedelic and colorful music video. This fills “Promised Land” with an exotic, other-worldly charm, which is only enhanced by the ever-changing scenery. I think “Promised Land” is quite mesmerizing. The music video is entertaining, layered, engaging, and is all the more powerful when matched with Eleanor’s hypnotizing vocals and authenticity. Check out the brand new music video below and stream Eleanor's single “Promised Land” here! Keep reading for more with Eleanor Tallie in our exclusive interview! What was the main theme you want viewers to take away from this music video? “Promised Land” is a phrase mostly used when referring to a place. But in this song, I use the concept of a “Promised Land” as an inner place, a place reached within the internal self, on the journey of authenticity. I’ve learned that relationships with others only work best when you reach that Promised Land within you. The video was a visual opportunity for me to tell that story, with different looks to represent who I am in the most authentic way – multi cultural, multi-faceted and straightforward. What was the filming process like? The filming process was actually a very intuitive process. We had a few concepts in mind for the video, but nothing was planned in detail. I let Zoe Map, our video director, get inspired by the song and the energy it holds. We deliberately left lots of ends loose. It all ended up falling into place, with shots and visuals that turned into subtle representations of my identity and message. That’s exactly what I was hoping for, since this is my first music video, so it was good to sort of “introduce” who I am and what I had to say. I’m very thankful for the process and the incredibly talented team Zoe put together for this video. How did you create the idea for this video to match the message within “Promised Land? Since Promised Land’s message is about our relationship with ourselves being the pillar of any relationship with anyone else, I felt that showing different looks will be a great visual representation of different facets of identity and self discovery. Also, conveying intimacy was another goal, since this is the most intimate subject – our authenticity, our relationship with ourselves. Using multiple colors was something I envisioned when I first thought about the video, and Zoe completed that creative thought with adding the idea of black and white shots to make it all feel more whole and complete. Do you know which single of yours will be released next? Yes. At least one more single will be released before my next video. The song is entitled “Rooftops” and it‘s about New York – the hopes and dreams the city holds and the evolution of those hopes and dreams. Can you tell us more about your upcoming album? The upcoming album will have songs on it about my journey, and what seems to be everyone’s journey. The best thing about life is that you get to live it – the happiness, the pain, the joy, the fears and the beauty of all of it combined. It’s a very personal group of songs, but also feels like it’s everyone else’s story. I’m really excited to keep releasing my music, and just feel so grateful to be able to do that. Stay updated on the latest with Eleanor and her music through her social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

London-based singer/songwriter Tiggi Hawke is a straight-talking vocalist who shoots from the hip and writes and sings straight from the heart. Tiggi’s ethos and philosophy is pretty straightforward: she wants to bridge the divide between musical worlds of synth-pop. Tiggi Hawke started her career at Tileyard Studio in Kings Cross when she was just 16 and is still there to this day. With no plans of an album in the near future, Tiggi promises many more singles and possibly the release of an EP! Striving to create honesty and realness within her artistry, Tiggi Hawke is the one to watch! Meditative and super-soulful new single “New York City” has us blown away. Not only is the track explosive and mesmerizing, but Tiggi’s vocals are precise and raw. She puts her heart on display in the most admirable and poetic fashion. The confident, well-produced backing track features infectious synths to create a tension that’s heightened towards the song’s conclusion. The melody continues to build as the track progresses and the rhythmic synths that had accompanied it are a refreshing and welcome addition. Tiggi has outdone herself with the emotive lyricism and powerful vocals. We love what we’re hearing from this up and coming artist and we can’t wait to see what she delivers next. Listen to “New York City” here and read more below in our exclusive interview! What was it in your childhood that made you so passionate about music? I’m not sure there was a particular point that I can say “that is the one and only reason”, my parents love music so there was always music playing when I was growing up and they encouraged me to embrace any sort of creativity, so that definitely opened Pandora’s box. I didn’t start writing until I was in high school and by then it was more of an outlet for me, school and me didn’t go well and I found that I could be more ‘me’ when I was wiring and singing and I never stopped since then! Can you tell us more about your song “New York City”! What inspired it? To me, NYC is a reflective song, looking back on a past relationship that still holds a piece of you, so you find yourself looking for that person wherever you are and in whoever you’re with. I don’t like to get too specific about songs, only because I think that if I did it becomes only about why I wrote it instead of leaving room for people to have their own interpretation. Who are you biggest musical influences? That’s a tough one! I listened to a lot of different music growing up so I had a really eclectic musical introduction, my mum was into a lot of rock music while my dad was into American classics so I heard a lot of different music! I also started singing classically so experienced that genre too. One of my all time favourites though is Johnny Cash and I definitely think he inspired me with his writing, he managed to tell a whole story in the space of a song and you don’t feel like he missed anything out or carried on too long. When you write, do the music or lyrics come first? For me it’s almost always lyrics, I need to know where I’m going with a song, at least roughly, otherwise my mind is all over the place. But after the initial figuring out of that, then it’s a bit of a free-flowing mash up of whatever comes into my head! I don’t really have a filter, so 90% of what comes out can be absolutely nuts and entirely unusable but I love the whole process, especially when I’m writing with other people, it really inspires me to push the boundaries and I get to bounce some ideas off some crazy talented people! Connect further with Tiggi Hawke and her music via her Instagram! #BuzzMusic

Formed half a decade ago in Los Angeles, Tigercide is comprised of members Shexist and Saint Brendan. The duo creates infectious, melancholic, haunting and dark trip-hop. Their latest release officially out on August 27th, “Remedy” has become a personal BuzzMusic favorite of 2019. "Remedy" is a melancholic and emotional song that’s delivered in a genuine manner with some beautifully capable vocals. The song is thoughtful in a personal yet accessible way, and with this comes the occasional element of poetic reflection that really captures the listeners attention. There are elements of turmoil or mild destruction in some of the lines, the overall feeling “Remedy” presents is passion and a desire to progress. Tigercide presents that mesmerizing trip-hop aura from start to finish and breathy, dreamlike vocals make up the delicate chorus. A powerful track that’s easy to escape within, “Remedy” is a well-written song that feels familiar at first yet increasingly fresh as it progresses. “Remedy” is a moment of reflection and hopefulness, with a great hook. Simplicity is key, but there’s nothing simple about the careful consideration that has crafted “Remedy”. We can’t wait to hear more! Listen to Tigercide's new single "Remedy" from the upcoming EP, The Remedy! Get the exclusive first listen here! Connect with Tigercide on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter SoundCloud #BuzzMusicExclusive

As a fan of the tough metaphors and raw artistry, when I listened to Ontario’s finest K-Crews, I was immediately turned into a fan. I indulged myself in his single titled “Donuts” featuring Saugasson, and this record was everything I’ve been recently looking for in a hip-hop song. An edgy production that shows elements of a light-hearted dark trap vibe with an intense punch yet delivered with a calm articulation. The witty bars and creative wordplay from K-Crews was something you just don’t hear often on the main market of hip-hop nowadays. Not only was “Donuts” impacting me in a lyrical sense, But this single was also highly marketable due to the hyped energy you still attain from listening to this song. Who doesn’t love a good flex song that can get you hyped at the parties? K-Crews and Saugasson delivered us a hit! And it’s only right we keep it on replay. With a unique rap tone and individual style, K-Crews is the newcomer you need to be on the look-out for! Discover K-Crews track "Donuts" here, and continue reading for more with K-Crews! Welcome to BuzzMusic K-Crews! Mind telling our readers a bit about your background? How did you discover your specific love for rap music? Crews: Thanks for tuning in, I discovered my specific love for rap music when I was about 6 years old, I found Michael Jackson, from there I found Akon, from there Slim Shady and it was a done deal once I heard Em. I fell in love with real rap/hip-hop; Em, Nas, Hov, Dre, the list goes on. Lyricism and word play is what really caught my ear, especially the way Eminem played around with syllables it was really eye-opening for me. Sauga: I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of being a rapper but i really found my love for it in high school when I started making music with my cousin Rayshawn J. At that time i was beyond inspired by Drake and Eminem, hence why i try to be more lyrical and clever when i rhyme. Who would you consider some of your early inspirations for your rap career and why? Crews: My early inspirations would be Mac Miller, Eminem, Logic, Slaughterhouse, and Kendrick Lamar. Mac Miller the most because I liked his content as well as his persona on a track, he was able to level out many different vibes and that really drew my attention. Eminem because his lyrical capability was off the wall and I believe lyricism is a very big part of rap and hip-hop, the play on syllables is where I really started messing with Logic, and very similar ideas for Kendrick. Sauga: My early inspirations were Eminem, Drake & Kid Cudi. For Eminem his ability to create complex lyrics, and just overall unparalleled rap abilities at the time were something I respected in high regard. Drake has always had the talent for telling stories in his music, you listen to Drake and you can picture everything he says to the point where it’s almost like we know him personally. Scott Mescudi got me through some dark times, i think it’s widely recognized that he is an icon for those with depression and other mental battles. You’re bringing back real rap and bars! Many rappers usually don’t take the time to perfect their songwriting. What’s the K-Crews tip to writing a perfect song? Crews: That’s the movement, rappers don’t take time writing and that’s why all the music you hear nowadays all sounds the same, money this, drugs that, women, fancy clothes, all that is whack. A perfect song comes from properly identifying key parts of the beat, the hooks, the drops, the bridges, etc. You need to be able to feel the flow of the beat, not just find some dope words and throw them on any instrumental, when I write I am analyzing the beat down to the very last syllable which is why I’m able to manipulate my lyrics to match the beat. Sauga: jeez thank you that means a lot it really does. I’m aiming to do just that and i will continues to grow to the best of my capabilities and strive for nothing less than greatness. I wouldn’t say there is any one way or path to perfect songwriting, however i would say take your time with it if need be there is no need to rush the lyrics and miss certain errors you easily could’ve picked up on. What was the vibe you were aiming for in “Donuts”? Crews: Once I got the hook down for donuts, the flow I had decided on was heavy so I knew I had to kill the verse, I wanted it to be the hardest verse I have ever spit, so once I got up to writing the last sequence of my verse, I looped the beat over the last 20 seconds or whatever it was, I spent 35 minutes on just that small amount of the verse, worked it down to every last syllable just so I could execute the word play to perfection and I think it did end up being one of my hardest verses to this day. Sauga: the vibe i was aiming for was to give a little taste of music to come in the way i rhyme and how i play with the words, whilst depicting some current things that are happening in my life at the moment that have brought me great joy. What’s next for you K-Crews? Crews: Next for me, lots of videos, got 6 on the way, also in the process of developing an 11-track LP as well as the commencement of my first official album for my Spotify debut...stay tuned cuz you won’t wanna miss a thing, heavy movements on the way, coming soon. Sauga: Next for me would be my upcoming album, then working on my next album. I also have 3 shows coming up along with some new collabs and more visuals! Just wait on it I don’t wanna get into too many details lol! Make sure to connect further with K-Crews via his Instagram! #BuzzMusic

Welcome to BuzzMusic! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind you debut solo album "Ouvindo Vozes"? This album is a result from experiments that I have been making even before I decide to present myself as artist and start this music project . Everything started in the compositions, in the 1st steps of my creative process. It didn't really matter that I was working in an album. I was simply trying to work on sounds and arrangements that I like to listen. For a long time I was doing that just for fun, not taking it seriously, but deep inside of me I knew that it would come the time to make it for real /  take things seriously. So, after many songs, experimenting with different ways to play them, I could see a connection for the things between them. This album had many different sonorities and song combinations before this final form. And for sure it's because of things that I lived through this period, the musics that I was listening to, and my research about Brazilian culture. I wanted to figure out the songs as a contemporary production but also as a way of inner self-exploration. 'Ouvindo Vozes' is about  listening  the  internal voices, about being aware of the  sensitive connections to your intuition, the signs of our natural intelligence when dealing with life's situation. It's also about being open to the messages and inspirations coming from nature and the world, everyday. It's about connection. We love the song "Matamba"! What was it like working with Gabriel Marinho? Have you collaborated before? Gabriel Marinho is an unique and sensible music producer from Rio de Janeiro. He came from Bahia and has an amazing sense of taste and creativity. We have worked before in many situations and projects, some not directly related to music production. He co-produced the first DOSSEL single, AMNST, recording the percussions, Wurlitzer Piano and also did the mixing of that track. In 'Matamba', I had started the song and the lyrics, but could not go further from that point. But I really liked the first part and didn't wanted it to be so short because I knew that could be a great track. So, I showed the song to Gabriel, he really enjoyed the song and sent me amazing lyrics for the second part, in which I did the instrumental part with João Sasmana. That fits perfectly to finish the song, also because he sings as beautiful as the words he wrote. Maria Bonita sings with me the in first part with her strong and enchanting voice. Lucky me, to have these amazing and talented people around to collaborate!I "Ijexá de Fevereiro" is a very diverse and exciting track! What was the recording experience like? Who are the vocals featured on this track? It's one of my favorite tracks in the album. This song has the luxurious percussion from Rodrigo Maré, one of the best percussionists currently in Rio. He has played with Gilberto Gil and the singer Céu. I had this instrumental acoustic guitar based in ijexá rhythm that I shared with Carolina Turboli, the singer and composer. It's dedicated to Yemonjá, the Goddess of the oceans, from african-based religions. It's a devotion. So, we did this really respectfull with the Orixás protection. How do you manage to flawlessly blend Brazilian music from the 60's and 70's with a contemporary sound? That was one of the goals for this project. But we are still trying our best to achieve it... We needed a lot of sensibility to bring the amazing Brazilian music from the 'golden era'  to nowadays/ our present days. But even this music from 60's and 70's on itself is still contemporary because  it's so sophisticated and rich in details... It's definitely not getting old! What we are doing is to carefully insert some elements and sonorities from music produced at this decade, doing this dialog between organic/analog and eletronic/digital sounds. What do you hope to achieve as an artist going forward? Doing this album is also a way to present myself as a music producer and art director in music, so, I hope this can connect me not only to people that listen to the songs and watch the concerts, but also to other artists. Not just musicians, but also people from cinema, photography, design. I believe that all arts are directly connected to the human essence. I hope that this beginning as an artist can fill my soul with energy to make other projects, collaborate to other artists and producers, and grow in this field with these experiences. I think all this could help my art reach more and more people. I hope they can connect to themselves, to nature and to other people through these songs. Connect with Dossel on social media www.instagram.com/_dossel Listen to Dossel's full album.

Welcome back Nahhdahh! We’re loving your newest track “I Feel A Way”! What inspired this song? Thank you so much for having me back and that’s amazing to hear. A lot of hard work goes into the creation of a record. Taking what resides in the deep depths of ones soul and translating it into a form that others can also experience. And nowadays with the abundance of so many talented artists and so much music being available at the push of a button makes it hard to get noticed, let alone be appreciated so that really means a lot, thank you. What inspired I Feel A Way to tell you the truth is relationships over the years. I’m sure everyone has experienced some type of betrayal whether it be from a friend, a family member or a co-worker that could smile in your face and really can’t stand you or despise you; some people aren’t always your friends and people you call a friend sometimes never see you in that same light. You’ve been busy this year! What’s been your main plan of action as an artist in 2019? My main plan is to consistently release 1000% quality music and continue evolving and opening up more socially. I also want to grow my fan base and continue making better pieces of art and content. Considering how music production has evolved and with the current technology available thus allowing anyone to put together an arrangement, even on your iPhone lol; without understanding a single thing about music theory gives people no excuse now to download an app or a program on your computer and express yourself. My goal is to find myself within my art and deliver on every single record. The last time we spoke you mentioned that you were working on some new visuals for your track “Sad Day”! Do you have any news on when that’s dropping? Sadly the visuals for “Sad📷Day” got pushed back at the moment due to scheduling issues, vision and budget limits to create what needs to be created to bring that record to life. When me and $ knowy link to get it done best believe it will be a movie. It hasn’t been long since we wrote about your song “Sad Day”. How do you keep yourself on track to write and record so consistently? My creativity never stops actually, the hard part is turning it off. I’m inspired by various art forms such as Independent films, paintings, stop motion artists and from a simple day to day conversation; a lot of my material comes from that. Who or what would you say inspires you the most to pursue and put your time and passion into music? (Me Myself & Irene) naw that’s one of my favorite movies lol but me; I’m creating this art because it’s therapeutic. When I stepped away from music maybe 3-4 years ago something always felt off, like apart of me was missing and it truly was; music is my therapy/ therapist (We meet and talk about everything and music never judges me.) I never said this publicly . I always planned on making a YouTube video in which I would open up and reveal things in depth but I always talked myself out of doing it. Being worried about my imagery as a hip hop artist & what people would think but now I’m like “fuck it”. I don’t know if profanity is allowed but it’s my truth and it’s part of who I have become. I have been dealing with depression and some mental health issues and getting back to being creative and writing; creating content has helped me better cope with those issues. Give a listen to Nahhdahh's latest track here, and check out his socials below for updates on music and shows! Facebook Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Hey 2Dub! Welcome back to BuzzMusic--we're excited we get to talk about your latest single "Body Move"! Are you happy with how the song was produced in the end?! Me being my worst critic, I always feel like everything I do can be better, as I always look for continuous improvement. Overall, I’m pleased with the finished product for “Body Move”but I welcome any constructive criticism. "Body Move" is an undeniably catchy, energetic and fun song. Where did you draw your inspiration from in order to create this track? When the producer Charles Yates sent me the track for review the concept came instantly. I always wanted to make a twerk type song so i got with my partner Swift and we put it together. What's the most integral element to your music that you find is always integrated into every track you produce? Every song has to display some sense of fun and enjoyment. The integral part is heart, I put my heart into every song. It's incredibly cool that you have your own shoe brand! How do you find you balance running your own company, as well as producing music?! Balance! Lol, try no sleep. I’m always online promoting and trying to get to know my audience. That’s the key to success, right! What's the major goal for you as an artist? I look to become an artist who’s music will be treasured and loved no matter the time. Check out "Body Move" here, as well as 2Dub's socials below for updates on his music! Facebook Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Music and writing has always played an integral part of PiKe BLVD’s life. Born in Chester, PA then raised in Delaware, writing quickly became a way for him to work through his anger and emotions, rather than acting out on them. Growing up with a less than ideal childhood, PiKe BLVD was able to use his writing as an outlet. Around 2012, PiKe BLVD began making music.  He wrote his first hip-hop single, “Be Free”, which wouldn’t actually be released for another two years. His early influences include Common, T.I., Kanye West, Nas, and Jay Electronica among others and he describes his writing style as “dealing with emotions without being emotional.” PiKe pulls from his own experiences, as well as what he observes in the lives of those around him. In 2016, PiKe suffered a life threatening injury that he believes truly saved him. In addition to giving him a new outlook on life, his experience can be heard in the messaging of his music. “Not Average” is PiKe BLVD’s latest single and we’re bumping it on repeat! Different perspectives, unity and awareness, intention and ambition, everything comes through in “Not Average”, alongside PiKe BLVD’s own journey and the lessons he has learned so far. “Not Average” showcases element of personal strength fused with a complex and deeply human experience. The verses present thoughts on the past and the future alike, laying out details and a background that let you get a clearer image of PiKe BLVD and where he came from. I highly recommend this new track “Not Average” and stay tuned for more from PiKe BLVD. Check out “Not Average” here and read more with PiKe BLVD in our interview below! Hey PiKe BLVD! Can you start by introducing yourself to our readers? How did you get started making music? What’s up World!!! Let me start off by introducing myself. I got by the name PiKe BLVD. I know you’re wondering why the name PiKe BLVD? It stands for Paul Is Killing Everything.... Paul being my name. I couldn’t I couldn’t imagine being introduced on stage as...Paul. I later added “BLVD” as a last name to give distinction to PiKe. So, I got started in music a child. My dad would play his guitar and write songs and poem. As a teen, I would freestyle with friends but didn’t know anything other than that at the time. Later, the verses began to express my emotions and what I experienced. Then later they became songs. What’s the Hip-Hop scene like in your hometown? How has this influenced the way you create your music? To me, revival. There’s a will power here. That keeps me confident when I make music. We really resonate with your track “Not Average”! What inspired you to write this? Thank you. I appreciate the love. This song came about because I was talking to a child hood friend over the phone and starting reminiscing. So, we were laughing about this particular experience and then I recorded the song. The story goes ends off with them never finding the marijuana and all they gave out was a ticket for noise. We had the music turnt. Tell us about what your dream collaboration would be like? Wow. My dream collaboration? This is tough. I’d have to say, is Common. Reason being, there was a time in 2016 when I had to recover from a terrible head accident. His music brought a different peace during my healing. It brought me back to what I was trying to accomplish before my injury. Which is to spread love. I didn’t have the best child hood so I’m able to talk about it.  Shoot, today’s generation in the hood is no different. So I wanted to hear something and see more. I knew it was out there. Get back to the music. What’s next for PiKe BLVD? Well, what’s next, is for me to drop this EP. (laughing) No, but, I plan on being more creative and innovative in this art of music. Eventually I may exceed my own expectations and reach other platforms. I believe growth is necessary. Allowing  change in yourself will get you there though. But what do I know? Catch up with PiKe BLVD through his socials below! Instagram Twitter #BuzzMusic

Hey Deon Bakkes and The Stolen Horses! Nice to have you return to BuzzMusic to catch up! Your latest release "Punk Gitan" is robust and full of that energy we needed this morning! How did the production go?! Deon: Hola! It’s good to be back! The production was very quick actually. We tried out a new studio (KVD studios) that gave us a sweet deal and we recorded everything live in studio again. We managed to pack all the tracking into one weekend, although we did have to deal with a powercut that took about 4 hours away from the session. Thanks Eskom! (South Africa’s energy provider). Congratulations on your album "The Striped Mare"! Throughout every track, we still get that quality that’s specific to Deon Bakkes and The Stolen Horses! How would describe that integral element to your music? Deon: The main elements in the Stolen Horses music are energy and improvisation. The energy comes from the rhythm we use in our music. Essentially it all boils down to a gypsy jazz guitar rhythm style called ‘le pomp’. It’s very upbeat. Secondly, the improvisation adds a jazz-styled freedom of exploration into notes and melodic ideas to release whatever is in the soul. Very seldom do I write specific melodic parts for the band. I always tell them to play what ‘pops up’. Usually the first thing they play is the best. Tell us more about how the creation of "Punk Gitan" went about? Did you guys have any creative clashes? Deon: Well, I wrote the main opening melody on a small ukulele guitar, and was then transported to a strange world where I searched for lost chords among beasts of 7ths, flat 5s and the omega diminished. There I met a dragon, and he told me he was waiting for a dark horse carrying a rider named the Punk Gitan with only two fingers to poke out his eyes. The best part was recording the ‘Tzigano’ shout as a group in the studio! We know that there's an ultimate statement in each song of "The Striped Mare". Can you describe the kind of statement that was trying to be made with "Punk Gitan"?! Deon: Punk gitan is a song about rebellion at its core. On one level we’re rebelling against the so-called ‘death’ of rock, punk and jazz. But those genres will never really die, they’re like Rasputin. We’re also trying to show that those 3 genres actually have a lot in common. Rebellion. Jazz is essentially freedom music - and that is very rebellious. I used the Zulu lyrics ‘umhlobo lwabantu abahambe bezula emazweni’ which roughly refers to a wanderer. A drifter. It means ‘a kind of people that move around the world’. Zulu doesn’t have a word for gypsy. I especially used these lyrics as a mainly white band in a deeply racist country. I recognise the struggle of Africans since Apartheid. But importantly, I recognise their struggle by also recognising the internal struggle in myself to help a lost and oppressed part of me which I need to constantly show love to. Call it the shadow self. Or all the parts of me that I don’t think I am, but actually can be. That’s Carl Jung’s ideas there. Anyways, the same dynamic is in politics. It’s about loving the opposite of you. Whether that be race, religion, gender or culture. This is something I’ve faced personally in my life growing up as a British/Afrikaans hybrid kid. In today’s evermore connected world, we need to not let our cultures hold us back, but rather share them and see each of their unique beauty’s. But also, we must do that without trying too hard. That kinda makes it feel false. Some people have accused me of cultural appropriation with this lyric, but I prefer to think of it as sharing. My parents raised me to accept all races and cultures. So the racism in South Africa makes me sick. But I do understand that racism essentially stems from people being unable to accept certain parts of themselves. And that needs compassion, time and learning. Where do you see yourself in a year from now, musically? Will Deon Bakkes and The Stolen Horses still have the same iconic sound, or can listeners be expecting something new from the band? Deon: We will have new music in a year from now. We started to rehearse the new songs two weeks ago. The sound will still be the same at its core, but we’ll continue with a more focused line-up with just guitars, violin, bass and drums. The new material will move into a more rock ‘n roll, almost desert rock territory. I’ve also poured my heart out into the new lyrics and have taken a slightly different approach for instrumentation. We’re all very excited to work on that next. The next release will be called ‘Pariayar Prayer’. Listen to Deon Bakkes and The Stolen Horses here, and connect more with the band via their Instagram! #BuzzMusic