Scenic Sounds

It’s the season of Spring in October South Africa but she boasts some cleavage tonight blowing kisses of berg winds playing coy as to what awaits us on her handover into Summer. It’s just after 9 pm and with only a few days left before his EP’s release I enter Mo’s home in the suburb of Esther Park in Kempton Park Johannesburg to find him poised barefooted in a t-shirt and shorts. He’s seated on his couch punching keys on his laptop with his balcony door wide open to his right. He’s always had an affinity for 90’s Hip Hop, Jazz, Soul and Rnb and he seems to have settled in on a playlist from one of my favorite groups. The Roots ‘Silent Treatment’ plays at reasonable volume as I take a seat alongside him positioning myself on his left. His dedication and work ethic never having gone unnoticed I sit down and realize it’s a first finding the 27 year old Digital Art Director lounged as opposed to being seated in front of his neatly arranged desk in his illuminated red room. I decide to act on this immediately pressing record as Mo sets aside his laptop and gets more comfortable.

So with your project now completed how would you describe it?

The core of it is chilled, calm music. Although there are different tempos the effect that I induce through my music is consistent with that chilled effect.

The people or fans consuming your music…what’s its impact on them? What do they gain from it?

Peace of mind. I like film scoring. When I create, I visualize a scene in my mind, and I imagine something playing in the background. Whatever that is it becomes a track I want to get onto. I really appreciate moments accompanied by great music being played in the background. That’s what I want for them. Think Sunday music but the core of it is relaxation. I thought about it a lot. Here in South Africa, it’s like going against the grain. South Africa’s all about not being chilled. We dance.

Would you jump in on dance music as well?

I’d co-produce alongside another House artist. I like melodies. I like exploring vocal sound as an instrument.

This is your second instrumental EP and your first was called ‘My Best Friend’ originating a theme of calm. Is that the direction you’re going?

It’s part of a sequence like a film well documented. There’s life stages and seasons. I see myself totally switching up the style of my music. I’m going to try something else. I’m going to risk losing fans here and there, but the consistency is going to be the chilled vibes. Think about going to visit various beaches in the world but the consistency is its summer and you’re on a beach. The environment and its ambience differs but you’re still at a beach looking around and saying to yourself ok cool that’s interesting. It’s a little scary but I have this belief that I’m to see everything. Maybe it’s a bad habit of mine. You always need to have it figured out which is not always the case. You could leave space for change. It’s not completely chance but not calculated either so I might not know what’s going to happen, but I have an idea for the next project and the next after that.

Speaking of which do you foresee some featured artists appearing on your next project? Are you able to name anyone particularly suited for your style of beats?

Basso Relievo is one particular artist who I’ve given a thorough listening to. I don’t see why not. I’d really followed up and took time on listening to him on more than one occasion. I like his style, so I know what I’m talking about. To be honest I’m sure he’d also like to find out what it would sound like. What contribution he’d put in.

With 10 tracks on your project are there any special ones that stand out because of the creative process?

I originally had 16 tracks and cut them out during the mixing process, and I made my picks from there. The last track is 2 years old and it’s actually where it all began for me. It feels like some time ago. I was staying in Alexandra at the time. The first track is the most recent. That’s some crazy shit. The magical part about these things is you just won’t see them coming.

You’re in advertising and so your current profession is grounded in creativity. Do you take a different approach with visuals as opposed to your music?

With music it’s like it’s more emotional and it’s a state of mind or mood but you’re giving people a state of being through your sound. The ability to create that from nothing and share it with someone else to me is kinda cool. Feedback whether good or bad is important and it does not matter as long as it garners some attention. Creativity is like playing a god. The ability to create is godlike and we all have it within ourselves to create. I like creation all-round. Visually and in audio. Use what you have.

‘Things Found In Higher Dimensions’ by Mowngezi.Available on all platforms October 25th.