The Interweb has changed everything about music. Music enthusiasts can hardly keep up with the infinite flow of the "next best" fad artist popping out the parapet every nanosecond. What else can one expect from a "pop idol" music industry commanded by cash money and over saturated with self-declared musical prophets.
This is where the [21 year old] bonafide, songwriter-producer-caped-crusader, Kwes comes into play with his unique theory of musicology. Blowing all the frauds and fads to smithereens with production that would make your greatest grandmoms bust some serious posthumous dance moves. When you meet Kwes, you are immediately taken aback by his modestly-mute yet confident demeanor. He may not speak much but just like his music every word he utters sticks with you. Personally, his songs are like a soundtrack to the immortal youthful image of the proverbial hero/heroine. One hears his sensual showers of eclectic beats and you feel invincible. Tina T was lying when she said we don't need another hero yo!
So let these sticky words from the latest interview with an Interplanetarian marinate in your mind.
As a producer where is your strength/power based from. What drives your creativity?
I don't know if I really have any outward strengths or powers but a lot of my need to create comes from paying attention to everyday sounds such as birdsong, drones from machinery, pitches of moving vehicles, train track rhythms etc. and I suppose lots and lots of different music. I listen to music every single day almost every minute, so I suppose the music I listen to are everyday sounds. I love music that bridges the gap between being accessible to a wide demographic yet being uncompromising, that drives my creativity for sure.
Who do you listen to in times of need – who are your musical heroes. Musically who do you look up to?
I have quite a few musical heroes/heroines. Some of them include Harry Partch, microtonal visionary composer, his 43 tone scale is so much more natural sounding than the 12 tone scale. I'm no muso, but the tonality and textures in his music and his own unique instruments, just make my gut feel pleasantly warm, like after a nice meal. Captain Beefheart (and his magic band)'s baby rhythm, dissonance and playfulness had a huge effect on me musically.. Joni Mitchell, I always listen to her music in the evening. Todd Rundgren is another, Todd and Joni really really got me thinking about writing lyrics in my solo material. Cat Power, her voice is a wonder of the world, and her growth in persona over the years is something I find inspirational and admirable. Madlib and Tom Vek are two madly creative people that got me to fully fully embrace and enjoy imperfection. It's because of them you hear quite a few unrectified mistakes in my own music, so blame them :). Anyone who just strives to be themselves and come out with original stuff is my hero or heroine.
Is there a general message you are trying to convey to listeners through your music?
Not too much really. Just basically telling listeners to not be afraid to be themselves and to just make music from their hearts, and not take themselves too seriously at the same time.
What are the sounds that define the summer for you?
Gunshots in dancehall music and some mixtapes. Just gets me hyped up everytime I hear them hahaha.
As a producer you tend to work behind the scenes but for you who is the greatest all round entertainer of all time – someone who projects the message the producer is trying to convey in the track, the emotions the songwriter is trying reflect in the song the artist sings.
For me it has to be Bjork, Curtis Mayfield, Ian Curtis, Alexis from Hot Chip or Bon Iver. This may change tomorrow. There are loads.
Share your most vivid/sentimental musical moment.
Probably playing Silent Night alone on the organ one Christmas Eve at my Grandparents. The room was dark, it was about 11pm and the Christmas Lights on the tree were the only ones on. Everyone else had gone to sleep, I was too excited, was about 8 at the time.
Everyone has a favourite track where they remember the first time they heard the song – what is yours?
Black Coffee by All Saints I remember listening to the track for the first time on walkman radio on the way back home from school on a cold winter eve on the bus. Was quite a comforting moment. Great great great pop record.
This is where the [21 year old] bonafide, songwriter-producer-caped-crusader, Kwes comes into play with his unique theory of musicology. Blowing all the frauds and fads to smithereens with production that would make your greatest grandmoms bust some serious posthumous dance moves. When you meet Kwes, you are immediately taken aback by his modestly-mute yet confident demeanor. He may not speak much but just like his music every word he utters sticks with you. Personally, his songs are like a soundtrack to the immortal youthful image of the proverbial hero/heroine. One hears his sensual showers of eclectic beats and you feel invincible. Tina T was lying when she said we don't need another hero yo!
[Kwes Aged Seven]
So let these sticky words from the latest interview with an Interplanetarian marinate in your mind.
As a producer where is your strength/power based from. What drives your creativity?
I don't know if I really have any outward strengths or powers but a lot of my need to create comes from paying attention to everyday sounds such as birdsong, drones from machinery, pitches of moving vehicles, train track rhythms etc. and I suppose lots and lots of different music. I listen to music every single day almost every minute, so I suppose the music I listen to are everyday sounds. I love music that bridges the gap between being accessible to a wide demographic yet being uncompromising, that drives my creativity for sure.
Who do you listen to in times of need – who are your musical heroes. Musically who do you look up to?
I have quite a few musical heroes/heroines. Some of them include Harry Partch, microtonal visionary composer, his 43 tone scale is so much more natural sounding than the 12 tone scale. I'm no muso, but the tonality and textures in his music and his own unique instruments, just make my gut feel pleasantly warm, like after a nice meal. Captain Beefheart (and his magic band)'s baby rhythm, dissonance and playfulness had a huge effect on me musically.. Joni Mitchell, I always listen to her music in the evening. Todd Rundgren is another, Todd and Joni really really got me thinking about writing lyrics in my solo material. Cat Power, her voice is a wonder of the world, and her growth in persona over the years is something I find inspirational and admirable. Madlib and Tom Vek are two madly creative people that got me to fully fully embrace and enjoy imperfection. It's because of them you hear quite a few unrectified mistakes in my own music, so blame them :). Anyone who just strives to be themselves and come out with original stuff is my hero or heroine.
Is there a general message you are trying to convey to listeners through your music?
Not too much really. Just basically telling listeners to not be afraid to be themselves and to just make music from their hearts, and not take themselves too seriously at the same time.
What are the sounds that define the summer for you?
Gunshots in dancehall music and some mixtapes. Just gets me hyped up everytime I hear them hahaha.
As a producer you tend to work behind the scenes but for you who is the greatest all round entertainer of all time – someone who projects the message the producer is trying to convey in the track, the emotions the songwriter is trying reflect in the song the artist sings.
For me it has to be Bjork, Curtis Mayfield, Ian Curtis, Alexis from Hot Chip or Bon Iver. This may change tomorrow. There are loads.
Share your most vivid/sentimental musical moment.
Probably playing Silent Night alone on the organ one Christmas Eve at my Grandparents. The room was dark, it was about 11pm and the Christmas Lights on the tree were the only ones on. Everyone else had gone to sleep, I was too excited, was about 8 at the time.
Everyone has a favourite track where they remember the first time they heard the song – what is yours?
Black Coffee by All Saints I remember listening to the track for the first time on walkman radio on the way back home from school on a cold winter eve on the bus. Was quite a comforting moment. Great great great pop record.
That is a classic tune. I don't know many dudes who would readily admit to liking that song. That is a good look. Anyway, What are your plans for the future ?
To produce more artists and bands, get publishing sorted out next year. To have my own place in London and set up my own facility there, so I can feed my habits and for also people to drop round to feed their musical and culinary habits.
What artists should one be aware of – who should we be looking out for?
[click on the names for more info]
Elan - almost finished producing her debut EP
Micachu - about to do the next mixtape with her around Christmas Time
Dels - producing two tracks on his album
Kerry Leatham
Tommy Sparks
Primary 1
Rox
Thecocknbullikid - Just produced a track for her
Post War Years
The invisible
Ebony Bones
There are so many, check more of them out on my page Kwes Myspace
Look out for Kwes on d[-_-]b soon!
Download Kwes Mixthing 2 here.
