Music is often described as a composition of ‘arpeggios, beats and acoustics’ etc, combined together to induce a sound that evokes a state of ecstasy, moves your body rhythmically and feeds one’s soul. For ‘Punk’ music is not just that, but even more so a way of living, music is his ‘staple diet’. ‘On The SpotLight’ this week, we catch up with the ‘Polokwane, South Africa’ born and raised ‘Punk Mbedzi’ who has been producing ‘phenomenal house music compositions’ from a tender age of sixteen. ‘On The SpotLight’, let’s get to it…
ShoMag: Before all goes down, let us thank you for taking some time out of your busy schedule, just so we can have a talk with you. Just for the benefit of those who might be wondering, who is ‘Punk Mbedzi’ and where is he from?
Punk: ‘Punk Mbedzi’ is a house music producer and DJ from Polokwane in Limpopo, South Africa and currently based in Johannesburg.
ShoMag: Your ‘musical journey’, how did you get into the music industry and what influenced you to be part of the music industry?
Punk: Music has always been an integral part of my life. I connected to music through my late older brother who used to share his house music collection with me and I would then explore different artists and songs from that. This then developed an interest in ‘music production’. I then taught myself a few things, being guided closely by him still, which saw me release my first EP under his label as well. ‘Through that I was then able to connect to other artists within the music industry’.
ShoMag: Looking back at the ‘road travelled thus far’, what would you list as your biggest break within music and why was it your biggest break?
Punk: Personally I would have to say that my biggest moment thus far was playing at ‘Djoon in Paris’. This has always been a dream, and finding myself headlining at such a reputable club was such an ‘emotional moment’ for me, and also further opened my eyes and vision on what can be accomplished.
ShoMag: There are some challenges within ‘the industry’ we all have to go through. For ‘Punk’, what was your biggest challenge when it comes to the music industry?
Punk: I think a challenge most artists, including myself; face is remaining ‘relevant and consistent’. The challenge that comes with that is the measures you would have to take in order to overcome it.
ShoMag: You worked with ‘Swizz’ and ‘Da Capo’ on the earlier days of ‘Surreal Sounds’. Can you take us back on how did that come about?
Punk: The whole experience began when myself and ‘Da Capo’ decided that we would want to establish our own label and push a ‘new and different sound’. I played around with a few names and ‘Surreal Sounds’ is what stood out. We later involved ‘Swizz’ in the idea since he had been working with ‘Da Capo’ at that moment, and developed a working system for all of us which later gave birth to ‘Surreal Selections, Déjà vu EP and Da Capo’s self-titled album’ through our venture with ‘Soul Candi’. We eventually went to our different paths and for me, it led to the birth of ‘Under Bridges’.
ShoMag: Your sound has ‘evolved’ since those ‘Surreal Sounds’ days. How would you describe your current sound and what influences that sound?
Punk: I think my sound is influenced a lot by what I listen to in a specific season. Right now, I would describe my sound as ‘Afro Tech’. I’ve always tried to keep an ‘Afro element’ to my sound ever since I began learning how to make music.
ShoMag: Musically, last year was a ‘very hectic year’. Any memorable highlights you have from 2017 and is there any venue or event you enjoyed playing in the most?
Punk: Besides ‘Djoon’, my highlight of 2017 would have to be ‘The Rhythm, Johannesburg’. It’s an event conceptualised through ‘Under Bridges’ and I was overwhelmed by how much of a success it turned out to be. This later led to the event making its way to ‘Nairobi, Kenya’. Through the support of many people close to me, the event is growing and will make its return in May 2018.
ShoMag: The quality of music realised so far this year is just ‘top notch’. Which musical projects is ‘Punk’ currently working on this year, are there any ‘banging releases’ on the pipeline for us this year?
Punk: I am currently working on a release that is scheduled for The ‘Djoon Experience label in Paris’ set to drop next month. Also a special remix I did for South African band ‘Magic Soul’. Apart from these there are other big projects that are still in the pipeline.
ShoMag: ‘Music Collaborations’ can add some flavour to ones sound or project. For the future who would you like to work with and why?
Punk: I would definitely love to do a cross genre project and work with someone as prolific as ‘Lira’. Besides loving her ‘incredible vocal ability’, I think I would enjoy the process of learning and stretching myself to that capacity.
ShoMag: You have had ‘numerous chat topping releases’ throughout your music career. Where do you draw inspiration for your music and what does ‘house music’ mean to you?
Punk: ‘God is my biggest inspiration for making music’, because I truly believe that it’s Him who gave me this talent, so my biggest desire is to honour what I’ve been given. I say this because I’ve witnessed first-hand what music does to people and how much of an escape it can be for others. ‘So in knowing that, my role is to serve and play my part’.
ShoMag: Last words on what we can expect from ‘Punk’ this year and is there any message you might have for your fans out there?
Punk: I can’t pre-empt what’s going to happen this year, but what I can definitely say is ‘I am definitely looking on growing’ on what I already know and have already started.
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