Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Interview with FUTURE HISTORY







1. Briefly introduce each member and their role in

the band.



*Dirty Rascal 'The Truth' (real name,Wandile Themba) - one of two

rappers in the FH Fam. Truth brings incredible energy onstage.

*'Makzol' (Mxolisi Mpho Lepele) - Not just a rapper but what we call a

wordsmith. When Mak's on the mic, make certain you listen. He's also a

fully qualified sound engineer & is studying the trumpet.

*Qairo - FH vocalist. A strong musical background ensures that she

brings a melodic contribution rarely heard on the scene. Has intense

stage presence.

*Malcom - FH Pianist/Keyboardist, however an immensely talented

musician (also plays trombone) who manages to pull the music together

& arranges the band's horn section harmonies that have become

signature sounds of FH music.

*Senzo - A master bassist of the FH family, whether double bass or

electric. He drives the band sound & truly adds an element that most

bassist aspires to. Also incredibly strong & accurate on the drums.

*Kgori - A talented drummer who's immensely creative with rhythm &

brings colour to hip-hop played by FH. You could find him sliding tunes

on trombone as well.

*Oscar 'hangova' - If FH is on stage & you hear the most soulful alto

saxophone improves, it's probably Oscar. Has a confident & real melodic

approach to FUTURE HISTORY music. Has an amazingly sharp ear for hot

sound!

*Hlubi - Also on alto sax, he's your fast-paced be-bop quick thinking'

musician & brings that variety to the band. He has an amazing ability

to tend to sound like he's singing' on his instrument & on a crazy solo

Hlubi can climax a song & turn it inside out at its crescendo! He can

hold down some ill chords on keys too.

*S'bu - On the tenor sax, he’s the smoothest member of the band. Laid

back with a beautiful tone that rounds off harmonies in FH

arrangements. All while making truly intelligent music seem

effortless.

*Tumelo 'genius' - The trumpeter in the band. He contributes the

highest notes in most horn harmonies & possesses a personality wrapped

in pure fun. Has explosive energy during performances.





2. Are you each the instruments that you play?

I assume this is a metaphorical question and the answer to that is

never definite. With so many personalities of one family which consists

of multi-instrumentalists who can never be put into a box by

definition of instrument title, it's hard to say. Furthermore, some of

us are engineers, graphic designers & fine artists. However, music is

the only language we audibly understand collectively when we pick up

our instruments to play.



3. Do you think you are part of the ever changing & ever growing Soweto; if so

Why?

We definitely think we are although development is never as constant

as we'd love it to be. However, In terms of the sub-cultures & that

some of FH band members belong to the Soweto community, we've observed

a lot of brands, projects & events growing. When we constantly get

invited back to display our work and progress, it motivates us as much

as the next to know that we once performed at perhaps a venue that

wasn't much when it started out & now being proud that they helped

grow us and our crowd as much as we helped grow them and their

following. It's mutual benefit to both brands and that's all positive.









4. Who is your favorite Jazz artist?

That's a difficult question when we consider all legends concerned and

the fact that a band of 10 can’t have one favorite. All FUTURE HISTORY

members are well schooled in jazz so opinions may vary also according

to the chosen instrument/s of the individual. Albeit, some of the names

you might hear us quote are Miles Davis, Charlie Parker,Roy

Hargrove,Bradford Marsallis, Chet Baker,John Coltrane, Thelonious

Monk,Bheki Mseleku,Winston Mankunku and the list goes on forever...



5. Why is hip hop dead if you consider that it

might be?

Oh gosh! There are such mixed emotions on this topic, but each to his/her

own opinion. On one hand, a lot of what's now being dubbed as hip hop

really doesn't belong to hip hop culture (maybe pop), hence why we feel

that's the element that's killing an honest art form. Then again, the

purist says this, while others adapt & conform to change & accept that

this is now the present-day hip hop sound so how is it dead. Maybe it's

simply evolution & as all trends go, it’ll come back full circle, who

knows. Our (FUTURE HISTORY's) approach is simply to do what we do best

& that's being musical. If we wanna rap to mbaqanga, jazz, funk, soul or

maskandi we simply do that coz it's timeless music & we put an edge to

it. If Africa's still mimicking the prescribed style of hip hop from

international influences without embracing who we are musically, then

we might as well attend hip hop's funeral. For now, perhaps it's not

dead...just comatose, waiting for inspiration efana ne FUTURE HISTORY

so. LOL



6. When is the album or EP coming out?

Next year sometime. We’re still recording & since its 2 concurrent

projects, dates are not set yet. Every now and then though, we’ll hand

a free track to our audience at shows so they got something' to

anticipate.



7. Does South Africa have a room for your sound or

do think there is a bigger audience internationally?

There's absolutely a larger audience outside of home no doubt, but we

believe in home audience 1st so that they have something to be proud

of by the time we receive international appreciation. As artists we

all should be internationally known & locally accepted. SA knows music

so let 'em give you that green light that you can represent your

country well out there.



8. What should we look forward to on this coming performance at the TSJS?

Y’all will enjoy so much on our set!

Look forward to your favorite multi dimensional band to bring you an

array of sounds played over rhythmic funk-infused tunes with a jazz

influence. As well as lyrics that constitute what we've pioneered as

Grootman Rap. It's ahead of time yet nostalgic! We're there to shut it

down!

FUTURE HISTORY. "we're legends already made, our tales are already

framed. We're orchestratin' history"

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