Wenawedwa

 // Johannesburg, South Africa

CONVERSATIONS with

Nomadic Flower Child

What is your name and your stage name, how did you come up with that name? Real Name is Wenawedwa so it only made sense to use my real name. Also because I feel there is only one me

Whats your desired weapon of war, vinyl, cd, cassette or usb? I prefer Vinyl and CDJ's

When did you start DJing /Music Collecting - what or who were your early passions and influences? Started connecting to music in Primary school, and was in choir and yada yada. However my connection to music started in grade 8, and I was so obsessed with Hiphop (A Tribe called Quest, Commons etc) at the time which led me to other genres. I also vividly remember in High school absolutely loving your Nordic Lounge, Jazztronik, Hird and the likes

What makes and/or is criteria for you to select or decide to play a particular record during one of your sets, a gig/mixtape or any of your curations? I always prefer to listen to my spirit at the time. So I can't really say there's a criteria. It's always lead by how my spirit feels at the time or rather what it is yearning for.

What do you personally consider to be the incisive moments in your artistic career? I've had quite a few so can't really pin point one haha

What do you usually start with when preparing for a set, can you take us through the journey? I like playing across genres so I usually start my sets with Lo-Fi/Beats and move onto other Genres. By the way I am obsessed with Beatsrumentals and Rap.

How important is building a real relationship with the music you're playing for your own approach? There's so much music out there, is it even possible to build meaningful long-term relationships with a particular track or album? It's crucial to play something that moves your entire being, and yes you can have a relationship with a song or album long term even though music keeps being reinvented on a daily. There are just some projects you'll forever cherish, and these projects remind you of a place, person or feeling. Such can never be replaced.

How do playing music at home and presenting it in the club compare and relate? What can be achieved through them, respectively, and what do you personally draw from both? I play the music I curate at gigs at home too so to me it does not differ really. I mean I always feel as a curator you should play what you love honestly. Show people who you are authentically and not what they wish to hear or hope you are. Give them you, Ubuwena. What is achieved is you pleasing your soul, exposing your love to the world and allowing them to receive you just as you are.

How would you describe the relationship between your choices and goals as a DJ/Music Collector and the expectations, desires and feedback of the audience? What a question. The relationship between my choice and goals has been one that is so intentional, I choose and know where I want to play and if that speaks to my truest goal and it almost all the time does speak to one another. The bonus really is the feedback from the audience.

Do you feel a crowd is actually able to appreciate the intricacies of complex DJing or rather Music Curating, if they don't actually know what, precisely, is happening behind the scene? Yes and No. There are those who genuinely appreciate music for what it is and how it makes everyone feel, and the No is for the nonsensical politics around music. Can it actually be about the music and not sequencing, bpm, mixing and shiixt. Honestly, because music curation, music creation is an expression of who you are as a curator or musician. It's okay if you don't connect to someone's music, just as its okay to keep quiet about it and leave the weird energy out.

Any current projects and ideas you want to share and bring to our readers? A new album is in the pipeline, cannot wait to start hosting again and you'll see everything else as it happens ;-)

And to sum it all up, What does the future hold for you and your brand and musically? The Future holds a whole lot of surprises. You shall see as it happens xx

Thank you for having this Conversation with us Wenawedwa. @soulindaba

Don't forget to listen, download and share her playlist : Wenawedwa

Peace.


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