By: I. Life
Pump up the volume #Leggo!
I. Life: So, who is Tshepo Sekele? Where are you from and exactly what do you do? Spare us the Nursery school stuff…
T.S: Tshepo Sekele is a Musician, a Bassist and Producer to be specific…born and bred in Daveyton, 29 yrs ago…I basically started doing the music gig 13yrs ago by playing in local bands…I later decided to study Music through The London Royal School of Music via correspondence at Sibikwa Art Center in Benoni. I then went to Eastside College of Music, which now is part of Johannesburg College. All in all I’ve been a Professional Musician since 2003.
I.Life: For the love of Music...you are a Bassist primarily what does that entail? Secondly, what made you fall in "love" with Music?
T.S: Well…Bass sounds drove the 80’s and the 90’s Music. Ranging from Hip-Hop, R&B Soul, Kwaito, Old School House, Jazz and even in Traditional Music…that’s what made me to consciously fall in love with Music! Being a Bassist entails playing the primary key foundations in songs, ultimately giving songs their Musical direction.
I.Life: You have worked with some big names such as Lira, Nothende, Kabomo and recently Unathi. This must make you a Legend in your own right? What is your formula for success and how has it been like to work with such individuals?
T.S: It’s a great experience to work with such Artists, because one gets to share and learn alot about the craft of Music and which in turn makes one a progressive Musician! My formula for success is always to stay focused and disciplined in my goals and to always see the bigger picture in everything that I do. As far as being a Legend in ‘my own right’…not yet..(laughs) This title should be reserved for Great's like Hugh Masekela, Mariam Makeba, Abdul Abrahim, Caiphus Semenya and the list goes on…
I. Life: Quite modest... what motivates you as a Musician?
T.S: Life in general in motivates me! Great Music, inspirational people whom do good for themselves and others! That inspires me and furthermore the simple things in life.
I.Life: It was recently hinted that RJ Benjamin was "retiring" from the local Music scene what is your take on that?
T.S: Well I think, it would be a sad loss if we completely lose him in the Music scene, but one hopes he’ll still be involved somehow in the Music industry because he is a brilliant Song Writer, Arranger and Producer.
I.Life: Moving along! "Sounds and Experience" this is your baby! Tell us more!
T.S: Yes, Sounds and Experience is an exciting project, one which I’ve been working on for the past year or so! It’s an urban fusion of Music. Every song has a different feel and life of its own…pure freshness.
I.Life: How do you define such a project?
T.S: It’s an urban soul contemporary funk fusion with a diverse mix of sounds carrying influences of Hip- Hop, Soul, Jazz and Dance.
I.life: Our Music Industry has grown in terms of quality and talent, how do you add value to the continual growth of the Industry?
T.S: I think by continuously creating fresh, quality works of Music which resonates with audiences encompassing broad spheres of Musical styles.
I.Life: Is there money in Music, can one be truly rich through making and selling Music in S.A?
T.S: Yes and No…It depends on where you are in the world and what kind of Music you do… the audience you appeal to… one can make enough to make a living however Music piracy is slowly killing the opportunity of Musicians being ‘truly rich’ in this industry.
I.Life: Back to "Sounds and Experience" what are some of the ingredients that will make this album fly off the shelves?
T.S: The diversity in the Music will make the project fly off the shelves…one of the major ingredients of Sounds and Experience.
I.Life: When can the masses expect Sounds and Experience to be released?
T.S: 2012 is the year!
I.Life: What would you say to upcoming Musicians?
T.S: Stay focused, be disciplined, work hard, keep moving and find your own voice…so you can be heard better.
I.Life: Last words?
T.S: Follow your dreams and look out for Sounds and Experience!!
I.Life: Thank you Mr Sekele, we wish you all the best with Sounds and Experience! Play on...
