We Speak Music

TSHEGUE Release New Video For ‘Muanapoto’

Published

6 years ago

July 9, 2018

Thrilling emerging talent TSHEGUE today release the new video for ‘Muanapoto’, lifted from their debut EP ‘Survivor’ (out now), which has already drawn the Paris-based, French-Congolese band fans amongst the likes of i-D, Noisey and Mura Masa. Following head-turning appearances at last year’s Afropunk Festival in Paris (alongside the likes of Baloji, Ho99o9 and Songhoy Blues) and this year’s The Great Escape, TSHEGUE will shortly announce details for their first ever UK shows. Watch ‘Muanapoto’ here.

Shot in Abidjan, capital city of The Ivory Coast, the striking new video harnesses the primal energy of ‘Muanapoto’’s kinetic drumming loops, beneath the no-f*cks-given attitude of French-Congolese frontwoman Faty Sy Savanet’s rhymes, to articulate a story which is actually about silence and isolation. Speaking about the film, which tracks a profoundly deaf and mute young girl negotiating her way out of a world devoid of sound, Argentinian directors Pantera say; “From the moment we first heard ‘Muanapoto’ we knew we wanted to make something that did justice to its insane rhythm and trance feeling. ‘Muanapoto’ speaks for African immigrants in Europe who upon arrival are forced to deal with the unknown, surrounded by new customs, foreign languages, different food and climate, all of which can lead to feelings of alienation. ‘Muanapoto’ also feels like a release, a letting go, and that translates to the girl in our video, who feels the need to express something and is able to do so through dance and her body.”

As befits their name – both Faty’s childhood nickname and a term for the Congolese boys who gather on the streets of her hometown, Kinshasa – the Survivor EP captures TSHEGUE folding traditional African antecedents into a commanding brew of punk and garage sensibilities, as idiosyncratic as the band’s DNA itself. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s music-obsessed capital Kinshasa, Faty then relocated with her family to Paris aged 8. In her early twenties a mutual friend brought her into contact with Robert Wyatt-collaborator Bertrand Burgalat, whose cult Tricatel label has been referenced as a key influence by the likes of Air and Daft Punk. Burgalat encouraged and enabled her formative musical experiments – including a short-lived voodoo n roll band – until Faty was introduced to future TSHEGUE bandmate, French-Cuban producer Nicolas ‘Dakou’ Dacunha, whose hypnotic, breathless beats form the driving backbone of both ‘Muanapoto’ and the ‘Survivor’ EP.

https://soundcloud.com/tshegue | https://www.instagram.com/tshegue_official/ | https://www.facebook.com/Tshegue/ | https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eEAELTLLkQc0PD2S2xAhN

We Speak Electronic

ASPEN Talks New Song, Working with JWild, Performing with Lil Jon, and More

Published

5 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Meikhel Philogene

With his single, “Sweetest Mistake,” out now, we took some time to hear more from ASPEN. Read below to learn more about ASPEN, the story behind his latest single, and what’s to come.

Hi ASPEN! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

It is just my first name. I have an interesting name, so I thought that it fit well as an artist name as well.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am originally from Tel Aviv, Israel, but I live in Miami now.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

I went to Ultra a few years back, and I knew that I loved electronic music, but I didn’t realize how much I really loved it. Once I went there, I just had an overwhelming urge to pursue music myself.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Absolutely, my upbringing has been instrumental in shaping both who I am and my sound. Being in Miami, a melting pot of cultures and musical styles, exposed me to a variety of sounds. This diverse musical environment instilled in me a love for blending different genres and influences, which is evident in tracks like ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ The emotional depth and eclectic beats of my music are reflections of the vibrance.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

My sound can best be described as an emotive journey through soundscapes that blend electronic beats with soulful melodies. It’s about capturing both the highs and lows of the human experience, packaged within compelling rhythms that invite you to both reflect and dance. With each track, like ‘Sweetest Mistake,’ I aim to create a unique auditory experience that resonates on a personal level with listeners, drawing on elements from downtempo to more upbeat electronic vibes.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

Outside of music, I enjoy exploring the vibrant art scene here in Miami, from street art to gallery exhibitions. These visual experiences often inspire the textures and layers of my music. I also stay active with lifting, which not only keeps me physically fit, but also mentally sharp and creatively fluid. Engaging with different environments and activities helps me to maintain a fresh perspective and brings new ideas into my music production.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

Martin Garrix, Gryffin, and Tiesto.

What are some of your future music career goals?

Music for me has been about following my passion. So, as I progress in my career, I want to share my passion with others. For me, I just want my crowd to be engaged, and I want to make the lives of the people that listen to my music just a little bit better.

Now onto your release, ‘Sweetest Mistake.’ What inspired this song?

I was listening to ‘High on Life’ by Martin Garrix and just came to the conclusion that I really want to make a song like that. I love the message and the euphoric feeling that the song creates, and I wanted to recreate that.

What is ‘Sweetest Mistake’ about in your own words?

‘Sweetest Mistake’ is a captivating blend of introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies. Featuring the compelling contributions of JWild, this track explores the bittersweet journey of embracing imperfections and finding beauty in unexpected turns.

How did the collaboration with JWild come about?

We have some mutual friends, and I just DMed him on Instagram because I listened to some of his stuff and really liked his voice.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Sweetest Mistake?’

Go find love and put yourself out there. You will get hurt in life, but all of those experiences build you up as a person and make you into who you are.

What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?

I played for a crowd of almost 10,000 people in a basketball arena with Lil Jon. Everyone really enjoyed the set, and I was just so happy that I could share the stuff that I was working on with all these other people.

What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?

You have to be patient. In this industry you have to pay your dues, and you have to be patient in terms of your growth. Also, in life as a whole, you have to be patient in terms of your career growth. There is no such thing as instant success.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?

I am going to continue grinding and releasing music. I have been working really hard, and I have a ton of projects that I am waiting to roll out. I’m excited for everyone to hear them. I also have a headline show on June 15th at Hyde in the SLS in South Beach.

Where can we follow you on social media?

https://www.instagram.com/aspenofc
https://www.tiktok.com/@aspen.dj
https://soundcloud.com/aspenrg

Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!