After establishing himself with a wealth of shimmering delights these last few years, emerging artist Soul Kaktus is back to his vibrant best once again to deliver his woozy new single 'The Sun In My Sky'.
Set to feature on his forthcoming self-titled debut EP, 'The Sun In My Sky' makes for a wonderfully warm and inviting listen. With its laid-back and soulful textures perfectly elevating his captivating vocal style throughout, he returns to the fold with one of his most enjoyable efforts to date here.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Officially - Guitar, actually – Darbuka (middle-eastern goblet drum)
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
When I really started to become infatuated with music other than 2000’s pop hits, it was hard rock and metal, Guitar Hero 2 and Tenacious D had a lot to do with that. I transitioned to folk and classic rock after discovering artists like Don McLean, Paul Simon the Beatles and Pink Floyd.
What was the first album you remember owning?
System of a Down - Hypnotize
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Something – The Beatles (George Harrison)
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
It usually starts with the instrumentation, and when I compose I always try to learn something new. Whether it’s new Shticks on the guitar, new harmonic ideas, interesting chord progressions or experiments with the DAW. Lyrics are usually the real struggle. It almost always starts with me mumbling associative words mixed with gibberish. I find their meaning through experiences in my life, and that takes time. For some songs it took me several years to find the right lyrics.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I've been listening to Khruangbin’s songs on repeat for a while now. I also started listening to some Caribbean jazz by “Caribbean Sextet”, since I just came back from a trip to Martinique and found the music there really unique.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Vulfpeck
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
That catharsis when I finish writing a song, when I “solve” it and it feels like I managed to say something about my experience of the world. Turning aspects of my life that feel chaotic, painful or unsolvable into songs gives them meaning, transforming them into something whole and beautiful. This act is profoundly therapeutic for me.
And what is the most frustrating part?
I guess it’s when being a musician demands I do anything but music. An example would be the whole fight-for-attention social media game, where I find myself having to think more like an influencer rather than an artist. While it is amazing that independent artists these days have a lot more access to tools that extend their reach, I find that it’s important to not lose your identity and what drives you to even do music in the first place. I always try to keep a balance between being in my artistic space and my business / marketing space.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
To keep a continuous flow of creation and progression through balance. Whether it’s energetically, creatively, financially, marketing-wise. If you’re stuck and things are not in movement, something should be changed. If you’re doing too many things, and wind up suffering because of it, you should stop and slow down. Even if that means a slower pace of progression. Many times pressing harder is not the solution even if it seems like it. I try to remember this every day, since my tendency for perfectionism and to do everything myself all at once weighed heavily on me in the past many times.
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Soul Kaktus' new single 'The Sun In My Sky' is out now. Watch the new video for it in the player below.