Like coffee, music can be great or boring. Steve Umkulo mastered the art of blending beer with his debut album Elements.
Music can be like poorly blended coffee. Too bitter or bland, with unbalanced flavor and texture. But Steve Amculo mastered the art of blending beers with his debut album. element. Like a well-roasted cup of coffee, the fusion of Afro-based rhythms and folk melodies hits just the right note, creating an album that's fresh yet approachable, vibrant with flavor and a great aftertaste.
Umkuro's element The work took five years to create and was shaped by the physical world, human emotions, and the sounds that influenced his life. “This album celebrates the physical elements of the earth, the emotional elements that make us human, and the musical elements that have influenced my journey,” Umkuro said. From uplifting anthems to introspective ballads, he said each track takes listeners on a sonic adventure that mirrors life itself. It's raw, rhythmic, and connected.
Fusion of Afrorhythm and folk
The fusion of Afro-based rhythms and folk was no accident. It was a planned labor of love that found its origins in 2016, when Umkuro moved to Spain. It was there, after losing his home, that his sound began to take shape. “Sometimes you need to leave a place to really appreciate it,” he said. “I found myself listening to a lot of South African music styles, and that, combined with my love of folk, formed the beginnings of Elements.”
But before heading to Spain, the Johannesburg native said South Africa's musical melting pot provided the foundation for his sound. “Joburg is such a vibrant place. The hundreds of genres we experience every day all blend together in my head and help influence my writing style,” he said. .
on the track it's okay He collaborated with the Soweto Gospel Choir. He said their harmonies give the song more depth. “We're Alright is about love despite adversity, regardless of race, religion or sexual orientation,” Umkuro said. “The choir embodied the harmony and unity that we were aiming for.” The choir's rendition of “Kurungile” (okay on isiZulu) brings warmth and power to his music.
big name collaboration
Umkulo also worked with Stealth Ulvang of The Lumineers. “Meeting Stealth was incredible. The Lumineers shaped the way I understand music, so working with him was a bit of a fangirl moment,” Umkulo said. Ta. And a big part of the album is thanks to the fans, but in a completely different sense.
In “The Look Up Sessions,” an acoustic online series in which he solicits feedback from his audience, he shared what music resonated with him the most. “My big career goal is to connect with people,” Umkuro said. “The process of including such a special group of people allowed us to understand what factors connect different people from different walks of life.”
Umkuro wanted the music to be “easily digestible, yet authentically me.” The album is full of simple four-chord structures rooted in his love of folk, but also driven by complex grooves that loop his passion for rhythm. He describes his musical evolution as fall from grace from period to element It's visible. “Fall From Grace was a stepping stone to Elements,” he explained. “My folkie side needed a little Afro influence to get to where I am today.”
5 year project album
With over 10 million views on social media, Umkyuro's performance reached a global audience. Although social media allows Umkulo to connect with fans all over the world, she is careful not to get sucked into it. “Social media is great for connecting with people, but sometimes it's important to disconnect,” he said. “An unhealthy obsession can do more harm than good, but it's the backbone of building today's audience.”
Despite collaborations on various platforms and input from fans, recording Elements did not go smoothly. The pandemic delayed everything and nearly derailed production. “COVID-19 has been a big challenge,” Umkuro said. “But I also felt it was hard to let go. I wanted to convey the message of this album in the best way possible. Things didn't get any better until the songs became the completely imperfect products they are today. “I didn’t think it was perfect,” he said. “You know that feeling you get when you sing the national anthem? At first you're excited and then by the end you're in tears. That's the journey I want to take people on.”
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