- To start off, could you tell us where the inspiration for your track on this album came from?
Goodknight: The inspiration for this track came suddenly and quickly like my personal inspiration usually does.
I found a guitar sample and built off of it and eventually came to the vibe that found Above.
Nikko: The entire concept of this song came about when I randomly DM’d Declan one evening. We’d been listening to a lot of Night Owl and Myles Jaeger lately, and I feel that you can definitely hear that inspiration in the final result. The entire song was made spontaneously within a couple days, start to finish.
To the Tide: I see songs as snapshots of my tastes and feelings on a particular day, so I always write songs in a single session. On the day I made “Beach glass”, I went to my favourite beach with a friend to scavenge for the song’s namesake and went for a brisk, but refreshing dip in the Pacific
SOJAN: The inspiration for me came from listening to a few of my favourite producer such as Nitti Gritti, Max Hurrell, Slander and Hendrik Joerges (Who I had the amazing opportunity to work on this track with) listening to their music inspired me to try my best to reach a level of skill in my music production that would rival theirs. While I think Hendrik and I came up with an amazing song I think Hendrik’s lyrics about being apart during this time (the country wide lockdown) and returning to normality after this is all done really brought the song together and gave it a different life.
soulecist.: The track “Right There” was an attempt at an anthem future bass track with the soulecist twists of orchestral sounds and unorthodox long tom fills.
2. With so much going on around the world in 2020, How was making music for you during the lockdowns last year?
Goodknight: 2020 was my most productive year for music by far, and fortunately the outlet that I have for creative expression didn’t require me to go outside. I honed in on the obsession and drive to create during lockdown and something beautiful came out of all of the pain for me.
Declan: The lockdown was great for me in terms of music. It gave me time away from school and work to really focus on my music and find my sound. It also boosted my creativity a ton as I had no outside factors to distract me.
Nikko: I feel that despite all of the horrible aspects of this year, being locked up in my room really left me with no choice but to focus on refining my own sound as an artist. I created more music last year then I ever had before, and I strongly feel that this is just the beginning.
To the Tide: Early on I felt some guilt for not using my time more efficiently during the lockdown, but music is a reflection of life and the world wasn’t exactly inspiring for a while there. Once I spent some time outdoors and took a step back from music, the inspiration came flooding back and I’ve been writing like crazy ever since.
SOJAN: During the initial lockdown that I experienced here in South Africa, I finally had the time to properly sit down and focus on completing my first song (Under my real name Jason Baudinet) it was with this time that I was finally able to complete it and that really got the ball rolling on spending more time focusing on my production. It was about 6 months later that I wanted to produce different types of music and I am really into Bass Music so I created ≈SOJAN≈ as my alias for this genre.
soulecist.: Making music this year was an absolute struggle as most of my content is created with experiential sources. Not being able to experience new things and the world put a huge strain on my creativity.
3. In what ways has that developed moving into 2021? Did you learn anything new through this time thats pushing your music further? Or helping you grow?
Goodknight: I learned that a huge chunk of allowing your music to thrive is marketing the music itself. It’s basically a second job at this point, but I’m starting to really enjoy it.
Nikko: I learn something new every day in the studio. Regardless of whether I finish the track or not, I can still use that knowledge for next time.
Declan: Yes I have discovered new tricks and techniques that have helped me with my tunes this year.
To the Tide: My biggest takeaway from 2021 is the importance of being true to myself. If I’m loving what I’m doing, then I’ll do more of it. It’s been working so far – I’ve finished two 5-track EPs for To the Tide since Christmas, and I’m in the mixing stage of another for my bass music project Silk Static
SOJAN: It developed in the way that I am so thankful to have my first release as ≈SOJAN≈ with one of my closest friends/mentors/inspirations HENDRIK JOERGES on the amazing label ABOVE THE SURFACE I have been fortunate enough to be a part of this amazing compilation with so many amazing artists and hopefully I will be able to collaborate with some of them in the near future. BACK AS ONE being my first release as ≈SOJAN≈ and my first release of 2021 has been an absolute honour.
soulecist.: Collaboration has helped me with this, so moving into the 2021 year, about a majority of my major/larger releases will be collaborations with vocalists and smaller producers.
4. Tell us a few of the goals you’d like to achieve before the end of 2021?
Goodknight: I’d like to release more with awesome labels like Above/Below and continue to push my music to the point where I’m almost self-sufficient off of it and don’t have to work a day job.
Nikko: In this next year, I’m really going to give my full effort into my branding, as well as building a fanbase. I’m hoping to collaborate with more incredible artists, and release on more labels. Most of all, I am looking forward to building my own unique sound.
Declan: I definitely want to grow my Spotify and other pages as well as meet new artists, do more collabs, and label releases.
To the Tide: This year, I would love to start sharing my music more regularly, and pandemic-permitting, see the revival of the magic that is the BC festival scene
SOJAN: A big goal of mine is to push my music further out into the world and not be restrained to only my country. As South Africa is still on lockdown some of my goals have been postponed for this year but hopefully in the near future I will be able to play my music to crowds overseas. I would really love the opportunity to play anywhere and show my own as well as other really talented artists music to the people of the world I can’t wait to be noted with everyone on the dance floors again.
soulecist.: One of my biggest goals is to have soulecist hit a steady 100k monthly listeners and to bring the wearefallback project into the limelight a little more
5. What does the music on Sounds from Above represent, to you?
Goodknight: Sounds from Above is a wonderful representation of each artist’s unique outlook on their own personal craft and design, and has no parameters. It’s beautiful in its versatility and offers so much dynamism to the listener. It’s truly unique and I’m so happy to be a part of it.
Nikko: To me, the sounds on this compilation represent all the fresh, underground, melodic artists who have incredible talent to share. I feel that this compilation as well as Above, represents a close knit family of talent.
Declan: I feel the music on Sounds from Above Vol 2. really shows the talent these underground artists have. Each song embodies a unique vibe and sounds so professional, making this compilation extremely important to me.
To the Tide: Just like anything on above/below, you can hear the passion in each of these songs. I think it does a really good job of showing a glimpse into the future of what I’ve come to call “post-future bass”
SOJAN: It represents some really cool people show casing their amazing talent to this world. All the people on this album are extremely talented and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for all of us. I hope I get to meet them all someday.
soulecist.: A collection of like minded artists going above and beyond the norms of what commercial and popular music is.
6. Lastly, plug anything you’d like too, and let the fans know what else they can look forward to in the near future!
Goodknight: I have a few amazing collaborations coming out with some incredibly talented artists, and I also have so many singles lined up for this year that I can’t wait to share with everyone!
(SC – @thisisgoodknight)
Nikko: Expect lots more unique releases in the future. Follow me on Soundcloud and instagram to hear more from me 🙂 (SC – @i_am_nikko, IG – @nikko.music)
Declan: Be sure to follow my instagram, thats where you’ll be able to find announcements for more tunes of mine.
(SC – @prod_declan, IG – @prod.declan)
To the Tide: My best friends and I formed a collective called Wildlife Division and there’s big things coming on this front. For now, just check us out on insta (@wildlifedivision)
SOJAN: As it is only early days I can’t say anything yet but keep an eye out for new music from ≈SOJAN≈ and Jason Baudinet very soon. I can’t wait to show everyone what I have in store for them. THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING 😉 To stay tuned you can follow my socials.
(SC – @sojan_music, IG – @sojan_music, Twitter – @sojan_music, Facebook – sojanmusic)
soulecist.: (SC – @soulecist, IG – @soulecist, Facebook – soulecist)
Interview by Christian Ashe (oh! gee)