After establishing himself with a wealth of bold and adventurous outings over the last few years, South African producer Vaughty returns once again to deliver his atmospheric new single '1984'.
Lifted from his most recent studio album 'Dark Society', which is available to stream now, '1984' was heavily inspired by the classic George Orwell novel and acts as the base for his latest collection. With its broad and sweeping textures permeated by his own haunted vocal performance, this new endeavour showcases him as a brilliantly inventive name on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with him to find out more about his origins and what has inspired him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
For me, it was synthesisers. My fascination with them started when I first learnt about a band called Depeche Mode. I remember people saying, “There is this band called Depeche Mode and ALL their music is made on keyboards, no other instruments. Whereas that is no big deal these days, back then it was enough to spark my interest and move me in the direction of keyboards, synthesisers and electronic music.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved anything that was electronic and synthesiser based.
What was the first album you remember owning?
My very first album I bought was “Look Sharp” by Swedish pop rock band “Roxette”.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Wow, that is not an easy one. Off the top of my head, I’d have to say Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, I mean really!! What a song!!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
No, not really. I often feel like a fraud, meaning that I feel I have never written a song, It is a strange feeling really but I often listen to my songs and have no recollection of writing them. They seem to write themselves. All I need to do is get out of the way and let them be what they want to be. I have never sat down to write a song. The idea always come to me as an inspiration and they often present themselves as completed works. It’s like I hear it in my head as a finished piece, almost as if I'd heard it a thousand times before.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I don’t really listen to that much music if I’m to be brutally honest. I am enjoying Royksopp at the moment though.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Probably Gary Numan, I respect him immensely.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Being able to express yourself in a way that no other activity can allow me to do.
And what is the most frustrating part?
OMG!! Don’t get me started, the list is endless. I think the biggest ones being that music is expected to be free and therefore has no value as it is taken for granted. I guess it's a combination between the technology and the industry that has done this. It is however a double edged sword because I like to stay focused on the opportunities that are available to us now which never were available before.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
In my quest for perfection (and perfection does not exist), my friend and mentor, the legendary producer Gareth Jones has taught me so much. His best advice to me has been, “Our job as artists is to make the art, NOT to judge it.” I quote these words of wisdom to my students all the time.
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Vaughty's new single '1984' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.