There’s something to take away from Mandisi Dyantyis’s music because whether it’s about relationships, a lament about struggles of life, or the future – the unwavering resolve that emanates through his vocals to the instruments is unmistakable.
A self-confessed coffee snob, Mandisi talks to us about his latest album, Cwaka, the jitters he gets before a performance, and consistency – something he attributes his success to.
HOW HAS YOUR BACKGROUND INFORMED WHO YOU ARE TODAY?
Everything I've experienced, from the people I’ve met, to the things I’ve done, have all sort of manifested in the person that I am today.
HOW DID YOU GROW UP, AND WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A CHILD?
I was like any other child - I enjoyed playing and being outside. So when I got involved with music, choirs, bands, casual records and similar things, it was difficult for them, for example, when they had a rehearsal at a certain time, they wouldn't be able to find me.
HOW MUCH OF YOUR MUSIC IS INSPIRED BY TRADITION AND SPIRITUALITY?
There's no real way to measure it and I don't really think about those things before starting my process. Some songs are naturally more influenced by tradition and others, culture.
The question we should be asking is, where is the inspiration coming from? Because inspiration is everywhere. So, I’m intentional to say, this is who I am. I used to be apologetic about certain things or the way that I did things, but now I confidently take ownership and say, ‘Okay, this is me and it's my story’.
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HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOUR LATEST ALBUM, CWAKA?
I've introduced Cwaka as a piece that deals with relationships or relations if you like. Whether it's your relationship with your family or with your loved one, with the country that we live in, the world with your Creator, with your spirituality, or with your culture. I'm looking at how those things connect me, [how] they influence me and make me who I am, and how they impact me.
Also, the simple and the mundane things in life – good or bad. I've found strength in looking at others who've gone through worse, I’ve found strength in people who've gotten up when they were beaten, I’ve found strength in people who are happy because if they get that feeling, it means that I have that feeling in me in some way. It might not come now but it is coming, and it makes living life much better.
HOW IMPORTANT DO YOU THINK IT IS FOR ARTISTS TO HAVE THEIR FINGER ON THE PULSE WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES OF SOCIETY?
I don't think you need to put pressure on yourself as an artist to do that. I think what we should be encouraging artists [to do] is to live life. Certain artists are very passionate about writing the past, certain artists are very passionate about writing the ideal future – so everything they write is sort of futuristic and the idea of how things could be.
I'm obsessed about now, I'm obsessed about what's happening today in the life of the country, and the world.
We've just come out of December, some people said it was a good one, and others have said it was bad. But I know we’re transitioning into an 'after Omicron' environment. So, I ask myself what the impact of that will be – for children who are starting school, for people who have lost their jobs, for churches that have not opened etc. I look at those types of situations and try to be sympathetic. For me, that's when music finds me.
WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A SOCIAL ACTIVIST?
That's difficult for me to say – the music does the work. I'm a student of music, and I devote myself [to it]. I have a gift, and I do whatever the gift requires me to do. As I said, I live in the now, so I speak of things that are happening now. Those things might be seen as [that], but I don't sit on my piano and think ‘oh, let's go and write a song that tackles social issues.' Instead, I think, ‘How am I feeling about what has just happened?’ or ‘What are you feeling about this and that?’.
ARE THERE ANY AFRICAN ARTISTS THAT YOU'D LOVE TO WORK WITH?
There's a whole lot of people that I'd love to work with. I don't think I'm deserving to work with them yet. I think I could improve and get better, and then one day I'll get those calls or be in situations where I can call on them. I think all of Africa is filled with beautiful music. I love listening to music where I don't understand languages. I'm a fan of many musicians, I'm a fan of artistry.
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DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE A PERFORMANCE?
Always, always, always. I'm quiet, and people will always ask me, ‘are you fine?’. I'm usually on my headphones, and I might or might not be playing something, but I do this because I become submerged in the moment. [laughs]
IF YOU COULD BE A REAL-LIFE BLACK HERO, WHO WOULD YOU BE OR WHAT SUPERPOWERS WOULD YOU HAVE?
I think my superpower would be helping people realise that they are bigger than their situations or their circumstances. Especially for me, as a black person, we just need to constantly remember that we are bigger than what is happening. Because solutions are here, solutions are between me and you – if we engage and we take the necessary action.
WHAT ARE THREE THINGS THAT NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT YOU?
- I spend a copious amount of time on YouTube. My favourite account is called The Hoof GP. It's all about a guy who fixes cow hooves. I watch every video, and I don’t even have a cow! There’s just something about that channel that I love.
- The other thing that I love is the mountain. I love walking and running in the mountain.
- I love coffee. Yeah, I drink copious amounts of coffee. I’m also snobbish when it comes to coffee. While recording Cwaka, I would grab a cup of coffee at a well-known coffee kiosk nearby. They would make it for my flask because I wouldn't drink any other coffee.
WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, OR PLANS FOR 2022?
I want to be consistent, and I want to improve. That's my resolution for every year. It's a thing I rely on – doing the same things over and over again, and putting in as many hours as I need to.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HAVE FOR UPCOMING MUSICIANS?
They’re valid. Upcoming musicians – you are valid. Keep at it, whether it's in your room or your little studio. Keep at it to get better. Get some money, record your stuff, and put it online. Never think that you’re not valid. I was once you, doing the exact thing I'm doing now. I was playing for 15 people – the same music I'm playing now. So, keep at it.
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BY NTHABISENG MAKHOKHA
MANDISI DYANTYIS: INTENTIONALLY LIVING IN THE NOW
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 27, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Michelle Pienaar
on
January 27, 2022
Rating:
