We caught up with Pilani Bubu, a dynamic artist with a passion for storytelling, to hear about her latest music and what she does to pass time.
Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself?
I'm a singer, songwriter, storyteller – whether that be music or design. Music is kind of, my first love, and so I dominantly tell musical stories.
I like to tell people about my own lived experiences, what's inspiring me and what has influenced me. So that's a little bit of a short run on me. And, interior design and lots of kinds of design are my secondary passion, including fashion.
Please tell us how your music journey began, and has it always been a dream of yours?
I think it definitely has always been a dream of mine! I remember falling in love with music as far back as I can remember, at age nine. I think I kind of started writing my own songs and at the age of nine, you know, playfully, exploring all kinds of progress.
My twin sister and I, we used to go home every day and sing the school hymn book to each other. We would read poetry and read stories, short stories, to each other.
And so, music has dominantly been kind of that core love. That first love. And it kind of all started when we were very young. Having my twin reflect that confirms where we would rather be. Music is our love.
I'm a singer, songwriter, storyteller – whether that be music or design. Music is kind of, my first love, and so I dominantly tell musical stories.
I like to tell people about my own lived experiences, what's inspiring me and what has influenced me. So that's a little bit of a short run on me. And, interior design and lots of kinds of design are my secondary passion, including fashion.
Please tell us how your music journey began, and has it always been a dream of yours?
I think it definitely has always been a dream of mine! I remember falling in love with music as far back as I can remember, at age nine. I think I kind of started writing my own songs and at the age of nine, you know, playfully, exploring all kinds of progress.
My twin sister and I, we used to go home every day and sing the school hymn book to each other. We would read poetry and read stories, short stories, to each other.
And so, music has dominantly been kind of that core love. That first love. And it kind of all started when we were very young. Having my twin reflect that confirms where we would rather be. Music is our love.
What are some of the challenges that you've faced in the entertainment industry, and how did you overcome them?
Lately, I've been talking a lot about these challenges. We don't have a fully developed entertainment industry in this country, the way that America makes it.
There’s a lot of things that we have to invest in, in terms of building our careers, particularly in music, and probably in theatre. They kind of feed it the same but building our audiences and getting more directly in touch with our audiences requires artists these days to be their own promoters.
So I think the biggest challenge is really having the right medium and platforms for us to share with people our music as local artists, you know, where it is.
Please tell us about your album?
So, the latest one is a Lockdown Love Story. And it's basically a true story that happened right in the beginning of lockdown where I fell in love with someone, and I thought I'd have the opportunity to see them. It probably may not have even become a relationship or love if it wasn't for the lockdown, but somehow, you know when you're lonely and you didn't expect to be alone, any virtual relationship will become love, right?
And so that's what happened. It accelerated very quickly. And we were just kind of on the line with each other for four months every single day.
Each song describes every moment that happened. So, starting from the first radio single As We Lay, it talks about the thoughts and imaginations that I had nostalgically dreaming about him. And then the conundrum, which is well, if a relationship moves too fast too quickly, it can end quickly.
Lately, I've been talking a lot about these challenges. We don't have a fully developed entertainment industry in this country, the way that America makes it.
There’s a lot of things that we have to invest in, in terms of building our careers, particularly in music, and probably in theatre. They kind of feed it the same but building our audiences and getting more directly in touch with our audiences requires artists these days to be their own promoters.
So I think the biggest challenge is really having the right medium and platforms for us to share with people our music as local artists, you know, where it is.
Please tell us about your album?
So, the latest one is a Lockdown Love Story. And it's basically a true story that happened right in the beginning of lockdown where I fell in love with someone, and I thought I'd have the opportunity to see them. It probably may not have even become a relationship or love if it wasn't for the lockdown, but somehow, you know when you're lonely and you didn't expect to be alone, any virtual relationship will become love, right?
And so that's what happened. It accelerated very quickly. And we were just kind of on the line with each other for four months every single day.
Each song describes every moment that happened. So, starting from the first radio single As We Lay, it talks about the thoughts and imaginations that I had nostalgically dreaming about him. And then the conundrum, which is well, if a relationship moves too fast too quickly, it can end quickly.
Who would you say is your biggest inspiration and why?
My biggest inspiration is Oprah Winfrey. I think she has an agenda and I like the industry that she's built around herself and her self equity. And the intention is always around moving people, shifting their consciousness, inspiring them in some ways and creating meaningful work. And no matter what platform you use for that work, whether that platform is a magazine, book clubs or movies as an executive producer, she does that. I think definitely my biggest inspiration is Oprah Winfrey.
If you could meet a fictional character in real life, who would it be?
The Duke of Hastings on Bridgerton, played by Simon Basset. I like everything about him. The way he raises his eyebrow. The way he moves. His politeness, but also semi rudeness. Everything.
Related article: Zanele Van Zyle: For The Love of Food and Family
What’s your favourite pastime?
I don't know if people consider meditating a pastime, but there are a few things that I enjoy, like dancing on the weekends, which has been very difficult since lockdown – but it's definitely my favourite thing to do. I also enjoy yoga. And I'm definitely a reader [and] I do enjoy travelling a lot. I love going to new spaces and repeating going back to old places and meeting new people.
My biggest inspiration is Oprah Winfrey. I think she has an agenda and I like the industry that she's built around herself and her self equity. And the intention is always around moving people, shifting their consciousness, inspiring them in some ways and creating meaningful work. And no matter what platform you use for that work, whether that platform is a magazine, book clubs or movies as an executive producer, she does that. I think definitely my biggest inspiration is Oprah Winfrey.
If you could meet a fictional character in real life, who would it be?
The Duke of Hastings on Bridgerton, played by Simon Basset. I like everything about him. The way he raises his eyebrow. The way he moves. His politeness, but also semi rudeness. Everything.
Related article: Zanele Van Zyle: For The Love of Food and Family
What’s your favourite pastime?
I don't know if people consider meditating a pastime, but there are a few things that I enjoy, like dancing on the weekends, which has been very difficult since lockdown – but it's definitely my favourite thing to do. I also enjoy yoga. And I'm definitely a reader [and] I do enjoy travelling a lot. I love going to new spaces and repeating going back to old places and meeting new people.
What message do you have for aspiring musicians or artists?
I would say don't be afraid of hard work. You kind of have to do it yourself. You know, the glorified entertainment industry that is bigger than ours, which is the Americans, isn't like where we live. So to take a more local spirit, we have to realise that we are the industry makers and have to learn what makes an industry. Which means we're going to have to build it ourselves. Don’t be afraid of the hard work it takes and don’t be afraid to take on multiple roles to make it work. My mentor said it takes 10 years to become an overnight success.
Related article: 6 of Our Favourite Looks From Celebs Celebration of International Pink Day
I would say don't be afraid of hard work. You kind of have to do it yourself. You know, the glorified entertainment industry that is bigger than ours, which is the Americans, isn't like where we live. So to take a more local spirit, we have to realise that we are the industry makers and have to learn what makes an industry. Which means we're going to have to build it ourselves. Don’t be afraid of the hard work it takes and don’t be afraid to take on multiple roles to make it work. My mentor said it takes 10 years to become an overnight success.
Related article: 6 of Our Favourite Looks From Celebs Celebration of International Pink Day
THE ART OF STORYTELLING WITH PILANI BUBU
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
Reviewed by Edgars Mag
on
April 19, 2022
Rating:
