With a fiercely independent approach to the music industry and a sound which focuses on unity and healing instead of hatred and division, The Sun Xa Experiment is poised to become the next big thing out of Soweto, following in the footsteps of other “Afropunk” bands from the area including BCUC (Bantu Continua Uhuru Consciousness). Since 2014 they have been mixing the chemicals in the groove laboratory to develop a sound, feeling and live show which is entirely their own. 7 extremely unique individuals make up the band, where traditional rock and roll instruments collide, with deep-rooted, African drums, chants and a ritualistic spirituality that creates a culturally fascinating experience, which incorporates, other elements of the performing arts into the show. Which is evident in the delivery and aesthetic of the band members and performance. Watching a Sun Xa Experiment is almost like watching an oil painting being painstakingly made in real time, right before your very eyes. Its pure art and the dedication and commitment of every member is clearly evident every time they get up on stage.
However, with every successful act, there is a driving force behind the scenes, pulling the strings and pushing the project forward. Lebohang More is that individual in Sun Xa, and he has taken the role of the most unforgiving job in the world – the band manager. We caught up with this dedicated born and bred Sowetan, to find out exactly what makes this band so special.
1. Firstly can you give me your name, age and what you do for a living?
Hello, my name is Lebohang More and I am 34 years old. What I actually do is I use 80% of my creative mind and I deal with ideas, and I also manage 3 projects (bands) through Digging Thoughts (Pty) Ltd.
2. What is that like being a manager in the South African music industry and how did you get into music in the first place?
It is the most challenging work as every day is a new day, new application, new event hunt, it never becomes old. I got involved in the music industry by making hip hop beats. I used to be an avid beat maker and produced a couple of albums and featured on a few compilations. I am a hip hop DJ and jazz/ancestral and world music selector. That is how I got into the music industry. Through time, I eventually found myself in a managerial position. It has been an amazing journey so far.
3. You are based in Soweto, seems the area has had a massive revival in the punk/rock and afro music genres, with bands like TCIYF, BCUC and various other edgier genres doing well both internationally and locally and all coming out of Soweto. Sun Xa seems to be a part of this scene in some way. What is like to live and experience this energy every day? And what do you think the future holds for the Sowetan underground music scene?
Yes, I am from the heart of Soweto, it is such a beautiful time to live in this area. It keeps us as a band on our toes since we are an independent movement. Bands you mentioned like BCUC put in a lot of work and that can only reverberate, good energy towards us. However the energy is not always clear in Soweto amongst bands. This (somewhat) lack of unity might cripple a great looking future for our industry as Sowetans.
However, the future is looking bright as many bands are coming out and the talent is emerging. I like the newer developing bands more, as they are exciting and it’s awesome experiencing their passion. We just need to nurture newer artists and create a sustainable music industry from Soweto.
4. Tell us a little about Sun Xa, what is the music all about and how did you get involved?
The Sun Xa Experiment I consider it as a family name first and foremost, a clan, a living body. Sun Xa Experiment is also a musical band that brings out a message for healing and love, it is an ancestral awakening, and our truth. The music is purely about spiritual upliftment and the influence of good. It is a voice for the lesser.
I got involved from its inception as the music started out with two guys, Tebogo and myself chopping up records by Ndhiko Xaba – Sunset and various angles from Sun Ra. The fusion of the samples over programmed drums gave birth to Sun Xa then later it became Sun Xa Experiment because it evolved into a full band and that’s when I stepped to the side to take care of the business aspect.
5. Tell us a little bit about Soweto, what is it like to live there and did you grow up there?
Soweto is not just a campsite for all our families but it is home to a lot of great people in our country, from politics, to sports to acting to music. It’s the birthplace of Kwaito Music and growing up there and living there is an amazing experience. The township on its own has become the capital mother of the system and before it became a suburb, we had the best of times going to hip hop sessions, to attending events like Lokxion live and Street Pop Culture. This is where live music used to be very alive. Soweto is that space where your neighbour is a banker, your other makhelwane (neighbour) is in expropriation and your best friend is a lawyer then you are a musician, which is the scene I grew up in. A Messed up chaos, but beautiful chaos nevertheless.
6. The Sun Xa Experiment seems to be making some big moves at the moment. What does the future hold for the band?
Thank you, yes the guys are putting in work and it’s amazing how they keep being driven and the future looks bright if we can build now at the present. We are currently building the movement with other artists to work with on tours around the country and to collaborate with as many artists as we can. This is us preparing for the future and we couldn’t be more excited.
7. You guys have a very clear message of healing, why do you think this is so vitally important for a diverse South African audience at a turning point in the history of the country?
Healing comes in many formats and we also heal ourselves with every performance. It is important for our country to hear our message as the music helps everyone and reminds individuals of who they are and where they come from. Whether black, coloured, white or Indian, the beautiful thing about musics healing properties is that it doesn’t have any prejudice towards who is receiving the message. It just catches you as a listener which is very important to us.
8. You guys seem to have a strong connection to Durban, so why do you frequent this city so much?
Apart from my first born son being born in Wentworth Hospital in Durban, and my fiancée coming from Lamontville Durban, I think for us as Digging Thoughts as a company we found a home down there and the respect we received from the people gave us that feeling of Durban being a second home to us. Also for every event we did, we connected with inspiring people and created families all over Durban and that is what keeps us amped to come back. We love it there. It has become our other “city” of choice where we just book bus and flights down. We also have been working quite closely with Ryan Van Rooyen as well, who has been booking the band many shows in the city for quite some time now.
9. What do you think are some of the biggest challenges for local bands trying to make it in the music industry at the moment?
The choices musicians make:
Choices how? This is how…the way we accept gigs, the type of gigs we take, the type of deals we make, that is the part that bands face as a challenge and lack of representation (Manager/PR). I always tell bands to choose wisely and if you want to put your name out there, keep rehearsing and be available at all times. Never put money first, but put it second as payment and reward. The music industry currently allows a lot of room for independence and that is how they crook you, because you as the musician accepts contracts or gigs without thinking of real benefits, but for the name of rocking the stage. We do not stop to think, and also a lot of musicians are not being professional. What I have noticed is that they are always scouting for talent but talent is not prepared sometimes, and that makes it difficult for bands to crack it.
10. Any plans for international tours anytime soon?
Yes. We are currently having discussions with a booking agent from the Netherlands, and are talking about gigs for 2020. At the moment we are still busy in our home country. We will keep Aweh publication updated on this movement. Our aim is to try being part of the move to Europe so we can do what we do in our country, but over there.
11. What sets Sun Xa apart from other bands doing similar things?
Constant rehearsals, spending almost 6 days of each week together even outside the band, and our vision as the band.
12. Tell us a bit about the members, their contribution to the band and what makes them so unique?
Cool. Firstly what makes them all unique is they are all self-taught and are very driven and dedicated.
Buyisiwe Njoko – is the lead vocalist who is also co-founder of Digging Thoughts (Pty) Ltd. and her roles not only include singing, but off stage activities for the project including a lot of admin, document typing, proposals and representing us on the media front.
Tebogo Mkhize – Original founder of Sun Xa Experiment who started out playing the Drums then moved to Guitar when Bopha came. He plays Acoustic Guitar.
Karolo More – Dancer and energy propellant during the experiment performances and he also does adlibs.
Benedict Watte – plays a wide range of percussion for the band and is also a solid poet.
Lerato Seitei – Electric Guitar, plays bass as well and is also a very good vocalist and is the oldest in the band and his role is the most important as the oldest, meaning in every idea we do we first ask him.
Musa Zwane – plays bass for The Experiment and also guitar for Shameless Band, a very good composer as well and vocalist who is very creative and smart and he also has a good ear.
Siphiwe Mgidi – Drummer for the band and does adlibs where he contributes many other sounds to the music, including percussion and whistles.
13. The best and worst part of the music industry?
Best Part – being independent at this day in time whereby you determine your next moves and you do not have to wait for a phone call.
The Worst Part – seeing events and festivals being postponed, that is scary as it means that bands and musicians who are relying on music for their income have fewer opportunities.
14. What other bands and projects are you involved in?
TUG Time Unveils God – Live hip hop band who happen to be the first band in South Africa that is straight hip hop. Their message is also about awakening and introspection, their music speaks of a Black God whereby it translates to the ghetto youth that since God is made in our image as the global community. Meaning the God energy comes in all shapes colours and sizes and that they must remember that they too are gods. Other songs talk about- soul healing as well.
Zen Groove Project – Heavy percussion based ensemble by Sabelo, who is a former traveler and percussionist for the African Footprint. The project also is dedicated to the current souls and its sounds are also for reaching out and touching lives and writing history anew.
15. Anything you would like to add?
We are music and music is one harmony, the best part was the Cape Town tour and performing with Cami Scoundrel. We are ready for anything anytime and we are very dedicated. Thank you for interviewing me.
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