'5 Questions With': Kwaku Asante
"As of now, the sonics are very disco, funk and pop inspired which is to counteract other projects I'm working on that are darker and more alternative. I’m attempting to keep those two sides of my sound separate for the time being."
There are so many angles to Kwaku Asante’s musical mastery. At the top of the year, we saw the soul-jazz experimentalist explore new sonic landscapes with the release of his sophomore EP ‘Ode‘; a melancholic, soft and subdued account of emotion laid out seamlessly across 5-tracks. Now, in an artistic response to our new-found collective freedom from lockdown living, Asante is back with the disco-reminiscent, funk-induced ‘Blue Solstice: Volume 1′, a strikingly poetic, 3-track-wide exploration into unrequited love, gloriously presented against a colourful backdrop of preppy, uplifting free-jazz instrumentals that were “fashioned for dancing too”. Last week, we caught up with the empathic singer-songwriter on release day to discuss his favourite emotions, his deep affinity for classic Outkast records and all the personal revelations that caused him to record the first instalment in his forthcoming ‘Blue Solstice Series.’
Read the full interview below…
Words by Tahirah Thomas
EQ: Hey Kwaku! Listening to your music, you seem like a guy who understands emotion very well. What would you say is your favourite feeling and why?
K: I’d say the best feeling is security! Feeling secure in who you choose to spend time with and in who you are when you’re around those people is super important for me. I love the feeling I get when I know there won’t be any repercussions when I’m being open and vulnerable with the people I’m closest too. I think that’s because in my day to day to day, when I enter into different spaces and feel as though I have to present different versions of myself, it can be really exhausting. We all do it sometimes, I won’t pretend that I don’t feel that kind of pressure when I’m in certain spaces professionally and so on. After all, in certain environments you’re bound to lose your sense of self. Still, I feel like that makes those feelings of security so much more potent when you’re with the people who love and understand you; whether platonically or romantically.
EQ: Your new track “Feel Something” is melodically quite bouncy and uplifting, yet lyrically the song feels like more of an emotional rollercoaster. Can you tell us what inspired you to write it and why you think that juxtaposition between sound and subject matter is so apparent?
K: Well, when I wrote it, I was listening to Outkast’s “Hey Ya” quite a lot; more than usual anyway. So, I was reading the lyrics and a few articles about the song, and even delved into some of the imagery in the video. On the surface, it seems like that song is very tongue and cheek, but when you look into it a little further you realise the subject matter is actually quite dark. I love Outkast and the way they’ve mastered juxtaposing happy sounds with darker lyrics across their discography, so I figured I’d try my hand at the same thing to see if I could develop my skills as a writer further.
“Things will always end up the way they are supposed to be.“
-Kwaku Asante
K: Yes! “Ode” is very introspective. You’re right, I did want to show a softer and more subdued side to myself with the approach to that project. I did actually come up with the idea for the sophomore EP before lockdown ever happened, it just so turned out that the subject matter on those songs made more sense to share when people we’re stuck in their homes indefinitely. With this mini–EP Blue Solstice: Volume 1, I feel as though part of its driving purpose does stem from knowing that people are back outside socialising and dancing again. I wanted to release some new music that could exist in those spaces.
EQ: We love that! Where are you hoping to take your sound as we traverse the unknown into the rest of 2021 and beyond? Do you have any shows coming up? Any cool visuals dropping that we should know about?
K: It’s the first instalment in a series called “Blue Solstice” that I’m currently working on. As of now, the sonics are very disco, funk and pop inspired which is to counteract other projects I’m working on that are darker and more alternative. I’m attempting to keep those two sides of my sound separate for the time being. I’ve been getting back into performing this summer too; I played a great show at Soho House and last weekend I did YAM Carnival. If you missed me though, my next show will be my headliner at The Jazz Café in November! So, catch me there!
EQ: Nice! Lastly, if there was one message you’d want listeners to take away from “Feel Something” what would it be?
K: If there’s one thing that I want listeners to take away from the Blue Solstice Series, it’s that things will always end up the way there are supposed to be.
EQ: Wise words Kwaku! We look forward to embarking on this new musical chapter with you!
K: Thanks! I’m looking forward to it too.
Stream ‘Blue Solstice: Volume 1’ HERE
Keep up with Kwaku Asante on socials
Instagram: @kwakuaxsante
Twitter: @kwakuxasante
Facebook: @kwakuxasante
