ONE ON ONE: Zwai Bala

Zwai Bala has been through the proverbial musical journey. From the Kwaito trio TKZee that somewhat defined and changed the face of South African music, to a now seasoned music producer and director working with some of the biggest African artistes, he is always looking at pushing African sound to higher levels.

You were part of one of South Africa’s biggest band, TKZee, do you miss being in front of the cameras?

TKZee wasn’t the only work I did that put me in front of the cameras. I worked and still work in music in different capacities. I like being on stage and I’m still an entertainer but if I’m not there then people are playing what I worked on. But also, behind the scenes is very much in front of the scenes because it’s your work that’s showing.

Will we ever see TKZee back together?

Not any time soon. I’ve been so busy... it’s not what it used to be back then, we are not 20 year olds anymore. Some of us are married with children. We need to do things differently since that was our life back then, we wanted to be on the road and party which was great and we had a great time! Time isn’t available anymore, but it’s good that we left it on a high, people still enjoy our songs so it’s all good.

How does it feel being part of a group that was involved in introducing the South African sound to the rest of the continent and the world?

It was always an honour. Whenever I travel all over the continent, people are always playing the songs. When we were doing it we certainly believed that we had something special and we stuck to it.

Did you ever think you would be such a hit?

Yes, we saw it.

Really?

It took a while and it was hard but we believed in what we had. We used to listen to our own stuff and we were like ‘this is good’. And when it came out it was awesome.

Last year you were physically attacked by your former band mate Tokollo ‘Magesh’ Tshabalala. Are you still friends?

It’s not like we are calling each other all the time, you know, but keeping grudges is not healthy.

So are you cool with each other?

Yes, and I’m not going to say anything more.

How many instruments do you play?

I understand instruments but I can only play a little bit of piano. That’s about it.

Your vocals get better by the day

I studied voice, that’s what I went to do in Scotland. While in TKZee, I didn’t sing a lot because of the kind of music that we did. But on the side I was doing all sorts of music with orchestras and stuff.

Whatever I’m doing I will apply my voice to suit what I’m singing.

As a producer always listening to music and trying to make it all come together in the studio, what is it that you hear that “normal” folk who just want to dance to the music can’t hear?

There’s nothing special about that, but I guess there are different things that you listen out for. It depends on a lot of things, you have to feel that everything is groovy and cool.

You want it to be nice, that you want to tap your feet as opposed to just working especially for something that has already been worked on. You don’t want to waste it, you hope it’s fine. And then the musicians bring it to life.

How do you make sure that you don’t come out with a bad song?

It can’t be a bad song, my job is to make sure that it doesn’t become a bad song. It’s just about identifying where the problem is and bringing everyone to the focus point which we need to achieve something. So what I have to do is come up with solutions of achieving certain things.

Fine, people may not sometimes see or hear it like I do but by the time we hit dress rehearsals everyone is very clear that I was right from Monday. (Laughs)

You have to be patient because you have to hear what it is (the artistes) they are feeling. A lot of times it’s in the articulation of what an artiste wants, and I understand those things. I try and help people describe what they are feeling and then get what they are looking for.

You are quite fashionable

Really?

Do you put much thought into what you wear when you get out of the house?

You know what, I wasn’t always like this. I guess this is now when I have bought all the clothes that I like and I get to choose and match and put them together.

You’ve had a long career in music, looking at the Kenyan music industry, what do you think we are doing right?

I haven’t been particularly active in the urban culture and what’s happening, or which hits there are at the moment. I’ve just been doing my work, but I’m getting to meet the artistes that are big in the continent.

Through Coke Studio I’m listening to a lot of stuff. I like Kenyan music, the skill is there, it’s just a matter of finding that identity that is particular to Kenya.

You don’t think we have a particular sound yet?

That’s what needs to happen, it doesn’t have to be indigenous or anything, it’s just how people are. It’s in the lingo that’s used and a representation of Kenyan culture, and it will come.

Coming from a family that has a huge musical background, did that help along your dream?

Yes, absolutely, it’s everything. Growing up there used to be choirs that would come to practice at home as well. It was music all the time.

Of all the musicians that you have ever worked with like Liquid Deep and Yvonne Chaka Chaka, who impressed you the most?

I work with great people all the time. But I like working with young talented people because I get to play a role in developing their talent. It’s always special hearing a young person sing or play an instrument, like one that blows you away, it’s always a treat.

Will you be coming back to Kenya, and not necessarily for work?

I’ve already had a holiday in Kenya, but when I travel it’s usually for work. I like Kenya and I hope to be doing more stuff here.