Image:Sarah De Burgh

First off, how often do you visit Africa?
Every other year or so for six months to a year at a time.

Alright, so what’s coming next for Gold Coast Trading?
A lot of growing and maturing…I have some lectures and exhibitions coming up in Germany and France, which is exciting for me because it’s a sign that Gold Coast is much more than fashion but a creative space or statement that people are interested in. I also want to expand more into South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana so the brand’s touchstone stays close to what I’m doing. As for new designs, I’m working with Petite Noir on a collab that should be out in the next month or so – really excited about him and his music! I’m also involved with some new large partnerships that will expand the scope of the work I want to create.

And, in your words, what’s the overriding mission of your brand?
Be creative, be inspired and stay true to the message of the brand, which is to explore or handle Africa in a less expected way.

Could you define Africa in Gold Coast Trading’s words?

Abundance of truth and beauty. A hazy view of how things could, should or can be.

How would you describe Gold Coast Trading’s clothing style?
It’s always evolving and it’s something I’m trying to define myself actually. It’s becoming less straight-up casual but more functional ‘high-end’ casual. As you can see I’m still working on it but the main thing for me is to give the brand as much space for growth as possible. So along the way I can do many different styles or types of clothing, furniture or whatever else I want to create at the time. I’m not really a fashion guy, I kind of still dress like I’m going to lay brick or tile…but I know what looks appropriate, I have good taste and I also know to never limit your vision.

Image:Bo Streeter

So tell us about the ‘Winds from the North’ collection. What inspired you?
Harmattan, which is the dusty West African trade wind that blows south from the Sahara into the Gulf of Guinea between the end of November and the middle of March. The colours in that collection are faded and dulled to reflect the atmosphere and mood of that unique season in West Africa.

Do the prints you use have a certain meaning for you? (Do they represent Africa?)
To me they represent emotional responses. I don’t think I intend for them to be strictly representational of Africa and I don’t think they always are. But instead they represent a train of thought that is usually inspired by – but not limited to – my time back home in Africa.

Images:Bo Streeter

Let’s get to some more complicated stuff. What do you think Africa would have been like if it hadn’t been for the slave trade?
Wow…that’s a tough question…
In many ways the same and in many ways drastically different, which I think is okay. Obviously many of the issues that serve as the major stumbling blocks in Africa, like exploration of natural resources, corruption and general conflict would be dramatically different. Africa isn’t and was never meant to be perfect. So, like on every other landmass around the world, the same basic problems would exist due to pure imperfection but at least a measure of the suffering that touches Africa on a daily basis would not exist.

“Africa isn’t and was never meant to be perfect.”

Where would you like to see Africa socially, politically and economically in 20 years?
I would love to see Africa keep up with its growth, move into more ownership and evolve into its fullest potential, but the ones who make our planet’s policies are doing a good job of dimming the prospect of positive change in this world in general. So, I feel it could get worse before it gets better due to the system we currently live under. I feel we have so much in place to distract us from the ‘more important things’, we fail to see how far we are drifting in the wrong direction. With all that being said, I live and breathe hope! There is good news all around us and hopefully some day, sooner than later, we will see the change we have been looking for – not just in Africa but on a global scale.

“the ones who make our planet’s policies are doing a good job of dimming the prospect of positive change in this world in general.”

And Africa in 200 years?
Even more beautiful! I think it will be bursting at the seams with accurate knowledge and love – a place where people come to innovate and enjoy.

What African artists do you admire the most?
Laurence Chauvin Buthaud, , Petite Noir, Spoek Mathambo, Esau Mwamwaya and Loza Maléombho to name a few.

Which artists did you collaborate with last? What was it about?
I recently worked with The Very Best for Capsule Collection and I also served as their tour merchandise. I also worked with Questlove for the Fela Kuti dedication album and I’m currently working on some select designs for Nas. And like I mentioned, I’m finishing a cool piece for a collab with Petite Noir and have two major ones on deck.

What countries in Africa do you owe your best memories to?
Ivory coast for sure! Though I’m Nigerian, it was my gateway back home and where I spent the most time by far. I’ve seen everything there from wars to pristine white sandy beaches, seeing all of that trained and shaped who I am and who I’m becoming. Living in Ghana also meant a lot to me because I learned a lot about myself and what I really want in this life.

How do you feel about so many Africans dreaming of emigrating to the west?
I get it for sure but it’s not all what it’s cracked up to be. The streets aren’t paved with gold and in most cases you can end up physically as well as spiritually cold and alone. It’s the nature of life in the west, it’s a singular lifestyle. People are running after money or a name and within that chase, community or people don’t matter. So come if you want to do what you need to do and then go back home and grow it there.

On another note, how did you get into fashion?
I don’t know honestly, it was never a goal of mine. It just all kind of started from designing, album art for some popular musicians and then it sort of morphed into what I do today.

And what made you do the Soweto Youth 1976 line?
It was a two fold thing. Firstly, out of the respect I had for people like the BLK JKS and Spoek Mathambo who showed me a ton of love and support but also sparked me creatively! Secondly, out of respect of the event and the sacrifice that fell on those ones to effect a large change.

Images:kyle Johnson

“All my dudes from South Africa always seem to look effortlessly stylish”

What do you think of South Africa and its fashion? How does it compare to the rest of Africa’s and the rest of the world’s fashion?
All my dudes from South Africa always seem to look effortlessly stylish and dress pretty much how I want my end product to be worn. South Africa also seems to be a melting pot of fashion sprinkled with a bit of traditional or cultural sensibility. That makes a look that is in step with what I’m doing. For the past few seasons South Africa has been my fashion reference point, so I’m very excited and eager to expand here further this coming year.

Image:Bo Streeter

Interview by John Norman, 2012

Yannick Ilunga aka Petite Noir, the inventor of ‘noir wave’ and member of the Capital of Cool creative crew just brought out his new single Pressure and a trippy music video to accompany the tune. Freshly back from London town, he spoke to us about what inspired him, unique music and bad grammar.

Image: Travys Owen

How do you create music? Is there a particular process?
I just create what I feel. I just go to the studio and make music. It doesn’t really have to be a particular way or a process.

Do you expect to reach a certain type of individual with your music or do you expect anyone to like your sound?
Anyone could like my music. I don’t really try to target a market while creating it.

How important is it to you that you sound unique?
Everyone has to have their own sound. I feel like a lot of people have been trying to copy a song without referencing properly, but it’s very important because it defines who you are.

Do you think, music-wise and generally, it has become harder to invent stuff today because it seems like so many things have been invented already?
It just takes creativity. Everything is borrowed from something else – nothing is a hundred per cent.

Image: Travys Owen

On that note, what kinda music do you borrow from? What genre\artists inspire you?
80s, new wave, that’s why I created the word ‘noir wave’. That’s my genre – and African music.

As an artist are you scared of the word ‘pop’?
No, not at all.

In an interview with “The Guardian.co.uk” you said “you can appreciate a Britney song as much as you can appreciate a Radiohead one.” Why do you say that? How do you measure taste? Is there some sort of standard?
No, hmmm, it has nothing to do with measuring standards or whatever, if the song is good the song is good. You can’t just hate on artists because they make pop music or because you think it’s uncool. It’s just about having an open mind. Britney spears could have a song that could be as good as a Radiohead song.

Who inspires you? What’s on your iPod? Who’s your favourite artist out right now?
Right now I’m listening to a lot of ASAP Rocky, Metronomy, a lot of Devonté Hynes (Blood Orange).

What did you grow up listening to? What kinda music did your parents make you listen to?
I grew up listening to a lot of pop music and Congolese music.

Image: Adrian Louw

Would you say your music is South African? Are cultural ties important to you?
No, my music is not South African. My music is worldwide, from everywhere, from all over. I don’t wanna classify my music as from a specific country. I wanna classify it as everything I have done in my life. All the places I have been and everything I have listened to has influenced my music.

So how would you position your sound? If you ever had to be nominated for a Grammy, which category you think they would put you on?
Best album of the year (laughs) – but seriously it would probably be like alternative pop or something close to the genre.

What African artists would you like to work with?
I would like to work with Amadou Mariam from Mali – they have a really good sound.

You have been to Europe, would you say it’s harder for African artists to make it than European ones?
I think if you make music that whoever likes it will buy into it. I don’t classify myself as a Cape Town artist. I’m just based in Cape Town.

How was South African music perceived when you got there?
Not many people knew about a lot of South African music in England or Europe. South Africa is definitely bringing out a new wave of unique artists I think!

Why did you decide to go London?
For me London is a better place to work. I’m not really in my comfort zone here.

Image: Travys Owen

Pressure has a toned-down drama to it, would you say your music is sad music?
No, it’s just emotional.

What inspired the track? What were you going through at the moment you wrote the song?
Social pressure…just everything in general…anything that pressurizes your life…issues such as not fitting in really!

Did you misspell ‘Petite Noir’ on purpose?
Yes I did misspell it on purpose.

…Why?
Because I wanted to.

Where you bad at grammar?
I was actually really good in grammar, I just didn’t feel like it.

So the mistake should be approved because of your grammar skills?
Yes.

When can we expect an album from Petite Noir?
Next year sometime…so unsure exactly when right now.

What’s next for Petite Noir?
A European tour next month in November and a few festivals and dates on my own.

Image: so-many-animal-calls.blogspot.com

Click here to watch Petite Noir’s music video for Pressure on onesmallseed.tv
Interview by John Norman

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TILT – Panic Room

TILT – PANIC ROOM from BIG ADDICT on Vimeo.

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Petite Noir – ‘Till We Ghosts’

Petite Noir – Till We Ghosts from Petite Noir on Vimeo.

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Camcorded – A Fashion Film

Conrad Roselt’s short black and white fashion video is filmed with a camcorder and plays with yours emotions. With the help of volunteers and friends, and set in diverse everyday locations, this is a personal project that Conrad has created for his portfolio. Take two minutes out to watch a sexy and unique take on interactive fashion. (Length 02:18)
 
 
 
 
All Hail The Beat | Nelson George

All Hail The Beat | Nelson George from Focus Forward Films on Vimeo.

Even though stores haven’t carried the TR-808 since 1984, this drum machine has earned its place as one of the most iconic instruments in music history. All Hail the Beat sums up the Roland TR-808’s legacy in slightly less than three minutes. The device will be familiar to many music fans as the source of the percussion in Marvin Gaye’s ‘Sexual Healing’. It was also a great creative catalyst within the music business because its cheap price made it affordable to struggling artist around the world.
 
 
 
 

What’s Your Story? The faces behind ‘Brave’

The music video of ‘BRAVE’ – the latest song from Lark feat. Haezer – is a frantic animated journey into a surreal future. Forest elements and artificial transformation of our robotic impersonators create the fabric of a new and uncharted universe. This is a behind-the-scene exclusive interview with Tevan Baitz, Topher Henny and Wynand Lens, the creators of this anime-inspired music video.
 
 
 
 

‘This’ Music Video – Modeselektor ft. Thom Yorke

Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary are the Berlin electronic dance duo known as Modeselektor. They have been making music together since 1992 and, with the release of three albums, have been an unstoppable force ever since. Their latest album Monkey Town features a long-time fan of theirs: Thom Yorke. This music video for the track ‘This’ features a girl handling a marionette doll in a derelict toy room and is as eerie as it is unpredictable. (Length 04:17)

Claude VonStroke & Jaw - Le Fantôme, image: slothboogie.com

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Bears - "Be Strong", image: prefixmag.com

Take a listen to the latest release from London-based musical duo The 2 Bears
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Burial - 'Kindred': image: dubstep101.com

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Petit Noir - Till We Ghosts/The Dance

‘’Till We Ghosts/The Dance’ is a track off the new Petite Noir EP ‘Till We Ghosts. Petite Noir is the first solo project by IAMWAVES (Yannick Ilunga), one half of the Cape Town-based nu fisco outfit Popskarr. ‘Till We Ghosts is his second release after his first EP Maison Noir, which we reviewed in Issue 23 of one small seed. Photograph by Thomas Pepler.

War, image: scdistribution.com

‘…War is a band who falls somewhere between Daily Void and Trust…The b-side, ‘Brodermordet,’ is a about fratricide, specifically Cain and Abel’s.’ (Sacred Bones, SoundCloud). Released on February 21 by Sacred Bones Records. Check out more tracks from Sacred Bones HERE

 
 
 
 
images: dubstep101.com, scdistribution.com, mp3blogger.com, prefixmag.com, slothboogie.com, Thomas Pepler