Introducing the unique sounds of the new UK-based alt/pop duo from South Africa SHOTGUN FAKES comprised of real-life husband and wife Stefan Myburgh (acoustic guitar and kick drum) and Pamela Myburgh (keyboard/piano, vocals, tom and tambourine). This couple sure does know how to make music together and you can't help but feel good from it. I was intrigued by their current project that they've been working on and wanted to learn more about it and them which, I was fortunate enough to be able to do when I got the chance to interview them. Read my interview with Stefan and Pamela below:
MHB: How did the two of you first come together/meet? How was Shotgun Fakes formed?
Stefan: We had worked together and were playing together in another band for a couple of years. That band dismembered 2 years after we were married (to each other!) and so Shotgun Fakes was born.
MHB: Growing up did you both always want to be musicians? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?
Stefan: From a young age, we both knew that we wouldn't be happy in any other career if we wasn't music. Pam was writing songs from a young age and I was playing and ripping guitar solo's as a young teen. The bug had bitten hard!
MHB: How would you describe the music scene where you are from?
Stefan: The scene is quite electronic but without being too EDM dance. It is about feeling good without forcing the issue of dance.
MHB: Who are some of your favorite artists & musical influences? What bands continue to inspire you and your music?
Stefan: We both love Kimbra, Sia, Lianne La Havas, Flume, Christine and the Queens, Disclosure, Gungor, Coldplay, Lorde ...I guess there are always too many to list but we gave it a try!
MHB: How would you describe YOUR sound to a new listener? What would you say makes your music unique?
Stefan: Our sound is about combining hope and honesty in the melody and message with production that flirts between organic and electronic influences. We feel that it is alternative pop/indie pop in it's purest form.
MHB: What can you tell me about latest single "Out Of The Blue"... How did it come together? What was the inspiration behind it?
Stefan: Pam had been through a really difficult time emotionally with a trifector of bad things happening to her and in her family and this song was written out of a need to release hope. It's about coming 'out of the blue,' out of a state of sadness and take courage to find good in life and be strong to face the future.
MHB: What's on the horizon for you? What can we expect to see from you in the coming months?
Stefan: We are very busy with our campaign 5. it's our dream to release 5 songs, in 5 months in 5 different cities. 'Out of the Blue' was the track for part 1 of the 5 campaign and we are currently working on part 3. It's really a lot of work to do a new song, new lyric video and a live acoustic performance in each city all in 1 month before going to the next city! But we are loving the challenge and will be done with the campaign at the end of March 2017. Any ideas where city 5 should be?
MHB: If you had the chance, who would you love to work with?
Stefan: Kimbra, Mark Ronson and Daft Punk.
MHB: For each one of you, if you were stuck on an island with only one record forever, what would it be?
Pam: Largo by Brad Meldau
Stef: Heavier Things by John Mayer.
MHB: At the end of the day, what do you hope listeners take away from your music?
Stefan: More than anything we want to release hope and strength in our music. So much music today put people down in a way that they feel that they don't measure up to an invisible standard created by artists and we just hate that ! Life is tough for the majority of people and we really want our music to reach people in their individual places of difficulty and breathe courage and strength over people.
MHB: What does music mean to you?
Stefan: Music means groove, some drama involved, truth and hooky melodies.
MHB: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself & your music?
Stefan: If your readers could follow us on our journey through 5 that would be amazing.
Check out their feel-good first single which put them on my "eardar" called 'Out Of The Blue' below:
And watch the video to their latest single 'Depression Intervention' here:
To hear more from SHOTGUN FAKES visit their Soundcloud page
at https://soundcloud.com/shotgun-fakes
and be sure to follow them on their journey on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube