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Shafkkat is the moniker of South London based electronic music producer, Taz Hussain. Although raised by an Italian mother and English / Indian father, Shafkkatʼs has always considered ʻLondonʼ to be his largest cultural influence for his productions. Absorbing the cities diverse music scene as well as a wide range of cultures, the electronic artist finds his sound in ʻthe noise of the cityʼ.
ROJAZ is an independent Spanish flavoured Electro-pop and Experimental Electronic artist currently based in London. Her influences range from Kelly Lee Owens, Kllo, Maribou State, Billie Eilish, and early FKA Twigs. She makes synth based music with a focus on atmospheric instrumentation and delicate melodies.
We have had the pleasure of speaking with them and this has been the result.
Can you tell us a little about yourselves? Where are you from / how did you get
into music?
Shafkkat: I was born and raised in London, I got into music when I was about 13. At
the time I was only really into making hip-hop beats, but when I was about 16, I kind
of fell into rave culture, started playing in clubs and just went on from there!
ROJAZ: I was born in Barcelona and moved to the UK when I was 14. I was always into
music in some way or form but didn’t actually discover I had a passion for and ability to
write songs until I was 20. I did a short course in songwriting and that sort of opened up a
flood of creativity for me.
How is your sound evolving? What artists and genres do you enjoy mixing right
now?
ROJAZ: My sound has become a lot more indie electronica than it was and incredibly
influenced by UK Dance genres, currently I enjoy mixing garage and drum and bass
percussion samples into my tracks.
Shafkkat: I’ve been incorporating more live recordings into my tracks lately, I also think my
music is generally stepping into a more experimental and expansive sound - whilst still
retaining some form of groove for the most part. I’m really excited about some of the new
stuff in the works. In regards to Deejaying, I play all sort of genres. I do quite like climbing
up and down the tempo ladder a little, I get bored of playing with just ‘one sound’ or
genre, unless i’m in the crowd that is. My attention span goes off unless I switch it up a little.
What projects are you working on right now? Can you tell us a little about it?
ROJAZ: I’ve spent the past year and a half/two working on my debut EP and I’m so happy
to say it finally has a date. I’ll be releasing the first two singles from March on and aiming to
release the full EP before summer. The sound delves deeper into the UK Dance genres that
have influenced me over the past two years.
Shafkkat: I’ve got a single coming out really soon, Mosquito Tweeter that’s just a
very groovy vibe. I kind of stripped back the production a little bit on that one, It’s
pretty fun and just for the clubs. Following up from that is an EP that I’m in the
middle of writing, that one is quite a step away from anything I’ve released so far.
More guitars and a lot more sound design and genre-blending throughout.
Where are you and what have you been doing now?
ROJAZ: I’m currently in London, mostly I’ve been working, prepping for my EP release,
taking some dance classes and doing some sessions with other UK writers.
Shafkkat: Also London, I’m currently working on the that new EP, but I have another
one brewing in the background. Aside from that, I’m currently mixing down some
tracks for other artists, which I enjoy doing a lot.
Has your sound changed a lot in recent years? What is your musical criteria?
Shafkkat: Yes I guess so, I think I’m delving more into using live recordings, guitars,
hand pans, whatever I find laying about. I love just playing around with sound in
general. My production is more often deep rooted in dance music, but I’ve been
exploring a world around that, dipping into electronica in all forms, it’s been quite
interesting to blend some elements from all over. I don’t really have a full on criteria
being enjoying the process.
ROJAZ: My sound has become a lot more indie electronica and dance influenced. I listen to
pretty much every kind of music but as an artist that is able to bring creativity, textures in
the instrumentation, danceability and transmit emotion immediately becomes a favourite of
mine. My influences and inspirations change depending on where I am at in life and what’s
going on emotionally. So whilst there are always some key elements that remain - like
atmospheric instrumentation, layered harmonies, and ethereal intimate vocals - my sound
varies a little bit and seeks to bring in elements from all my influences.
Do you feel safe now to play a more experimental sound?
Shafkkat: Definitely, I think I spent a long time trying to nail a genre or sound, which
ultimately wasn’t helping me shape myself as an artist. I feel a lot more comfortable
now that I kind of turn off the rules in my head and do whatever sounds best to my
ears.
ROJAZ: Completely! I used to shy away from more experimental things and now I love it,
my favourite thing about playing live is surprising my audience with my garage and drum
and bass samples!
We all know that the digital revolution has affected sales, but has it affected
creativity?
Shafkkat: I don’t think it has affected creativity in a negative way, for most people -
the way digital production has evolved has allowed our minds to break all the rules
and just create whatever we can with the tools in front of us. I personally think that’s
amazing.
ROJAZ: I like to think one of the benefits of digital revolution has actually been to promote
more creativity, because now you can listen to anything. I fact, very often I discover a new
song I like and go down a rabbit whole of music in a genre I wouldn’t have otherwise
listened to simply because of one song.
Shafkkat:
ROJAZ:
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