South African music producer, sound engineer, singer, and songwriter Thando Kunene joins us for an interview ahead of the release of his sophomore album ‘Emlotheni’ (in the Ashes). Kunene aka Th&o. is a critically acclaimed, Johannesburg-based sound artist and sonic world-maker. His sound is an inspired blend of synthpop, electro-funk, and contemporary R&B.

In a white button-up shirt and black round-eyeglasses, he appears on the screen. He sits in front of a synthesiser and a bass guitar and he opens with a still ‘hello’. His presence is notably self-assured and calm. 

Th&o. who locates his upbringing between KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng says that his unbound sound comes from his parent’s influence. His Durban-born father from Durban and Joburger mother had an eclectic taste in music and global culture, which anyone can hear in his music. 

He recalls growing up in a household of music lovers that, he markedly mentions, had a large and diverse collection of CDs and vinyl records. Here, he discovered the sonic wanderings of South African legend Bab’ Caiphus Semenya, the early 70’s rock band ACDC, and UK icon Elton John. These are some of the names he recalls immediately.  

“I didn’t know what it was.” he begins, as his eyes search for the words. “I was just like, I like this. I feel like I was in a time capsule because it’s like music from all different eras and areas and that really grew me. And there were no rules as to what you should listen to. It was just like, this is all good.”

“So I think that’s also informed how I make music. There are never rules. It’s like, do I like it? Then it’s good…if anything, it teaches me more creative bravado. Don’t be afraid to try it.” His molten sound echoes these lessons from his teachers and influences. 

His curiosity about the sonic saw him branching into music professionally in 2009. Th&o. started as a sound engineer and eventually found his way to the role of producer.  He describes a curious desire for detail as the motivation that has always guided his journey in sound.

In 2013, he released his first body of work, the ‘Involuntary Motion’ EP, giving South Africa and the world the first experience of his eclectic sound. And by his nomination at the 2021 South African Music Awards (SAMAs), he’d already collaborated with many South African musicians. Most notable was his role as the producer for the ‘Solo and the BETR GANG’ Hip-hop collective’s ‘Tour Dates’ album. A role which eventually morphed into the hip-hop ensemble’s musical director.

Listening to his 2020 debut LP ‘Ebusuku’ (in the night), it is evident that his journey in sound has been a long and rich one. This is shared in his philosophy of steady, passionate, and consistent work. He adds, “Even now, I still feel like I still have a long way to go. And I’m okay with that because, on the way to doing that, I’m learning so much of not just the kind of musician I want to be, but the kind of human being I want to be, you know what I mean? That for me, it’s just a lifelong journey. You have to be patient with that thing and be open to whatever comes next.”

As he expands on his philosophy of sonic world-building,Th&o. says that his curiosity is particularly about texture, sound, and story. For him, the union of these three elements will always create something really good: “We kind of understand what the story is, but then the textures and the sound are what’s more visceral. You know it, you feel it and you’re like, ‘I don’t even know why I feel that way.’ There’s an alchemy to it that I’m trying to learn myself. These are the things I chase.”

We can look forward to this alchemical experience of sound, texture, and story in his second album, ‘Emlotheni’. The upcoming 9-track album has fans eagerly anticipating the invitation to dive once again into the mind of this creator. ‘Lonely’, the first single off of the album, was released in early September. Both the single and the accompanying music video have spurred and created old and new fans alike. 

Similarly to his previous album, this body of work was an exploration that came together over a few years and out of a deep prying and need to rediscover himself. 

“I felt like I’d been a bit burnt out. Hence the play on words. But these songs started to emerge one by one, you know, in the ashes, and I accepted them, and I’ve been nurturing them, and now they’re here.”

Though he generally works on his own, the striking album cover, was a collaboration between Th&o. and an artist who would like to remain unnamed. The shapeless forms and extraterrestrial landscape are a resonating call to the cosmic groups of the 70’s. It is inspired by the album covers of artists such as Sun-Ra and Earth, Wind & Fire. This cover is an ode to an era full of records where you “look at the vinyl, and you’re like ‘I don’t even know what this is. But I want to find out.’”

Michelle Aventhay, featured on the track, ‘How You’re Mine’, is another of his collaborators. Th&o also credits the incredible sound artist Erick, The Architect as a collaborator who “also understood the concept of doing whatever you really like with no bounds.” 

Th&o. concludes by saying, “Everything that’s in my head is in my music”. And with music as generous and abundant as his, listeners can expect to be transported on yet another carefully considered journey into his mind.

Fans can expect to experience the full world of ‘Emlotheni’ in November.

Nounouche Contributor: Toby iMpendulo kaNgomane