Raised in Nairobi, the UK and the Netherlands mau from nowhere is known for his alternative afro-fusion sound and evocative storytelling. His latest project Soft Steps is a seven track EP which develops his unique sound.
He tells Entertainment Now a bit about his musical history – and why he loves to embrace the weird.
How did your musical project first start? Is there a story to tell about it?
I’m not sure if this counts but when I was in high school I began releasing covers of songs I liked collaborating with close friends of mine at the time who played instruments. Back then I didn’t even have an artist’s name, but I would just have us record our interpretation whether it was just me on ukulele or my friends playing guitar and violin and then post them on YouTube or Soundcloud. It began super organically where during our free periods after dinner a group of us would just gather in the common room of the boarding house and start jamming. One person would have a guitar and the rest would join in as either vocalists or percussion people and just freestyle or see what songs each other knew. Back then it didn’t feel that significant but when I look back it was hugely influential for me in building my confidence as a vocal performer and writer as I would do covers with my own verses or just practice freestyling; I realized how freeing music could be and how much it resonated with me as a means of channeling my emotions.
What was your first gig?
My first proper gig as mau from nowhere (maũ at the time) was at a little bar/venue in Ridgewood Queens/Brooklyn called Trans-Pecos. Back in University at the time a lot of NYU kids were getting booked there or booking the space for their gigs and I had lucked out in that one of my close friends at the time was putting a line-up together. I don’t even think I had released anything by then and had no idea how to go about it, but I just got a friend of mine to pretend to be my DJ as she opened the instrumentals on Itunes and I just went for it. It was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time and the crowd was dope even when I messed up and had to freestyle halfway through a song.
What three words best describe your musical style and why?
I would say experimental, emotional and textured. I think despite having distinct influences I am always curious to see what happens when I twist the angle a bit to try and make it more unique to what I’m feeling or trying to say which often verges on a more surreal sound. I remember a conversation I had early into making music where I was frustrated at being unable to replicate the style of production I was listening to and admired – and that things often end up taking a “weird” turn. I remember my friend at the time telling me that “the weird” was just me and my style coming through and that it should be embraced and followed rather than suppressed. Emotions and textures are one and the same to me, they’re both about feeling and something touching you – I definitely try to create texture both in the production but also wordplay and layering of lyrics and vocals. I think it’s all about weaving together parts of yourself into a quilt of some kind that the listener can wrap around themselves.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
Currently I would say my biggest influences are Obongjayar, Lady Donli, Saba, Mavi, Little Simz, Amindi and Mustafe. It’s a really weird mixed bag due to all the genres I’ve been trying to explore but I think they all do an incredible job of creating beautifully complex music that pushes the boundaries of their respective genres and is so distinctly unique.
Tell us about your new release.
SOFT STEPS began with me kind of lost and just throwing things against the wall. I was a few months out from releasing my album and not sure how to move forward, I just knew I wanted music to be fun again and a bit lighter. I was really curious how it would sound if I embraced the afro-fusion R&B side of things that people really enjoyed when I featured on songs. Over time I just kept making more songs in that style and slowly a image came together that encapsulated a lot of the joys and hard lessons I had experienced in that time, but with a more confident voice and refined sound that could only come with patience and practice; which is really what the whole project is about. The soft steps we take in becoming ourselves.
What inspires your lyrics?
I wanna say everything honestly haha, but I feel that might be a cop out. I will say I used to be a lot more tied to finding lyrics only in the emotional depths and the difficult things that would overcome me and need an outlet. I have a lot more fun using music as a tool to understand the world and myself in a much more open and free way. Instead of it just reflecting what I’m feeling and what’s happening to me I’ll write to try to explore things that grab my curiosity – so for example, instead of just fixating on my love life, looking at love in general; the paradox of situationships or the pedestal placed on romantic love over community and friendship.
Do you have any upcoming tour dates?
As of right now no. I just came off a string of shows in September so I’m pretty exhausted but I’m planning one more show for the EP’s release and I hope to start touring properly next year.
What are you working on next?
Interestingly, while I was slowly carving out this project by myself and with the Engineer Ronehi, I was also working with my good friend Theo (hihi) on a bunch of music while I was in London. It was really crazy how our synergy just exploded and we’ve made a lot of great music, including SOFT STEPS’ opening track “Fly”. Right now we’re trying to wrap up an LP that sees me coming back to the Alternative Hip Hop side of things but with a refreshed perspective and style; I can’t wait for people to hear it.
Listen here: