Shekhinah on her debut album, Rosegold

Shekhinah at the Red Bull Studios, Cape Town on 5fm Live - The Forbes and Fix Show - image credit: 5fm Facebook.

I caught up with Shekhinah while she was performing on 5Live on The Forbes and Fix Show at the Redbull Studios in Cape Town on Friday, 27 October 2017. Here, she explains what sets her and her music apart, who her musical idols are and the goals she ultimately wants to achieve with regards to her music and with the release of Rosegold.

What would you say makes your sound unique, and what sets you apart from other artists currently in South Africa?

I think what sets me apart from other South African artists, not all – I can't speak for everyone – is we don't follow a rubric. And I know most artists follow rubrics and most of them know what they're looking for and know what they're trying to create, and that's cool as well. I think I want to get to a place where I can do that for other artists – know what they want and write about that, but at the moment, we are kind of just doing whatever we want and whatever we feel and not a lot of people do that.

As I was listening to you performing, you reminded me a lot of Lauryn Hill. I was curious to know who your musical idols are. Do you mind sharing that with us?

It is Lauryn! Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Diana Ross, Britney Spears and Cher.

What is it that inspires you?

I am usually with people. People inspire me, but it's annoying because then I can never write these things down. I like to envision scenarios when I'm with people, and that inspires me.

On your album, Rosegold, what is your favourite song and why?

It changes all the time. First, it was Overdose, and then it was Anywhere I Want, and then it was Power to She for two weeks, and now it's Please Mr, because I have to believe in the songs that I have to push next. Please Mr is the next single. It means a lot to me because I remember writing it and writing it in my flat, and I remember going to Skillz (producer) and going like, "Play this!", and then it sounded terrible and he was like, "No, I'm going to play, THIS!" And that's how it became Please Mr.

 

One of the most most most amazing 5LIVE sessions we’ve ever heard from @rbstudioscpt! THANK YOU @shekhinahd for that magical performance! . . . �� @craigkolesky

A post shared by 5FM (@5fm) on Oct 27, 2017 at 5:56am PDT

I'll be very honest with you. I really want a house. I don't have a house, so honestly, I want a house, because then I can keep making music. I hope Rosegold can also solidify me in the world as a person – it will allow me to make more music and to be free, versus having a bad album and having to work and make that up, and then trying to find a rubric and follow that. Ultimately, though, I am hoping that Rosegold will allow me to get that crib. How big or how small, it doesn't matter – somewhere we can all call home and make noise with no neighbours and no noise complaints.