#MusicExchange: Josh Prinsloo aka Fruit Vendor

When are you happiest?

I'm happiest when working on a creative project that I'm really passionate about. Most of the time this is when a song is beginning to find its feet in the rehearsal room or studio. I liken it to opening a Christmas present and not knowing what you're gonna get - even though you have a vague idea of what it might be at the end, the process of seeing it come together really excites me.

My three best friends Adrian Rogowski (guitar), Rosco Roman (bass) and Jason Skippers (drums) are in my band and there's really nothing like the camaraderie of sharing a creative journey with some of your favourite people.

What does music mean to you?

I think music is God's gift to mankind and by extension, is our gift to Him. Because I derive so much pleasure from listening to and playing music, I feel like being really good at it is my way of saying thank you. Plus, I haven't met one person who doesn't love music - something about it is innately part of our makeup. This tells me there is something deeply spiritual about it.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The best part about my work is being able to help and inspire others to explore their creativity. Doing music and performing on stage is great and I find that in living that out, it automatically creates dialogue between myself and those who want to follow a similar trajectory.

What drives you, ego or humility?

Although I recognise the positive elements to both, I don't think either drives me. A good balance (as with anything in life) is required.

Any funny moments on stage?

My band and I are quite theatrical on stage - we deliberately try to integrate moments of humour throughout our set. Adrian (guitar) might do a lot of pelvic gyration while Rosco (bass) pretends to be a taxi gaatjie beckoning audiences to get on board our crazy musical journey - it's all part of putting on a really fun, interactive live show. We usually ask audience members to scream and shout really loud during a song, and those who make the most noise get all kinds of fruits thrown at them.

At one gig, we had one group of girls nearly climb over other audience members to get their hands on a watermelon! Seeing them go nuts over a watermelon in a music club is a sight for sore eyes. I also accidentally hit an audience member against the head with an apple - awkward.

Your heroes?

My artistic heroes include Stevie Wonder, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, David Kramer, and Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie (my all-time favorite songwriter), Jason Kay (of Jamiroquai), Matisyahu, Lauryn Hill and Lupe Fiasco. I love artists who blend sounds, influences and seamlessly create something altogether fresh.

Which living person do you admire most and why?

I really admire Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park (who like me is a singer/songwriter, rapper, multi-instrumentalist, producer and visual artist). He is one of the artists who inspired me to take up a career in the arts just because he could do so many things and be really great at all of them too and still make it look cool. I also admire his work ethic - his body of work is staggering.

What is your most treasured possession?

My late mother's piano. My mom passed away when I was 12 - she was my introduction to music. She would play in church and would often host rehearsals at our house. So when she died, I felt like I wanted to continue that legacy. I play on it every chance I get.

It’s your round what are you drinking?

Beer!

Dream gig to do?

We often joke about playing at Wembley Stadium, just because it's the biggest, most larger than life venue our minds can conjure. In my band, when we feel like throwing in towels, we tell each other, "No sleep 'til Wembley, no sleep 'til Wembley".

What makes you stand out?

The fact that I don't fit in a preconceived box. In my personal life it's always been that way, I wouldn't expect it to be any different with my music. The music is a mix of pop, hip-hop, funk, reggae, house, ghoema, Afro, electro and rock - that alone makes it hard to categorise. I suppose that's an extension of my mixed heritage.

Nicknames?

Prinsey (from my surname Prinsloo), Groban (from Josh Groban), Fruitloop (from Fruit Vendor I guess?)

If you were not a musician what would you do?

Graphic designer or illustrator.

Pick five words to describe yourself?

Colourful, creative, multi-instrumental wordsmith.

Five desert island discs?

Stevie Wonder, Innervisions
Paul Simon, Graceland
Death Cab for Cutie, Plans
Marvin Gaye, What's Goin' On
Linkin Park, Reanimation

Greatest movie ever made?

The Matrix.

What song changed your life?

"Social Ills" by Godessa - the socially conscious lyrics of this local hip hop song from the early '00s made me realise there's more to hip hop music than just hedonism - that a song can actually carry a positive message while holding a mirror up to society and still sound freakin' amazing.

Who do you love?

God. My wife Megan. My family.

What is your favourite word?

Bladdy! It’s more expressive than 'Bloody', it's local and never goes out of fashion. I even use it in one of my songs, "I jump into my costume 'cause I'm cheering at the marathon, I can feel the sun beating down on me and it's BLADDY hot!"

Favourite fashion garment?

Last year I created my own shirt design inspired by visual artist Shantell Martin that I wear to all my gigs. I spent two days looking around the city for a cool shirt to wear and came up bare. So, I took a plain white formal shirt, a few colourful fabric markers and went mad drawing doodles of something I call 'fruit heads' all over the shirt. People often ask me who made it for me or where I bought it. I just say, "it's custom".

Give us some real proper slang and what it means.

Verdaala (pronounced fur-dahla): To mess up or feel messed up or be messed up. "Yoh, the gig last night was so hectic - I feel verdaala today!"

Top of your bucket list?

Play at Wembley Stadium or equivalent.

Your greatest achievement?

Performing to a standing ovation in New York City, sharing a stage with David Kramer at the Baxter Theatre and opening up the Cape Town Folk and Acoustic Music Festival at Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts.

What do you complain about most often?

That there's not enough time to do everything I want to do.

What is your fear?

Fear of just cruising through life without making a dent in the universe.

Happiness is...?

Spending quality time with the people I love.

On stage I tend to?

Transform into a completely different person, lose my inhibitions and get audiences singing along!

If you are walking on stage for a keynote speech alla Barak Obama, what song would you use and why?

"Move On Up" by Curtis Mayfield, because it's a funky, positive song with an encouraging message that says you can achieve greatness despite the odds, "Take nothing less than the supreme best."

The best life lesson you have been taught?

Don't let anyone tell you that you can't - my dad.

Where would you like to be right now?

I'm about to spend a romantic evening with my wife, where else would I rather be?

Wishes and dreams for 2018?

Finish my first full-length, crowdfunded album and push it as hard as I possibly can. You can join the crowdfund drive here.

Social media links

Facebook: @thefruitvendor
Instagram: @the_fruit_vendor
SoundCloud: Fruit Vendor
Website: www.thefruitvendor.com