#MusicExchange: Die Heuwels Fantasties releases eighth studio album, Volume
27 Oct 2021
Volume is the eighth studio album by the enigmatic Afrikaans forward-thinkers Die Heuwels Fantasties. On this new album, Die Heuwels Fantasties forges their musical influences from the nineties with the sounds of the current digital streaming era to create exciting new tunes.
Die Heuwels Fantasties's Hunter Kennedy. | Source: Supplied.
Volume is out now and consists of an eclectic mix of acoustic hits, pop-punk, synth ballads and a side order of electro-folk for a delicious sonic umami.
Hunter Kennedy, songwriter and guitarist/bassist, says that he can't wait to introduce these latest musical offerings to their fans: “This is our third album since the pandemic started. For me, it is evident on this album that making so many new songs over the past 18 months have sharpened our songwriting and recording- senses.
This is a well-oiled album! I think that Pierre did a great job with the writing of the single Eggo and the decision to collaborate with Spoegwolf on this track took it to the next level.”
Thanx hey! Streaming oral nou : https://t.co/PB2OvXe7mA https://t.co/2lUVm4EbAk pic.twitter.com/EQXz5q8seV
— Die Heuwels Fantasties (@DieHeuwels) October 23, 2021
On Sunday, 31 October, Die Heuwels Fantasties will launch the album at the Volume by die Fort show at Fort Schanskop, The Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria. The quartet will be joined Early B, Coenie de Villiers and Refentse.
“We can't wait to do such a big show again. It's been 500 days since we have last been on a big stage. Volume by die Fort is the perfect show to send Volume into the world,” Kennedy said.
I chatted to Kennedy ahead of this weekend's show:
The new decade means:
Focused energy to systematically achieve long-term goals.
Fame is about:
A human obsession with narrative.
Retirement will happen when:
I am forced to.
I don't do:
Crowds.
What does music mean to you?
Music is a mystery to me. It’s gonna keep me busy for a long time.
My music is about:
Catharsis.
I would love to co-write with:
Deon Meyer.
Where do you go for inspiration to create?
Inner space.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?
Bearing witness to the immense split-second potential at the moment of creation.
The song you must do in every show:
Fokofpolisiekar (Fokofpolisiekar) and Leja (Die Heuwels Fantasties).
Any funny moments on stage?
Yes! Many but I can’t think of any that’ll hit the mark right now or not embarrass someone. lol.
My heroes:
Bruce Springsteen, Graham Hancock and Coenie De Villiers.
My style icon:
Tim Armstrong and Zach Galafianakis.
Which living person do you admire most and why?
Dave Grohl has become a NYT best-selling author and documentary director on top of all the success he has had with Foo Fighters and Nirvana. I admire that tenacity.
What is your most treasured possession?
I have a boxed DinoRiders Deinonychus which is rad and nostalgic.
It’s your round. What are you drinking?
Cuba Libra with lots of fresh lime.
Dream gig to do:
Lake of Stars, Malawi.
What makes you stand out?
My lyrics.
Nicknames:
Kenny.
If you were not a musician, what would you do?
Write.
Who would play you in a Hollywood blockbuster and why?
Zach Galafianakis, because people say I look like him.
Pick five words to describe yourself:
Inquisitive, humor-loving, empathetic, deuriekak and lekker.
Five favourite SA albums:
Eet Kreef - Johannes Kerkorrel
Beatenberg - The Hanging Gardens of Beatenberg
Arno Carstens - Aandblom 13
Mango Groove - Hometalk
Chris Chameleon - Ek Herhaal Jou
Five favorite SA songs:
Spirit - Kwesta
Mbombela - Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba
Ek sal opstaan en na my Vader Gaan - Breyten Breytenbach
DTFBO - Nicky and The Old Boys
Wild Western Cape - Thieve
Greatest movie ever made:
Tough one, jeez! What are the criteria?! If I were forced to rewatch something right now I would watch Dazed and Confused. So sublime.
What books are you reading?
Myths and Legends of Southern Africa - Penny Miller.
What song changed your life?
Paul Simon - Call Me Al.
Who do you love?
My family and my friends.
What is your favorite word?
Hiraeth - A homesickness for a home you can't return to or that never was.
Favorite fashion garment:
90s Snowboard Jacket.
Give us some real proper slang and what it means:
Toerpoepol - Is both travel guts and an overzealous punter.
Top of your bucket list:
I am fascinated with ancient cultures. So a Mohammed Ibrahim tour of Egypt would be first prize.
Your greatest achievement:
Hasn’t happened yet.
What do you complain about most often?
Negativity.
What is your fear?
This is tough. I am fearful of many things at different times. I guess I am most fearful of being a burden.
Happiness is:
Isolation.
On stage, I tend to?
Zone out.
The best life lesson you have been taught:
Patience.
Do you get worked up whilst watching a sports game on TV?
Nope.
Where would you like to be right now?
Reading explosive pre-history conjecture in a hammock on a temperate tropical beach.
Do you do charity work and if you do, what do you do?
Mmm… Since you’re asking amongst other things, I help a guy out who has just started his own community farm. We’ll see how it goes, maybe I’ll start a crowdfunding for him but for now he is doing spectacularly well. He just got a new water pump.
Wishes and dreams:
I dream of a world where common sense could be just that.
Social media links
Die Heuwels Fantasties: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Website
