#MusicExchange: Pop act Saxby twins have double the dreams

After two years of online and low-key releases, Joburg's all-new neo-dance and pop act, Saxby Twins, emerged with a banger of a debut signing - (I Think I'm) Falling For You.

By Martin Myers

19 Apr 2022

Image by Canton Parker: The Saxby Twins

At just 21 years of age, twins Kyle and Wayde Saxby cite ‘bouncy dance-pop’ to ‘hip-hop influenced sing-a-longs’ and even piano ballads as their inspiration.

Social media is the driving force behind the momentum. With relatable lyrics about the clumsy early days of falling in love, it speaks truth whilst remaining light enough to fire up the dance floor.

I caught up with the twins last week.

What is your job description?

Currently completing our honours in strategy and innovations at Stellenbosch University.

What does music mean to you?

Music is our passion.

Our music is about…

Our music has to do with catchy, upbeat melodies with relatable lyrics. Ultimately our music needs to be played on a loud stereo system to which people can vibe. Our music consists of different emotions and stories.

What is your motto?

Our motto is, “Do you, be you, and stay true.”

Fame is about…

Fame is about people being able to relate to our lyrics. Fame is much more than just being a public figure.

Retirement will happen when…

Retirement will happen for us when we are financially happy and at a stage where we can settle down and even give back to the public.

We don't do…

We don’t do anything half-heartedly; we are always fully committed and passionate about whatever we do. We always give 100%.

We would love to co-write with…

We would love to co-write with Lloyiso, The Vamps or Ed Sheeran.

Where do you go for inspiration to create?

Inspiration to create often happens ‘out of the blue’ for us where, for example, we will be walking through a shopping centre and think of an idea. Then we take out our phones and write and record that idea down.

However, inspiration often comes from us sitting down together as a duo and becoming creative, brainstorming and identifying ways people will relate to our lyrics.

What is the most enjoyable aspect of your work?

The most enjoyable aspect must be us doing what we love - creating music in a studio for the public to listen to.

The song you must do during every show?

Falling for You.

Any funny moments on stage?

Probably our first ever performance where a random person dressed as a penguin came and joined us on the stage and danced to our music.

Our heroes are…

One Republic and Ed Sheeran, especially with his whole story behind his music.

Our style icon is…

Justin Bieber.

Which living person do you admire most?

Kevin Hart, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson and Elon Musk.

What is your most treasured possession?

Our golf clubs.

It's your round; what are you drinking?

Nothing beats ice-cold beers.

Dream gig to do?

Sold out headline show at O2 Arena in London.

What makes you stand out?

We are identical twins who can sing.

Any nicknames?

Sax, Kykis, Bongo, Kylo, Waydo, Saxbys and ‘the twins’.

If you were not musicians, what would you do?

Professional cricket players.

Pick five words to describe yourselves?

Sporty, musical, adventurous, passionate and mavericks.

Greatest movie ever made?

Hacksaw Ridge.

What book are you reading?

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

Who do you love?

Our family, close friends, fans and everyone who has had a positive impact on our lives.

What is your favourite word?

'Let’s GOOO!' or 'vibes'.

Top of your bucket list?

Do a country tour and then eventually a worldwide tour.

Your greatest achievement?

Being signed to Universal Music Group, achieving our honours blazers in school and obtaining our degrees at university.

What do you complain about most often?

When people display poor commitment and lack of positivity.

What is your biggest fear?

Shark attack and drowning.

Happiness is…

Achieving our goals.

The best life lesson you have learned?

Don’t rush things, rather trust the process, believe in yourself and persevere. Rome cannot be built in a day.

What has been your favourite journey so far?

Definitely the journey of our music and looking back to how far we have come in such a short space of time.

Do you do charity work, and if you do – what do you do?

We would love to get involved in charity work

Wishes and dreams?

To achieve all the goals we have written down on the walls in our rooms.

Ultimately, we don’t want to live with regret but rather want to look back at a later stage of our lives and be happy knowing that we have done everything that we have wanted to. Our biggest dream is to become the biggest pop artists in South Africa and then even on a worldwide level. Another dream is to become financially independent as a result of our music.