In a world where hype and artist success is often calculated through streaming figures and Instagram likes, Xmunashe has chosen to play by his own metrics. The Botswana born, Australia based lyricist has built a devoted underground following hopping from city to city across the world, drawing crowds simply through the old school power of word of mouth.
He has no Spotify presence or recorded songs on the internet, and until recently, the only way to hear his music – which blends energetic freeform jazz with soul and hip hop – was to see him live. Gigs have taken place from corner shop basements to the Sydney Opera House, and from Brisbane to Phoenix.
Now, Xmunashe has released his first studio recordings, and in fitting fashion it’s only available on limited edition vinyl. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME / INSTINCTUAL AUDIO MANIPULATION features four studio tracks on the A‑side, and the flip features a fully improvised live recording from a gig in Australia. To celebrate, we’ve invited him to take part in Analogue Appreciation, our series celebrating physical culture in a digital world.
There’s perhaps no one doing it right now who embodies its spirit like him. “I think physical objects give things a sense of permanence,” he says. “You can touch them, keep them, damage them, move them from one place to another and eventually pass them on. They collect history. I like that an object can carry memories and meaning in a way that something digital sometimes doesn’t.”
See his picks below.
