SEI SIREN about following your instincts

Shortly after releasing her new album “ORCA”, we delved into the world of Johannesburg-based musician SEI SIREN, exploring the influences that shaped her musical path and the fearless approach she takes.

Interview by Alex Schuchmann / 20min

From her upbringing surrounded by jazz and R&B music to her instinctive understanding of music structure, SEI SIREN shares how her journey has unfolded till today. We discussed her early forays into music production, the challenges she faced in the Johannesburg music scene, and her desire to break away from the norms and expectations of South African music. SEI SIREN sets out to question the status quo with her new album “ORCA” and creates individual experiences for her listeners. Join us as we unravel the story of SEI SIREN's confidence and get inspired by her journey.

Alex: How did you get into making music?

SEI SIREN: Both of my parents were always involved in someone else's career in music. They didn't make music themselves, although they were backup singers or worked in similar roles. But when I was growing up, they didn't pursue a music career actively. Instead, they would always play a lot of music for me, which had a significant influence on me. They had their own point of view on music and would often try to steer me away from what I was listening to at the time. It was interesting because their influence shaped my singing style and music production, but not necessarily the specific genre of music I listen to.

I felt like I had an instinctive understanding of music. I could anticipate what would come next in a song or predict if there would be a change in the chorus or something different. I believe this intuition stemmed from the improvisational nature of jazz, which my parents exposed me to. They would always go with what instinctively sounded good. As a result, I became familiar with the structure of songs, like choruses and bridges, even though I never really had formal training.

Alex: So you never attended music school?

SEI SIREN: No, I didn't go to music school. I found formal music education to be redundant to my personal experiences. I had been part of choirs and had some training, but it didn't align with my musical approach. While I respect classical training and musicians who pursue it, it didn't resonate with me personally. I wanted to explore music in a more intuitive way, which I felt I could do better outside of a structured educational setting.

Already in my final year of high school, I started producing music using a tablet we received from school. It sparked my interest, and in fact, most of my early songs were made using GarageBand. While some people may not take it seriously, I found it to be a great tool with excellent loops. It allowed me to experiment and learn the technical aspects of music production. So, I made my first tape at the end of high school, although I was initially hesitant to use my own productions. I would download beats from YouTube and work with those. But over time, I gained confidence in my own productions. Then I met Nigel (guitarist and singer from Club Valley) when I started university, and we ended up living in the same building. We quickly formed a strong bond and spent countless hours together making music, experimenting, and performing gigs. It almost felt like an initiation because Nigel would invite us to various places without revealing the purpose, and suddenly we would find ourselves playing in a band, performing at a gig for a night. It was a slick and exciting process. We would go from one person's house to another, constantly creating music together. Those moments were formative for all of us and cemented our friendship and musical collaboration. It felt like we were pressing just the right buttons, doing the things that felt right at the right times.

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Alex: So it sounds like you took your time to explore and figure out your sound. How did you navigate your music career in Johannesburg?

SEI SIREN: Throughout the last years I just kept doing different things that felt right. I used to work at a production company as an editor. I was DJing for a while. But these gigs maybe payed like 10% of my rent. And then from there, I started producing other people's songs as well to earn money as to invest it back into myself. It was a slow start in terms of understanding how I wanted to sound, but now it's way more fun. I'm exploring five genres in the next four months, and it just feels instinctive rather than deeply contemplative.

The basis of my new album is instinctive movements. Basically everything what Nigel and Jason did. It felt like an instinctive journey for them that they had to go to Cape Town. But I wanted to take the time for myself here to understand what I'm trying to put out there. And while it’s maybe not what I wanna do anymore, I just needed to understand how to survive in Joburg. I actively put myself into that situation.

Johannesburg is not the bubble either of us wants to exist in, as much as it's fun and great. It's a very repetitive scene, which is not a bad thing if you know where you're trying to go. But Cape Town is constantly moving and changing, and it's experimenting with different spaces. It's a crazy and weird thing, but I'm excited for it.

Alex: It sounds like you're not afraid to explore unexpected directions. How did you develop this fearlessness?

SEI SIREN: Living in South Africa, I realized that people can be quite narrow-minded, despite the country's diverse culture. Many assume that racial divisions solely define South Africa, but it's more complex than that. There's a deep conservatism that permeates society. I came to accept that my music would always be jarring to someone. But instead of taking it personally, I internalized it as a sign that I could do anything. If a house song with Afrikaans lyrics would shock people, it only motivated me further. When I started I landed in the trap many black girls end up in, I was just doing RnB. But this was just what everybody was doing. It was just the first thought, so I figured there must be a second one.

Alex: That's an empowering perspective. It seems like you wanted to break away from the expectations and norms within South African music.

SEI SIREN: Exactly. I wanted to explore dance music and sexually charged music in a way that felt more true to what I wanted to hear. But I didn't want to be confined to those expectations. If my music sounded different, jarring, or challenged the status quo, then so be it. It was about offering something unique and thought-provoking, rather than catering to passive listeners. In a world that's literally ending, and where people have easy access to skip songs, I wanted to create music that evoked a range of emotions and demanded attention. South Africa has its own musical trends and expectations, which I found rather boring, so I wanted to push the boundaries and explore beyond them.

Listen to the Album

Alex: Is there some kind of narrative throughout “ORCA”, or is it rather like a collection of moods or experiences? What went into that album in particular?

SEI SIREN: I wouldn't say there's a narrative. It's more like a collection. That's why I chose the name "Orca" because orcas are constantly transforming and doing something different for society. They are controlled by things lesser than them. It's hard to explain, but it's like being a great species and being reduced to entertainment or being consumed. Orcas don't even consume humans, but somehow we have messed up the food chain.

With the album it felt like I wanted to explore parts of myself in an instinctual nature, that doesn't necessarily cater to what others expect or what is considered mainstream. Whether it's joy, sex, love, or even partying, I want to experience it instinctively, not as a performance for others. I want to be true to myself as a musician and artist, expressing joy or any other emotion in a way that feels authentic to me.

That’s what I'm constantly questioning, whether I'm acting instinctively or performing for others, and the album reflects that exploration. Of course everything is kind of a performance, but I just want to do the things I love. And thats the overarching theme for the album.

Alex: That's really inspiring. It's important to stay true to oneself and not get caught up in the noise and expectations of others. Sometimes it's easy to lose sight of that, but it's crucial to reflect on our choices and motivations. In a way, it's like making a film where you choose the characters, locations, and timing to create a specific experience. Music and film share similarities in that regard.

SEI SIREN: Absolutely. I can relate to that comparison. Music, like film, has the power to evoke specific emotions and create different atmospheres. It's about curating an experience for the listener, just like choosing the elements of a film to create a particular mood or story. I wanted to create a dynamic album that captures different moods and experiences throughout the day and night. The songs reflect the different energies from waking up in the morning and going to a rave at 4 p.m. The final track on the album for example represents the feeling of coming home after a great night, driving alone, reflecting on the experience. It's like the peak of the evening, the best point of the night, and the most chaotic moment of my journey. I aimed to translate these moods and experiences into the flow of the album, with a fast-paced and high-energy atmosphere during nighttime, where people are dancing and working out. In contrast to the beginning of the album which reflects the more relaxed daytime vibe when I'm with my friends. I always translate my mood into the music based on where I envision playing it. This approach guides me when creating a song.

Alex: That's a great way to put it. Both music and film have the ability to transport us to different places and connect with our emotions. It's fascinating to hear about your creative process and the thoughts behind your album. What gives you so much confidence to be playful and experiment to much?

SEI SIREN: I don't know if it is confidence or if it's delusion or if it's like a very happy meeting point between both of them. I have always had the personal belief that there's nothing that you can't achieve if you work hard towards it. Especially if you're doing consistent quality and make the right decisions for yourself. I've never been in a position where the decisions I made for myself din't work out. And I believe thats because I never jinxed myself and fall into the world of people who are very stressed out about the next day. I just want to be confident. I would never put that kind of anxiety on myself.

To sustain a long-term career, it's crucial to strike a balance between constant performances and music releases instead of solely relying on them.I have a desire to explore other creative avenues in other countries. I am slo particularly interested in scoring films. I don't want to be confined to just one thing like being stuck in a single project. I believe there's so much more to discover beyond South Africa and what I can express as an artist. It's exciting to think about what lies ahead.

Alex: As are we! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us

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