Meet The Mystifying xmunashe & Their New Artistic Video Showcase, 'XMTV002'

Image credit: Jordan Munns

A nomad both musically and geographically, exciting emerging experimental artist xmunashe’s music defies easy classification. Born in Botswana, raised in Perth and now coming into his own having been based in Sydeny, xmunashe has spent the last few years honing his craft while building a community of like minded individuals.

Beat driven, the music of xmunashe is an improvised affair, fusing jazz and soul with poetic lyricism, resulting in something far beyond conventional modern hip hop. A self-taught producer, his arrangements are rich, layered sonic tapestries, not constrained by restrictive processes.

Another format for xmunashe’s creative expression is video, and in typical atypical fashion, these aren’t just simple music videos but rather offer a hypnotic, collage-style video montage capturing a combination of behind the scenes footage with raw live performances. Dubbing this new series “XMTV”, the first edition dropped in January this year, and we’re stoked to be premiering XMTV002 on Pilerats today.

To celebrate the release of XMTV002 ahead of xmunahe’s appearance at The Rechabite Hall alongside Jonti and Joshuah (plus special guest Mali Jo$e)  for Perth Festival, we put together five fast facts to get to know xmunashe a little better.

1. He learnt drums at school and played in church, started making music in GarageBand aged 13, then picked up piano at 15.

2. The only music xmunashe has officially released is a collaboration with fellow Perth-local Mali Jo$e & Tasman Keith, PRICE UP!:

3. His captivating live sets - combining improvisation, spoken word, and free jazz - have gained cult followings in Sydney and Melbourne. Fan favourites include his residency at Golden Age Cinema, Phoenix Central Park & his intimate warehouse listening parties.

4. His live band includes collaborators Jonti (an acclaimed multi-instrumentalist who has played alongside The Avalanches & received a co-sign from Tyler The Creator) and Joshuah (another talented multi-instrumentalist, often on drums or keys). When in Sydney, the band is sometimes joined by Ashli on backing vocals & harmonies.

5. The intimacy of xmunashe’s performances are an unfiltered celebration of the power of collaboration and a reminder that, in the midst of the chaos of life, there’s incredible beauty, meaning and shared emotion that binds us all together.

xmunashe plays The Rechabite Hall for Perth Festival on Friday, March 1, with Jonti and Joshuah plus Mali Jo$e

Follow xmunashe