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Cape Town - New York-based Jann Klose is currently in South Africa for his third tour to the country he grew up in.
Klose spent time in SA earlier this year working on a new solo album in partnership with The Academy of Sound Engineering, in addition to lending his time and supporting the work of Desmond Tutu’s TutuDesk foundation.
The album features several SA star artists including producer RJ Benjamin, Karen Zoid, Tamara Dey, Ziyon, Tlale Makhene and many more, and is due for release in 2018.
We chat to Jann about his time in SA so far and his upcoming album.
Check it out here:
How are you and what have you been up to since arriving in SA?
I’m really well… It’s been a whirlwind since I got here last month. I just got back to Johannesburg after two weeks in Cape Town working at a BMI writers camp with a slew of international pop writers, then spoke at Music Exchange conference (MEX17) followed by shows and media events in the Cape. In the midst of mixing my album, so was going back and forth with mixes from my producer RJ Benjamin and mixing engineer Rici Martins (aka Sevven).
You were quite the jetsetter when you were young; being born in Germany and raised in Kenya and South Africa, what’s the one thing that keeps bringing you back to South Africa?
Well, because my Dad worked for BASF we were travelling a lot back then… Now, what keeps me coming back is the album project and our work with The TutuDesk Campaign. I’ve also had the chance to meet many very talented SA musicians and been able to work with them on the record. That includes Karen Zoid, Tamara Dey, RJ Benjamin, Tlale Makhene, guitarist Raymond Green, Ziyon (Liquideep), James Stewart (The Usual) and so many more… Some of them will be with me when we perform live and preview the album on 30 September at Rumours Rock City in Johannesburg.
You recorded your new album in SA earlier this year, and collaborated with many SA artists – which song and collaboration did you enjoy the most?
Wow, there are just too many… I’d be naming just about every song on the record! There is just so much talent here in SA. I would say working with producer RJ Benjamin has been a delight. I sometimes feel like we are the same person in alternate universes!
Can you describe the sound of your new solo album in one sentence?
It’s an eclectic pop/rock singer-songwriter album featuring guest artists from three continents!
What’s the one thing no one knows about you?
I’m an adrenaline junkie! I want to film a music video while sky diving.
What’s next for you?
Play my shows in SA and finish mixing the record, then on to setting up the release for early 2018!
For Jann Klose updates visit his official website, like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter.
