Five Minutes With...We Are All Fossils
"I think that the distance between grassroots and the top tier (in the UK) is a bit of tricky place to be."
It’s not ideal to open your emails and be faced with the fragility of human nature, but if you have indeed opened this email then you can breathe a sigh of relief. Crack open the champagne, as you’re clearly not a fossil yet.
Yes, awkward segue complete. This week we sit down with South African-born singer-songwriter Deist Oelofse, aka the ringleader and creative force behind We Are All Fossils. He recently released the captivating new single single ‘Rapture’, a magnetic alt-folk number that sits perfectly beside his growing back-catalogue of beautiful, evocative tracks. Listen on your streaming service of choice here.
Let’s Go!
Q: Describe your music in three words…
Introspective, atmospheric and evolving.
Q: What's your musical ethos and your reasons for making music?
I've always felt a deep connection with music and writing. It's allowed me to express myself and keep me balanced. I tend to write about aspects good and bad that have influence on me (mostly at that particular time). I find writing a very cathartic process and it's something that I'm so thankful I have discovered for myself.
Q: Who are your main musical inspirations?
I have many inspirations for many different reasons. One that springs to mind first is Gregory Alan Isakov. An independent musician who seems to help all things grow around him. His introspective approach and his sense of community have been great inspirations.
City and Colour was definitely a catalyst for me to create acoustic based music, getting lost in Dallas Green’s silky vocals and guitar playing was an initial compass for my creativity. Damien Rice's three studio albums all served as really pivotal landmarks too.
Q: What’s your songwriting process?
I write most mornings, I often make a coffee then pick up the acoustic guitar. I just kind of play around until something sparks an intrigue. I follow that feeling that I felt was interesting and try to allow my creative side of my brain to be active. I've found through the years that analytical thoughts haven't really helped in the start of a song but become very valuable once the pillars of a song have been established. Like a painter they don't go into intense detail at first, you sketch enough to see where the details can fit and why you perceive their importance.
Q: You recently released the wonderful single ‘Rapture’ - what was the writing and recording process like for this track?
Rapture was a real process of exploring and stepping out of a comfort zone. While in the Lake District, I picked up my guitar and instinctively detuned it. I think it was to discover some new shapes and sounds. I started to hum the melody for what is now the chorus of Rapture. I felt really inspired by nature and my surroundings. It was a process of discovery really. Following what felt most harmonious with what I was humming. Songwriting isn't always like this, there is way more struggle and rewriting, so when the process feels like that, it really shows me how much immersing yourself in 'living' can inspire your writing.
Q: How do you balance your music with the rest of your life (e.g. jobs, family)?
I've learnt to make my music not my identity. It's something I enjoy doing however it doesn't define me. By having that outlook it makes it easier to ride the ups and downs. It also allows me to have space when I need it. Although there are a lot of sacrifices to being a musician, it is ultimately a choice that I made. It's taken time to get to this perspective I currently have but since I aligned with it, music has been more connective and joyous for me and that is a path I am currently looking forward to follow.
Q: You’ve racked up some really strong figures on the streaming services - have you found that has helped to grow your audience at gigs as well? And has that opened more doors for you in the music industry?
The increase in streams has been amazing. I had a huge (for me) upturn in streams in the last couple of years. My highest streaming city is in Australia (Sydney) and most of my top ten streaming cities are international. I haven't found a way yet to connect with those destinations to play shows. I hope that changes soon. The increase in streams has definitely created more opportunities. I think that the distance between grassroots and the top tier (in the UK) is a bit of tricky place to be. I'm currently in that unknown but will keep on releasing and hopefully open more doors. I've seen a lot more followers and fans when I do play shows which is amazing!
Q: What song/record by another artist we may not have heard of can’t you stop playing at the moment?
Anna Tivel’s 2019 album ‘The Question’ is a great one for those who like deep and eye-opening lyrics, or another one I think is a beautiful all round record is ‘Mother’s Milk’ by Clean Cut Kid.
Q: If you could change one thing about the music industry what would it be?
As I only have to stick to one, I wished that the UK venues were government supported so that all musicians had places to go and play, grow and connect.
Q: What’s next for you in the months ahead?
I've just finished an album, ‘Rapture’ is the first release. I'm going to plan the next release. I have no idea what it will be but now that Rapture is out in the world, I can now fully concentrate on the rest. Ultimately happy to say a lot of music is on its way.
Sounds good to us. Thanks Deist!