Behind the Scene with MINAS

As part of our commissioned photo series by Ren Faulkner, featuring exciting artists either from, or with an affinity to Cardiff, we chat with producer, vocalist, pianist and lyricist MINAS.

 READ OUR INTERVIEW WITH MINAS

What was the first artist, album or song that made you fall in love with music?

The Fat of the Land by The Prodigy

Are there any unexpected sources of inspiration that influence your work?

I’d imagine from what people know of “Minas” as it currently stands, they wouldn’t expect that a lot of my influences come from Neo Soul and RnB with artists and writers such as Robert Glasper, Jill Scott, Geno Young, Solange, SZA, Kelela and Alfa Mist.

If you could choose any 3 artists in the world to perform at a future Cardiff Music City Festival, who would you pick?

Deftones, Kelela & Shady Nasty

Is there a part of Cardiff that feels particularly tied to your music or personal journey as an artist?

Probably Broadway / Clifton. A lotta madness went down when I was living around there that I’m still unpacking now when writing stuff.

What is your most fond memory of a gig in Cardiff, either one you have attended or performed, and what made it so special?

Still our first headline show in Porters with SHLUG and Larch. The entire atmosphere of the night was on top, we felt proper empowered from the turnout that we didn’t at all expect.

Which Welsh artists do you think are doing exciting things right now, and deserve people’s attention?

Spithood, SHLUG, Sorry Stacy, teethin & Noah Bouchard to name a few.

If you could collaborate with any artist or producer, who would you choose?

Blackhaine & Rainy Miller.

You’ve worked with a lot of Welsh artists, each with their own unique style. How do you manage to craft a sound that not only complements their individual vision but also retains your distinct signature as a producer?

I never intend to keep a distinct signature, if anything the fact people can sometimes clock a “Minas production” just from hearing it makes me feel I failed the mission. When I listen to a certain type of music from another I feel my being shift, almost like I’m in the song or something as clapped. I’ve spent years obsessing over one genre, learning about it and working out how to make it then hearing something else and obsessing with that. Being able to craft something for each person I work with that matches their vision isn’t something I take for granted, it’s probably my proudest achievement that makes all the blood sweat and tears worth it. Essentially music’s just always made more sense to me than people, so when connecting with someone through that medium I find it easier to build a relationship and understand them as a person.

Your music reflects a lot on British society, what was the reception like when performing those songs across different cities in the UK while on tour with BENEFITS?

Well to be able to perform these to a crowd at venues we’d never played at, a crowd that was ready to unite under a common anger was a beautiful thing. It also kinda reassured us that what we were doing had a purpose beyond music. Can only hope we get to do it again, Kingsley’s become someone I’d call a mate since which is sick.