This month, we are honoured to spotlight Keith Kavayi, a visionary composer whose creative expertise has left a mark on Pressure Cooker Studios and the Pressure Music Catalogue.
Keith’s musical journey is a testament to his unique ability to fuse dynamic jazz influences with rich, authentic African melodies, enriching our catalogue with vibrant, compelling soundscapes.
Join us as we explore Keith’s commitment to infusing international productions with the flavours of African music, and discover the stories behind some of his most resonant tracks.
What personal inspirations influence your decision-making process while creating tracks for the Pressure Music Catalogue?
Over the years, I’ve listened to more and more jazz music, which contains so much dynamic movement and excitement that engages your brain every second. I try to incorporate those two pillars into the music I write, always keeping them at the forefront.
Could you offer some insights into your creative process?
My creative process depends on the style. When working on commercial music, I often start by building the rhythm section because it forms the fundamental core that inspires movement and dance. From there, I develop the additional elements. For narrative-style pieces, a simple melody or sound can spark a complete idea, evolving into a full score.
How does your own artistic vision and preferences shape the themes and moods conveyed throughout the individual tracks?
I can’t claim that artistic vision entirely comes from me. We collaborate with many creatives both internally and externally to try to make the sound and feeling of the music as close to the artistic vision as possible. Directors, agencies, and producers will often communicate their vision, and it’s up to us to translate those words into melodies and chords.
Are there any specific tracks where you feel particularly connected to your creative expression? What aspects of these tracks reflect your personal style or artistic voice?
Deadly Infiltration‘, ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, and ‘Concrete Savannah’ are three tracks which are close to my heart because they formed what we like to call ‘my unique voice’. They were part of an exploration into the combination of modern contemporary African sounds with the storytelling capabilities of the orchestra.
In crafting your compositions, how do you draw from your own experiences and emotions to shape the intended message or atmosphere for listeners?
I grew up exposed to different types of films and music from around the world, which has helped me develop a strong repository that I can consistently draw inspiration from. There isn’t enough of the African sound in international productions, and I want to be part of the movement of composers on the frontline, lifting up talent on the continent.
Pressure Music Catalogue takes great pride in curating a diverse range of music that caters to every occasion and creative need. Taking what is in your head and making it real.
We particularly celebrate our commitment to crafting authentically African music, which not only resonates with our local market but also brings a distinctive and captivating flair to international projects.
Explore our offerings directly on the Pressure Music Catalogue webpage or browse our extensive collection on DISCO today.
If you’re interested in contributing to our catalogue or have a project you’d like to discuss, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
We’re here and ready to collaborate!
