Name: Kudzai Blessing Mawoyo aka Vanco
Nationality: South African
Occupation: Producer, DJ
Current release: Vanco's new single "Kitchen" is out via ALGRA,
Gear Recommendations: Latest Reason from the propellerhead company & Nord

If this Vanco interview piqued your interest, visit him on Instagram, twitter, and Soundcloud. For a wider view on his thoughts on music, head over to our earlier 15 Questions interview with Vanco.



The views of society towards technology are subject to constant change. How would you describe yours?

I feel like it's more about finding a way to adapt to these changes and at the same time find a way to deal with the lost jobs.

I believe in this world there is a piece of cake for all of us.

What were your very first steps in music like and how would you rate the gains made through experience - can one train/learn being an artist/producer?

At the time I was an aspiring musician, I was already surrounded by artist who were doing really great at that time.

I learnt from a distance, also listening to and watching their musical journeys at that time.

Making music, in the beginning, is often playful and then becomes increasingly professionalised. How important is playfulness for you today and if it is important, how do, concretely, you retain it?  

The playful stage is the source of excitement and happiness. It keeps the inner child alive.

I still make music with the people who were there from the start so we still remain kids and pull each other into the playful direction whenever we meet.

Which other producers were important for your development and what did you learn from them?

Louie Vega, Osunlade, Cuebur, Marc Romboy.

[Read our Louie Vega interview]
[Read our Osunlade interview]
[Read our Marc Romboy interview]

I learnt about quality being one of the most important factor and making music that hits the right spot.

How and for what reasons has your music set-up evolved over the years and what are currently some of the most important pieces of gear and software for you?

I used to have a lot of projects in the studio. But now, because I have to travel more often than before to perfom at gigs in different countries, I no longer get to book studios to record that often. That's why I mostly produce on my laptop and then send projects for mxixing and mastering to an engineer.

Have there been technologies which have profoundly influenced, changed or questioned the way you make music?

Yes, I use Reason 10 from the Propellerhead company. They have players which help generate chords, and melodies so that has helped me fast track my process of making music.

But still one needs to have the knowledege of music theory or the ear to play around with this plugin.

What is the relation between innotative tools and "innovative music"?

Innovative tools help make innovative music. I believe if one is able to explore these innovative tools then they can help us beyond our Imagination .

Late producer SOPHIE said: “You have the possibility with electronic music to generate any texture, and any sound. So why would any musician want to limit themselves?” What's your take on that and the relevance of limitations in your set-up and process?

I concur with SOPHIE. Electronic music feels like it’s a place to exlore various genres and not limiting ourselves - which is key.

From the earliest sketches to the finished piece, what does your current production workflow/process look like?

The earliest draft is the basis. It's got to feel like it's ready to go.

The final draft needs to feel like its ready to receive an award hahahahahaha

When it comes to sounds, do you tend to find using presets lazy? When, on the other hand, does tweaking a sound to perfection, get in the way of the music making?

I like tweaking sounds, hence why I use Reason - because of its interface and for what it stands for. It promots the tweaking and its interface is user friendly.

In relation to sound, one often reads words like “material”, “sculpting”, and “design”. Do you feel these terms have a relationship to your own work of and approach towards sound? What are the “material” qualities of sound?

For me as lomg as it sounds good and is very impactful in the music world.

To some, the advent of AI and 'intelligent' composing tools offers potential for machines to contribute to the creative process. What are your hopes, fears, expectations and possible concrete plans in this regard?

So far I don't have an opinion about AI. I still need to learn this new world of AI in the music world to understand the maximum benefit it provides to artist vs the challenges it presents us with as artists.

So I will hold on using it, and just keep observing for now.

Technology has continually taken on more steps of the compositional process and "creative" tasks. From your point of view, where does "technology" end and "creativity" begin?

I think creativity will always be endless. Technology is a tool that will enhance creativity beyond our imagination and make it a lot faster too.

If you could make a wish for the future directly to a product developer at a Hard- or Software company – what are developments in tools/instruments you would like to see and hear?  

Perhaps find even more simpler ways to make theset tools more affordable for everyone in the entertainment space.

That way we change the narrative of using cracked software and build a culture of buying software. This will helop build a good economy over time .