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  Mushroom Boyz in Public

  The Mushroom Boys are mingling

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  Peace

  Thibo (Mushroom Boyz) stunting on a green bottle

1). Who are the Mushroom Boys and where did the name come from? What do you guys do?

Mushroom Boyz consists of two people; Menzi Khumalo and Thabo Motikoe.
The name Mushroom Boyz is extracted from the love that developed for DJing and music production at an unexpected stage in our lives. Hence, Mushroom; because they grow unplanted and unexpected at any place.

2). Tell us more about your musical journey? What lead to you taking that route than anything else?

Our musical journey began at very tender ages. We’ve always had an ear for good music. This developed into a passion that grew and is still growing on us. We have always collected music and in 2003 we bought our first record and expanded our collection. We then proceeded to playing at events where we got exposure.
In 2004; we began with music production but did not release any of our music, because we wanted to acquire more production skills and grow musically, up until 2009, we did a couple of remixes for acknowledged record labels, the likes of Offering Recordings, Shack music and Ocha records. Some of our tracks are still to be released under these labels and more.

3). Clearly this was all spawned from a love of music. What does music mean to both of you?

Music to us is a form of expression from a perspective of aspiring producers. Music is a universal language. Music to us is everyday life; it’s a life support system.

4). How did you get into the whole music scene? In SA, the music scene is looked at as being very glamorous. As insiders; is it as glamorous as most people tend to think it is?

Through social network communication. These networks assisted in keeping contact between Mushroom Boyz and other aspects of the industry.
Not at all, to stay on top of your game you need to sweat because there is a lot of competition.

5). Which genre of music do you specialise in and which is your personal favourite? You guys play music that is very hard to come by. How do you get music and how do you source it out?

House music and our personal favourite is deep house! Our music is from digital stores and we also exchange exclusive promos with other producers.

6). How do you manage being producers and DJs? Do you still find the time to relax?

Discipline, focus and time management. We still do get time to relax

7). What is the biggest event you’ve ever performed at? What would be your ultimate performance and where?

The Edgars Music Series. The ultimate performance would be alongside Osunlade, DJ Spinna and the Martinez Brothers at the WMC.

8). Give us a breakdown a day or night in the life of Mushroom Boys? What’s the preparation like, leading up to an event, and what happens afterwards, what food you eat?

During the day we’re normally in studio working and for the events we’re usually ready. After an event, we go home and sleep. Mushroom Boyz eat anything that is contaminated.

9). Is the music industry your only source of income. Are there any other ventures that you are involved in?

No its not. Yes we are involved in other ventures.

10). What about time with family and friends – How do you manage that?

We do make time for family because we have a lot of gatherings and most of our friends are house music fanatics so they always with us.

11). Given your insight into what’s fresh on the music scene, what do you think the trend for new year will be?

The Mushroom sound is what’s fresh. Trends will depend on the producer’s inspiration at the time.

12). Let’s be real… How many groupies do the Mushroom Boys get?

Mushroom Boyz has groupies yes, but that’s all they are.

13). Have you had any awkward moments with fans? Have you performed at an event that made you go ”WTF???”

Yeah; fans requesting songs and us not playing them. That’s when we get bad vibes in the crowd.

14). Did you always know you’d end up where you are today? Do you have any qualifications under your belt for any studies you may have completed or still busy with?

We did know that we would be here one day because of ambition, persistent and hard work, but we didn’t think it would happen so fast. We do have other qualifications besides music.

15). What’s in store from Mushroom Boys? What aspirations do you have?

In April; we releasing an EP. Either in June, August or September; we’re dropping an album. We’re aspiring to establish a record label in which we want to recruit and educate others of good quality music.

16). You feature a lot of artists on your music. What would be your ultimate collaboration?

Our ultimate collaboration would be the likes of Boddhi Satva, Osunlade, Atjazz and Glenn Underground.

17). Who do you regard (aside from yourself) as a producer or performer that’s making strides in the industry?

Black Coffee

18). How may budding producers or DJs get in touch with you should they be interested in working with you? Or getting some samples music to “play for the crowd”.

We have a lot of producers and DJs both nationally and internationally who would like to work with us and they can get our music from digital music stores.

19). In terms of the music you make, are there certain music programs you use? What is the secret to the sound you make?

We use program called Fruity Loops and as you say… It’s a secret.