T Smooth recalls not having an interest in music at a young age but later developed a love for music due to his mom and aunt’s music collection. High school is when he first heard house music when it was still referred to as International here in South Africa. He is from Kimberley in the Northern Cape and is championing the vinyl culture in that city.
In this interview, we talk music and vinyl records and why he is so fond of them.
Is your story regarding your journey with music the common one of family having had a great influence on your love for music and you becoming a dj?
I’m not really from a musical background inspired by family but my mother and aunt played a role in it because of the music they played at their stockfels.
As a record collector myself, I have my reasons why I buy and collect records. What made you want to collect records at first? And with all the technological changes that affect the music industry, what keeps you motivated to continue collecting?
For me to collect records is to support producers for their hard work & sleepless nights. Collecting records gives you that sense of exclusivity because you buy the music. Technology made our life’s easier but very difficult at the same time because of the high rate of piracy. I will buy music till the end and that’s the appreciation I can show to the brothers and sisters who produce this beautiful thing called music. RESPECT!
Do you have a system of how you store/file your records?
I only store my music in my records bags
Which spots are your favourite shops to buy from and why? Both present and those that don’t operate anymore?
I used to buy music at DEEP K RECORDS (SOULCANDI RECORDS), DA JOINT RECORDS, HOUSE AFRIKA RECORDS, SOULCANDI RECORDS, PHEZULU RECORDS, FOREAL RECORDS, CHILLI SOUL RECORDS to mention a few but most don’t operate anymore. My current shops I buy from is VINYLIFESTYLE, OH ONEONE VINYL, PLASTIC PEOPLE SA, JUNO RECORDS, BANDCAMP, RED EYE, BROTHERS ON WAX just to mention a few. Sometimes I also buy from guys who sell their second hand records.
Diggin or buying records isn’t just about buying the actual vinyl. It’s about the people that we come across doing this. Any particular person or people instantly come to mind when you think of vinyl?
I have a very long list but to make it very short anyone who appreciates and buys records (music) till this day and age. RESPECT!
Is there record/s that keep missing you or you miss them that you really want as part of your collection?
ALWAYS! And there’s a record I’m still waiting for from you guys. You guys send me your recent vinyl list sometime in March but unfortunately the record didn’t last and Tshediso Ra promised to get it for me so I’m patiently waiting… hahahaha.
Who would be the one person, if granted, you would go record digging with and why?
Mr Neo from Plastic People SA and Othusitse Terrence Mabi. Not only do they inspire me musically but we from the same city and it’s not easy playing the type of music we collect but still we collecting it irrespective.
When searching for records to buy, both online and in stores, is there a process you have formulated for yourself?
Before I collect music, I listen to mix tapes or dj sets by my favourite djs. Then I search and buy or dig in records stores and online like you guys when you have new music…you send it then we listen and buy what we like.
Can you tell us a bit about the mix you have recorded for us?
The mix I have recorded is mostly songs I personally love so I’m grateful that you guys have given me an opportunity to share my personal favourites.
Lastly, what is on the horizon for T Smooth?
I think it’s the music I play (collect) because it’s not easy to play this type of music called DEEP HOUSE in this day and age hahahaha