Kid Fonque
Interview
Kid Fonque is a name I’d not heard of until the end of 2019 but to many others he’s a DJ, Producer, Label Owner, Promoter and Radio Host that has been shaping South African electronic music for the last 20 years, breaking a host of the biggest names and tirelessly promoting new South African music across many genres. His own style embraces everything from broken beats, to Bossa nova, hip hop and house and thanks to his Stay True Sounds he’s got a killer label that introducing a global audience to the best of South African sounds and I've become something of a fan boy!
It’s a great thrill to get this chance to fire some questions at you Allan (aka Kid Fonque). Thanks for taking the time out to catch up - let’s start at the beginning - how did you start out in music, what got you inspired?
I was brought up in a household filled with music, my father loves music and my love for music started with him. We would go CD shopping when I was in my teens and he introduced me to a world of sounds from Classical to Soul & Rock.
You were A&R at legendary label Soul Candi - that must have been a dream job?
It was, but not something I had aimed for. I was working as sales manager for the distribution side of the business and Brett Jackson was the label manager alongside Ricardo Da Costa. Unfortunately, Brett passed away from cancer and management thought I would be good for the job, it was a huge learning curve for me, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without the experience and jumping right into the deep end…
What were your early influences? DJ’s, people, labels…
I was completely influenced by music from the other side of House Music. I grew up listening to Coldcut & DJ Food mixes from the Ninja Tune Label, also followed Mo’ Wax & James Lavelle and totally into Worldwide with Gilles Peterson, you could say I was submersed in the independent musical culture from the UK and religiously listened to BBC DJ’s.
You’ve got a diverse sound to your productions; how would you describe your musical style?
I grew up listening to eclectic DJ’s and loved that you could be into a lot of genre’s, so I really focus on that with my weekly radio show, my productions and labels.
Which do you see yourself as most - DJ, Producer, Label Owner, Promoter, Radio Host?
I feel I am all wrapped up into 1, my days are filled with every one of those roles, either signing new music for my label’s, or curating music for my radio show or promoting my monthly events.
You’re a Dad too, how do you balance so much stuff on a daily basis?
Ah, I love being a Dad and I work for myself so I make the time for my son and I to do things during the week after his school. My son is a big part of my life and when he is old enough he will be joining me at gigs and seeing what I do.
Where is your favorite place to DJ (when you can)?
Without a doubt Cape Town’s ‘We House Sunday’s’ parties are incredible, cant wait until I can get to go and play for them again.
What’s your usual preparation for a set? Picks tracks, sleep…?
Really depends on the gig, as I am filling my DJ sticks with music weekly for my radio shows mix I am pretty up to date so don’t prep too much and go with the mood of the event however if it’s a big festival I prep a bit more but not too much. I do like to go with the flow.
South African house has a history of great producers, what makes it such a rich source of high quality?
I think it has been about time and experience, as South African’s we used to always look out for inspiration but now we have the resources and equipment to make our own incredible music and there are so many producers that are making incredible music every day and a very hungry following who support these guys.
The radio show has had every big name you can imagine on it - that must be a lot of fun - tell us about the show and what’s it all about?
It’s my favorite thing to do every week. My radio show is called #SelectiveStyles and is on South Africa’s national radio station 5FM. I broadcast every Sunday from 5-7PM and the format has always been about breaking new artists and producers. This year the show will be 5 years old has given managed to support artists who are big in their respective genre’s like Dwson, Fka Mash, China Charmeleon, Sio, Seba Kaapstad and more… Listen to some of my shows here - https://www.mixcloud.com/kid_fonque/
You’ve done a decent amount of video projects too - Balantines etc - is that something we can expect more of in the future?
Yeah, I did a wicked little TV show with Ballantine’s last year which focused on the emerging underground talent in SA. Lockdown has slowed things down this year but maybe we might be able to do Season 2 in 2021?
As a producer - how does your sound differ from the music you like to DJ with?
I love to play all sorts of music but do play a lot more SA deep house these days. When it comes to production, I think what you are making should represent where you are at. My new album which I am working on is a collaboration with UK’s Jonny Miller and is solely focused on the dance floor as that’s where I have mostly been for over a year now.
What’s your typical DJ set up?
Standard Pioneer CDJ & Mixer set up with good turntable and I’m happy.
How do you work in the studio - do you plan tracks or just go in and work something out there?
I am very sample based so I generally always start with that and work my way up.
You’re often producing in collaboration; how does that differ from solo productions in terms of creativity and flow?
I take very long to work on my own productions that why I enjoy collaborating. My peers work much faster than me and that helps us get the music out.
Do you think the DJ experience helps the production process in terms of understand what moves people, what works etc?
100%, I am always thinking of how tunes I am producing can be used to DJ.
Any sage advice for aspiring producers?
Just do you, the more you do it the better you will sound. Some of the most successful producers that I put out on my labels are the ones that sound like them, no one else.
You’ve been around for a good length of time, and helped so many, do you see that as part of your legacy?
100%, I feel that my role is to create platforms for producers and artists that are not making commercial music.
Any hot new producers we should be looking out for right now?
Too many, you have to check out China Charmeleon, he is on fire right now. I’m also really into AndileAndy, Chronical Deep, DJ Takzin, Fka Mash and Nutty Nys.
How did the label, Stay True Sounds, happen?
I started the label with good friend Jullian Gomes. We always said we would start a label when I moved on from Soul Candi and when that day came along, we did. Jullian was part of the label for the 1st 2 years and then decided it was best for him to do his own thing. I have continued with the label since then and it is without a doubt one of the biggest independent house labels in South Africa.
You’ve since moved forward on your own with it - did anything change around you and the label as a result?
I think it gave me more freedom to do what I feel and release who I want. There has been lots of learning going at it alone but also a lot of successes.
What’s the labels’ vision?
At a time when mediocrity and artifice dilute and diminish dance music, Kid Fonque has formulated the antidote. Enter ‘Stay True Sounds’, a new independent record label that places good taste over hits and longevity over trends. The label’s creative agenda is simple: to unearth, nurture and present real, evocative music.
What do you think are the biggest challenges running a label these days?
There is not a lot of money in the new norm of streaming and it’s about understanding how to make decent money in this new world of playlists. I learnt from Soul Candi that if don’t create too many costs you can still create a business out of it.
What other labels are you into right now - tracks you’re playing and loving?
Every week there are new labels and music coming out that I love but here are some one’s I can’t stop playing:
Nutty Nys – Ascend
Dj Thakzin – the Beginning
Everything from beatsbyhand and Rampa and do yourself a favor and check out NLite’s album.
What’s been the highlights of your career so far?
Ah so many, I still can’t believe I have a radio show where I can play what I want, I love my labels and will continue to nurture them with great music from great artists.
I still have so many thing I want to do but I have ticked off some big things for this lifetime.
How has lockdown been for you - keeping connected, keeping your fans engaged?
It has been tough as my main source of income (DJ’ing) was taken away from me, but I used all the energy I had on the label and its really payed off. I know I’ll look back at lockdown and be grateful for the time it allowed me to focus on the music.
What’s on the cards for the rest of the year, personally and with the label?
As always, it’s all about the music, I have all the releases on the label scheduled up until Dec and I am looking forward to getting to play some great shows before year end.
Where can people follow you?
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