Finding Salvation in Rock and Roll : An Interview with Sundiata
Rising rock star and producer Sundiata was born in Charleston, South Carolina, raised in Delaware, and now based in Philadelphia. He is currently celebrating the release of the music video for his latest single “Boy Crazy”. While some artists take breaks in between albums, videos, and touring, Sundiata is just getting started and moving full-steam-ahead. We caught this 22-year-old powerhouse in between projects to discuss sex, fashion, and rock and roll.
“I was a teenage runaway, surfing on couches and sleeping in churches. Music production found me just as much as I found it”
-Sundiata
What inspired you to get into creating music?
When I was 13, I had a lot of things to say and few ways to say them. I was a teenage runaway, surfing on couches and sleeping in churches. Music production found me just as much as I found it. I knew the salvation of my life was down this path and that there was no other way. That’s when you make your deal with it, and say “Take me.”
What is your latest single 'Boy Crazy' about?
Exactly what it sounds like, Sex. Theys, gays and gals being hot and doing hot things with each other. Our crazy little cast of characters forming bonds and burning them. All the while, getting too attached to someone who’s no good for you. That’s what led to the song being born.
Who did you collaborate with on the music video and how did you feel shooting it?
We shot it with the stellar Jay Miller in the VPS Music building. I drew up the treatment, and was joined by my bandmates Donavan Burt and Disko. I remember saying I wanted the video to be like a pink Starburst. I think we achieved that.
Your fashion could be considered different and bold when compared to many musicians in the area? Where does the inspiration come from?
Embodying it fully. Having the visuals match the music. We love our musical greats not just for how they sounded but what they wore too. It’s a fuller picture of the mind of the artist. And I dress like this everyday. Sometimes it’s a leather jacket and cropped tee but other times it’s a bondage chest harness and maxi skirt and you’re standing in the middle of north Philly. This is what we signed up for, and I won’t have it any other way.
“There needs to be something a bit unsettling about rock and roll. It has to shake you out of your everyday haze and force an opinion out of you”
-Sundiata
What do you want listeners and spectators at shows to feel and take away from your music?
There needs to be something a bit unsettling about rock and roll. It has to shake you out of your everyday haze and force an opinion out of you. A lot of the work I’ve been doing is in service of that, and in service of bringing back some sort of reverence for the music. So many bands now try to make themselves small and so down to earth that the showmanship of it all is lost. I think in a time where music has been demystified and devalued, working in contrast to that without complaining about it is what’s needed. Real point of views coming from real musicians.
What can fans and readers look forward to?
My second album, In The Kingdom of Feral Children, is finished and we will be rolling it out in the next few months. I started a band with Donavan Burt and Disko. It’s called the Celebrity Curse and we’re actually going to take the music world by storm… and gall. We have a series of shows we’re preparing to throw the rest of this year as well. I’ve got 4+ records on the slate that I’m producing and arranging on this year and more are to come.
