The duo opened a show for Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse at Snatch 32 in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 30 October, which was for Mabuse’s pre-70th birthday dinner. Mabuse remarked at the time: “2022 could be the band's breakout year.”
The band close off the year with four more shows - 16 and 17 December at SowaarBar in Pretoria, 18 December at Sinkshack, Bronkhorstspruit and 19 December at Menlyn Mall, Pretoria.
I spoke to the band last week:
New beginnings and endless potential. It’s full of questions, possibilities, hope and fear all at the same time. But best of all, they’re all the furthest thing from the end.
Responsibility. The more you have, the more people follow what you say and even emulate what you do.
Death.
Background music. We work so hard on a show so we can create and offer an experience to be engaged with.
It helps bring meaning to life. It offers perspective to an otherwise chaotic world.
Our philosophy is the answer, the blues is a feeling. We honor that every time we perform.
Joe Bonamassa and Jack Garratt.
As Picasso said: “Inspiration finds me working”. Doesn’t matter where or when.
Getting to play, in every sense of the word.
I’ll Never Fall in Love - our first original song as MaxX & Love.
The moment Love left MaxX on stage mid song to go and dance with the audience. It was a beautifully spontaneous moment because what was happening on stage surpassed just us, the audience had become a part of the performance and Love just had to join them as they joined us.
Jimmy Page, Joe Bonamassa, Elmore James, Michael Jackson and Donald Glover (aka Childish Gambino).
Johnny Depp.
Donald Glover.
1957 Fender Hawaiian Resonator.
Whiskey on the rocks.
Keeping the Blues Alive Cruise.
Our showmanship (and stank face!).
Climax (for MaxX) and Chabbs (for Love).
Well aside from being musicians, we’re both actors as well, so that.
MaxX: Jimi Hendrix or Robert Johnson in a biopic!
Love: Prince or Smokey Robinson in a biopic!
Dynamic, eclectic, perceptive, weird and outspoken.
Inganekwane by Zoe Modiga
Ngiwu Shwabada by Sibusile Xaba
Welcome to This World by MABUTA
Buffering juju by dumama + kechou
Real by Dan Padlansky
I don’t think there is one. Not for us at least. Too many are too great.
We don’t really have the patience for reading, so that’s a very on and off kind of thing.
Since I’ve Been Loving You by Led Zeppelin and Sondela by Ringo Madlingozi.
Each other.
Rest.
Chains.
“What’s your bite (pronounced baaryt)?. Well… This can mean what’s up with you, what’s your problem, what’s going on? Love came up with it.
Performing around the world.
Successfully getting this MaxX & Love thing going. We’ve been playing as musicians for a while separately and coming together was both very difficult and very easy.
People’s laziness and sense of entitlement.
As far as the music goes, nothing. We both have philosophical fears and doubts but music has always been a safe place for us.
No such thing as an overnight success , so proud of the achievement to get @siphohotstix on the cover of @GQdotcoza with @MolifeK
— TripleMEntertainment (@TripleMEntSA) December 12, 2021
Out on Monday @siphohotstix on cover and story , in stores in ����physical copies - @GalloRecordsSA @tamaradey @BikoMabuse2 @RaziaMmm pic.twitter.com/ymiRaZzk6G
Being on stage. A whole experience of its own.
Close my eyes. I zone out and let the music take me.
Study the masters.
As an athlete, MaxX never watches sports. Love is an Arsenal fan and anyone familiar with Arsenal knows that Arsenal fans are constantly worked up.
As present as possible.
We participate in an initiative called Young Aspiring Thinkers that aims to introduce youth to as many career options as possible, create career conducive networks or communities and connect them to work and entrepreneurship opportunities.
To tour the world, keep growing as musicians and as much as we want to share our story, we want to experience all that life has to offer.