While we do get a fair share of fantastic electronics from places like Sweden, Holland and Berlin, we should't forget about more exotic places like South Africa. That's why we were highly interested in the newest compilation album from Das Kapital’s Do Work Records called Overtime, which features 15 tracks from eight local artists. The release paints a vivid picture of the South African electronic scene. We’re excited to premiere a track with a tasty title, “SAMMICHES” from producer Phizicist and vocalist FRQNT, which you can exclusively hear below. 

We wanted to know more, so we chatted with Phizicist about his music and surroundings.

What’s your story?

I’ve been eating lots of bacon and keeping hydrated! I’m a producer born in Joburg. I moved to Pretoria, cultivated myself there and I now reside in Cape Town. I make mainly electronic music by myself and hip-hop / leftfield electronic music under the name of Hawkword with my friend J-Wan. I've collaborated with Das Kapital on a track called “Affection,” which was released on Do Work Records a few years ago. “Affection” was one of Eddy Temple Morris's (former radio DJ on UK's XFM) top tracks of the year.

I've just completed my second album, due out in a couple of weeks on Upscale Recordings and will be releasing a tune on the Renraku label as part of their Communications Compilation on September 20. My solo album has already garnered support from Hajimari, Frequent, Hudson Lee, Vorso, Chee, Raine and many more artists in South Africa and abroad.

What should we know about the South African dance scene and how do you fit in there?

It’s growing exponentially. South Africans are now supporting South African music. It's also diverse but at the same time it is also trend-based like all other parts of the world.  With that being said, people here are innovative yet are sticking with the times. 

I've never thought about whether I fit in or not or particularly where my place is in it all. I've always been an odd one out so in that sense I seem to stand out, along with my misfits as friends. I think we've all created a unique niche for ourselves where we're incomparable to others. And we're sick as DJs too!  But most importantly about the dance music scene, we're all there to dance to music — I'm not one to get too involved in cliques and pigeonholes and the like.

It looks like there are a lot of interesting stories behind the creation of this compilation album. Do share!

I can't speak on behalf of how the others made their tunes but what I can say about “SAMMICHES” is that myself and FRQNT created the song (or at least the core parts of the song) in under two hours.  I then wrapped it up and progressively added stuff over the next week or so, bouncing it off Tim (Das Kapital manager and co-owner with him of Do Work Records), getting some pointers and then bam, that was “SAMMICHES” — a tasty masterpiece.