It’s been three years since the release of their 19-track double album debut Have You Heard? And The Muffinz, a five-piece guitar-inclined band dedicated to live performance where all the guys do vocals, have release their second offering, Do What You Love.
Ask each member of the band how they define their music and the responses are as varied as their personalities. Karabo Moeketsi on bass calls it: “Hybrid African music on steroids”. For lead electric guitarist Sifiso Buthelezi, “Liberated Afro Retro” is more fitting. Lead electric guitarist Simphiwe Kulla terms it “Eclectic Soul Trip”. Drummer, Keke Mabusela rates there’s evidence of growth in their new release even though the music remains familiar. Acoustic guitar player Mthae Sibanda says their sophomore album manages to be dirtier and cleaner – all in the same breath.
At the 2012 Metro FM Music Awards, an annual ceremony celebrating local artists who’ve made a notable impact on the music industry, The Muffinz were nominated in the Best Newcomer and Best group categories. They took home the title for the latter.
That same year they received four nominations for the esteemed South African Music Awards, recognised as the leading music ceremony in the country. Their efforts and talent were noted in the Best Newcomer, Best Group Album, Best RnB/Reggae/Soul Album and Album of the year categories.
The Muffinz have received a standing ovation at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, toured Norway and performed at the Doha International Jazz Festival. The guys have also appeared on stages in Mozambique, Swaziland, Algeria and the DRC.
An accent in their career was being billed to perform at the Apollo Theatre in New York in October 2014. The show was sold out. While in the city they filmed interactions with locals where they posed the question that ultimately became the album title. They asked: Do you do what you love? It’s an attempt to have people question what’s keeping them from their passions. An organic campaign aimed at provoking and propelling people to pursue just that – doing what they love.
