2 Cardigans & Bowtie
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa | Established. Jan 01, 2017
Music
Press
The Jozi-hailing, self-professed “cooligans”, 2 Cardigans & Bowtie, ushered in June with oomphy finesse when they threw their five-minute hip hop-modern Maskandi-jazz molotov cocktail, “Umkhathi” onto the scene earlier this week.
Bassist Nkululeko Biyana conceptualised the band four years ago, a brainchild which quickly grew into a fledgling full of promise when rapper and lyricist Utsukushii Likwidskillz came on board along with current members InkosiKhethiwe “King Khethiwe” Mdlalose (drums and vox), Moeketsi “Macsou” Tshabalala (keys and synth), and Liziwe ‘Ziwe’ Fihlani (alto sax). And “Umkhathi” acts as their first growth milestone.
Recorded at Old Mutual’s AMPD Studios, “Umkhathi” (meaning “space”) is an ode to timelessness and a nod to self-determination, acting as the first stepping stone to pave the way to the group’s debut album – which is set for release in 2022.
Commenting on the vision for the group, band manager Utsukushii Likwidskillz says, “We’re here to make music that is timeless, we take this very seriously and everyone without a doubt you’ll see it in the work, we cannot wait to share all of it with everyone”.
2 Cardigans & Bowtie catch quick attention with heady basslines, sporadic time signatures and raps which don’t confine them to standard formulas – and they’ll stay standing because, based on their motto, “Never relax! Coz we coming for everything!”, there’s going to be way more to groove to where “Umkhathi” came from. - Texx and The City
The lyrics are peppered with symbolism and references to nature, wildlife, the hunt, the hunted – but there are some curveballs thrown in that illicit confusion.
“I be acute like a sniper
More venomous and tedious than mambas or a viper
Or rapists taking showers”
The fusion of the sax and synths for the chorus melds powerfully to lift us to its heady musical climax. Now that our lives might finally return to some semblance of “normality”, maybe we might be better taking a leaf out of the band’s lyric book and enjoying a “deep drink” from the “tree of life”. God knows we’ve earned it. I look forward to hearing the band’s new album in the coming months to find out what other styles and influences they have up their musical sleeves. - Krakow Music
So here we go with the intriguingly named band, 2 Cardigans and a Bowtie. Hailing from South Africa, this outfit brings an array of genres into their sonic delivery with sublime ease. It’s an ease that belies the talent and musical experience within this 5 piece band.
Formed in 2017 through the vision of their bassist/composer Nkululeko Biyana and lead vocalist Likwidskillz, their primary objective was the creation of a band able to bend “genre rules”. We love that idea of pushing the sonic norms, dispelling the rule book and creating your own rule book.
With this independent minded modus operandi they have accumulated a growing number of fans outside of the music industry and within it. Indeed, in acknowledgement of their talent, they were granted money through Concerts SA Mobility to film their own live stream concert in VR 360.
Umkhathi is an hypnotic and expansive cut meaning in essence ‘space and time’ in Xhosa. It’s a wonderful balance of; layered jazz, splashes of traditional South African sounds, indie like sounds and tight hip-hop esque beats all working cohesively.
The track opens with some flushes on the hi-top, followed with indie like guitar riffs, paving the way for the sonorous vocals of InkosiKhethiwe “King Khethiwe” Mdlalose (who also happens to be the drummer), to drop an almost mournful cry leading to the tight bars from Likwidskillz -the proverbial cherry on top. It’s all built on the foundation of Biyana as his bass riffs keep this track thumping along. Must say we love Liziwe ‘Ziwe’ Fihlani on alto saxophone who steps in at around 4:21 to take Umkathi to its finale.
Umkhathi a great introduction to the band. It is the proverbial step of a thousand miles to a debut album. The album is due for a release potentially in early 2022. In truth #itchysilk were privy to a few of those un-mastered cuts. We must say we are looking forward to hearing that finished project. It’s got huge potential. - Itchy Silk
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
Incepted initially in 2017 as a mere concept, it is only in early 2020 that the true vision and musical direction of the band manifested. 2 Cardigans & Bowtie’s sound has developed its timeless sound signature and musicality that bends the usual genre rules. Self proclaimed as “The Cooligans”, the band has 4 Members namely: Nkululeko Biyana on Bass, Likwidskillz the lyricist , “King Khethiwe” on drums and vocals as well as Moeketsi “Macsou” on keys and synths. Each Band member is also an individual artist. The outfit also includes other fellow musicians on certain compositions.
The question we often get is, ‘What should you expect when you listen to 2 Cardigans & Bowtie?’ ‘ Well, there will be traces of something you have heard before, familiar sounds, moulded and shaped into something you have never heard before, a melting pot of sounds, personalities, and freedom of expression’. “Each song in the project expresses a different outlook with the inclusion of many different elements”. It aims to showcase the unrestricted musical capabilities and vast talent of musicians through song. Timeless, cinematic music, each song in the project expresses a different outlook with the inclusion of many different musical elements.
Some highlights include: 2020 also saw their song ‘Impotent Potency’ featured on Zimbabwean web series ‘Working Wives’ which is on Showmax and Concerts SA live stream concert in V R 360. 2021 saw the release of their debut single “Umkhathi” on all digital streaming platforms, Being the first musicians to perform live on Catch 22 Jams, a contemporary Jazz slot on UK radio Wycombe FM, too 3 finalists in the 947 Huawei Joburg day star of the show competition.
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