Hiya Dizzy thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
Music brought everything I love into one: art, photography, videography, illustration and writing. So, how can I not fall in love. The collaborative process of creating music is gratifying, and the bonds I’ve built through this journey are genuine. I feel most connected and heard when I make music. But it’s not the end goal. It feels like the starting point in my life. The starting point to a more fulfilling purpose in life.
Introduce us you / all to the members and your musical history?
I’m a North African London-based Artist who is pursuing genuine expression. I go by Dizzy Goku on social media and I am spreading a message of empathy as well as connection through music. I feel a moral obligation to communicate not just my story but the stories of countless other Libyans like myself who feel displaced. Constantly adapting, shifting our mindset to navigate a society that is not fully accepting of our cultural values and beliefs since the 2011 civil war in Libya. We have become so desensitized from all that we experienced and many are in search of healing and belonging.
What was life like for you before music?
I grew up on a farm in Tripoli, and every day felt like an adventure. I would spend most of my days caring for animals and playing football, traditional card games, and video games with cousins or friends from school who came to visit. Later in 2012, I decided to move to Malta where I spent most of my high schools years. I’ve moved from Country boy to Island boy to City boy. I still come back to Malta to record music. Being here brings peace and clarity of mind to just be creative.
What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
Circles by Post Malone. There was a specific lyric that said “I dare you to do something”. Now I know Post Malone was not talking to me, but it somehow reminded me to live life and take risks. If not now, then when? If not today, then never. I needed to know. I needed to start living up to my expectations and not my parents. I wanted an ambition that made me feel proud of my accomplishments and growth as an individual.
Where do you feel you currently sit within the music industry?
A song comes to mind when I read this question. Undiscovered by James Morrison, that’s how I currently feel.
Whats the biggest thing you have learned from someone else in the industry?
Learn to fall in love with your voice. Embrace how you sound. That’s how you discover your true self within music.
Tell us Two truths and a lie about you?
2 truths…
I illustrate all my anime-inspired cover art.
I never knew I could rap/sing until I started music in 2019.
1 lie…
I play the guitar.
If you could wish for one thing to aid your career what would it be?
I don’t wish, I pray.
When I asked my team to believe in me, I took that as an oath. So I’m constantly praying for clarity, decisiveness, patience and strength to realise our dream.
Do you ever worry about people taking things the wrong way or cancel culture? Discuss….
If you search for ill intention you will find it and the opposite is true. I understand that I can never control how people interpret what I say, but I am also aware of my truth, and I am confident in my morals and ability to express it. So, not really.
Do you sign up to any conspiracy theories? If no why not?
I don’t believe in anything like aliens or that pigeons are spies working for the government. So no, I’m not very interested in conspiracy theories. I’d rather direct my energy towards things that translate into action rather than thought.
What was the worst experience on stage?
During my first festival, Earth Garden Festival 2022, I performed on full playback. I quickly learned that that was a big mistake. I couldn’t hear myself, so I was screaming the entire time. My first hint, someone was covering his ears and I only realized at the end of show why he did it.
Tell us something about you / each member that you think people would be surprised about?
Music was a happy coincidence. I never intended to pursue music. It just happened when I made a song as a joke and uploaded it to YouTube. It didn’t go viral or anything, but I fell in love with the creative process. It has become the source of inspiration for all my other ambitions.
What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
My life story and cultural background. North Africa Music is very much underrated genres such as Rai has had a huge global success in the past. I aim to bring North African music in style again.
I hear you have a new music, what can you tell us about it.
I have three upcoming releases for the remainder of the year.
Two singles titled ‘Just Sayin’ and ‘Drinkin Juice and an EP titled ‘Nightmares and Fantasies’ (with four additional tracks: Interlude, Reassess, Dark Dayz and Faded).
I also recently realised that excessive planning can be disheartening and hinder the creative flow of any process. The aim before the end of this year is to release enough music for people to enjoy and have a complete set that I can perform with creative intent while I’m on stage.
What was the recording process like?
My recording process is very intuitive. I go by how I feel. There are specific projects that I needed to capture during the moment. Others I recorded on a later date with a different feeling. Both approaches are beautiful. Sometimes when you take time to record, it can a different side to the story. A more optimistic side.
What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
Urgency. If you don’t feel the urgency to act on the moment, then you miss the opportunity to explore a side of yourself you never knew.
Would you change anything now its finished?
I’ve come to the realization that a song should always be about capturing the moment and bringing all these different emotions together into one experience. It’s beautiful because it’s organic. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for genuine expression.
Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
Any song worth writing is written after going through a genuine experience. You can’t sit around all day and expect to write your next big hit without sounding vague or superficial. So, make time to live, make time to reflect and always create. But be healthy, be patient and don’t blame everything on faith. Fortune favours the bold. So, take the risk. You can always start again. It’s not the end of the world.
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