By Donata Mpochela
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- The name Machuluka is not new to many music fans in the country. Though grew in a foreign districts such as Lilongwe, Nkhotakota, and Blantyre, Machuluka, real name Machuluka Andrew Mphande, is trying to make music that fuses to connect him to Tonga idiom.
Our entertainment reporter, Donata Mpochera chats with Machuluka about his music journey this far:
Q: What is your name?
My full name is Machuluka Andrew Mphande, many people think ‘Machuluka is my stage name but it’s my father’s name, I inherited.
Q: Tell me a bit of your music background?
I used to make bands, then as a youngster, I made some instruments using tins by then I used to stay in Nkhotakota. My late father also made enormous brunt as he used to buy me musical toys like keyboards and through this I ended up falling in love with music as well as different instruments.
During my secondary school I continued to love music that I could take time performing in variety shows, and these platforms helped me to expand self-reliance and support from my fellow students.
Q: What type of music are you into?
Tongabeats, a fusion of Malipenga and Honala.
Q: What inspires the type of music you do?
There are some legendary musicians like the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Wambali Mkandawire and others, who embraced their languages into music and you, will perceive that their music ended up victorious in people’s hearts across the borders. It is also good to compose songs in your language because it gives you chances to explore a lot.
Q: Is there any connection between your music and your Malawian culture roots?
Yes a very wide connection as my music is a fusion of three different cultural dances which are Malipenga, Honala, and Chilimika.
Q: Have you ever had gigs in Malawi?
Of course yes and so many of them.
Q: What response did you get from the audience?
I am overwhelmed people like my music. At first I thought that I only fans in the Northern region but I was wrong, I had some gigs in the Southern and Central region and the reaction from the audience was excellent.
Q: Elsewhere, how has your music been?
It has been very amazing, when I recall in 2018, I flied to South Africa, I performed in Johannesburg and Capetown people celebrated my music and I got a very positive reception to the extent of having a good media and audience review.
Q: What strategies do you think you can employ to get the local music lovers buy in into your music concept?
I try to make my songs danceable, that’s all.
Q: Any plans for collaborations with local artists?
Yes and I have a lot in my mind.
Q: What is your progress in music circle?
I have made a slight evolution. My worry is this year’s pandemic of Coronavirus it has affected my projects and my songs, because all plans have been barged in and my songs have been pirated. This has troubled my album.
