Past, Present and Future with Ipeleng

It's a sunny afternoon in autumn and the advent of Ipeleng reverbatates in the air. A calmness settles as we start to talk. Today she finds herself in bed, "This afternoon I find myself in bed, I've sprained my ankle." she relays the news with a solemn tone. It's only fair because it is no fun to find yourself in bed with a sprained ankle on a Friday afternoon, on any day for that matter. After what has been a busy couple of days, we have managed to connect on her musings on her first official release and its reception.

On the album

"'Unsolicited' was my first real official release and its reception was unprecedented." 'Unsolicited' is Ipeleng's first studio album release which debuted in 2020, with April of this year marking three years since it's release.

The debut album consists of tracks such as 'A craving', 'Ommited', 'Patience', and 'Focus' with 'Focus' being the song that most of us got introduced to her with. The record is what could arguably be what brought Ipeleng into public consciousness on a grander scale.

The album not only garnered the musician a broader listenership, it launched Ipeleng into new connections, new management and introduced her to different kinds of people.

Unsolicited consists of tones and themes touching on regret, grief, sadness and touches of acceptance which colour songs such as 'Here We Are' which is the album opener; a melodic and rhythmic sonic creation that grapples with emotions in an open and honest way.

The latter part of the album houses 'Focus';- an emotive single that doubles as a vocal and chordophone performance that is — in true Ipeleng style - sure and soft at the same time.

On transition.

Unsolicited is an album that reflected where the artist's head was at circa 2020. But where is her head now?  You may wonder what this era is, and what marks it?

This era is about transition, "I would define this era as Transition. It is reflective. It is also about growing pains - what it is trying to situate." And for most of us, pain has a site or is trying to communicate something within us or a place from which it comes. Ipeleng seems to have been coming to terms with the pain that comes with growing up.

On the process.

Many artists have a process or a way of approaching their work. Ipeleng does not shy away from reflecting on said process. "For a long time I had a rigid process and relied on what worked. But now I appreciate intuition and what the spirit is feeling." she articulates this with so much strength and power in her voice. "I take initiative - How do I feel? What do I want to do? Do I want to write?"

The artist's process is uninhibited, malleable and a little negligent in a care-free kind of way.  In essence, it is without constriction— unbound and is, more than anything; about letting go, "I am letting go of rigidity."

The artist's process is fascinating. But one cannot help but wonder how this process and practice is kept sacred. "I try to remain open and vulnerable. I try to be as open as possible. So that I may experience — to heal and to be unmasked. To be undiscerning - I don't want to be descending in my work." When speaking of sharing her experiences and stories on her works she admits to still being apprehensive. "There is a part that is still weary. Because sharing with people what I am experiencing can be frightening."

On after-care.

After writing, sharing, recording and performing - which are quite somatic experiences - the musician shares the following of her after-care process. On the prompt; 'What does a return to self look like for you?' She pauses, though as to process her thoughts and formulate an answer

- but in this brief moment, this is indeed a meditation. The silent pause is broken by the words, "I'm always meeting myself in the writing. Everything is like my… relief." she continues, "We spend the bulk of life being creative, having to work. I find things that fill me. Things that are rejuvenating. Things that bring relief." she says.

On trusting her voice

Ipeleng is sure of her voice and this is a mark of her talent, which is evidenced by her songwriting and storytelling abilities. "I have always trusted myself as a writer and musician. It's always been there." She also explains that, "Sometimes you grow out of the story. It is about growing. And I am lucky to trust. To come to a sense of self."

On her inspirations

What are her major inspirations, you may ask? "Thinking back to my early years, it is very interesting. I revere water, not just any body of water; the ocean." The profundity of the ocean is omnipresent in her own body of work. "TheFixer" which features Sihle, one of her earlier collaborators, she sings, "You feel like the ocean." This was the first single of the then upcoming EP "better apart."

The visual language of drowning/reminisce also features the ocean, it plays a character of its own and is a motif that is recurring both in her music videos and in the music itself. The ocean is clearly a significant part of Ipeleng's aesthetic both sonically and visually. Although it's difficult to describe what the ocean means to her, she remains drawn to it, "I don't know if I have the vocabulary to explain how I feel when I am watching the ocean. I have a strong draw to the ocean." She explains the connection between music and the ocean. "It's just so beautiful. It feels like home; like something I know- like I have been here before."

On relationships

While our conversation has flowed easily from injuries to growth and grief, Ipeleng is particularly excited to speak about community, especially about building community. "I have been building community. I have been building relationships in the creative field." she says with an eagerness in her voice that is equal parts sure and equal parts excited.

We continue our conversation, both gushing about the unique experience of being surrounded by artists and creatives and the kinetic energy that is always present in the spaces they inhabit. This was also a time for reflection and contemplation which led to Ipeleng's rediscovery of her love of the artform, "I have a newfound love for live performance, thank God."

On the future

As for what we can expect from the artist, she had the following to say, "Expect to see me in community with other artists."

After much time spent in isolation at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Ipeleng has developed a profound appreciation for the community that is found through performance. "It is powerful. That's the power of live performance, you feel the energy." She enthuses over some her favourite performers in the Alternative Scene, namely "Sergio The Artist and The Brother Moves On." who's approach to storytelling is intriguing and whose sound is eclectic with jazzy undertones and ample instrumentation. The sonic expression of this is what lovers and followers of Ipeleng can expect in the future.