1.The First Song I Wrote

The very first song I wrote from start to finish was a song called ‘Morning Sun’. I was intrigued by a short movie I’ve watched about the sun and how it was considered God by ancient civilisations. But the song wasn’t just about the sun itself but also how we get the chance to start again with every single sunrise. I still play it sometimes in my gigs.

2. The Last Song I Released

The last song we released was ‘Minds Of Gold’ – it feels like a long time ago now but it’s still one of my favourites. We’re just about to drop a new one, though, called ‘Do It Twice (Slave Of Love)’ – a very hypnotic tune with heaps of African percussion and chanting lyrics.

3. Songwriting Secrets

I don’t have any songwriting secrets or formulas, but it usually starts with strumming a few chords and mumbling words and melodies. Sometimes a single chord or note can spark a new song. I think the last couple of songs I wrote started in a live gig, just improvising on the spot and evolving to be a full song later, which is really fun and challenging at the same time.

4. The Song That Makes Me Proud

It’s hard to pick a favourite song as they’re all like family members, like having a favourite child. But at the moment the song that makes me proud is a song that I had for years but haven’t had the lyrics finished for a while. I have now finished the song and been playing it live, and I love it. Just the feeling of finishing something and bringing it to life is amazing.

5. The Song That Changed My Life

That’s a hard one, but I think wasn’t just one song but the band, Sublime. In my teenage years I was playing drums in a punk rock band, but I also loved reggae and ska. So when I first heard Sublime’s ‘40oz. To Freedom’ it completely changed my life and the sound we’re going for with that band. The idea of mixing those genres together was so cool and revolutionary. I still love that album and it still influences my songwriting and sound today.

Sunday April 10 Animal Ventura appears atMoonshine Bar, Hotel Steyne.

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