Big deal for Mi Casa milestone
MPILETSO MOTUMI
MI CASA is marking 10 years in the music industry and is celebrating this weekend.
The band has learned much since its formation. And, says founder and vocalist Joao “J’something” da Fonseca, it is not only about music but about building relationships.
“If you want to be in a long-term relationship, you need to be willing to sacrifice, be patient, and listen. That is what we have done as a band. Ten years is not easy: long-term relationships, band or marriage, you are going to need to implement those principles,” he said.
“I would attribute the support we have kept receiving to us dropping an album every two years and having two to three number one songs. We have remained consistent, true, authentic, and we have not changed.”
The house trio is made up of J’something, Dj/producer Dr Duda (Sipho Mphahlaza), and trumpeter MO-T (Moshe Kgasoane).
“This year is 10 years since we met, so we have been planning to celebrate that throughout the year. Our single, Church Bells, is out and is the fourth most played song in SA. We have our fifth album, We Made It, coming up that was supposed to be released on May 15, but has been rescheduled because of a global deal we just managed to sign.”
For many years, the band has been dreaming of breaking through to a wider audience.
“We strongly believe that as Mi Casa, we create music that appeals to a global platform, and I think being independent for the last 10 years we have done extremely well.
“We have been talking about this (an international deal) for some years and trying to iron out the right type of deal. I couldn’t be more proud to now be aligned to the biggest record label in the world and to be put on a global platform.”
J’something added that the band could not wait to get back on stage once the lockdown is lifted. “It’s hard to explain to people that this is what I live and die for. It’s been a real blow to not be able to do that. Performing live on social media is just not the same.”
But lockdown will not stop the band from celebrating. Last night, they hosted a garage party with fans online, and today, they have a Q&A session on Facebook Live. Tomorrow, J’something and Duda will be cooking together live.