South African singer-songwriter Pilani Bubu has learned that being an artist is not just about creating and sharing music, but also about prioritizing self-care. With a 15-year career in the industry, Bubu has come to realize that the work itself is not the only thing that can be exhausting, but also the numerous tasks that come with it, such as promotion, healthcare, distribution, and finances.
According to Bubu, musicians often lack sufficient support structures, which can lead to burnout. To avoid this, she has learned to create space between projects, allowing herself time to financially recover, restore, and replenish. This approach has enabled her to maintain her creativity and passion for music. Bubu's insights offer a glimpse into the realities of making a living from music in South Africa.
The cost of music production is a significant pressure point for musicians, with expenses ranging from hundreds of thousands of rand for recording, paying musicians, and studio time. Bubu notes that while the artist is often celebrated, the economic ecosystem around the music, including producers, studio engineers, and other professionals, is often overlooked.
Despite the challenges, Bubu finds inspiration in the creative process itself, which she describes as an "elixir" that gives her energy. Her music continues to evolve, and she draws motivation from her destiny, message, and the desire to share her experiences with others. Her new single, Caged Heart, is a testament to this.
Caged Heart was written by Bubu in 2014 as a poem during the Loerie Awards. The song was born out of her feelings of frustration and a desire to break free from the limitations of her circumstances. At the time, she was trying to figure out how to sustain a music career, having left the corporate world three years earlier.
The song has taken 12 years to come to fruition, with Bubu re-recording her voice multiple times until she felt bold enough to share it. She describes the final version as a "bold declaration" of what she has lived, rather than a hope for the future. The song's sound is a unique blend of alternative soul jazz, electronic, and live textures, with elements of jazz, soul, and folk.
Looking ahead, Bubu is entering a new chapter of inspiration and impact, where she aims to celebrate her multifaceted nature and share her experiences with others. With her eighth album on the horizon, she feels like she has a wealth of knowledge and experiences to draw upon.
Key points
- Self-care is crucial for musicians to avoid burnout and maintain creativity.
- The music industry's economic ecosystem, including producers and studio engineers, is often overlooked.
- Bubu's new single, Caged Heart, is a bold declaration of her lived experiences and a testament to her perseverance in the music industry.
