WITH cultural blending in their new song titled Changes in Time Mvura Yonaya, Evicted managed to come up with a unique sound through diversity.
The lyrical content as well as the visuals of the song speak of hope with people from different backgrounds and ethnicities coming together to rejoice when the rain finally falls. One could, with no doubt, say the visuals are a direct reflection of the band itself as it consists of one white person, two coloured people and one black individual.
Speaking to Standard Style Denzil Thandabani, who is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist, said their main aim in making the visuals was to send a message that no matter what race or ethnicity, people go through the same things.
“The message we want to portray to our listeners is we all go through the same seasons and the very same changes in time hence we all have that one thing in common which is the rain that depicts hope and breakthrough which is celebrated everywhere in the world,” he said.
The song Change in Times Mvura Yonaya was released by Evicted, a band consisting of Derek Bailey (lead vocals), Theo Rodhe (backing vocals and guitar), Thandabani (bass guitar and backing vocals) as well as Justin Soutter (drums and backing vocals).
This new single was recorded by Brandon Seol at MMX Studio, mixed by Andrew Baird, percussion by Othneil Mangoma, mastering by Kelsy Mastering and the video was directed by Vusa Blaqs.
“The first challenge we faced was in deciding which one was going to be our first single since we recorded many songs, that was when we contacted Vusa Blaqs who then helped us,” Thandabani said.
“Secondly, we had to do the whole shoot in a space of two weeks and just like any other band, it is financially straining.
“We hired a PA system which we went with to the venue where we were shooting and the power voltage at the farm was a bit higher than what the PA system could handle so we damaged the whole system while recording.
“Also it was very difficult physically because shooting a video of such calibre was new to us and it required a lot of energy as we were climbing on rocks and jumping off which was exhausting.”
From getting many negative comments when they were starting, through determination and zeal, Evicted has managed to make a place for Afro-rock music in Zimbabwe.
“The band has grown significantly, prior to the first album Evicted was a cover’s band as we used to play covers in restaurants and clubs, but ever since the release of our first album titled ‘Tomorrow’, the band has found its place in society and the world as the first album came with tours which is a plus for the band,” he said.
Evicted last released a song in 2017 in their first album titled Tomorrow. They are planning to release the second album in March next year after releasing a second single early next year.
Thandabani said the single Changes in Time Mvura Yonaya is a forerunner to the group’s forthcoming album likely to be titled Changes in Time.
“Our desire is to have a positive impact on our listeners, we want to uplift them with a-feel-good positive sing-along and danceable rock feel,” he said.