As anticipation builds for Basson Laas’s latest release, we had a chat with him about his musical journey, the creation of new single “Worth Loving” and his future plans.
Q: Can you tell us about your journey from being a teacher to becoming a full-time musician? What inspired you to make such a significant career change?
Basson Laas: To be honest, I just took a chance and made the decision in the blink of an eye. I had just completed my PGCE to teach high school full-time, but to me, it seemed like I now had a good plan B in place and was up for the risk of trying to make a career in music work. Over many years, I’ve had this sacred notebook of song lyrics, phrases, and scribbles that I collected. I wanted to share some of my favourites. But first, I had to establish relationships with local restaurants to have a steady stream of gigs and performances to try and fund the enjoyable part of recording.
Q: Growing up on a farm in North-West, South Africa, how did your early experiences shape your music and songwriting?
BL: When I was younger, I had no idea how much I’d like to be doing this full-time. My early experience in music was more focused on a disciplined sense of playing the violin and piano, struggling through UNISA theory books. I still loved it, and it effectively trained my ears very well. Once I picked up the guitar at the age of 14, I felt less bound by the rules and figured out the basic chords to songs by listening to my favourites. Later came my notebook of thoughts and scribbles.
Q: “Worth Loving” has a unique journey from its inception in 2011 to its release now. Can you walk us through the evolution of this song?
BL: The first lyrics to “Worth Loving” were written in early 2011 when I was training to become a pilot at Wonderboom Airport in Pretoria. I remember sitting on the kitchen floor after a night out in Hatfield Square and writing ideas down as they came to me. A few days later, I played it to my friend and co-pilot Pieter Theron, who also played guitar, and he suggested a cooler hook riff for the intro, which I loved. I finished the song later that year, thinking of a sweet girl I met. Over the years, while performing as Man the Fields, the beat changed to something sounding somewhat like the beat for “Tightly Bound” (my debut single), and it even had a quirky little lead played by Henk Versluis. In the solo years that followed, I played it with different tempos, strumming patterns, and in a variety of keys until I realised, I’ve always been happiest with the original G major. When Werner Kahts and I sat in the studio, it came together quickly. It was one of the easiest songs to record so far.
Q: You’ve described “Worth Loving” as having a positive, Disney-like vibe. What was the creative process behind achieving this sound?
BL: Well, it was already such a positive and upbeat song when I walked into the studio, and I think the chorus maybe gives off a slight Disney feel, but it wasn’t intentional, and it’s not like it’s an ‘I can show you the world’ type of song from Aladdin. Werner and I just ‘chiselled’ out what we felt in the moment, and when he added the percussion elements (brilliant drummer that he is), the song absolutely came alive! The piano and other elements followed.
Q: The music video for “Worth Loving” showcases the bond between a dog and its owner. What inspired this concept, and how does it relate to the song’s message?
BL: For this music video, I asked Jannes de Villiers of Moving North Media to help me create something own-able. We brainstormed a few options over a beer one day, and he later came up with the idea to showcase the bond between a man and his dog, rather than a typical boy-meets-girl story, since the lyrics fit well for that, too. He knew just the perfect pai living in Cape Town (Marius Schoombie and Galadriel the dog), and luckily, he would soon have to fly down there for other work. Things were in motion.
Q: How has your debut EP Good Morning Dreamer influenced your approach to creating new music, especially with “Worth Loving”?
BL: The song itself has a long history, but in terms of the production process, I think Werner and I have found a very nice flow in working together. When we recorded the EP last year, I was a bit unsure of the process at times. Although I was like a kid in a candy shop, I had to first become familiar with all the endless options available. With “Worth Loving”, it was easier to understand what we felt was needed for the song. To my disappointment, the process was over too quickly. We immediately started recording a
second single right after. But more on that later.
Q: Your music style blends elements of adult contemporary, folk, and pop with a dash of alternative. How do you maintain this balance in your compositions?
BL: Your questions are becoming more difficult… lol. Look, the truth is I’m enjoying the whole not-being bound-by-anything-genre-specific moment. It’s all part of trying to do what you like and what comes naturally, I guess. I’ve loved folk and alternative music for a long time, so I reckon it would always come as the strongest initial influence in my songs. But I’m not thinking of maintaining any specific balance. I’m sure that I’ve got much more to learn, especially from the session musicians I perform with from time to time. That might change some of the things I think I know about music, anyway.
Q: Can you share some insights into your songwriting process? Do you follow a specific routine, or does inspiration strike spontaneously?
BL: Sure, but I haven’t found a specific method or routine in writing songs yet. I wrote many songs (something like 20-plus) before I wrote songs that I really like, and none came to me in the same way. So far, I’ve learned one thing, and it’s that when you have a thought or an idea for a melody or a lyric, immediately record or write it down on a piece of paper, even if it doesn’t make sense now or when you come back to it later. I’ve lost many good ideas by thinking I will remember them later, putting the guitar down.
Q: You’ve recently started putting a band together for live performances. How has this collaborative effort impacted your music and stage presence?
BL: This is the best part. Recently, I’ve been rehearsing with Jannie Labuschagne on drums and Callie van der Merwe on keys and bass. I never knew how proud it would make me feel to hear my songs played with such a full sound. It feels like I’m invincible. Sometimes I even get so carried away listening to the goodness of the fullness, I forget my own lyrics during rehearsals. It’s a game-changer and a brand-new thing for me, but it gives me confidence live and excites me to think of the bigger shows it could enable us to play in the near future. Both of them have other careers besides music as well, and it has been limiting, but the growth is steady and without pressure.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an independent musician, and how have you overcome them?
BL: The biggest challenge is that it takes many low-paying or budget-capped gigs to save up for projects like an EP, album, new single, or even just to acquire the proper gear to do the live performances in the first place. But when you get lucky and have a relatively full calendar and do the live background music at private/corporate functions here and there, it helps to save up for the enjoyable things quicker.
Q: You’ve performed at various bars and restaurants before recording your debut EP. How have these live experiences shaped your music and performance style?
BL: One thing is for sure, and it’s that I could ease myself into performing live without too much attention on me. I still do many performances where I just sit there and burn through my favourite setlist of cover songs, more concerned with creating a nice atmosphere. The pressure of performing is not there, and I sometimes go to a faraway place in my mind. But it also enables me to play my own songs to those who do listen and get valuable feedback, like which songs (whether it’s an original or a cover) made someone look up, tap their foot, or plainly give me a nod or sign of approval. That’s the reason I would. probably do this for a little while longer.
Q: “Worth Loving” explores themes of feeling unappreciated and finding clarity. How do these themes resonate with your personal experiences?
BL: Let’s just say, I remember having feelings of loneliness and abandonment before, despite being around friends and other people most of the time. Heck, most days, I still feel that way. Luckily, it usually doesn’t last very long if you have someone to talk to and allow yourself to be vulnerable occasionally.
Q: Finally, how do you see your music evolving in the next few years, and what are your long-term goals as an artist?
BL: So, on a final note… I see myself continuing to release a few of my favourite singles over the next few years while I plan to release an album, if I can, by 2026. In the meantime, I’d start to focus more on getting the band some more playtime and find our groove together while also looking out for opportunities to create content that may capture the attention of our friends, families, and those who may become our supporters.
Watch the brand new video now!
