At its core, the Lerato Orchestral Collective (L.O.C.) is rooted in love, a philosophy that radiates throughout their debut album, Lerato La Rona. The band’s debut touches on psychedelic rock, jazz, maskandi and punk. Their willingness to experiment puts L.O.C. in a class of their own among their peers.
The band’s origin story is refreshingly modern. What began as vocalist Lesedi Sibiya’s solo project grew into something bigger after he posted an Instagram story looking for collaborators. Everyone came together through online correspondence, but it was their very first session that sparked something special. “We clicked on a different energy,” bassist Sile Kubheka recalls, “and Sedi suggested we turn this into something more meaningful, the rest is history.”
L.O.C. brings together a fascinating mix of talents. Biko Maq is on drums and backing vocals, adding, “a layer of creative ideas that pushes the band further.” Sile plays bass and “brings structure, musically and otherwise.” Kayleb, on guitar, switches between lead and harmony, acting as “a mad scientist” when it comes to arrangement. Sihle, the second guitarist, focuses on leads, adding “colourful textures.” Mikey handles visuals, capturing “a peek into madness.” Sedi writes lyrics, sometimes with Biko, but the whole group contributes ideas.
Lerato La Rona is an impressive album because of the effortless interplay of languages and styles. Each member’s voice shines through, making this more than just musical democracy, it’s an expression of unity and representation. The DIY album was recorded in May at Substation Studios, with engineer Lucas Cowling shaping the final sound through mixing and mastering.
L.O.C. describe their creative process as organic. “It usually starts with a jam,” Sedi says. “Someone brings a spark, and if it hits, we each add our sauce until it becomes a full piece of art.” That collaborative spirit drives their genre-blending sound, which draws from The Brother Moves On and BCUC.
For L.O.C., political commentary is central. “It’s the heart of what makes us tick,” they say. “We’re living in a time of conflict and disunity, and we hope our message helps mend the pain.” Their lyrics reflect national issues, always honest, often raw. “We take those realities and try to find a mending point, even if it means being brutally honest.” This is evident on “UMHLABA” which addresses the after effects of apartheid. The track echoes the spirit of Herbie Tsoaeli’s African Time, with a uniquely South African approach to musical storytelling.
But the project goes beyond politics; it explores identity and community. Their lived experience is embedded in both lyrics and melody, reflecting the country’s complexities while offering hope. That hope nestles on the strong emphasis on the change love can create.
Tracks like “7/5” showcase their range, with punk, jazz, and psychedelic rock colliding. “UNGANGBIZI,” a track about the power of self-understanding, brims with confidence. These songs show how the band flows between genres without ever losing its core message.
This genre-fluidity has earned them a growing fan base that defies easy categorisation. “We’ve never felt tied to one demographic,” Sedi says. “Our sound reflects South Africa’s diversity. We’ve been embraced by the punk scene, the jazz crowd, the alt kids—it speaks to how open people are to what we’re doing.”
The reception to the band has been overwhelmingly positive. “People connected with the world we were trying to build,” Sile explains. L.O.C. sees themselves as part of a broader local music renaissance. “Live music is re-emerging in a way that lets artists step into their work with more intention,” Sile notes. They’ve crossed paths with acts like Operation Khataza and Moskitos, who embody this same spirit.
Unlike many bands, they aren’t chasing big-name collaborations or dream festivals. “We’ve never been about that,” Sedi explains. “We’re focused on staying true to our expression and reaching as many spaces and people as possible.”
Their message to fans is simple: “Freedom is possible. True harmony starts from the ground up—by uplifting each other and building a better world for the next generation.”
L.O.C. have made a huge statement with Lerato La Rona. They’ve established themselves as movers and shakers. They also prove that love, in all its forms—is still the most powerful force for unity. As the band puts it: “Let’s treat each other with love and respect. It’s really not that hard to do the right thing and let go of the ego.”
