Calico Club / in conversation with Ginton
Ginton has produced music for legends such as Wizkid, Koffee, Rico Nasty & Drake. Yes Drake. Not the smallest of names. His signature guitar style takes inspiration from the Santana’s en Jimi Hendrix’ of this world. Apart from producing he also has his own work and does that quite well if you ask us. A rising star in de international music scene, so well worth our attention and time. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him. And make sure you check out his work… inspirational!
1. How do you express your fashion sense in your music?
The relationship between fashion and music is very important to me. Clothing can make or break your music, because I think it’s a visual translation of your sound. Music isn’t something you only hear, but you can also see it. I always try and match my outfits to the vibe my music brings up. If I have a certain vibe in mind, I use fashion to reinforce it. For instance the energy I bring during a performance, what I’m wearing should express that same energy.
2. What are your key-pieces in an on-stage outfit?
I like simple but effective. Baggy high waist jeans are a must-have for me, because they’re comfortable and they give out that relaxed vibe. They give me freedom-of-movement which is essential during a performance. Clean and stylish is the name of the game, so it doesn’t distract from the music. The balance between comfort and style is always important to me.
3. What inspires you in making music and forming your fashion style?
I love the 70s, which have a big influence on me, my music and my fashion sense. I try and adapt the freedom and creativity from that era into something with a modern twist. I love combining the old with the new, which you can hear in music and see in my clothing. The vibe from that era inspires me to take risks and express myself in unique ways.
4. Could you take us with you in creating the track “Anywhere” and your collaboration with afropop star Tekno?
Now that was something. I got a DM from Mr. Eazi after he saw one of my guitar reels on Instagram. We started talking back and forth and I sent him the beat of Anywhere. I never expected to receive the track back with a verse from Tekno. It wasn’t planned or expected, so that was an awesome moment. A spontaneous collaboration out of nowhere. You can definitely feel the energy in that song.
5. Every artist has a message in their music: what’s yours?
Simple! Positivity and good vibes are what the world needs. My music should inspire people to achieve happiness, enjoy life and see things in a positive way, even when times are tough. I see music as a means to bring people together, despite where you’re from. I always try and achieve that, if it’s on- or off-stage.
6. If you could only fill your closet with one brand, what would it be?
To be honest with you I’m not really brand-minded. If I think something’s nice, something’s nice and I don’t care which label’s attached to it. Sometimes I have no idea which brand it is and find out much later. To me quality and appearance are important, not the brand it’s made by. Fashion means expression of style to me, not status.
7. With which artist do you hope to collaborate with in the future?
I prefer to discover new talent and show them to the world. Discovering new sounds and perspectives inspires me. I really think there are loads of young artists who I could make something special with. It’s not just about the established names for me, but also the new generation.
8. Which artist inspires you fashion-wise?
Old school artists like Sly Stone and James Brown are my go-to’s. Their style was uniek, daring and authentic. They used clothing in a way to enhance their music and that inspires me to do the same with my own career.