Band Interview: Ruff Majik

Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life are pleased to bring you an interview with South African Sludge ‘n Rollers Ruff Majik! The band released their new album Tårn on May 3rd and you can read our review here.

1. Hi. Thanks for talking with us. Can you give us a little background into the creation of Ruff Majik?

Hey guys, no worries, thanks for getting in contact!

Ruff Majik started out as a garage/grunge project, in a literal garage, in early 2013. We were mostly just partying a lot, but had some ideas for songs, and decided to get down to business and record them. So we ended up getting a buddy with 2 mics in a garage, recorded our first EP live in one take, and that was that. From there some people took notice and we started playing more live shows etc.

2. Sludge and Roll…love that as a term to describe your music. Who came up with it?

Some guy on the internet. To be specific, he called us “new wave stoner groove, or maybe sludge ‘n roll?” hahahaha. We used it to describe ourselves maybe once or twice and it just kinda stuck after that. Although I don’t really think we’re actually sludge or rock ‘n roll.

3. It seems to us in the UK that the South African rock and metal scene is really beginning to get traction worldwide now. Is this something you see? How proud are you to be part of it?

Yeah it’s real cool! A lot of our friends and some really badass bands are getting up on international stages now, and it’s great to see. From every genre too. Bands like Vulvodynia, BCUC, Make – Overs, Medicine Boy and The Valley are really fucking smashing it. And you know, it’s good to see good folks doing good.

4. Your new album Tårn has been out for a couple of weeks now. How are you finding the reception to it?

I think it’s mostly positive. People are digging the new evolving sound and getting into the heavier side of Ruff Majik. We’re still pretty lo-fi though, so I guess that’s not for everyone. But who knows, maybe we’ll do the next one different, or maybe we’ll record it in a cave!

5. It is a banger, one of the finest of the year. Would you call it your best work so far?

Thanks, that’s very kind of you to say. I think it’s us finally finding our footing and sound. I always think our newest album is the best one so far hahaha, but I try not to dwell on it – cause next year there will be a new one, and it will sound vastly different yet again.

6. How are you surviving in a world where it’s all about YouTube clicks and digital streaming? Helping or hindering?

Actually, I’m pretty sure that’s what got us to where we are now. If it wasn’t for some specific channels uploading, sharing and retweeting, we’d still just be knocking out bangers in the garage and waking up with hangovers midweek. The latter still happens, but at least we’re playing shows so it feels justified.

7. What do three fellas from South Africa do when they’re not making top quality music?

See above answer, hahahahaha! Well honestly we don’t have many hobbies outside of making music. We like quality films (no bubblegum shit), we like listening to good music, and most of all, we like going out to shows and watching bands. When we have a day off, we go to watch a show. Death metal, black metal, hip hop, stoner rock, jazz, whatfuckingever – as long as it’s live and it’s good we’ll be there.

8. What’s the plan for the rest of 2019? Shows? International tours? Basically, get yourselves over to the UK please!

We’ll most likely see the UK in early 2020, depending on how our current fall touring schedule will pan out. Right now we’re dealing with a logistical rehousing to Germany, which is a lot more work than we were expecting. Although we have some festivals coming up in next month, specifically Smoke Over Warsaw and Rock In Bourlon.

Find out more/keep up to date with news by checking out Ruff Majik’s website, Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube Channel.