Embracing music and fashion as forms of self-expression, ambitious London-based newcomer DEYAZ is stepping up and breaking out.
Words: Martyn Young.
Photos: Frank Fieber.
Deyaz's debut mixtape 'WHY NOT' was the kind of seismic success that instantly catapults an artist to another level. After 10 years of grafting in everything from hardcore punk bands to academic classical instrumentation, the East Londoner with a masterful music approach was being feted everywhere with high-profile shows, a massive tour with Jesse Reyez and a stunning debut telly appearance on Later With Jools Holland. The whole thing garnered a mind-bending 10 million plus streams, and it was clear to everyone that Deyaz was a serious musical talent. So, how do you follow up on this huge success? Well, it's by building on the foundations and values that got Deyaz there as he explores and reflects on his inner self and seeks to enrich and soothe the lives of all the people who have fallen so deeply for his expansive and deeply emotional music.
He starts by explaining how the importance of family underpins everything he does. "I'm a pretty simple person," he says. "Outside of music, a thing that I like is animals. I'm obsessed with my French bulldogs. I have three. Mum, dad and daughter. They're a big grounding point for me. Family is a massive one for me. Music and family, that's my world. Rocky is the dad, Moon is the mum, and Sachi is their daughter. Sachi is a Japanese name for miracle, as Moon had to have a c-section to get the pup out. She wasn't breathing, but they did this acupuncture on her nose, and she came back to life."
In a similarly restorative way, Deyaz's music has the quality of bringing something back to life. Sometimes, he can sound wounded and vulnerable, like on this summer's striking single 'Numb', but more often than not, his music is filtered through a vivid prism of hope and catharsis. In the wake of 'WHY NOT', he has received numerous enriching messages from people explaining how his music has touched them and shaped their lives.
