Joseph Rutakangwa Releases “Summer We Were Young”
Is there a particular ethos behind the single/EP/album or any particular music styles or events that inspired it?
"Summer We Were Young" comes from one of my most beautiful summer memories back in high school. Last month, on June 18th, I was playing my keyboard at home when this melody came to me, and it instantly brought back that beautiful summer memory. I ended up writing the whole song that night. I called my producer Nathan, hit the studio the next day, and we made the song. It was a 12-hour non-stop music session (I always make my songs in one sitting), and we came out with this song. The song gets me energized. I love the dancing beats mixed with the feeling of nostalgia, making you want to freeze time forever.
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Can you briefly describe what the song/each song is about?
"Summer We Were Young" is about those unforgettable summer days of our youth, filled with fun, freedom, and a bit of nostalgia. It's about the magic of feeling young and carefree, and wishing we could hold onto those perfect moments forever. The song combines upbeat, danceable rhythms with a wistful longing for the past, making it a celebration of youthful memories that everyone can relate to.
Please provide a one or two-line personal quote that can be attributed to a band member, about either the band themselves or the release. Obviously the more eye-catching this is the better.
"Recording 'Summer We Were Young' was like bottling up pure joy and nostalgia. Every beat feels like a dance through our favorite summer memories." - Joseph Rutakangwa
How and where did you get together?
I started my journey in 2020. It was during the pandemic that I realized the importance of not postponing dreams. The uncertainty of those times pushed me to finally share my passion for music with the world, and I began releasing my tracks that summer. It was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of my artistic journey.
What are the band's main influences?
What inspires my view of art is deeply rooted in my upbringing and the central role music played in my life. Growing up, my home was filled with music from morning to night, thanks to our extensive collection of vinyl records, CDs, and cassettes. We had a music system with a vinyl record player, a multi-CD player, and a cassette player connected to eight speakers, which ensured that the sounds resonated throughout the entire house. My mom had a deep love for artists like Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Michael Bolton, Phil Collins, and Don Williams - to name a few. Each of these artists brought a different flavor to our home, from the soulful melodies of Stevie Wonder to the powerful vocals of Whitney Houston and the timeless tunes of Phil Collins. On the other hand, my dad's musical preferences included legends such as Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, ABBA, Beethoven, Mozart, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka - to name a few. The contrast between my mom's and dad's music choices created a rich, diverse soundscape. The smooth jazz of Louis Armstrong, the classic charm of Frank Sinatra, the upbeat rhythms of ABBA, and the classical masterpieces of Beethoven and Mozart added layers of depth to my musical exposure. My brother and I would often explore the shelves, picking random CDs to play, introducing us to an even broader array of genres and artists. We would listen to everything from the hard rock anthems of Guns N' Roses to the iconic pop of Michael Jackson and the reggae beats of Bob Marley. This eclectic mix fostered in me a deep appreciation for the diversity of music and its unique ability to evoke different emotions. For me, art, especially music, is all about the feelings it stirs within me. It has the power to transport me to the past, project me into the future, or create an alternative present where I'm experiencing something entirely new. This emotional journey that music offers is what truly inspires my view of art. It’s about how art can move us, change us, and help us see the world from different perspectives. The way music evokes memories, dreams, and emotions is the core of my artistic inspiration, reminding me of the beauty and complexity that art brings into our lives.