KSMBA is the classical musician turned DJ, making and mixing music that gets us moving. Having studied at the Royal College of Music in London as a saxophonist, and graduating with a Bachelor of Music Performance with Honors, KSMBA discovered the world of DJing a few years ago, and found their space. With a love of dance music that is hypnotic and deep, KSMBA embodies free, unfiltered energy. Dancing to the beat, KSMBA wore the new limited edition exclusive CHANEL Première Sound watch and wired headphones, while speaking to 10 Magazine Australia about the magic of music:

Give us the KSMBA lowdown. When did you begin DJing and working in music?

My musical background is actually in Classical Music! I was a classical saxophonist (niche) in my previous musical life, and studied in London at the Royal College of Music. When I graduated, Covid hit, and it was a lockdown induced existential crisis that helped me to realise I wasn't quite on the right path. Then on a bit of a whim I gave DJing a go. I can't lie it was pretty much love at first sight, and that was almost two years ago now!

What or who inspired your musical journey?

My journey as a DJ/Producer has been immensely influenced by the Black and Queer pioneers of techno.

Who have you worked with who has helped to shape the world of KSMBA or perhaps a mentor etc.

I would have to say the biggest influence in shaping my musical world over the past few years has been the QTPOC scene here in Naarm. Specifically, my very dear friend and fellow DJ/Producer, Tinika.

We know that fashion and style is important to you. How would you describe your style?

There's a beautiful quote by the inimitable Audre Lorde: “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” The way that I choose to dress my body, is an opportunity to be intentional with how I show up in the world and how I take up space.

Who are your style icons?

My style icons are people who dare to take up space in a radical way. People/Designers such as Assata Shakur, Angela Y Davis, Audre Lorde, Wackie Ju, Minming Zhou.

Describe your sound, for those first time listeners?

Percussive, Rhythmic and Groovy Techno.

If you were to soundtrack a fashion show, which piece of music would you include?

The Love It Took To Leave You by Colin Stetson.

‍What’s on your playlist at the moment? Which artists are you excited about?

Gosh there are too many to name. Colin Stetson, Tinika, Shabaka Hutchings, Sons of Hidden, Hasvat Informant, to name a few.

If you had to listen to one artist for the rest of your life on your headphones who would it be?

A throwback to my years as a classical musician, but the answer most definitely is Mahler.

What’s something that’s inspiring you right now aside from music?

My second true love after music is literature. I constantly have several books on the go, and this has always been a huge source of inspiration.

What’s next?

A free Palestine, Congo, Sudan, West Papua, and an end to all colonial occupations.

Listen to KSMBA's Top Ten Tracks here:

Photography BYRON SPENCER
Styling ABBY BENNETT
Makeup FILOMENA NATOLI using CHANEL Beauty
Hair RICHARD KAVANAGH
Digital Operator KURT BINGHAM
Motion Assistant TAJ HOLMES & ANABEL BURROWS
Styling Assistant CHELSEA HOLM
Producer BEC DEASY

The CHANEL Première Sound watch, a long sautoir necklace that doubles as wired headphones, is available in Australia from today.

chanel.com