Korean hip-hop duo Non Smokers Club on new single 'DICKIES' and finding inspiration through Latin music
Non Smokers Club's new double single 'DICKIES' is out now!
Welcome to Bunni Pop extras! From time to time, I will post updates here with new music and profiles of up-and-coming artists. This week, I’m very excited to introduce readers to Non Smokers Club, a duo that is finding influence from Latin American music!
(Photo credit: 0mg)
While pop music continues to dominate much of the Korean music scene, the beauty of the industry is how artists find ways to fuse genres together to create an original sound of their own.
Non Smokers Club is a duo that does just that, finding inspiration through Latin American culture and other genres including jersey club and flamenco in their music.
The pair, comprised of members Herr Nayne and zuo, recently released their double single “DICKIES” on May 16th which features two new tracks.
The duo officially debuted last August, and are hoping to help reshape the Korean music scene with their Latin-infused sound.
Taking inspiration from the reggaeton genre, Non Smokers Club’s lead single “Dickies” — which takes the same name as their double single — makes listeners feel as though they are relaxing on a beach with a drink in hand. Meanwhile, their second track, “Bandonin’, is heavily influenced by the jersey club scene and is more suited for the dance floor.
Non Smokers Club recently had a chance to chat with Bunni Pop about DICKIES, finding inspiration from Latin American artists and what drives their passion to keep making music together.
(Photo credit: 0mg)
Hello Herr Nayne and zuo! Congratulations on the release of DICKIES! For those just getting to know your music and Non Smokers Club, please introduce yourself and how you would best describe your sound.
Hello, Bunni Pop and people in Canada! We are Non Smokers Club. We are a multi-genre duo based in Seoul and Busan, South Korea. We love Latin-influenced music in general and we decided to enhance our elements of K-pop with influences of Latin music genres.
Tell me the story behind your artist name, Non Smokers Club. What's the inspiration behind it?
We are actually both non smokers so it was only right to name ourselves that, but we also wanted to show the world that creativity doesn't have boundaries. Non smokers can be equally creative and powerful as their smoking counterparts. Also smoke means fight/conflict in English slang and our foundation is hip hop so we as a duo want to show a bit of our hip hop flair. 'Non smoker' [implies] no conflict or ending conflicts. Just to set the record straight, we don't discriminate! It's just we are non smokers and both smokers and non smokers could also enjoy our music.
What’s the story behind your new songs: "Dickies" and "Bandonin'“?
Originally, when we made “Dickies,” we had a different wild, mosh-pit in a house of Latinos and Latinas type of sound. We would say the original genre we aimed at was hip-hop so it was aggressive. But zuo wanted to appeal the song “Dickies” to not only hip hop fans but also beyond that. So we rearranged it at the end.
The track “Bandonin'“ is about a man who says good-bye to his lover or loved one because he has a goal to chase after. It's a song about a short farewell. We thought flamenco would do the story just. And of course, dance and jersey club music are on the rise so we fused them.
Latin American music is a big inspiration for your songs. Who did you find yourself listening to a lot while making DICKIES?
Herr Nayne: I love Nelly Furtado and Jessie Reyez! Of course, we can't forget to mention Anitta, Becky G, C. Tangana, MC Kevin O Chris...ahh there are just so many! But also we appreciate the previous generation of K-pop artists like Eun Ji Won and LeeSsang who paved the way for the old Latin influenced K-pop.
(Photo credit: 0mg)
Bahraini artist Kavin Al Naseeb created a visualizer for "DICKIES", and he is someone who has worked with big name artists including PartyNextDoor but also Drake's label OVO Sound. What was it about his vision that made it the perfect fit for your music?
zuo found out about him two years ago. And he just kept growing. His visuals are simple but insanely detailed. That's why we wanted to work with him.
The two of you are solo artists in your own right. What is the story of how the two of you met?
Herr Nayne: His friend knew of and was a fan of me in 2017 or so. He was also a musician and wanted to meet me in person but he lived too far. So he sent his buddy zuo instead and that's how we met. It's random, we know.
What made you want to make music together?
zuo: Fifa and Playstation. (LOL) It was only right. We shared studio together and got each other's back since we linked. Both of us are pretty laidback but passionate when it comes to music. So yeah, it was definitely not a coincidence.
What is the key to having fun when you're in the studio together producing music?
Herr Nayne: I always tell zuo, "If it ain't fun, why do it?" Also, because we are a duo and collaborations in art [and] business are inevitable so trust is also a key factor for us.
What is one thing that you’ve learned from each other as independent artists but also performing together?
We are a two-men army which means we have specific roles. Both of us are humans so we also got pros and cons. Working as a duo undoubtedly enhances our strength.
Many around the world are just getting to know how diverse the Korean music scene is. How do you see your music contributing to the diversity of sounds in your country?
We are just having fun and Latin music happened to be the genre. Of course, diversity is important. But for now, we just want to have fun and see how the boat will sail.
What is your advice for other Asian artists out there who want to carve out their own path in this industry?
Have fun. But treat it like it's your job.
What do you want to achieve together as a duo in the short and long term?
We want to perform more for clubs and festivals. That's our short term. Also, let our music be known in K-pop + Latin community in Canada! Our vision is set on having a world tour. So one day, if we ever get to visit Canada, we would love to have a show in Toronto.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Follow Non Smokers Club on Instagram!
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