SKOLWANE - MUSIC MADE  EXTRA ORDINARY

By RubySage

 

27 March 2026

 

 As we navigate through our days, inevitably, we will constantly meet people from all walks of life.  However, finding ‘your’ kind of people, the type of people that you feel an instant connection with is a less frequent occurrence.  I have been privileged enough to meet a number of ‘my people’ since starting my journey in the local live music scene.  And one of these ‘my tribe’ kind of people is Skolwane’s Wesley.  Oddly enough, it was another one of ‘my tribe’ kind of people, ex Skolwane and current Indie Dog drummer, Dylan, who put us in contact.  (Thank you, Dylan!)

 Skolwane played at one of my gigs recently and I jumped at the opportunity to secure an ‘interview’ with their front man, Wesley, for Ruby’s Review and for this blog.   It was imperative that I find out more about this person and his amazing band!

 And on that note, I invite you to read along as I delve deeper into the world of Wesley, discovering more about this Muso of the Moment.

  

Q:  Tell us a bit about yourself... Who are you? Have you always wanted to make music?  How old where you when you realized that's what you want to do? Or were you born a rock star? 

  >A: I'm an ordinary guy doing what I believe to be ordinary. From a very young age i have always been engaged with music. Music made me feel, and that's what kept me musical throughout my life and surely it will continue to always be a true medium to how I feel. 

 

 Q:  Tell us about the journey of Skolwane .... How/ when/ where/ what /who/ etc.  And Why the name, ‘Skolwane’ ?

  >A: SKOLWANE is my most recent project that has sustained some value and growth as the journey lengthened since 2023

 The name came to me when I was in the mountain peaks of Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), alone, and song writing. I was somewhat or something relevant to the name. But most forwardly, the meaning of the word, ' Skolwane',  is taking a stand against prejudice, social pressure and powers that hurt. (Skolwane is a siSwati slang word for 'streetdog' - watch the interview on youtube by searching 'Skolwane'). I have been up and down and everywhere, and so does a street dog, being wherever they want to be and following their own rules. 

 

Q: About the band members: Who are the band members and what are their respective roles in the band? Where you all born rock stars? 

  >A: There are four in the band.

Myself, I am the bassist and do lead vocals.

Trevor is our lead guitarist;

Rikus is the rhythm guitarist and

 Luke, our drummer. 

 The members joined SKOLWANE in November of 2025 with Luke starting in January 2026.  So we are fresh and that's perfect for journey with the album.  All band members have their virtues with their instruments, and although they are phenomenal musicians, they are even more amazing people with real lives and real passion for music. 

 

Q: Who writes your songs or is it team effort?

 >A: I have been writing songs from the age of 12 and have not stopped writing ever since. With a library of registered compositions, the band is rehearsing past written material as well as newly written material this 2026. 

 

Q:   What inspires you to write what you write?  Are your ideas and topics born from random thoughts, emotion or simply put, life?

> A: I hear the songs wherever I can be, or whatever I can be doing, playing in my head, the full arrangement. I never truly understand the meaning but only till later in life. It’s funny how relevance can be established so much later than the truth inside of you. 

 

Q: Share one awkward fact and /or embarrassing moment.  Maybe s happened at a show or just something random 

 >A: I once performed when I was really unwell with the flu. I didn’t want to let the crowd down so I went to the gig anyways. Blowing my nose in-between songs and ....it was an awkward show but we managed to pull through and entertain the crowd. 

 

 Q: How would you describe Skolwane's vibe, your Genre, or Niche if you will?

 > A: Skolwane isn't hooked on being labelled, if a song sounds good we play what it calls for, sometimes we may be low and soft, then loud and hard and sometimes in between. 

 

Q: Upcoming gigs/recordings / launches?

 > A: We have some shows in the months to come and a lot of work to do in the background, like videos and interviews. Keep an eye on our social media for updates. 

We are truly blessed to have met so many good people along the way who have helped us move forward faster than we have expected. 

 

Q:  Where can we find your music? On all major streaming platforms? 

 > A: Skolwane is a Google recognized artist/band. So just ‘Google’ us and we come up (even on Google AI). Streaming platforms we are based on about 27 platforms. I can't even name them all, but the recognizable one's we are easily found, for instance  Spotify and Apple music. 

 

Q:  One word of advice for new upcoming musos? 

 > A: Don't stop composing; the value is in the song, not the perception 

 

Q:  Share one fun fact that we don't know about you.

 >A: I enjoy nature and have hiked trails never hiked before. 

 

Q:  Noteworthy band bragging rights?  (Interviews, shows, sharing stages with big names, etc)

 >A: Google recognition goes a long way. I have performed on Etv. I also performed at the Meropa casino with Charlebass and a few other names. Skolwane's music plays in 29 different countries monthly.

 

 Q:  Any crazy fans stories?

  > A: I believe the best fans I ever saw was a video I, randomly, found online, of two young kids, no older than 10, I’m sure, singing the Chorus to a SKOLWANE song ‘Piece of your Heaven’. To this day that makes me smile. 

 

Q:   Being a band of heartthrobs... Are there any available bachelors that all your girl (or boy) fans would be thrilled to know about?

 >A: I guess it's time to blush.  Rikus and I are both single. (wink wink, nudge nudge)

Trevor and Luke are happily married.

Ps. I enjoy long walks on the beach (hahahaha)

 

Q: We played the song BLOW on the show.  Can you tell us a bit about this song ?

>A:  The song BLOW is about a relationship with life. Life can be tough, but we still want it, this life, even though it gets really tough at times.  So, basically the song is dedicated to life.  “…I want you to be here anyway…” that is life that is wanted.  So, in essence, the word 'you' in the song is directed to and at life.

Thank you Wesley!

Take a moment and give Skolwane a listen and a follow.  They can be found on all major streaming platforms…You won’t regret it!

If you missed it, listen to the full show and review, here:

https://musiciansdomain.com/members/jollingwithseanmcbride/activity/6580/