24.06.24
In Conversation: OJ Kush
We sat down to chat with Melbourne music collective OJ Kush
It’s no secret that Kapital operates on a kind-of free form, stream of consciousness design plane. Their clothes—from customised denim to patchwork sweatshirts or idiosyncratically printed silk shirts—evoke a feeling of awe and wonder. There’s always a tilting of the head amazement, if not stunned amusement. Like a long walk down the neck of a double bass, there’s a method to the madness—similar to the way a skilled musician always finds their way home.
We’re never short on words for Kapital. We love how they deliver on the pieces we’ve come to know and love season after season, yet still manage to surprise us.
Occupying a similar space—one between jazz, funk, hip-hop, boogie & house—sits OJ Kush, a Melbourne collective of musicians. The group share and exchange music through performances that meander and evolve, organically finding their place and sound through unique, one-off performances.
“[Our] music is just a byproduct of exploring and jamming”, explains Lewis Hosie, OJ Kush’s keyboardist and producer.
“The idea of OJ Kush is about improvised music and reinterpretation music, all together it’s therapeutic," says the group’s DJ, sampler and producer Amin Payne. “We get to really express ourselves and communicate through music”.
What better group then, to have in the new Kapital collection? If you’re professionally expressive, then everything around you starts to present itself as an opportunity to define oneself. Fashion is no different.
Just like their music, clothes and fashion is a form of communication—explains the group’s trumpet player and producer, Felix Meredith. “It’s all got to work together—your musical style, your visual aesthetic. All those things make up who you are and if you’re dishonest about those things, people usually pick that up.”
Still riding the heady highs of playing our Flinders Lane Store opening, Tentendo is OJ Kush’s bass player and producer. Known for his own “layered percussion and thick synths”, his “lush, RnB, neo-soul” style is recognised the world over. As the group’s bass player, he’s the keeper of rhythm and groove for the band, letting each gig’s individual expression take its form. As his music tastes have developed, he has seen his style change too.
“I guess you naturally kind of adapt your style as your tastes evolve” he tells us.
Kapital just keeps doing what Kapital does best, which means doing whatever Kapital wants. They know the hits and the classics, but sometimes—like a great gig—the journey is just as important as the destination. There’s no rush, let it take its time, find its way.
“You just gotta trust your instinct,” says Felix, “If I see something that I love, I go for it.”
We’re never short on words for Kapital. We love how they deliver on the pieces we’ve come to know and love season after season, yet still manage to surprise us.
Occupying a similar space—one between jazz, funk, hip-hop, boogie & house—sits OJ Kush, a Melbourne collective of musicians. The group share and exchange music through performances that meander and evolve, organically finding their place and sound through unique, one-off performances.
“[Our] music is just a byproduct of exploring and jamming”, explains Lewis Hosie, OJ Kush’s keyboardist and producer.
“The idea of OJ Kush is about improvised music and reinterpretation music, all together it’s therapeutic," says the group’s DJ, sampler and producer Amin Payne. “We get to really express ourselves and communicate through music”.
What better group then, to have in the new Kapital collection? If you’re professionally expressive, then everything around you starts to present itself as an opportunity to define oneself. Fashion is no different.
Just like their music, clothes and fashion is a form of communication—explains the group’s trumpet player and producer, Felix Meredith. “It’s all got to work together—your musical style, your visual aesthetic. All those things make up who you are and if you’re dishonest about those things, people usually pick that up.”
Still riding the heady highs of playing our Flinders Lane Store opening, Tentendo is OJ Kush’s bass player and producer. Known for his own “layered percussion and thick synths”, his “lush, RnB, neo-soul” style is recognised the world over. As the group’s bass player, he’s the keeper of rhythm and groove for the band, letting each gig’s individual expression take its form. As his music tastes have developed, he has seen his style change too.
“I guess you naturally kind of adapt your style as your tastes evolve” he tells us.
Kapital just keeps doing what Kapital does best, which means doing whatever Kapital wants. They know the hits and the classics, but sometimes—like a great gig—the journey is just as important as the destination. There’s no rush, let it take its time, find its way.
“You just gotta trust your instinct,” says Felix, “If I see something that I love, I go for it.”