A propos
Desire Marea’s voice is a culmination of many South African voices; a mouthpiece for a choir of spirits and entities. Prior to their solo output, Desire formed a part of beloved Joburg collective FAKA.
Throughout the last two years, the Amandawe based artist trained as Sangoma, a traditional Nguni spiritual healer. Becoming sangoma is not vocational, one must be called on by spirit. It is for one’s own spirit to die and become a vessel for others. This connection to spirits and ancestors is one that encapsulates the knowledge of the universe and redresses spiritual imbalances on the living plane. "In my work as a sangoma, ancient songs and drumming sequences are used to invoke spirits who live in me so I enter into a trance state. In my work as a musician, I heal people using music. It's a different kind of medicine but one in which I often have to channel different spirits, different truths and the essence of light."
Desire’s solo debut (2020) traversed electronic genres in an introspective exploration of modern love and loss. In contrast, the new album titled 'On the Romance of Being' was recorded live with an ensemble of 13 musicians, many songs being first take. The band includes award-winning Sibusiso Mashiloane and Sbu Zondi being pioneers of the Durban/Joburg jazz scene as well as Portia Sibiya, Andrei Van Wyk and Sanele Ngubane, prominent actors in South Africa’s experimental music circles. The album is immersed in the communal, ceremonial and healing qualities of music.
https://www.instagram.com/desiremarea
