Petite Noir

Ambitious 22-year old Yannick Ilunga of Petite Noir tries to bridge the gap between with his noir wave, which he describes as new wave with an African aesthetic. According to The Guardian, it’s the sound of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures meeting Paul Simon in Graceland. To us, it’s pure pop bliss. We briefly talked to the Cape Town-based producer about how ideals fit into his world

Interview by Brenda Bosma, photos shot by Nico Krijno in Cape Town, South Africa

‘My band name is misspelled, it should be “petit noire”, but that’s cool. I can do whatever I want’

Are you like a ‘petit prince’ marching through the adult world?

‘Everyone needs to grow and experience what is out there. There are a lot of ignorant people who just stay comfortable in their own little bubble and don’t care about growing up and trying to make some sort of difference. I try to do my share by making the music that I make, music from where I come from, my culture.’

So, you’re not in it to teach kids to get their spelling right?

‘I don’t really consider myself a teacher, but if there’s anything I’d like to teach them it’s to do whatever you want to do. So yeah, my band name is misspelled, it should be “petit noire”, but that’s cool. I can do whatever I want.’

You’ve been called the saviour of South African music. Do you feel like one?

‘I don’t think that’s very accurate, but in terms of colliding two worlds, new wave and the African aesthetic, yeah, maybe I am a little.’

Okay, but how are you going to save us?

‘I guess I’m gonna take you out of a fucked-up society with my music.

‘I definitely want to try to make a sustainable contribution for my country and my generation and actually mean something’

About your musical journey. You were into metal and rock music as a kid. I read that listening to metal music can make you regulate feelings of sadness and even anger, that it’s better to listen to Pantera than to smash a window to pieces.

‘Music is definitely some sort of outlet. It’s a way to relax. I was always interested in anything that wasn’t pop or rap. Listening to metal helped me to discover my musical abilities and play guitar. As my music taste broadened, I started blending. All the things I’ve listened to helped make the sound that I’m making right now.’  

In the song ‘Noise’ you sing about having a party. You think that maybe that’s the best ideology, to try and make everybody feel good?

‘I don’t think it’s the key to a good life or anything, but it’s good to socialise. With a certain regulation, parties are good. I think for me believing in noir wave is an idealistic way of seeing things. Those things being the bridge that spans the black and the white. Right now I’m not really capable of making much of a difference, but I definitely want to try to make a sustainable contribution for my country and my generation and actually mean something.’

Petite Noir makes his Amsterdam debut at OT301 on 21 July and it’s free for members.