"People who love and support my sound made me take my music journey more intentional". - Irvh

On image: Sihle Somane also known as Irvh.

Let’s get to know the incredible musician by the name of Sihle Somana, stage name – Irvh. Sihle was born and bred in Port Elizabeth also known as Gqeberha, Eastern Cape and still resides in the same city.

When did you start with your music and what inspired you to go for it? “I started making my own beats and writing songs in 2016 but quit all that late 2016. I was then drawn back into doing music mid 2018 when I started doing covers with my acoustic guitar and posting them up on Instagram as this was much more therapeutic than anything I had tried. Music allowed me to express myself while having fun with it. It was not until late 2019 where I got into writing again, performing my then unreleased songs on Nelson Mandela University stages and it is safe to say the people that commented on my cover videos are what inspired me to go for it. I knew that me not going for it would be a spit on their faces because they had so much faith and belief in me. I doubt I would have recorded any song if it was not for them”.

Kind of music and genre you do? And share about your recent EP: “I’m quite versatile when it comes to genres. If a melody provokes some emotion in me then I will write on it. I will respond to the melody and tell it what it wants to hear. I believe that me having a broad taste in music is what lead to me being able to do so many different genres be it Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop/Trap or even the house instrumentals I had unofficially released in 2019, I literally listen to everything. If it’s fire then I’m bumping it on blast".

"The EP is titled “My Dark, Twisted Asylum” for a reason. I unpack on topics we tend to avoid talking about. I expose myself to the listener who might be going through the same stuff that I’m dealing with by telling my stories from my own personal life on the darker songs included on the EP so as to say, “You’re not alone, sikhala sibaningi.” The EP has a little something for every type of listener so please do check it out".

Share about your nomination on the 041Awards and how you do you feel about it? “I’m not one to pay much attention to the noise I have been making thus far in this P.E music industry as I am constantly obsessing over achieving the bigger goals I have set up for myself, that nomination had me shocked for a while and it has hardly sunk in even now. The MAMA award nomination was one thing, but 041 Best Newcomer?! “Gerrarra here man”, he exclaimed. I am grateful for all the love and support I have been receiving".

Stream my EP here: My Dark, Twisted Asylum EP

Connect with me here:

Facebook: Sihle Somana

Instagram: sihle somana

Twitter: Sihle Somana

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