Meet Musician Christiaan Kamstra

Christiaan Kamstra is a South African musician and entrepreneur. Born into a family of musicians, his father was the drummer for the popular 80’s band Stonehenge, and his uncle was a guitarist playing for multiple bands touring South Africa. Christiaan picked up a guitar at a young age and began playing and writing his own music. His music can be classified as Pop, with catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and a distinct sound that sets him apart from other artists in the genre. 

He has written and composed 12 original songs, with 5 of them currently out on social media platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram. His songs “HOME,” “HOLD,” and “Don’t tell me what to do” have received significant traction reaching more than 3 million views and praise from music enthusiasts. Apart from his musical pursuits, Christiaan is also the Global Operation Director of Velochi Interior and Exhibition, a company which has a global footprint operated in the United Kingdom and Turkey for the past 12 years. Before that, he worked for Media24, a South African media company, where he gained invaluable experience and knowledge that he now applies to his music career. 

Christiaan is happily married to his wife Debanjali Kamstra, and they have two beautiful daughters, Tiffany and Victoria. With his family’s support, Christiaan continues to pursue his passion for music, bringing his unique sound and style to audiences around the world. His passion for music is evident in his soulful performances, and with his talent and dedication, he is poised to make a significant impact in the music industry. 

How did you first get interested in music, and what motivated you to start playing guitar?

My interest in music started when I was very young. I was always drawn to the sound of music and found myself humming along to the songs I heard on the radio. When I was eight years old, my uncle Dirky who since passed away given me first guitar and I was immediately hooked. I was motivated to start playing by the idea of being able to make music. I wanted to be able to create something that sounded beautiful and could be shared with others. I also found the challenge of learning and mastering the instrument to be very rewarding.

Can you describe your creative process when it comes to writing and composing music?

My creative process usually starts with a concept or idea. Once I have the concept, I’ll spend some time brainstorming and creating melodies, chords, and rhythms that will help bring the concept to life. Then I’ll start the actual writing process, which involves a lot of trial and error, experimenting with different cords or keys depending on the instrument, and refining what I’ve written until I’m happy with it. Once I’m happy with the song, I’ll move on to the composing process, which involves arranging the song and adding additional layers of instruments and orchestration usually to give the song a unique feel, however all of my songs generally one instrument , then finally, I’ll record the song in the best possible sonic quality. 

Your songs have a distinct sound that sets you apart from other artists in the pop genre. How do you cultivate and refine your musical style?

I believe that the best way to cultivate and refine your musical style is to experiment, take risks, and be open to different sources of inspiration. It is important to stay true to your own vision and have a clear idea of what sound you are going for. As a songwriter, I always try to find ways to challenge myself and push my sound in new directions, if you look at ED Sheeran his style and sound is only one and no one sounds like him. This could be done through experimenting with different instruments, production techniques, and vocal styles. I also draw inspiration from different genres, cultures, and eras of music. Finally, it is important to get feedback from other professionals to see how your songs are being received and what can be done to further refine them.

How do you balance your career as the Global Operation Director of Veloché Interior and Exhibition with your music career?

Balancing my career as the Global Operation Director of Veloche with my music career is no easy feat, not mentioning being a family man also requires attention. It requires me to be incredibly organized and prioritize my tasks. I make sure to plan ahead and create a schedule for my days and weeks that allows me to give both my career and music career the attention they need. I also make sure to take regular breaks throughout the day to give myself a mental break and clear my head. Lastly, I make sure to never overcommit myself and accept tasks that I know I can accomplish in a timely manner.

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your music career, and how have you overcome them?

The biggest challenges I’ve faced in my music career is staying motivated and inspired when faced with creative blocks or writer’s block. Also a key element is finding the right producers or recording companies to design the unique sound I’m looking for. With regards to writers block I’ve found it helpful to take a break from writing or producing music and find some other activities to do that are unrelated to music, which is quite challenging since its not just hobby but a passion and even if you are in the gym trying to relax your mind needs music to keep you motivated. Additionally, I believe collaborating with other artists in order to get inspired and to come up with new ideas will also help to motivate and inspire new music and to get over creative blocks.

Your songs have received significant traction on social media platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, and YouTube. How do you leverage these platforms to reach a wider audience?

My song HOME have received significant traction on social media platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube. How do I leverage these platforms……. 1. Utilize influencers: Reach out to influencers on social media platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube and get them to share your song with their followers. 2. Promote with Ads: Paid campaigns are one of the best ways to reach a wider audience on social media platforms. 3. Leverage playlists: Getting your song featured on playlists on YouTube or SoundCloud can help you reach a larger audience. 4. Create content around your song: Create interesting content around your song such as videos, behind-the-scenes footage, or interviews with the artist to generate more interest and engagement. 5. Use hashtags: Use relevant hashtags when promoting your song on social media platforms to help it reach a wider audience. 6. Collaborate with other artists: Collaborating with other artists to reach a wider audience is still something on my to do list. 7. Host live streams: Hosting live streams of your song on social media platforms can help you reach a larger and more engaged audience, like in all the songs I release I do a live stream and explain the song play it live. 8. Engage with your followers: Engaging with your followers on social media platforms can help you build a loyal fanbase and grow your reach.

Can you tell us about a particularly memorable performance or moment in your music career so far?

One particularly memorable performance in my music career so far was when I was invited to open for a Dad’s band Stonehenge in the city, it was at full capacity and was my very first time playing live and alone onstage. The crowd was amazing and I had so much fun playing my songs. It was an incredible experience and one that I will always remember.

How do you stay up to date with current trends and developments in the music industry, and how do you adapt your approach accordingly?

To stay up to date with current trends and developments in the music industry, I try to read industry publications, attend music conferences and seminars, and network with other industry professionals. I also use online resources like blogs, podcasts, and social media to stay informed. Additionally, I research the music of artists that are currently successful in the industry, to see what strategies they are using and to see if any of those strategies can be applied to my own music. Finally, I make sure to stay open to new ideas and perspectives, so I can be flexible and adapt my approach if needed.

Your family has a strong musical background. How has this influenced your own musical journey?

Growing up in a family with a strong musical background has had a huge influence on my own musical journey. I was constantly surrounded by music and musicians, so I was exposed to a variety of genres, instruments, and techniques from a very young age. This helped me to develop my own unique style and sound, as well as giving me the confidence to experiment and explore different musical avenues. Additionally, my family has been incredibly supportive of my musical aspirations, and their encouragement has been invaluable to me in pursuing my passion for music.

What are your goals and aspirations for your music career in the coming years, and how do you plan to achieve them?

My goals and aspirations for my music career in the coming years are to continue to grow my fan base and reach a wider audience. With continues networking and pushing for gig and airtime on Virgin Radio I plan to achieve this by creating and releasing music consistently, connecting with fans through social media, performing live online, and collaborating with other artists. I also plan to continue to develop my skills as a songwriter and producer, and to reach out to industry professionals in order to gain new opportunities.

Christiaan Kamstra Can Be Listened To On Spotify , Youtube , Pandora & Soundcloud