Hidden Conversations: The Muffinz

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In lead-up to their upcoming performance at Hidden Spaces, we caught up with Sfiso Atomza, one of the founding members of The Muffinz—the beloved Johannesburg-born band known for their blend of soul, funk, jazz, and African rhythms. In this wide-ranging conversation, he reflects on the band’s evolution, the power of collaboration, their views on the South African music scene, and what’s brewing for their long-awaited third album.

Read below…

How has The Muffinz’ sound evolved over the years?

The sound evolves as we evolve—both individually and as a band. While we do have primary songwriters, everyone contributes when necessary. There’s never been a strict or prescriptive process about how we should make music. We let it flow and refine where needed. Each member brings a unique skill set, and we capitalise on those. Some take lead roles in areas like musical direction or songwriting. As we grow and change, so does the sound.

What does your rehearsal process typically look like these days?

It’s a lot more planned than it used to be, mostly because our lives have become more complex. Between family, work, and other commitments, we have to schedule rehearsals in advance. We usually run through our current setlist, revisit covers we enjoy, and sometimes bring in new songs from individual members that fit the band’s sound. If a new song clicks, we bank it and might perform it live—depending on how ready we feel.

There’s a strong message-driven element to your music. Was that intentional from the start?

Yes, to a large extent. As one of the primary songwriters, I’ve always viewed music as both functional and enjoyable. With a background in communications, I’ve always appreciated music’s power to transmit messages. Meeting the gents, who share this outlook, strengthened that direction. It wasn’t always a conscious decision, but we naturally leaned toward music with meaning. Over time, we learned to better articulate our perspectives—through both lyrics and presence.

How do collaborations or partnerships influence your ability to reach audiences?

They play a major role. One of our core goals is to make live music accessible—especially to people from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. So we work with venues, sound providers, and brands that help reduce the cost of putting on a show. Because we’ve each lived varied lives—some of us more privileged than others—we understand different worlds. That diversity in background and perspective makes our music feel more inclusive. It’s like five different outlooks channeled into one sound.

How would you describe the South African music audience today?

South African audiences are actually quite experimental, despite popular assumptions. The apartheid government suppressed the diversity of Black music for years, but even then, artists created incredibly rich work. The rise of genres like Kwaito post-democracy proves that the youth are open to new things—if those things are given exposure. The real issue isn’t the audience, it’s infrastructure: the lack of support for discovery, and an overemphasis on superstardom.

At many festivals, there’s no culture of going to discover new artists—unlike in Europe. People want the names they already know. That pressures festivals to book big artists to draw crowds, which sidelines emerging talent. But when we’ve performed in unfamiliar spaces, where the organisers believe in us, we’ve often gained new fans. The audience responds—if they trust the source curating the experience.

Have you noticed changes in the local live music and festival scenes?

There’s definitely growth in the number of festivals—but not necessarily in diversity. Many of them follow the same branded lifestyle formula. We could use more variety, more spaces that allow people to experience something different, something unexpected. It’s happening in pockets, but there’s a lot of room for change.

After so many years together, what keeps the band motivated?

It’s the spirit of the collective. Watching this thing we started from nothing grow into not just a band but a brand—that’s been beautiful. Managing a group is never easy; you’re juggling different lives, moods, schedules, and personalities. But the desire to keep this alive keeps us going.

We haven’t released an album since 2015, and yet we’re still being booked, still traveling beyond Johannesburg, still resonating with audiences. That shows the music has staying power. It’s testament to our resilience and commitment to not let this thing die, no matter the challenges.

What’s the secret to keeping the harmony—both musically and personally?

Respect. Respect for each other’s voices, spaces, and differences. We don’t censor one another, and we don’t impose our preferences. We accept that we are different—some are louder, some are more reserved—and that balance creates harmony. And not just musically. There’s an emotional and spiritual harmony within the group. That’s what allows us to keep going, to create freely, and to stay connected.

What can fans expect from the upcoming Hidden Spaces performance?

Hidden Spaces is a special venue for us. The last time we played there, many people were seeing us live for the first time, and it was unforgettable. So for anyone joining us this time, expect five guys who sing and play with everything they’ve got. We’ll be performing music from our two albums and a few of our favourite covers—songs we wish we had written. We bring ourselves fully to the stage, with respect for the audience, the music, and the space that allows us to share.

What does the future hold for The Muffinz?

Right now, the direction isn’t locked down, but the goal is big. Our third studio album needs to be something out of this world—something that can truly reflect who we are and scale our message to more people. We’re still in early pre-production and looking for the right partners to help bring it to life. We believe the right ones will come. Until then, we’re on the journey—and we hope people will come along with us.

Catch The Muffinz live at Hidden Spaces this Friday — an intimate performance by one of South Africa’s most enduring and boundary-breaking bands.