Last week I spoke with the South Korean hip-hop duo, ‘Non Smokers Club, a band I’ve recently discovered on my K-indie musical journey. The charismatic and creative duo consists of Herr Nayne (“Nayne”) and Zuo and together they are quietly shaking up the Korean Indie music scene. We spoke via Zoom on what appeared to be a sunny day in Seoul – with blue skies in the background where Nayne was sitting outside.
The name ‘Non Smoker’s Club’ (“NSC”) was what first caught my attention. After welcoming me, a fellow non smoker to the club, Nayne shared with me that their chosen name, which one could equally call a mantra, serves to act simply as “a representation of us, and our lifestyle. It’s not a question of excluding anyone. We believe that there are no bounds to artistic expression. We want to make music for everyone, and music that everyone can enjoy.”
Instead, of presenting music that has a deep meaning or motto behind it, NSC instead focuses on creating, Zuo told me, “good vibes.” “We are,” Nayne continued, “more interested in how different people engage with our music. We’re simple guys. We like music, football, working out, and having a good time. We want that to be our message and have our music speak for itself.”
NSC cherish music as being a universal language. The music that they create blends Flamenco, R&B, Hiphop together with Latin American influences to produce a sound that is invigorating and makes it difficult for the listener to sit still. NSC approach music making organically, and in a way that feels natural to them. “Every song is different, they shared, “sometimes we work on building the foundation first, others we start with the lyrics. There is a lot of back and forth and exchanging of musical ideas.”
The duo met when they were both pursuing solo careers as individual and independent artists. “It took us 4-5 years [from meeting] to form a duo,” they shared. “It was a challenge for us both to break the barrier and make it in the industry. As the main supporters of each other’s music there were a lot of music exchanges between us. Eventually, I [Nayne] suggested we join forces. It was a natural progression for us that happened when it felt right.”
Talking of their exposure to Latin music as a genre, Zuo shared with me that he had been focusing on creating music within that sphere for a few years as an artist in his own right. He was drawn to and influenced by this genre of music because it provides “good vibes” and was glad that Nayne liked his music when he first heard it. “We love music in general,” Nayne said, “and thought if we were to persuade people that not only are we livers of a healthy lifestyle but also creators of happy music, the sound should speak for itself. That’s the direction we were heading. Korea isn’t so much exposed to Latin American music or Spanish culture [as opposed to French, or Italian] so we wanted to let people know that people know it’s out there and introduce them to it.
The duo’s first big step in that direction was with the release of their pre-debut single ‘FUEGO’, in August 2022. The music that accompanies the lyrics, which the duo describes as ‘fiery’, deliver the good vibes Zuo mentioned above. The duo went on to make their official debut in May 2023, with the release of their double single album titled, ‘Dickies’, which features two songs: DICKIES and BANDONIN’.
BANDONIN’, Nayne shared, “is actually short for abandoning.” It tells the story of saying farewell to a loved one as he sets out following his dream. It has an open ending, they shared. The message they wanted to convey was one of reassuring someone that they are not being abandoned, but rather that the time is not right just yet, as he has to chase their dream. DICKIES on the other hand, a song that is full of lots of different chords and changes in the melody, takes its name from the well known brand name. Talking of this, Zuo shared that “if you look at Latin american music videos or visuals, you will see that they are wearing Dickies as a representative of their image. The progression at the start of the song has a party rhythm so we wanted to run with that. The lyrics just came to us.”
We then spoke about their more recent release: MMATT. This heartfelt double single is made up of two tracks: MMATT & LA VERDAD. It was made available on all streaming platforms on 7 September in the hopes of connecting with a worldwide audience. LA VERDAD tells the unfolding of a passionate romance and has a captivating R&B pop vibe. The title track, MMATT, is an abbreviation for Meet Me at the Top, and features a flamenco guitar melody and an 8O8 bass drum. Zuo wrote the lyrics from a place of frustration, to tell people that were not treating him as he would want, that they could meet him at the top. The message behind it is to tell their narrative – being two individuals overcoming obstacles as they pursue their dream to reach the top.
F: What does the top look like for you?
Zuo: For me, doing music [without having to work a part time job]. Just spending time with my people and making music.
Nayne: It looks similar for me too. I would like to have financial freedom but also to have more opportunities to work with different artists. It would also be nice one day for our music to allow us to tour all around the world, to see more and experience more.
NSC are a band to keep an eye on, and I think it will not be long before they succeed in their plan of really getting their name out there on the music scene. They’re thoughtful and fun to speak with. Despite Zuo joking that “being non smokers is the only thing we have in common”, it did not take long to see that they actually get on and work well together. Timing and authenticity are equally important to them, as well is engaging with people on a personal level. Check them out on Spotify here – they’re really great & have new music coming out in December!
You can stay up to date on the band’s activities through their social media account here.
