"Presbyteria" sees South African queer artist Nakhane reflect on his Christian upbringing

The South African born musician - whose been releasing music since 2014 - grew up in Port Elizabeth, in a deeply religious community. His upbringing ignited his love of music and unlocked his flair for performance, yet also taught him shame that has proved difficult to rid himself of. “When I was Christian and prayed to God everyday, I had only hatred for myself,” he explains. “Every day of my life, I was doing all I possibly could to be like everyone else, to be heterosexual. I was even convinced I would be able to ‘heal’ my homosexuality. I was living in constant fear; controlling myself at all times.”

New track "Presbyteria" come with a delicate edge provided by Ben Christopher (Bat For Lashes) as producer and is thematically integral to Nakhane's upcoming album You Will Not Die. The record excavates his religious upbringing, his need to renounce Christianity after feeling that it was incompatible with his sexuality, and his periods of depression and anxiety - but ultimately his music is about the journey to self-acceptance.

Nakhane's also an actor and stars in the upcoming film The Wound. He's over here next month for a show at London's Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on 20 March and travels to the UK with his family’s blessing, despite the complexities of religion and sexuality. “It took a long time and a lot of complicated conversations, but over time I think the ice thaws,” he says. “I remember being young, black and queer and having no-one representing me in the world ever, you know?,” he says.

“I discovered James Baldwin when I was 19 and I was never the same person ever again. So if my album can do something like that for someone, then my work is done.”