An Interview with Basson Laas

Singer-songwriter Basson Laas traded chalkboards for chord progressions in 2022, stepping boldly from the classroom into the spotlight. Since then, he’s carved out a compelling presence on stages across South Africa, culminating in the release of his debut EP Good Morning Dreamer in August 2023.

On 25 July 2025, Basson Laas returned with “Smile” – a heartfelt new single and cinematic video aimed at spreading joy and human connection through the simple act of a grin.

As someone who’s spent over two decades immersed in South Africa’s music scene, I’ve learned that one performance can lay an artist bare.

I recently caught up with Basson Laas – a farm-bred storyteller with a flair for raw, honest songwriting – to dig into the meaning, message, and magic behind “Smile” and explore how his independent journey continues to strike a chord with fans nationwide.

Here’s what Basson Laas had to say…

Let’s start with the title track. What does the word “Smile” mean to you personally, and how did that translate into the songwriting process?

“To most, smiling happens in a moment of joy and is a sign of good emotional well-being. Even if it is just for a moment, smiling is highly contagious to those around you and therefore does not just reflect your personal state but can change those around you too.”

“In the song, smiling is that classic act of resistance to feeling a bit off and trying to keep your head up. Scientists still debate whether the phenomenon they call the ‘facial feedback hypothesis’ is true or not, but when I have a day of feeling under the weather, cracking the slightest smile has helped me regain the ability to move on.”

The song paints such a vivid picture of an “unknown valley”. What inspired this metaphor, and how does it relate to what people are going through today?

“The ‘unknown valley’ implies the dread sometimes felt at the prospect of the unknown – the future or that sense of powerlessness to change one’s life trajectory.”

“It’s a feeling I still experience, especially since leaving everything else I did before to pursue a music career, not knowing whether it might work out or not.”

“People who feel a similar sense of entrapment wander through their days, realising that the power to change is mostly in their own hands. Something beautiful can come from drawing a line to your past and following your heart.”

You mentioned being inspired by Linkin Park’s “The Messenger”. What drew you to that song, and how did it influence the sound or emotional tone of “Smile”?

“I used to love Linkin Park, especially the ‘A Thousand Suns’ album. What drew me to that song was the feeling of being alone during my younger days and that sense of wanting something more out of life”

“And the answer is love – ‘When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind’ was so powerful. It inspired me to write ‘Smile’ in a similar tone, with a positive message, over a chord progression that is simple yet emotional.”

The video for “Smile” is described as cinematic and lyrical. Can you tell us about the concept and how it was brought to life visually?

“If you enjoy people-watching as much as I do, you appreciate the pleasure of observing all kinds of interesting faces as they go by – hopefully with sunglasses on, so you do not seem strange!”

“I noticed from my previous music videos that the average watch time was only just over 50%, which meant most viewers dropped off around the halfway mark.”

“I wanted to see if I could improve that by using a variety of friendly faces and giving the viewer the chance to shamelessly watch strangers as they experience the emotions of the song. I’ll bet it works.”

Your video for “Smile” feels like a short film. Can you walk me through the collaboration with your director, the choice of locations, and how you translated the song’s emotional arc into imagery?

“If you feel it’s like a short film, you should watch the two music videos for ‘Guardian Angel’ and ‘Tightly Bound’ from my debut EP ‘Good Morning Dreamer’. Those were genuine attempts at making little, short films out of two separate songs.”

“I worked with Ruan Myburgh on those videos, and I loved his ability to capture moments on film that provoke emotion. For ‘Smile’, the video was shot at Sowaar Studios in Pretoria against a plain backdrop that lights up during the climactic part of the song.”

“The band shots had a more interesting background, but the focus remained on the faces and the emotions they displayed. We did not plan too much in advance – when we arrived at the studio and began experimenting with the lights and taking the first shots, the concept fell into place.”

How does Basson Laas balance the business side of music with the emotional and creative?

“That is the tricky part. Over the past three years of performing, I have been fortunate enough to save for projects gradually, and it can sometimes take a while before you have the means – not just money, but also the right people and connections.”

“Releasing a song like ‘Smile’ involves more than 30 other people. I have been easing myself into it, aiming for one project at a time. When it is time to perform endlessly weekend after weekend, I perform. When it is time to be creative, I focus on that and allow myself to be in the moment. The biggest emotional challenge I still face every week is having the patience to believe that good things happen in their own time.”

How have you personally used smiling as an act of resistance or healing in your own life?

“My mother used to tell me and my siblings to ‘be positive, think positive and act positive’ and that ‘if you worry, you’ll die; if you don’t worry, you’ll also die. So why worry?’. I think that served as a precursor to forcing a smile when things are dire and not letting worry take its course.”

“Of course, sometimes things are tough, and you should allow yourself to feel what you feel. The idea is not to suppress but to encourage. It has helped me regain the right lens through which to view life, although it can sometimes remain very complex and challenging.”

How has your sound or lyrical approach evolved since your debut EP, “Good Morning Dreamer”?

“All the songs I have released so far, including ‘Smile’, were recorded and produced by Werner Kahts at Good Morning Sweet Songbird Studio, and they all share a similar sound and recording technique. I would be very interested to see how this changes in the future, perhaps when recording at a different studio with a different producer.”

“All these songs were written before 2022, so only my latest songs – written since then and still to be recorded – will truly reflect the lyrical and melodic growth you refer to. I hope to bring you those songs not too long from now.”

How important is storytelling through video in your work?

“I really love film. I think I might have a keen eye for it if I keep exploring that side – not the slapstick kind, but the cinematic kind that can take you to another world, past, present or future. The kind that might make you realise something new about yourself or the world; the kind that is emotional and thought-provoking.”

“I have been enjoying the visual side of these productions almost as much as the music. Unfortunately, music videos can become expensive when the vision is big, but we live in a visual age, and video will always have a place in nurturing an identity.”

How is Basson Laas preparing to take these deeply personal songs into a larger, live experience?

“I can’t wait for festivals, and I can’t wait to start touring properly! To imagine the growth will be gradual is nerve-wracking, but I guess that’s part of it. The few full-band performances we’ve had are some of the best moments of my career so far.”

“I have been fortunate to have Jan-Hendrik Labuschagne on drums and Callie van der Merwe on bass for several shows, and each performance has been better than the last. Our current favourite rehearsal space is at Stella Street NG Church whenever we need to polish a few songs, and I can’t wait for more band shows to come.”

“It can be tricky to build a band of musicians who first and foremost support your vision and are also free to hit the road for long periods, but if the goal is to make it work, I will make it work. For me, patience and openness are key.”

What recording techniques or equipment did you and Werner Kahts employ to capture the warmth and intimacy of your vocals and guitar?

“That question should really be answered by Werner himself, because he is the master of the technical aspects of sound design. I have learned a lot from him.”

“One thing I can tell you is that my ivory-coloured Ibanez hollow-body guitar has a lovely tone, especially with a fresh set of Elixir medium-gauge strings, and a lot of the warmth sits right there.”

What’s one thing fans might be surprised to learn about Basson Laas?

“Haha, I used to have a Private Pilot’s Licence and was training for my Commercial licence in 2011 before I decided to apply to TUKS University. My first big dream was to become a pilot and travel the world. I loved flying and aviation.”

“But now I’m working on a new way to travel the world through music, and hopefully one day I will own my own light aeroplane to fly around at sunset for the beauty of it. A yellow Piper Cub is my dream plane – Google it; you’ll love it too.”

Was there a defining gig or fan interaction that convinced you “Smile” was ready for the world?

“Not really, but since I wrote ‘Smile’ many years ago, I have been adding it to my live setlists ever since I started performing a little over three years ago, and just knew this song would be one of the singles to follow my ‘Good Morning Dreamer’ EP.”

Lastly, what does Basson Laas hope people feel or take away after hearing and watching “Smile”?

“I hope that people might feel a sense of hope and relief amid the struggles of their world and, by using a smile, help themselves and those around them to lighten up and keep on showing up.”

I would like to thank Basson Laas for this interview, I wish him all of the best with his future musical endeavours.

The music video for “Smile” was featured on Running Wolf’s Rant last week, check it out HERE.

You can stream/download the track HERE.

More info about Basson Laas

Basson Laas grew up on a South African farm, where a spirited and imaginative childhood sparked his love for music. Teaching himself to play guitar, he began writing original songs by the age of seventeen. While his twenties saw him explore a variety of paths, his passion for music eventually took center stage, leading him to pursue a solo career as an independent artist—no label, just drive.

By mid‑2022, Basson dove headfirst into performing full time at bars and restaurants, using his first year on the live circuit to sharpen his skills and define his sound. This journey led to the release of his debut EP, Good Morning Dreamer, in August 2023—a heartfelt introduction marked by the lead single “Tightly Bound” and a showcase of his raw, reflective songwriting.

Watch this space for updates in the Interviews category on Running Wolf’s Rant.