GoldFish Dive Deep Into the Groove of Jazz and Dance Music Fusion

Experience the unique blend of jazz and dance in GoldFish’s latest music and live performances.

From Jazz Roots to Dance Floor Beats: The GoldFish Journey

When you think of dance music, live jazz instrumentation might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, South African duo GoldFish have been swimming effortlessly between these worlds for over two decades. Dominic Peters, one half of the duo, reflects on the challenge of transforming their vibrant live energy into recordings: “What works live at the shows doesn’t always translate into repeated listening on an album or single. It’s definitely a double-edged sword sometimes.”

GoldFish’s story began back at the University of Cape Town, where Peters met David Poole while both were studying jazz. Their shared passion for live instrumentation and improvisation fueled their collaboration, which has since evolved into a unique fusion of dance beats and live performance that defies easy categorization.

GoldFish. (Credit: Tyler Coplea)

Crafting a Sound That Moves Both Feet and Soul

David Poole explains, “When we started jamming ideas that eventually became GoldFish, it was the natural progression to take those ideas out of the studio and perform what we created with live instruments. This is what we actually trained to do.” It’s this dedication to musicianship that sets GoldFish apart in the electronic music scene, making their performances feel alive and spontaneous.

Currently, the duo is buzzing with activity, juggling shows between South Africa and the United States. Their latest single, “Little Wonder,” features South African powerhouse vocalist Zolani Mahola. Poole shares, “We were lucky enough to have Zolani visit us in San Diego and we all wrote and recorded the track together. We had been trying to get together with her for ages as we absolutely love her energy and enormous talent.”

If you’re lucky enough to be in New Orleans, catch GoldFish at the Toulouse Theatre on April 23rd, marking the kickoff of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

The Signature Sound: Where Sax Meets House

GoldFish’s magic lies in blending analogue instrumentation—like Poole’s saxophone—with digital dance beats and pop hooks. Their 2012 hit “Washing Over Me” topped South African radio, thanks in part to this distinctive combo. Peters emphasizes the importance of warmth in their sound: “The collision of analogue and digital is the X factor for a good sounding record. We don’t want it sounding too sterile and clean.”

Their 2025 album, Live in Amsterdam, is a testament to this philosophy, packed with spontaneous improvisations and live solos that celebrate the duo’s jazz roots. Peters’ bass solos stand out as a refreshing contrast to the often rigid electronic music realm.

(Credit: Johnny Mello)

The Magic of Improvisation: Turning Live Sparks Into Studio Hits

One of the coolest parts of GoldFish’s creative process is how live moments become studio gold. Poole recalls, “Many of our songs have actually been sparked from these live improvised moments where a small idea enters one of our minds and spills out on stage. The main challenge is remembering those nuggets to turn them into a full track later on in the studio.”

He gives a vivid example: the 2009 track “Soundtracks & Comebacks” was born from an upright bass riff Peters played during a concert. “That one came and went… and luckily a few gigs later Dom remembered the riff and the rest is GoldFish history.”

Global Reach, Summer Vibes, and Musical Awards

With multiple South African Music Awards under their belt and an MTV Africa Music Award, GoldFish’s reach spans continents. Their fans rave about the endless summer vibes that their music radiates—a feeling they’ve personally cultivated by living between Cape Town, Ibiza, and now San Diego.

Poole shares a fun fact: “We always aspired to being able to have summer all year round and we luckily managed this living between Cape Town and Ibiza for 8 years before moving to San Diego. We also named our record label 33 Degrees, which is a play on this North / South duality of Cape Town and San Diego both being on 33rd parallel in their respective hemispheres.”

Their 2023 album, If Summer Was a Sound, echoes these sun-drenched, euphoric moods, making it the perfect soundtrack for any beach party or laid-back afternoon.

Rock Influences and Bold Covers: Adding Edge to Their Sound

GoldFish don’t shy away from darker textures or rock influences in their music. For instance, their Live in Amsterdam interpretation of “If I Could Find” cleverly weaves in the iconic riff from The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” In 2015, they also paid homage to Nirvana with a cover of “Heart-Shaped Box,” featuring regular collaborator Julia Church.

Peters fondly recalls their rock roots: “We grew up huge Nirvana fans and both played in various rock bands before GoldFish. We were on tour and playing a show at one of our favourite spots, The Belly Up in Aspen, Colorado. The techs had kindly brought out a vintage Fender Rhodes for us to jam on during soundcheck. It was one of those weird subliminal moments where that iconic guitar riff just came through for me on the keyboard and we both just looked at each other and said ‘we need to do a rework.’”

Returning to Roots with New Releases and Collaborations

GoldFish’s recent singles, “Body Language” and “Born A Miracle,” signal a fresh chapter under their label 33 Degrees, focusing on reconnecting with their Cape Town origins. “Born A Miracle” features Zakes Bantwini, a Grammy-winning South African star.

Peters describes the collaboration’s spark: “When Zakes won his Grammy, we pinged him with massive congratulations and said let’s hook up while he was in LA, as it’s so close to us in San Diego. He was naturally on such a high and it was great to channel that momentum and feeling into this track. South African artists are always really supportive of each other and it’s great to see the world sit up and take notice of the insane talent that’s always been there.”

“Little Wonder” and the Get Busy Living Vintage Era

Their latest single, “Little Wonder,” is more than just a song—it’s the dawn of a new creative philosophy GoldFish calls Get Busy Living Vintage. This isn’t just an album or a show; it’s an immersive lifestyle concept that blends their love for live music and vintage vibes.

Poole sums it up perfectly: “But along the way we will always be touring. We love performing and still can’t get enough of it.”

If you’re in New Orleans, the late-night April 23rd performance at Toulouse Theatre promises to be a celebration of this fresh era.

“The collision of analogue and digital is the X factor for a good sounding record. We don’t want it sounding too sterile and clean.” — Dominic Peters

FAQ

• How did GoldFish start blending jazz with dance music?
  Dominic Peters and David Poole met studying jazz in Cape Town and naturally evolved their live jazz skills into a dance music fusion.
• What makes GoldFish’s live shows unique?
  They incorporate live instruments and improvisation, creating spontaneous moments that often become new tracks.
• Who are some notable collaborators with GoldFish?
  South African vocalist Zolani Mahola and Grammy winner Zakes Bantwini have featured on recent GoldFish singles.
• What is the significance of their record label, 33 Degrees?
  It references the 33rd parallels where Cape Town and San Diego lie, symbolizing their international lifestyle and musical roots.
• What is the ‘Get Busy Living Vintage’ concept?
  A new creative philosophy for GoldFish that goes beyond music to encompass an immersive vintage lifestyle paired with their live performances.

If you’re a fan of GoldFish’s vibrant and genre-blurring sound, why not bring that energy home? Shop your favorite album cover posters and celebrate the fusion of jazz and dance music at Architeg Prints.