Fresh off the release of their latest single, “Popcorn and Candyfloss”, South African indie alternative rock band The Color Blew continues to challenge the status quo, write emotive songs and make bold musical statements with their uncompromising creativity. With two nominations at the 2026 Afri-Indie Awards, a prolific back catalogue of critically acclaimed work and recording sessions underway for album number three, we catch up with Liaan Horton (vocals, guitar & production) from The Color Blew to discuss the new single, the development of their sound, the band members and the future of one of South Africa’s most exciting alternative acts.
Congratulations on the release of your new single and video, “Popcorn and Candyfloss”. How does it feel to finally put it out there, having been nurturing the writing and recording process for quite some time?
Yeah, thanks for having us. This track has been a long time in the making and is incredibly special to the band. In the end, it came together quickly considering what a year it’s been.
Where did the inspiration for “Popcorn and Candyfloss” come from, and what are you hoping listeners take from the song?
The visual in my head was always “nostalgia” and a kind of return to innocence. The guitar and bass just sort of reminded me of candyfloss, the way they stuck together, and the drums, you know, popped… like popcorn! That’s the visual I got, the mood, and then the lyrics fed off that.
You are quoted as saying “it’s the most honest song” you’ve ever been a part of musically. What is it about this track that stands out from the rest of your catalogue?
I think this song represents a very dark night and then remembering the dawn. It doesn’t stand out too much, as we are very intense with many of the tracks, but this one just felt simpler but complicated at the same time. Accomplished, if I may.
Your music manages to retain a certain level of vulnerability and intimacy throughout. How do you approach arranging and recording your music to allow it to encompass both grandiose production and a more personal performance?
I think it’s always about capturing the soul of the performance for us, and not just the performance as a “product”. Obviously, the skill to do that and the equipment to make it happen have been acquired over many years of sacrifice, but it’s all worthless if the soul is not present in the recording, with the raw passion translating the moment.
The video for “Popcorn and Candyfloss” introduces viewers to a hand-drawn doodle character. Who is he, what does he represent, and why did you decide to go with an animated music video format?
His name is Max, and he was an impulsive doodle I made during a meeting, haha! The story sort of follows his journey through the song and life. It was nostalgic, like the song. ’90s forever, man.
The Color Blew has been a band that balances strong lyrical content with melodic musicianship. How important is the visual medium in telling a story as part of the band’s creative expression, and do you think we will be seeing more of Max and his adventures in future music videos?
Visuals are very important, but not as much as the music itself, in my opinion. We all form an image in our heads, and as such, I just tried to relay the one I see. Max, I think, however, is taking the long road home for now.
Xavien-Lee Horton started to bolster the band as lead guitarist and pianist/keyboardist. How has his addition to the band shaped the band’s songwriting, musical arrangements and creative direction?
Xavien-Lee has featured on the last three songs with growing contributions. I am super proud of him. With this song, we were left in a situation right before recording these last few tracks. Xavien-Lee stepped up and said he would learn the songs, play them and record them, which he did at 16. That’s a big statement, but he came good, and his musical future as an artist in his own right is bright.
Having been a key part of The Color Blew, Timothy James Lotter has been a busy man in the phenomenal Human Nebula, who recently represented Africa at the Wacken Metal Battle in Germany. How would you describe the contribution Tim made to The Color Blew, and how does it feel to see him achieve such an amazing milestone in his career as a musician?
We are very proud of Tim and the Human Nebula boys and wish them all the best. Tim occupies the guitar real estate in The Color Blew and has shared his space with us for more than a decade. As a musician, he is phenomenal, and the art we have created is testament to that.
Going back to the early days, since the formation of the band in 2014, you have seen The Color Blew grow from the grunge/punk-influenced The Canvas to the more expansive sound of Light Switch and your recent singles. How has The Color Blew changed over this period, and in what ways has it remained the same?
I think it’s like a marriage. You evolve, develop and change invariably. The Color Blew has been such a part of our lives, and the music and albums reflect that, just like these newer songs we have released over the last two or three years. They’re chapters in our book, and they tell our story, but at its core, it remains unmistakably The Color Blew.
One of the things that defines The Color Blew is that you record and produce everything in your own studio. What are the benefits of having that level of creative control, and are there any sacrifices you make by not having an outside producer involved in the making of your tracks?
Look, it’s the way we choose to do things. We are not the easiest to convince otherwise once we have our heads set on an idea, haha! I have worked with many producers, and there are great ones who could probably add value to our sound, but that’s not our path. I am way too much of a control freak when it comes to our recording sound and mix!
Liaan, your work as a producer has seen you nominated for Best Music Producer at the 2026 Afri-Indie Awards, with the band’s track “Leave” also shortlisted for Best Alternative Single. Congrats on the nominations. What did they mean to you personally, and to the band, after years of working hard on your music and getting it out there?
Firstly, I think for us as a band, it is immensely satisfying to have your work reviewed and deemed worthy of a nomination. It speaks more to the hours and days of blood, sweat and tears and makes it all worth it. To have the production nomination means more to me than I can express in words. I am happy just being on the list.
Listening to tracks such as “Under Pressure”, “Love in Space”, “Discount Hearts”, “Leave”, “Lily” and now “Popcorn and Candyfloss”, it almost feels as if the band wants to present a different side of The Color Blew with every release. Is the band purposely trying to change its sound from song to song, or do you feel that the evolution is simply a part of the natural growth of the band?
I think it’s just natural growth and the way we evolved, different chapters and feelings.
You mentioned working on the band’s third album. What can fans expect from this full-length release, and will it continue to see the evolution of The Color Blew’s sound, or are there a few surprises in store?
We hope to finish the album and release it as soon as possible, but it must meet the standard we’ve set for ourselves, and that takes time. I think it will bring this run of singles together nicely and close the chapter on our third album.
• Stream “Popcorn and Candyfloss” – https://hypeddit.com/popcorn/candyfloss
• Watch “Popcorn and Candyfloss” Music Video – https://youtu.be/3djcPcbl4lw
• All Links – https://linktr.ee/thecolorblew
• Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thecolorblew
• Instagram – https://instagram.com/thecolorblew
• YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/TheColorBlewMusic
• TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@thecolorblewband
• Website – www.thecolorblew.co.za
