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Tag: music
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Jam Squad: Ciano Maimba
“What sells is what is actively and deliberately sold.”
Hello my lovely people 🙂 its another week and as you know we are featuring another artist. Our artist this week is Ciano Maimba. He is a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose music is aimed at uniting mankind by reminding us of our sameness. When I first heard Ciano sing I was electrified not only by his amazing vocal range but also by the ambiance set by his soulful music. I was extremely excited when I was given the opportunity to converse with him. He is simply amazing 😛
Courtesy of Derek Munene - How and when did your musical journey begin?
Well, I found out I could sing in nursery school but I didn’t really take it seriously until I was in Upperhill high school, when I joined an acapella group known as Voice In The Light which I was a part of for all of my high school life. Those guys shaped my voice and my ideas of harmony deeply. I am eternally grateful. However, going to Sauti Academy immediately after high school is what truly speared my career in music and properly kick-started my journey.
- How did your parents take it?
Haha! None of us knew how serious I’d be with my music when I started. I remember when I was in form 3 though, I was suddenly sure I wanted to be a full-time musician but I didn’t know what that would entail; so whenever I was asked about my career choices, I never mentioned music. But I kept doing shows with my acapella quartet and picked up the guitar in form four when I first started writing my own songs. I Then enrolled into Sauti Academy after high school , where I learnt a bit about how the music industry generally works and began to do my research on becoming a better musician and finding ways to get my message out there and make a living out of it. Now that’s when I became serious. I started doing solo shows and whatnot and my parents were quite supportive from the beginning. They bought me my first semi-acoustic guitar and paid the fees for Sauti Academy, even when they thought this would just be a phase I’d get over. They were initially worried about my wanting to just do music full time but slowly warmed up ( and are warming up) to the idea because they see how hard I work at it.
- What are your thoughts on Jamhuri Festival and What has your experience been so far?
I think Jamhuri Festival is a brilliant initiative because it has brought to the surface many golden voices of my generation that would have not been heard as quickly or listened to as attentively without such an opportunity. It has eased the plight of independent musicians in and around Nairobi and has proven to those that have watched the videos or attended the shows, that this crop of musicians in Kenya are capable of creating genuinely written and composed and high quality music. As you can tell, my experience with them has been eye-opening as much as it has been exhilarating.
- What are your thoughts on the music industry in Kenya? How do you plan to make an impact in the industry?
I honestly think the music industry in Kenya is rich with content and diversity. However, I feel as though there needs to be some more order in how things are run. From concerts to record deals and so on and so forth. That being said, things are progressively changing, so we will get there soon. I plan to make an impact by being consistently professional in everything that I do. From songwriting to performance while maintaining genuineness in my composition and lyricism, I also plan to make an impact by propagating fingerstyle guitar and live acoustic music in general to destroy two stereotypes:
1. That music is incomplete without a full-band
2. That the steel-string acoustic guitar should always be in the background of any piece of music.
Moreover, I plan to impact the industry by being a living example that independent musicians can earn a living in Kenya without compromising on their initial plans regarding image, musicality and general quality of content. I want to prove that you can be successful as an artist just by being yourself.
Courtesy of Derek Munene - What challenges do you face?
The aforementioned stereotypes are the major challenges not just to me but to all acoustic musicians. Also the recurring lack of professionalism in the industry (anything from shows that start late to a majority of sound engineers that are incompetent in as much as there are some who are really good at what they do).
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I see myself having released two bodies of work; an E.P & a full-length album and running a regular festival.
- Which artists have you worked with so far and what was the experience like?
Haha! I’ve worked with a number of phenomenal artists, I have worked with the Coke Studio crew doing BGVs for Omawumi, I have also worked with Muthoni The Drummer Queen (MDQ) on BGVs and currently I’m working with Kato Change on a project and there are plans to also work with Eddie Grey and co write a song with Tetu Shani. I guess you’ll see how the experience was when the projects come into fruition. But let’s just say it’s all going to be magical!
- When do we expect an EP?
An E.P should be out by early next year,latest.
- Which producers are you working with on the EP?
I’m working with M-cubed for the E.P. And it’ll be a collaborative project.
- Any advice for all the upcoming musicians out there?
“Before anything else, work on your craft and your purpose for it.”
Courtesy of Derek Munene Ciano will be performing live at Nyamamama, Delta Towers at 7:30 pm. Watching him perform will be an experience like no other, that I assure you.
Enjoy his Cover of Leta Wimbo
You can get his music on:
Soundcloud – Ciano Maimba
Youtube – Ciano Maimba
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Jam Squad: Kendi Nkonge
“God is a good God”
Hello my lovely people, I hope your week is going well! I am really excited to tell you that I will be sharing pieces on the artists of the Jamhuri Festivals Jam Session Series 🙂 I feel like you guys should also let me know what you want to know about them that way we can make this fun!
Our featured artist this week is the beautiful, bubbly and outgoing soul, Kendi Nkonge. This amazing woman is a lover of God, good meat, good people and most of all music. “I am always ready to grab opportunities and create them where there’s none to be grabbed” She says.
I got a chance to have a conversation with her and it was an experience like no other.
Courtesy Quaint Photography - How do you get to convey who you are in your music?
I am a lover of music. Like legit!!! I LOVE to sing. I do it all the time. My music is from the heart! I tell stories, about me and about society. I preach change, positive impact and God’s Love. That’s what my music is, about healing and feeling! I can’t fit it into a genre yet but it sure is soulful and heavily vocal.
- How did you get into music?
Music for me started way back, I started singing from when I was about 5. I Sang in church, I sang in school for plays, at assembly, just jamming with friends and even for guests in school. Every chance I’d get I’d just SING!
Courtesy Quaint Photography - How did your parents take it?
My folks knew from the onset that music is my thing. (Laughs) I think what I respect the most is that they want the best for me, it’s not what youngins want to see first but that’s what it is. I have to say though, different parents do it differently but mine are all I’ve got and I’m grateful. We’re working the way up together.
- Do you think children/youth should be encouraged to pursue their dreams?
Yes! Yes! A Million times yes! We should throw away the era of pursuing our folks dreams. I believe that when it’s your dream, no one needs to push you; no one needs to keep rubbing it in your face that you need to take it seriously. Plus isn’t it liberating being able to thrive doing what you love? Though the flip side happens when people use this as an escape not to be ‘serious’ in life or fail to do something substantial with the gifts they have. While children in many places don’t know the meaning and the importance of pursuing their dreams, Or rather they have been made to believe that poverty or suffering is all they’re destined for which just isn’t true.
- What challenges do you face?
Lord! Balancing school with music is NOT easy! Well not Law school at least. So making sure that none of them suffers is quite a tough call but with God’s Grace I manage to do it. So I basically work to make sure that I miss NO classes and still work my way through rehearsal sessions and gigs.
- What/Who inspires you?
Hmm. I’m honestly just very passionate about singing. It’s how I best express what’s in my heart . There’s a high that it comes with that which makes me want to wake up every day and just do it and do it well. Music just makes me so happy! As for who, I’d have to say like-minded people. As well as a couple of artists who seemingly sing from that same point of passion. For instance: Lauryn Hill, Tori Kelly, and Cece Winans among many others.
- Are you seeing anyone?
The Lord is my personal Savior and I am happy and blessed!!(Laughs) Yes, I am.
- Have you done any collaboration?
I haven’t released any music yet. So the correct answer to that is no. I have however had the privilege of working with so many amazing artists performing live from Eric Wainaina, Atemi Oyungu, June Gachui, Shamsi Music, Rigga, Sage, David Hunter, Laura Karwirwa, Benjamin Webi, Elsaphan Njora, Noiz the Beatbox champion and the list is increasing!
Courtesy Quaint Photography - How has Jamhuri Festival changed your career?
It has for sure exposed me to more people, other singers in particular. I love that Jamhuri Festival is one of those platforms that breaks beyond what’s mainstream, breaks the silence and pushes artists that are not very well-known and are uber talented to the rest of Kenya. Not many people invest in younger talent and that’s where loads of the gold is. I’m glad I get to share my music through this platform and get to watch and learn from other artistes too! It’s a healthy environment at Jamhuri Festival.
- Any advise for the readers?
Terens! Terenssss! (This is my Wangari Maathai moment) I pray that we all find peace, healing and love through music and that all men will be drawn to their true calling in this life that we live. It sucks to sit and remember that there are people out there who are just out to put you down and spit on your success. But I always say, if it’s on a firm foundation then the spit will trickle right down like it never even happened. Be true to yourself. Please don’t live to please people, it’s tiring, it’s extremely draining. Just do you!
Courtesy Yves Didier Photography Don’t you love her already? Well I definitely do! Be sure to catch her performing live tonight at Nyama mama, Delta at 7:30 PM. 😀
In the meantime do enjoy her cover of Fire on the mountain ?
Keep up with Kendi and Jamhuri Festival:
Facebook – Kendi Nkonge, Jamhuri Festival
Instagram – @kendinkonge , @jamhurifestival
Twitter – Kendi Nkonge, Jamhuri Festival -
A Conversation with Thomas Olang’o
“Music is a mission. Not a competition.”
I was honored with the opportunity to converse with such a talented and brilliant soul.
Thomas Olang’o is a 25-year-old art and music enthusiast who is driven by the possibility of change in the arts and creative industry through youth empowerment. He is a man of many talents; He plays the guitar for a living (how cool is that?), scripting is also a huge part of his life. On top of all that he occasionally draws. Back in the day he used to be an amazing basketball player until he “stopped being awesome”.
Courtesy Humphrey Gateri aka Nairobiphoet ‘I think travelling is so refreshing, and I love peace and quiet’ says Tom. During our conversation, I was blessed with a few puns and I have to admit they helped ease the tension, this made it easier for me to pester him with my questions.
- What does your typical day involve?
A typical day involves devotion, work outs, Guitar practice, and more guitar practice with the band and a little more guitar before I sleep. Music is my life really.
- Did you always want to get into music?
When I was younger, I wanted to be a pilot. At another point in life I wanted to get into architecture because I really loved physics. However, I found a home in music from as far back as I can remember.
- Who or what inspires you?
I’d have to say Life, Love and the Human mind but most of all my big brother (Polycarp Otieno).
- What was your most challenging gig, why and what did you learn from it?
My most challenging gig weirdly turned out to be my best gig. I will give you 2 instances and both are Jamhuri Festival experiences.
The first one was from the launch. My first ever gig and I’m telling you I had scripted the entire show. I was the bass player and the event organiser. We had over 30 artists in the script and I really had to split myself to follow through on the vision. I had an amazing team with me then; Maggie, Wayne, Edu, Snyder, Chrispine, Keshie, the Watooz and Swizznet. A major S/O to this people! It would have been impossible without them. I love and appreciate you guys so much. It was insanely challenging due to the fact that I really had to work my brain for that show.
Courtesy Humphrey Gateri aka Nairobiphoet The second one was a few months later in Kariobangi South. What made this challenging was almost everyone in K South knew I was a musician because they always saw me walking around with a guitar but they never really got to hear me play up till the 25th of April 2016. I managed to play up till area that was my playing field while growing up. A majority of the people in attendance were people who had known me pretty much all my life and I have to admit it was scary but special at the same time.
Those 2 nights have to be the best nights of my life. They also taught me that charity does indeed begin at home and most importantly, team work makes the dream work.
- Have you worked with international artists? If so who are your top 3?
I have been fortunate to work with a number of international artists. Top of my list will have to be Alikiba. I was his music director for quite some time and I got to enjoy such good food while playing with him (laughs) you do know I love food! On the real though, playing with him gave me an extra confidence boost because it gave me the hope that my gift can reach as far and wide as possible. Second on list would be 2baba (2face) and Sautisol. Working with them was an amazing experience. I got to learn a lot and I did a script for their music video which happened to be my first script outside Jamhuri Festival. Oya come make we go is a beautifully written song with such a powerful message. I was honored to have scripted, cast and set directed the music video. Lastly, I played with Becca from Ghana. She gave me my first out-of-town gig. We played to a Maasai village audience in Narok as she was working on her documentary. It was humbling that an artist from that far considered and had me on her project.
- Do you feel like the government is doing its best to support local artists? If not, state what changes can be made.
I feel like it can definitely do better. Our education system is brilliant, it just doesn’t have that extra branch that isn’t really as extra as might seem. It doesn’t support the arts and the artists in the society. There’s no music, art and craft, woodwork, metal work and all the more practical and creative subjects anymore. Sometimes I wonder where I’d be if i got the chance to do music in school but they stopped offering it from when I was in class one/first grade. In addition, major festivals around the world have government backing but it’s really hard to get their attention here. The arts industry is an industry like any other. I don’t want to put all the blame on the government though because I feel like for us to actualize this, we’ll definitely need all other stakeholders to step up. From the artists to the consumers. It’s all connected really.
- Parting thought?
Love is all we need. Art and music is the vehicle I choose to propagate that love. I want to be a part of the generation that brought change to the society. That change is love. More love. We can all make it in this world! Let’s love another a bit more. Team work does indeed make the dream work.
Courtesy Humphrey Gateri aka Nairobiphoet This by far has to be one of my favorite interviews! Talking to him helped me understand the hard work that goes into a good performance as well as a successful show and also to appreciate his art. I do believe that we need to come together and support our local artists. Artists work tirelessly to deliver amazing content! Hence the need for us to support them as much as we do international artists. Thomas started Jamhuri with the intention to shine a light on undiscovered talent and I ask you not to be left behind! Join the movement and if you do have a talent you’d like to share, do not sit on it!!! Here is a platform for you to bless the world. Are you as eager as I am for Jamhuri Festival?
As we wait on it, you can join me and other music lovers for Jamhuri Jam Sessions every Wednesday at Nyama Mama, Delta at 7:30.
PS. He did not comment on his relationship status. I am sorry ladies but if you want to keep up with what Tom is up to, you need to follow @jamhurifestival on all social media platforms.
Thank me later – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYYjtJ0AV5Qh52cYvpbtNVg
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Listen
To be a music critic, as I most recently learned, you have to be an active listener; which is far from what most of us do. The millennial generation use music as a background to daily activities, treating music as a statement wall holding holding a priceless piece of art. Though, both are important to the whole presentation, music takes the supporting role.
Diversity is also key, listen to the likes of Nina Simone, Bob Marley, Kenny weissberg, Kenny Rogers,Art Taylor (the drummer 1970’s), Prince, Maurice Ravel(orchestral) ,L.L. Cool J. (obsessed) just to name a few names in the different genres of music that rocked the charts ,waaay before I could say ‘legendary’. Challenge your taste, don’t be fooled though, I haven’t listened to all of them but I plan to sample their lyricism and rhythm.
Taio and Karun performing during EA Wave and friends. Copyright Felixie Laurens Rhythm and lyricism. This to me is the icing, rhythm is everything. Rhythm is physical, it is the difference between dabbing, tapping,jamming, or even slow dancing. Movement. Lyricism on the other hand is soul and emotions. It provokes love, happiness, sadness, or dé·jà vu. All these vital to daily human living given the fact that music is ‘key to the soul’ :corny as it sounds I believe.
So the next time you try to figure out if a record is good or not, for one, really listen, allow yourself to feel and understand the lyricism and lyricist.
Jazz Festival at Kasarani. Copyright Felixie Laurens
