MOMENT WITH (TEMI OYEDELE)
Can we meet you?
My name is Temiloluwa Queen Oyedele and my stage is name is Temi Oyedele. I am a Nigerian, living in Lagos. Wife, mother, singer, songwriter, poet, music teacher, occasional guitar strummer.
Hmm... What a list! So, can you tell us how your journey into music began?
My journey started even before I was aware of it…my late father, Edward Sanya Abiodun was a poet, singer and songwriter and recorded a series of 5 albums under his record label. He was lucky to strike 2 popular hits. City and nationwide- Jesu seun fun mi and Talo dabi. I recall a lot of musicians coming in and out of our home and his endless visits to music studios for recording. He was an ardent lover and listener of music especially Jazz and Soul. I absorbed a lot of influences from listening as he played his records and I started recording music straight into cassette from the radio from an early age. By 15, I was dubbing my dad`s jazz tapes and visiting the local record music shop to make compilations. My stay in the University also greatly served as a catalyst for me, as I made friends with music lovers. I got introduced to a lot of artists whom i`m still enamored with their music today. I will say the greatest influence in my decision to choose Music as a career is my partner who is a Music/Record producer, Dj, and on-air radio presenter. When I met him over 20 years ago, I had just applied for my Masters degree and was on my way to pursue a life as an Academician. He gently suggested I consider the God-given talent I had been imbued with. Through his influence I worked in The Jazzhole, Awolowo Ikoyi, Nigeria`s foremost Record music and Bookstore and got exposed to even more music and met so many acclaimed artists. The rest as they say, is history…or should I say, the present!
The guitar is your music totem? Does it define your kind of music?
I don`t know if I can say rightly that the guitar defines my kind of music. I`m very comfortable expressing my musicality in the Jazz genre. For me, the guitar is functional. It is handy and easy to carry. And it is a harmonic instrument, just like the piano/keyboard. Harmonic instruments as against melodic instruments provide harmonic back-up for a singer. I find the guitar suited to my personality and I prefer to write new songs as well as explore chord progressions on it. Two decades ago whilst reading the psalms I came across a verse that said `Praise God with the strings`…that caught my eye and heart.
It is common knowledge that debut albums of most artists are usually better than subsequent releases. If this is true, tell us the things that could be responsible for this?
I think that`s quite subjective to say so. There are hundreds of thousands of albums released yearly and to say that the debut ones will be better than the sophomore of an artist is unverifiable. I have seen artistes win Grammy Awards for their 3rd, or 4th or 5th offering so to speak. Angelique Kidjoe, Femi Kuti, Bela Fleck, so many others! And what is the template for judging an album, a work of art? I don`t like to do it. Music, just like beauty is highly personal, highly subjective…in the eye of the beholder, in the ear of the listener…
Most songwriters/ musicians are inspired by nature, personal experiences and happenings around them. Which of them resonate with you?
I have written and do hope to write more songs inspired by all the aforementioned! Let me just add these other influences…my faith (as a follower of Christ) and political and social circumstances.
Some musicians shy away from live performances. What do you think is responsible?
The same reason people break into a sweat and actually display physical symptoms of distress when they are asked to make a speech in front of others! Putting yourself out there is not easy- what if they reject you? Say you are not good enough? What if you forget your lines? Or your chord progressions? Don’t like what you’re offering. Its not easy to put yourself out there. It takes a certain mental disposition, confidence, skill- all attained through practice. They say ‘skill to do, comes from doing’. I was just like that. Very scared, unwilling and unsure of myself two decades ago. But something happened to me that changed all that. Twelve years ago, I had a spiritual conviction to play my songs and sing anywhere the audience could possibly not afford to pay, I have been going to Ikoyi Prison on Wednesdays to do so for twelve years now, a certain hospital too. I guess I unknowingly honed a stage presence through all that. There was no time to wonder if the inmates or patients will like me as they really needed to hear messages of healing, redemption and hope.
How will you describe your brand of music?
I don’t know…just that I am very much influenced by jazz singers and instrumentalists and this comes through in what I churn out. I am not very interested in categorizing my music. Let the hearer decide.
Has there been any time you thought of shifting gear to another style of music?
Like I said earlier, I don’t really fancy nor know how to categorize my kind of music. The great freedom fighter Steve Biko once said, “I write what I like”. I sing what I like.
I have been privileged to watch your performance on two occasions and I can testify that your songs have a way of moving listeners into the spirit of your song. What is the secret?
None I guess. Just that i mean what I say and I feel deeply what i`m trying to say or convey. I`m a very emotional person and it comes across when i`m expressing myself musically. I heard that people are moved by watching you being moved…but it`s not something I do deliberately.
The present dispensation have witnessed an upsurge in the number of musicians in the present time than in the last two decades and majority of what they call music is just a contraption of noises? What do you think is the missing link and how can it be bridged?
Yes, there has been an upsurge of music world wide. It is much easier to make music (of fairly good quality) now. Established and proper Labels still spend a premium on the recording of high quality music. For independent musicians, the proliferation of affordable music- making soft wares and computers and have ensured that music is churned out in the million yearly. But unlike a label where the executives vet the music and engage professionals, the indie artist does everything almost by him/herself. Self-scrutiny and everything is all done alone. Then for content, I think there’s a wide divide between what young musicians listen to in terms of connection with the past and present. In Nigeria, I think musicians should listen critically to the older artists. They have so much to learn from them.
How would you describe a good music?
Like I said earlier, music is a work of art created by someone and it will definitely be assimilated in different ways by different people. For me, good music is one that moves me, makes me feel, think, or dance. Lyrics, instrumentation and vocal quality is important to me.
What is the inspiration behind your first album?
When I turned a significant age in my life, I made a bucket list and an Album was in one of the top ten. Also, I thought to myself, all these songs I`d been singing year in, year out at the prison, why don’t I put them together in one place? And a strong desire to share a message of hope, redemption and freedom, as I had also been given.
What are the challenges you encountered in the process of producing it?
Creative differences with my producers and delays that was quite extensive. I’m grateful for the process and the journey now, looking back.
What are the necessary steps an aspiring musician must take note of before venturing into music?
Number one, have a Day Job! A job that brings in a steady income because music is no sure banker to financial breakthrough as most people believe. There`s so much free music everywhere especially on the internet and people have forgotten how to pay money for music! It`s still better abroad where intellectual property is respected but even there It`s been tough. Live music is the sure way of earning income, so one must learn how to play an instrument and if not learn your stage craft (whatever it is) well. Find places where you can start small, and be ready to perform free. It could be your local hang out, church, bar or event. There you hone your skills as well as get word out, about who you are and what you do. Be humble, teachable and patient, believe in yourself, uniqueness and what you have to offer. Listen to music as much as you can.
What should we be expecting from you soonest?
I have put together songs for my sophomore album. I hope I can start work on it as soon as possible. I am also about to release an EP of remixes of one of the tracks(Pilgrims) from my debut album, `Temi L`oluwa` this December.
We look forward for it. It's been interesting chatting with you. Thank you so much for your time.
It is my pleasure.
