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| Femi Odewole www.tribune.com.ng |
Femi Odewole is one of the few young musicians who do live music. The ‘corporate Afrocentric musician’, in this interview with Rotimi Ige, speaks about why he does live music, his new singles and his plans for the future.
Background?
I had a really humble background. My parents were teachers. I went to Seventh Day Nursery and Primary school and my secondary school education in Ambassadors College, all in Ile-Ife. While in school, I had always been doing music alongside my studies. I later attended the Ladoke Akintola University to study Chemical Engineering and I am presently doing my Masters in Business Administration.
Tell us about your early years and growing up?
I grew up in an average family of three. I grew up just like any other child in a typical local Yoruba environment, to be precise, in Modakeke, Osun State. I am the first-born of my parents.
Any musical influences?
I had my childhood revolving around music and for the fact that I was born into a highly disciplined Christian home. I developed a huge passion for playing musical instruments to the extent that I did not join the children department in our local church but hung around the instrumentalists behind the choir every time. Since then, it had been really easy for me to make music.
At what point did you discover that you could sing?
Even when I was young, I knew that I could sing, but I started as a keyboardist. Later, I moved on to playing the guitar. From then onwards, I played in some musical bands and I also performed as a guitarist with Jimi Solanke in Ife. While playing my guitar during my leisure times, I discovered that I could play my guitar and also sing along to the rhythm, and this was how it all started.
When did you decide to make it a career?
I always believed that I was going to make music for a living, but my parent wanted me to study medicine. I knew I would never be able to combine it, so I focused on engineering.
Already, while in secondary school, I performed as a back up singer and guitarist for Gbenga Adenuga, Big Bolaji, Jimi Solanke, Alhaji Akani Ramoni in Ogbomosho and so on. Since I discovered it was the easiest thing I could do, I decided to make career out of music.
Did you have your parent’s support?
Though they wanted a doctor for a son, but today, I have their support.
So how has it been over the years as a musician?
It had been a bit rough. Although I had a very good training ground but to be honest, it had not been easy because one plus one in music is not always two and now, there is a back door that many people take into music now without always being really good at it.
You perform live band music? How easy is that?
Live band is not easy because first, you need to understand instrumentation, then the need to understand the dynamics and study the mind of instrumentalists working with the band. So, it is not always easy to do a live band. But, it is important to know that live bands give the correct picture of a good artiste.
What makes you different from a studio artiste?
I am different from a studio artiste because in the studio, we have synthesised sounds and you can be spoon-fed but in a live band, your mistakes can have a very damaging effect.
I have worked with so many people, doing different genres of music. I have worked with Jimi Solanke, a folk musician; Gbenga Adenuga, a gospel artiste; Big Bolaji, a gospel artiste as well as Akaniramoni, a fuji artiste. I have also worked with producers to many hip-hop artiste, while doing my own music. I try to coin different brands of music into my own style. My music is relevant to old, young, black or white. In summary, my music is called cross-over music and it relevant to everybody around the world
What makes Femi Odewole unique?
Femi Odewole is a brilliant guitarist who understands the fundamentals of music
You have some new songs. Tell us about them?
I have two new singles, one of them is titled ‘Africa’ and the other one is called ‘Jantoro’. Both of them will be released soon.
How do you intend to push your music especially when its done live?
I intend to record my songs inside the studio first and then perform them live with some other ready made songs.
Any album in the making?
Yes. After the two singles, the album comes in.
What other projects are you into?
I work as a music consultant and adviser for corporate organizations and branches that need music to promote their brands
What would you say were your challenges over the years?
Lack of basic infrastructure and appreciation of good music.
How were you able to overcome these challenges?
With God’s favour and consistency.
People say studio music kills good music and underscores the real talent of artistes. How true is that?
Yes it is true, because we have a way of covering flaws inside the studio, so as long you come along with your producer, you can be spoon fed. That is why most artistes, most times, will not perform their songs to a live band because they lack the basic techniques.
Would you say that good music is dead?
Good music is not dead, we still have good music in Africa. The main problem that we are having now is that good music is not easy to promote anymore.
Where do you see your craft in the next five years?
I want my music to be relevant and listened to through-out the world and I see Femi Odewole as an household name.
What would you have been if not an artiste?
If I was not an artiste, I would have been chemical engineer; I would have been working in an oil company and which I know that I would not be fulfilled.
How do you relax?
After finishing an event over the weekend, I take my time to relax. Sometimes, I travel out of the country.
Who would you consider artistes you respect in the industry?
Femi Kuti and Lagbaja
Future collaborations?
I can’t say for now.
Any videos to look forward to?
We will shoot the video of ‘Africa’ and ‘Jantoro’, and I hope to do the live performances of some ready made songs.
Fashion sense?
I put on anything that is good which suits the event I am going to, but I love simple clothes.
Word for upcoming artistes?
I want to implore upcoming artistes that they should not give up and be consistent. They should not let money control them.
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