ENTERTAINMENT PARROT INTERVIEW WITH AFRO MUSIC EXPONET
AND CULTURE ADVOCATE SEUN OLOTA
Question1/ kindly introduce Yourself,
My name is Seun Olota.
I’m simply un-apologetically a Nigerian, make music and have other interests (http://www.seunolota.com/index.php/bio/).
I might have migrated from somewhere here though because we all are migrants
and have done so in one way or the other over time. Nonetheless, this is the
place that I’ve found myself; I just have to make good use of it.
Question2/ what genres of music do u play?
Fusion-of
African music experiences and stylesin as much as we are exposed to more global
sounds now yet the African sound influence plays a dominant part in all.
Overall, I want to make good music that stands the test of time and it dosen’t
come by an overnight trip else it would a case of garbage in and garbage out
and phase out in such split of the flight that brought it overnight.
Therefore if my
music sounds like any of Igbo’s Kwokiriwo, Oduduwa’sBembe or Dundun,
Tiv’sSwange or Hausa’s Arewa lingua tone; so be it. I own the sound the
perceiver owns the nomenclature. Boxing art can be boring, tiring and killing.
We are all influenced even unconsciously by art exposure that you run into
unexpectedly and so boxing art particularly in its early stage in my view is
not needed that’s why you start some writing with a figure in mind and you
arrive at something completely different.
The question then
becomes “how early is early?” It’s time that assesses that maybe in decades and
other several scores of year’s measure. Artistsevolve with their sound over
time depending on the available instruments,skills of players and the
technology of its time.I have had so many flairs, influences and interests that
made and make me give an ear to many people (both in the formal and the
informal learning spheres of music) and so the choices of sound come with
several neck ties.
Another question
then arises whether art or music can be thought or not and the answer to this
will have a double-edged sword cutting two mutually inclusive as well exclusive
views. Art is what you have in-born (inherent) through experiences, interaction
and the imbibed. Also there is that aspect of music that comes with formal or
informal tutorship where some forms, techniques, structures, aesthetics,
secrets, ethics and others are shown and explained to an individual. I am of
the view that talent must be refined, groomed and developed else it remains a
treasure in the debris of with mud among many un-needed particles and
materials.
There is also that
part where innate talent plays a role and regardless of how long and well
someone was taught, the place of gift or calling (Àkọsílẹ̀ or Àkọmọ́) cannot be ruled out. And so, no matter
how long a child was carried to danceor rocked with lullaby songs; if the child
does not have that dancing motion within s/he just would not do the dance
beyond the ordinary. Yoruba say “kíkọ́nimímọ̀,”
that’s what I see about art generally.
Question3/what message is the center focus of your
music?
There are several
messagesor motifs. At every point in
time and for every topic, song or album there is a propelled message, idea,
theme or issue of concern bordering on advocacy, sensitization, mobilization,
reflection, assessment, meditation among others. Music means and administers
different things to different people at different times. For example, the same
music at some point in time can administer or be used for enjoyment by someone
and at some other time by the same person for reflection or just as an escape
route to avoid the immediate happenings around.
I hear views from
different quarters that music should only be used to praise God for some die
hard gospel fans and some otherAluta conscious persons music should strictly be
for Aluta that is; defense, resistance and attack. History makes us understand
that from time immemorial, music in Africa and around the world has played
various roles and serves for worship, martial operations, games, moonlight
stories, love sharing, wooing a lover, learning and education, preservation of
history,projection of culture, ritual rites, entertainment, occupational
identity, trade surrogateship, for prayers,martial activities and good-wish
ritual pantomime that a hunter enacts wishing a successful hunting expedition
before launching into the forest among many other uses and purposes of music.
The use of music
varies dependingon the maker. Sometimes you are forced to sing for joy and
sometimes against your wish your end up singing for peace or pleasure or
succor.
Question4/ What is the name of ur. band and the title
of ur albums ?
ExTaSi Gang and it’s
made up of some creative men women who also are directors, recording artists
and music scholars in their own rights yet jointly set on a sojourn. We have
had long-term relationships of collective growth and drive and mutual and
joyful parting as due to relocation, marital resettlement and natal needs for
married women.
Question5/ Tell us some notable concerts of urs?
No particular one
because they all come with different flavours, challenges, qualities,
reception, hospitality treatments, memories, audiences, demands and encounters
that make the man and his music. For example, in the days when I still do Piano
almost as my major; someone walks up to me from the audience of a small crowd
and engage me one-on-oneon music history, albums, collections and versions of
titles that I rendered that night. Occasions like that have helpedme to
discover more, gained more confidence (the re-enforcement effect) and sometimes
get me to hear facts that mademe have self assessment on area to works on.
To some persons,
their notable concert experience can be about financial reward while in some
cases it’s not about the crowed but about the personalities in the audience. At
other times you are just fulfilled to join a movement, support a worthy cause,
promote a campaign or a project orby joining a solidarity cause. These bits
form a whole bunchwhose experience combination I count on for future
projections, actions and decisions. So, none is small to me- they form a whole
at the long run.
For
instance, I learnt about the personalities in the audience as opposed to the
crowd in the 1990s when I began to run my band inJazzville.Jazzville had a
standard where you can be refused entry regardless of your money-in-my-pocket
if you don’t behave. It was a place where your money does not matter to the
psyche of the management that ran the place. There was a notice close to the
door that glasswarescan’t go beyond the point which means that if you had to
see someone off, you can’t get beyond a point within the premises with your
drink. Such places where respect to its respected customers and audiences are
most valued beyond a customer’s I have my money-in-my-pocket arrogance that’s
exhibited in most places today. And so, till the last person in the audience
leaves the musicians played as it should be played.
Also
about the respect for the audience or fans, I also recall the days with Peter
King’s set that from sound-check the papa has started playing the gig. For a
7pm to 11pm gig the sound check starts from 5pm but PK will not sit down after
the sound check by the time we were about to rest before the gig time, it was
already 7pm to start the gig so we had to continue and PK plays till the last
audience with the same vigour. These fragments formed part of the cherished
experiences.
Or will you talk
about Fela who at his legendary and super-stardomic height would never took his
fans granted with height of the show given even though he did it regularly in
his club house. He would have his sound-check as early as 10am for aoutdoor gig
that would hold in the evening or through the night meanwhile the so called
trending stars today just want to get on stage and be throwing hands to show
they are the boss in charge.
Question6/what influenced u to take .music as a weapon
in correcting societal ills?
I seem to be in
mixed reactionto answering this take because it has become an over beaten
notion and a cliché that music is a weapon even by people abusing the potency
of it. Also the general chorus by some people with no logic behind their
chorusing along withthe crowed that music must correct the ills of the
societyand all that cliché. We are aware that presently babies are giving birth
to babies and by calling babies I meant parent-babies having new-born-babies. I
don’t mean child by age but child-like in thoughts and psyche. A situation
whereby a man or woman in his or her 40s is physically wearing the 40s looks
but baby-like mentally and in manners.
Be that as it may,
whatever profession, trade, or occupation that one finds oneself be it
journalism, music, art, law, medicine, engineering, business, manufacturing be
the ideal or among the ideals. We have heard in the past of ancient kingdoms
where famous men and women dessert the society by personal decision for failing
the people or mis-appropriating their common trust or resources. That is the
part of honour. By this, I believe values of an ideal state must be extolled by
our actions and inactions in any endeavour or profession we find ourselves
engaged with.
There must be a
method to one’s madness. Why you asked this is because a lot of people are
beginning to drum other people’s mantras, doctrines, mission and vision
statements, logos and or slogans without knowing their origin talkless of the
rationale behind them. Extolling social values can be done in many ways and
through different avenues from one’s lifestyle toour words, our encounters with
other people and within our spheres of influence. Your sphere of influence is
where the microphone, pen, music, theatre play, accurate measure for the
customers purchase, care to clients and otherscome play their different roles
and make impact.
I have been
influenced by the writings and works of many great menand women whose
contributions to humanity have been profound. There are two major parties in a
match or game namely, the spectators and the actors. The spectators standby,
cheering, shouting, sweating and watching while the actors are on the pitch,
field or in the ring playing the match. We are either of the two in different
aspects of our daily living but being a spectator always is a waste of one’s
chance living. It is like existing and not living or just consuming and nor
producing and as it is often said, “if you are doing anything then you are
taking too much space” on the earth. It’s a pity. Some peopledon’t even need as
much space, time, resources or opportunity that some have to make an impact.
I’ll therefore meaningfully engage my space.
My leanings on the
works, writings, thoughts and discoveries of masters ha
However, the works
of Yusuf Olatunji, Ambrose Campbell, Fatai Rollin Dollars, HarunaIshola, Rex
Lawson, Roy Chicago, AdeoluAkinsanya, Oliver D’Coque, FelaKuti, Ebenezer Obey,
Sunny Ade, Barrister Ayinde, OsitaOsadebe, TunjiOyelana, JimiSolanke, Bob
Marley, Prof. LazEkueme, Prof. Abayomi Barber, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Prof. Bode
Osanyin, Prof. Femi Osafisan, Pa Akisanya, GbengaAdeboye, Dr. Alaja Browne,
Prof. Douglas Anele, DuroIkujenyo and a whole lot of many others whom I have
encountered, studied with or under or worked with.
Question7/ what Is ur message to ur fans and music
lovers and how can their getur .music ?
We thank and love
you all for your tips, feedbacks, criticisms, leads and patronage. We have
evolved not by our sole efforts but by a combination of many factors among
which you can’t be left out. We are appreciative of your presence in our
success stories because a production has not completed its purposeful
production cycle after series of researches,man-power and talents inputsand
material combinations to fabricate the product until it is used by the
end-users or impacts the end user.The finally stage is where the end user sends
a feedback to the manufacturer in relation to the satisfaction gained for the
purpose of purchase or engaging with the product. This latter part is one of
the vital parts of our brand and productions that make us revere our fans that
we can’t rule them out of our success stories.
Thank you.
Question8/ How can ur fans contact u?
Navigate
through- www.seunolota.com
"WHAT IT TAKES": Is an expose on the
difficulties aspiring Nigeria University Doctrine Programme Students undergoes
in the face of their zeal, energy, enthusiasms, and excellent accademic
pursuits which are marred by the Nigeria Factor.
"WHERE ARE YOU FROM": Tackles citizenship, indegenisation, inter ethnic marriages and youthful exuberance, it highlights the frustration and disappointment young Nigeria face in their quest to succeed in a place where their differences in background
Available at: GLENDORA IKEJA,
PATABAH SURULERE,
QUINTESSENCE IKOYI
TERRA KULTURE, TIAMIYU SAVAGE STREET, V.I
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"WHERE ARE YOU FROM": Tackles citizenship, indegenisation, inter ethnic marriages and youthful exuberance, it highlights the frustration and disappointment young Nigeria face in their quest to succeed in a place where their differences in background
Available at: GLENDORA IKEJA,
PATABAH SURULERE,
QUINTESSENCE IKOYI
TERRA KULTURE, TIAMIYU SAVAGE STREET, V.I
IN IBADAN, AT UI BOOKSHOP AND ALL BOOK SELLING OULETS
THIS BOOK IS AN ACADEMIC EXPOSITION ON URBAN LIVING WITH SPECIAL FOCUS
ON AFRICA AND THE ART(SETTING).... WRITTEN BY RENOWNED AUTHOR DR LOLA AKANDE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS ,ENGLISH DEPARTMENT... IT CAN BE PURCHASED FROM LAGOS ,CALL 08037195881,,ALSO FROM U.I BOOKSHOP, CALL OLAWALE ON 07069727757....
FROM SEGUN AWE AND AFRITONAS BAND
GRAB YOUR COPIES @ #500 EACH.FROM OUR ACCREDITED DEALERS AT:
• STEP UP MUSIC & FILM INTL,
IYANA IPAJA GARAGE SHOPPING COMPLEX, LAGOS
PHONE: 08063657414
• MAYEGUN RECORDS,
403 AGEGE MOTOR ROAD OSHODI LAGOS
• MUSCO RECORDS
NO 9 SAMUEL STREET VULCANIZER
BUS-STOP AKOWONJJO LAGOS
PHONE: 08060269766
• KBF RECORDS, INSIDE WORLD OIL BESIDE
FANAWOLE CANTEEN, IWO ROAD IBADAN,
OYO STATE
GRAB YOUR COPIES @ #500 EACH.FROM OUR ACCREDITED DEALERS AT:
• STEP UP MUSIC & FILM INTL,
IYANA IPAJA GARAGE SHOPPING COMPLEX, LAGOS
PHONE: 08063657414
• MAYEGUN RECORDS,
403 AGEGE MOTOR ROAD OSHODI LAGOS
• MUSCO RECORDS
NO 9 SAMUEL STREET VULCANIZER
BUS-STOP AKOWONJJO LAGOS
PHONE: 08060269766
• KBF RECORDS, INSIDE WORLD OIL BESIDE
FANAWOLE CANTEEN, IWO ROAD IBADAN,
OYO STATE
