Lánre! Your music needs Jesus, sort it out!

Every now and again, after a gig someone walks up to me and says

“I really love your music”

“Your voice is amazing”

“Your music is what I needed after a very stressful day”

So, after my set last Friday night, a lovely gentleman walked up to me.

‘Your music is fantastic, fantastic, I mean you write so beautifully…..your last song Home was exceptionally amazing, amazing!’

At this point, I knew a BUT was coming, I just felt it so I smiled, continued breathing and waited for it.

“…. you know what would make it even more amazing?”

I held my smile and my head titled to the side. It took me a few seconds to realise he was waiting for a response from me.

“No, what’s that?”  I responded.

“If you add Jesus in there somewhere, because you know only God can help you get home. Only God can do that, so if you add Jesus in there somewhere that would be great”

I squinted, smiled and thought of a nice way to tell him no. So, I simply said

“no. No. I won’t be adding Jesus in there somewhere. Nope!”

He looked at me shocked, as if he’s never had anyone tell him no.

I stared at him because I’ve never had anyone tell me that before.

Picture - Paris 2012 

I’ve had a couple of days to think about it, I think I should have said a bit more than just no.

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for the opportunity to share music and the privilege to touch someone’s heart with my music. I am also grateful that I get to play to a listening audience every now and again.

To be listened to, that’s a blessing and I don’t take it for granted at all.

You feel a BUT coming don’t you………..? J

In my mind, here is what I think happened…..

He loved the song so much, he was moved and touched by it and I’m guessing he’s only ever associated those feelings with a church experience… a spiritual encounter perhaps. He looked around him and realised he was nowhere near a church. He looked in front of him and the person singing hasn’t even mentioned Jesus or God once, she did say something about angels but everyone knows that to really evoke those deep feelings you need a lil’ bit of Jesus in there somewhere.

With no other reason to pin those feelings on, he thought to himself that though the the music is good, it lacked something, an essential ingredient to make it great and he concluded it had to be Jesus.

Lánre! Your music lacks a whole lot of Jesus, sort it out!

How do you know this? You ask.

                                                         Picture - Hill City Mass Choir 2003

I was raised in church, I sang in choirs for years and I was also part of a gospel collective that was active for eight years.  I know and recognise this gentleman’s thought process. I get it! 

My story however has taken on some colourful layers over the years. I have had some deep spiritual experiences to know that God is not and cannot be limited to the human boxes we tend to build.

I found God listening to Foy Vance’s music, Laura Marling haunting lyrics, Sophie Jamieson’s delicately crafted songs and Sufjan Stevens’ vulnerable voice.

I know this may sound ridiculous to some people but no one can tell me otherwise because my experiences and stories are mine.

When I write songs, my intention has always been to make people feel very deep within their souls what I feel when I put pen to paper. I am always searching for words that simply explain my faith, doubts, fears, dreams, failures and victories.

So when someone walks up to me and says, your music touched me, thank you.

I ALWAYS send one up to where inspiration comes from.  

We all want to be heard, who is listening?

there's something about sitting in a room filled with people listening to live music. As a musician living in London what you will come to realise is that although there are many venues to enjoy music, not all of them have a listening audience. Most people go out to music events with friends which is cool but most times, people use that time to catch up with their friends while the musician struggles to be heard.

We all want to be heard... don't we, but who's listening?

For four years I was the host of the weekly acoustic night, Portobello Acoustic Sessions - i really enjoyed sitting in that cosy room filled with listening audience. I was sad to let that gig go! 

A few months ago, I was asked to curate a monthly event at the Omnibus  in Clapham Common called Lánre + Special Guests 

It's a room filled with people who love music - I get to play some of my songs and introduce people to musicians they may or may not have heard of. 

Below is a video of me talking about it - more like a day in the life of kinda thing! :-) 

The next Lánre + Special Guests is Friday 26th June

Thank you for listening ;-) 

HER Story: HAIR

I am a believer in the saying that... We need to tell our stories, otherwise others will tell it for us and it almost always is inaccurate. No one can tell your story like you can.

I am currently putting together a series of short stories and this is the first of those.

It's about my hair - see video below

PS: don't ask me how my neck's doing!! hehehe

What to do with quiet moments....

I haven’t blogged in a while, not because I haven’t written anything but because I've been reluctant to share.

Not even sure why that is.

I have a problem with quiet moments.

When nothing is happening. No gigs, no new songs, no calls to inquire about gigs, no response to emails…. Just silence.

I've always felt like, time is of the essence, make the most of it and my way of making the most of it (i.e. time) is doing A LOT!

So, this season is a bit challenging for me.

I've been reading….

I just read ‘The Art of Asking’ by Amanda Palmer

She bares it all. Talk about vulnerability at its best.

I don’t know how to ask for help.

If anything needs doing, I get on with it. I however realise that you can’t get a lot done without asking for someone or people for help.

I need to learn to ask for HELP!

I was raised in the church so I know how to ask God for help. I however find it difficult to ask humans (hehe!) for help.

I think I am proud..... (ya think?!)

I've been shopping..

How do you like my new shoes?

1   I was on Netflix as you do and I watched the movie, A Long Way Down.

2     

3       It’s a story of 4 strangers who planned to jump off the same roof on New Year's Eve, they join together as a kind of family and give themselves six weeks to find valid reasons to live.

Towards the end of the film, I heard a song called ‘Youth’ by a band called Daughter

I think I played it a dozen of times and finally got my copy on iTunes

Watch the official video of Youth below, it's a gorgeous song.

I’m writing again……….wrote a new song with my ukulele. I think I’ll call this one 3 girls (that may possibly change)

One day (soon) I’ll share it with you.

Before you know it, it’ll be spring!

Speak soon x

LIVE TV is nerve-racking

I haven't blogged in months, partly because i haven't been 'inspired' to do so. If I am really honest though, I think I really got lazy about documenting my journey.

It's however December and you all know the month of December tends to be when we take stock and promise to do better in the new year. I though instead of promising to blog more in 2015... why not just get on with it :-)

Yesterday. I was on London Live TV to perform on the Evening News Show. There was a lil' interview to start with. This is more like a mini chat where the artists gets asked questions about their journey. 

The usual... how would you describe your music question. You'd think i'd be used to answering those questions by now! oh nope. I still stutter when i get asked, how would you describe your music.

They mic, you and give you all these instructions that go in one ear and come out the other and a they count the presenter in... Four Three, Two...

I however survived and managed to enjoy myself. I edplay one of the songs from my current record, 'Memories' a song I wrote for an organisation that supports Alzheimer's research and awareness. 

Here's the link - let me know what you think ;-)

http://www.londonlive.co.uk/news/2014-12-15/playout-pitch

HOME Liner Notes - Track 2 | Stone Collector

I wrote this song after a conversation I had with a man who has a habit of collecting stones. 

I was obviously curious as to why…

He said he collected stones for good luck. My first thought was, how bizarre!

The more I questioned him about why, and how on earth he thought the stones in his pockets made any difference to how his fortune turned out, the more I realised how very alike we all are. I stopped judging him, I instead accepted and respected his choice to collect stones and wrote a song instead. 

Isn't it amazing how what you need to read, listen to, watch..... comes to you at the moment when you need it

So, these past few days I've been reading about dreams and inner voice and I realise that Stone Collector is a little glimpse into those things. We are all searching for that voice to assure us that

Everything will be ok!

You are  on the right path!

You will win!

And what we spend our lives doing is searching for that voice elsewhere but within us.

A couple of days ago, the legend and extra special human being Dr. Maya Angelou, passed away and her last tweet was this..

'Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.'

THAT IS IT!!

The voice speaking to you is within you, willing you to be quiet and listen. (we are not doing a lot of that these days, everyone is talking at the same time and no one is listening)

Let that voice lead you!

You can download Stone Collector (from the EP - Home) on itunes

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/home-ep/id862416048 

Stream via Spotify 

HOME Liner Notes - Track 1 | 21 Days

I write because I don't have all the answers. 

Always searching, seeking and hoping to find.

21 Days is my take on the conversation that (may have taken) took place between Daniel and an angel called Gabriel.

Do you pray?

If you do, what do u pray about and why do you pray?

Does it make any difference?

There's a point in the Daniel and Gabriel conversation that always gets me. When the angel told Daniel that he already made his way to help from the first day Daniel prayed.

What the heck took you 21 days Gabriel? 3 weeks ?!?!

My afro would have grown a whole inch in the time it took the angel to come to Daniel's aid.

Gabriel's explanation though, favours the saying "there's more to life than meets the eye"

There are people who believe that prayer is an excuse for apathy or laziness.

 Some turn to prayer when they feel helpless and don't know what to do.

and then there are some who would explore all options and then pray when come to the point where nothing else works.

There are those who pray before each meal and then pray before they select what outfit to wear

 Some pray when the day starts and others, when the day ends.

What ever category you fall into, I think there must be an element of belief in divine intervention (or) and a higher power in everyone who prays otherwise there'll be no need to pray....no?

                                   Question is though, do you believe?

and........

would you still hold on to your faith if you have to wait 21 days for an intervention or response?

You can download 21 Days (from Home) on itunes

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/home-ep/id862416048

Stream - Spotify 

A BLANKET AND A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE

A week ago, I released a 5 track record called HOME

Picture by Jendella Artwork by Charles Juba 

Prior to the release, I had the privilege of putting together a Living Room Sessions tour. 

Sharing music with a live audience is a beautiful thing because you have the opportunity to see people respond to the music you've been crafting and perfecting in your own little world or room in real time. 

Having to go into people's living spaces and sharing music with them, their friends and family was even a more beautiful experience because the gap between stage and audience is removed. I wanted that same feeling of closeness to be felt on my new record.

  

When you think of home, you immediately think of family. 

I have discovered that what also connects people apart from bloodline or DNA is music. I have seen it happen when I toured Paris and got to play with amazing musicians whose English speaking ability is way French's which is nonexistent and it made absolutely no difference. We just connected.

On this record, I wanted to play with friends and musicians that I've shared the stage with at some point and that's exactly what happened.

Cello - Nora Kalcheva | 2nd Guitars - Richard Burrell | Bass - Stewart Rawle | Drums & Percussion - Feranmi Ogunseyinde

Picture by Janssem Cardoso at Resident Studios

All five of us (and a six month old bump) spent ten hours recording together in one room with Simon Small at the desk. It's an experience I won't be forgetting for a long time. What a blessing to be supported by these musicians.

We later asked Mike Dunne to sprinkle some gold dust on Memories and did he do that or what?

When you ask anyone what home means to them, it's interesting to note that it means different things to everyone. For some, it's a space and for others, it's a state of mind. I wanted anyone who listened to this record to feel connected to that place they call home, their own comfortable place, their home. All I told Rohan Budd, who did an amazing job of lovingly piecing together everything we recorded in that room, was "imagine being wrapped up in a blanket and handed a hot cup of chocolate on a cold winter night"

Every artist will tell you that sharing your work with the world carries with it a whole lot of excitement as well as nervousness. You wrestle with your inner voice...

will it be well received?

oooh I hope the like it..

i should have tweaked that song here and then there

What I've come to learn is that, after all is said and done, you have to let it go... to my surprise though, the EP did climb to #53 on the iTunes chart a few hours after release. For some, that's nothing but for me, THAT IS AMAZING

I hope the record continues to reach out and finds it's way into people's homes, cars and cafes.

So when you listen to this EP I'd like you to close your eyes and allow yourself to be wrapped up in the voices, strings and rhythms coming out of your speakers into your ears, till your whole body is immersed in the music.

Thank you for telling a friend and a friend's friend :-) - below are the links to the new EP 

Stream - Spotify 

DOWNLOAD itunes
https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/home-ep/id862416048

Memories...(Gèlè Song)

Who will remember for me

All of my life’s journey

When you look at me, do you see

Life’s not what it used to be

Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya
Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya

You will remember for me

Beautiful memories

Keep them close to your heart

Stories my mind won’t hold

Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya
Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya

Let our stories be told through the painter’s brush

Canvas holds on to memories, long after we’re gone

Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya
Ewo gèlè orí mi 
yaya yaya

© written by Lánre 2013 

I Remember...

The venue was Spice Of Life in Soho..

I had my strapless pink guitar on my back and joined the queue was already spilling into the street.

At some point I thought to myself, “There is no way I’d be able to play here tonight”

When I got to the front of the queue, I gave my name and guy said..

“You are number 22 on the list, we might not get to you before the open mic closes but do wait around just in case someone cancels.”

I had no clue what I was doing but I just wanted to put myself out there. I started taking guitar lessons six months prior and barely knew about three chords but it was all I needed to play the required two songs.

I sat down, looked around and felt so out of place.The thought of leaving did cross my mind a few times, but I stayed.

When my name was finally called (pronounced LANRA), I walked to the stage, sat on the stool and started to strum away. I don’t think I remember much of what happened afterwards. I do remember though that halfway in through my second song, my legs began to shake, my guitar was slowly sliding down my thighs and of course my fingers started to sweat. 

I stopped a few times to apologize (nerves i guess) to the silent crowd and continued till I finished my songs.

I thanked the audience for listening and left the stage.

If it was possible for the ground to open up and swallow me, I would have asked for it to do so. I felt so embarrassed BUT yet free.

I sent a text message to my hubby..

 “I've done it!!”

“Done what?” he text-ed back.

You see, I didn't tell a soul where I was going, or what I was doing. I think if I knew people were coming to see me I would have cancelled my slot.

I have since then played so many gigs that I've lost count. Not all perfect gigs by any chance but nothing close to my first experience of playing in front of a live audience.

My dad is an expert at marking anniversaries of every event… he was constantly taking stock, remembering and giving thanks. I think I've inherited that from him. Brings a smile to my face when I remember how he used to say things like..

“This time last week you were registering for your exams” or

“This time last month you took your driving test” or

“This time last year you were in the hospital”

So I imagine today he would have said something like…

“This time three years ago, you were preparing for your first open mic”

Paying Attention

I was listening to Brene Brown the other day and she mentioned that a quote from Theodore Roosevelt's speech is the inspiration behind her new book Daring Greatly.

A few days later, I was watching an episode of Blue Bloods and the same quote came up... so I paid attention.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. 

 The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. 

So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt

Read that over and over again, let it resonate with you as you go about your day.

New London Artist - Muswell Hill Flyer (Feb 2013)

Lánre presents... LIVING ROOM SESSIONS tour

Happy New Year!! It's 14 days into the new year but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that you had fun celebrating the beginning of 2013.

I am excited about the next twelve months and one of the things I am excited about is MY FIRST ?Living Room Sessions? Tour from February the 8th to April the 13th

For those unfamiliar with the concept, imagine a mini concert in your front room with your friends and family? YEP!


YOU invite your friends and family (willing and listening audience from about 10 people upwards) and I will bring my guitar and another singer and songwriter along. You get to ask questions between songs we get to talk about the idea(s) behind each song. I will introduce you to the music I like and you will introduce your friends to my music? exciting, right?!


SO this is what you need to do, if you are interested in me playing in your front room please email me LANRE@LANREWORLD.COM

I will let you know what dates are available and what dates best suits you from February the 8th to April the 13th (we can arrange another date outside these dates if none of the dates suite you)

The show can be advertised beyond your immediate friends and family, but I PROMISE I'll never give out your address to anyone or put it on the internet, and will allow you to vet anyone else who wants to come along. I can't wait your lovely faces and meet your friends somewhere along the way.

I wrote a new song (STONE COLLECTOR) a few months ago and would like to share it with you (see below) 

Thank you do much for your support in 2012 - I wouldn't have been able to do half the things I've done without you!

Bucket Loads of love,

Lánre
http://www.lanreworld.com

Music... the language of friendship

Music is the language of friendship

Last month I had the opportunity to play in Paris.

When I go out to play I sometimes have my friend Richard Burrell play the second guitar. but for the most part, I am a solo performer....My guitar and I 

One of the challenges i find with playing on my own is that I sometimes feel uncomfortable (or maybe it’s just nerves) playing with other musicians especially if I've NEVER played with them or heard any of their work.

It was suggested that I play with four Paris based musicians on the last day of the tour.  My initial reaction was of course erm… nope.

I finally said yes when I was told that the bass player had been rehearsing the songs for a few days and the flute player asked for a set list to start her own rehearsals.

I figured that the least I could do when musicians had gone the extra mile to listen to my music and book a rehearsal space was to give it a listen and perhaps add another dimension to my experience in Paris.

Rehearsals was set at Sybil’s (the flute player’s) flat.

A few weeks before the tour, I was asked to write a song for an event GELE TEA a couture fashion event that helps raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. I wrote and performed the song “MEMORIES” at the event and have since played the song at gigs. 

The song apart from it being about the obvious subject matter of memory loss, for me, it also is a song about trust and friendship.

Rehearsals felt like I was playing with long lost friends. It felt VERY familiar.

Shafik (the drummer with the warmest smile) did put a wider smile on my face on the train home when he said 

                  “I don’t speak English but I speak music”

Enjoy the video of us rehearsing “MEMORIES” below 

SHAFIK PERCUZONG - Percussion 

SYBILLA BARTHES - Flute

NATHALIE DURAND - Bass 

Lánre - Live In Paris (Part Deux)

This time last month, I was preparing to play my final show, of a 6 date tour in Paris 

I met up with three amazing musicians I had never met before, they reminded me of why I do what I do.... I will tell you more about that in a different blog.

For now here is a short video of some of what happened behind the scenes; 

From pretending to play a piano to free styling with the lovely Doréa in the hope of getting people to come out to the final gig. 

Every artist needs a Doréa.... (will tell you about her some other time ;) )



ENJOY x

MÁ GBÀGBÉ

Má Gbàgbé

VIDEO DIRECTED BY Olan Collardy

SONG PRODUCED BY Goz-I-am 

Inspiration

Inspiration is so beautifully intriguing.....

sometimes it comes looking for you, sometimes it hides and you have to dig deep to find it. One thing is for sure, when it finds you or you it and you come together as one, something really special happens. 

I now describe that thing as 'Divine'

I came across actor Lukas DiSparrow on Facebook (you may have seen him in the Harry Potter or Sherlock Holmes movies) Apart from his passion for acting, he is also very passionate about telling stories through his lens.

He heard my song 'inspiration' and came up with an idea for filming the song.

We fixed a date, got our tickets and made our way to Bournemouth.


We spent the best part of the day on the beach. My guitar, notebook and pen in hand, Lukas directed and followed me around with his camera. 

He captured his visual interpretation of the song and below is our whole day zipped into four minutes and twelve seconds. 

Hope you like it as much as we do. 

L O V E is...

Just when I think I know what LOVE is, I come across Ian & Larissa's story....

and my perspective is challenged AGAIN. 

L O V E is...

more than a F O U R letter word.

                                              

Singing for Change

I sing 

of the beauty of Athens

without it slaves

of a world free of kings and queens

and other remnants 

of an arbitrary past 

of earth 

with no sharp north 

or deep south without blind curtains 

or iron walls

of the end

of warlords and armouries

and prisons of hate and fear

of deserts treeing

and fruiting 

after the quickening rains

of the sun radiating ignorance 

and stars informing 

nights of unknowing 

I sing 

of a world reshaped 

I Sing Change by Niyi Oshundare for World poems on the Underground 

Music that inspires

As someone that makes music I always hope that somehow my songs touches someone and helps make their journey in life better.

Even though it sometimes sounds cliche, music does make a difference. I want MY music to make a difference.

I watched this short video by "Music and Memory" and got me thinking about years from now (say 50 years) if our music will bring joyful memories to others like it does to Henry in this video.

WATCH and enjoy