Even though my album title is partly inspired by buskers, I have never busked before until I got a call to do so for the Mayor of London SkyRide campaign.
The whole idea was to play for 30mins with a 30 minute break at intervals of six slots. I said yes and then thought to myself "you must be crazy"
I was pleasantly surprised though as most of the Cyclers either waved as they pedalled past my spot or shouted a greeting or two.
Music is a major part of most peoples' everyday life so to be asked to play my songs was great, I imagined my voice and music serving as a soundtrack to their cycling.
My spot was extra special too. During my 30 minute break I sat at the bench in the park overlooking the lake and watched the ducks enjoying themselves.
When my slot was over at 4 o'clock that evening, I most definitely felt like a legitimate London Busker... If only for a day.
More stories on my Singing For Change tour to come..
Late last year when I went to my local guitar shop with the hope of buying an electro acoustic guitar to add to my Blue Vintage acoustic guitar, I was looking for something affordable that plays and sounds really well (I am still a guitar student; I picked up the instrument a year ago.)
The Shop assistant asked what I was looking as he took me round to showing me a selection of guitars within my price range. He took down a natural wood colour one and handed it to me to have a feel and play. As I started to strum & pluck, something caught my attention
The minute I laid my eyes on her, I had to have her.
I gave the guitar in my hands back to the shop assistant and walked straight to this lovely Pink Stagg electro acoustic guitar.... it was offered as a second hand sale and thankfully affordable.
I brought it home and my fiancé (now husband) said, what is this? (Still doesn't understand whyt I would go for pink! ;-o)
After a few rehearsals, I knew she had to be a girl (nothing to do with colour) for one, every gig I have taken her to, she gets all the attention and I get absolutely none. Which is good because then I am able to play with little or no pressure.
Yesterday, I decided to name her. After much thought I decided to follow the African community/family naming tradition by looking to the social network community of FACEBOOK and TWITTER. I declared my status a 'NAME MY PINK GUITAR DAY'
Over the Top (I know) but eh, why not ;)
At around 9PM I 'closed' the voting lines and started to count the entries; below are the submissions.
Barbie Morenike Jane Pink Panther Pink Lady Pink drink Raise your pinky Lanre Queen Nefertiti Angel Angeli Twilight Hot Stuff Pucksy Lady Stella Oluwatobiloba Strings attached Lassie Jimi Hendrix Fola Jewel Tiffany Hephzibah Pink strings Pink Rock Plonky Plinky Rudolph Queen L’Oreal
Thirty one in all!!! my guitar is definitely African, specifically Nigerian. HA! For those who don't know, it is not unusual for Nigerians to have several names. The other day a friend told me she had just been to a naming ceremony and the baby girl had 21 names (YEP! you heard that right 21!)
So, I went through the list above and got rid of names like; Pink strings, Strings attached, Pink Rock, Plonky, Hot stuff, Plinky, Lassie, Rudolph, Pucksy.. just because; 1) the last thing I want on my hands is a bullied guitar and 2) I wanted a name that means something; we are Africans you see and names has to have meanings)
I also got rid of names like L’Oreal, Pink Panther and Twilight because as far as I am concerned, they aren't original enough.
The next to go was Lanre and Jimi Hendrix just because; 1) this guitar already competes with me when it comes to attention so, it won't be taking my names (my middle name is Jimi) and 2) Being named after the Legendry Jimi Hendrix will be too much pressure for my lil' pink guitar to deal with.
After sifting through the lot, I was left with the following names;
Morenike Queen Nefertiti Stella Angel Fola Jane Oluwatobiloba (Tobi for short)
I had seven names to choose from and I just couldn't make up my mind or give a good reason why I would choose one above the other so I reckoned seven is a pretty good number; perfection, for those who are into numerology et al.
I think all seven names describe in one way or another what this pink guitar means to me (it really does) so this is what I'll do.. depending on how we feel on a particular day we may decide to go for all names or one.
SO tonight the 19th of January 2011, my guitar shall be called; Morenike, Fola, Oluwatobiloba, Angel, Stella, Jane, Queen Nefertiti by Stagg
Thanks to everyone who helped name her....
What's in a name you ask; another day, another blog I say!
and....Below is myself and Morenike in action (isn't she gorgeous?)
And so began my journey of self discovery. I have always been in one choir or another and I have had the most amazing experience(s) of my life. Being a part of a large group of creative people teaches you a lot of things one of them being team work. You see people trying to sound a tad bit louder than the rest of the team; anything to be noticed and heard. You also learn to listen for the next person because the choir sounds best when they sing as one. In the choir I met some amazing individuals who we went on to be the collective known as GK REAL..
Whoa! That taught me something alright! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING WHEN YOU SET YOUR HEART TO IT! I remember our first official gig in Sheringham, I remember our first trip to the US. Oh we had a blast travelling, singing, recording our first album. Working with GK REAL, I re-discovered my love for writing. It has always been my first love but it went on the back burner when living life to pay bills took over. As amazing as the GK REAL experience is, I realised that there was something in me wanting to find expression, something more than organising the group’s dates, singing the harmonies and chasing churches for cheques. (unbelievable, but true! Lol!)
Early this year, it was decided that we take time out to concentrate on working on individual projects for a while and that took me back to the question I asked myself many months ago.
“Who are you?”
A little over twelve months ago I cut off my hair and decided to wear it all natural. What’s that got to do with who you are? I hear you ask. Well, the thing was I couldn’t remember what my natural tight African curls felt or looked like. I wore a perm from the first time my mum FINALLY allowed me to have one and as soon as I had a taste of that ‘crack’ there was no going back for me. I mean I could run my fingers through my hair! But believe it or not, the courage to cut it all off and start over again gave me the courage to learn to play the guitar; Crazy how everything is linked eh? Something happens when you let go and allow those curls grow I tell ya!
I am not your knock relaxers and straighteners, fist in the air Nubian queen, I am just excited about this journey and wanted to share because what I thought was my own story I find is connected to someone else’s story.
I have had a few guitar lessons and started writing songs again and my first song is called beautiful; a story of a little girl that’s always wanted to be like everyone else till she discovered who she was; BEAUTIFUL.
Last Saturday I plucked up the courage to play my song in front of a little crowd of people, strumming one string after another. That was fun, I tell ya! I think I will do this more often.
I am excited about this journey and I can’t wait to see what else I discover about ME.
