Sunday, 24 July 2011

New Song - Inspiration




Today I will write 2,000 words
Today, I will write that song
Today, I will...
Do you see where I'm going here?

I had a similar experience during the writing process of my new project "Pen Voyage Chapter One; Singing for Change" and after a few hours of nothing but blank paper, I decided to take a walk.

I got to the park and took a seat and that's when the idea for the song 'inspiration' came to me.

Isn't it amazing how sometimes you are waiting on inspiration to come to you and nothing happens and other times you aren't looking for inspiration and it comes chasing after you?

I have always been fascinated by creativity. I truly believe that the 'magic' happens when we connect with something or someone beyond ourselves. I love to call that moment, divine exchange.

"I am yours, you are mine" (from the song 'inspiration')

My relationship with creativity is what I have tried to put in a couple of verses hoping it resonates with everyone that hears it, I really do.

Listen to Inspiration below

Inspiration (Radio Edit) by Lánre

Lyrics & Vocals by Lánre
Guitar by Lánre
Piano by Goz -i-am
Produced by Goz-i-am
Mixed & Mastered by Levelsrite. London, UK.

Pen Voyage Chapter One; Singing for Change is out in August 2011.
For more info visit www.lanreworld.com

Sunday, 10 July 2011

Follow your inner compass

Monday, 16 May 2011

Don't be afraid...



When we all said goodbye to 2010, like everyone else I was excited, expectant...

Twelve new months seemed at the time, like a lifetime away but now that we're halfway through the fifth month (can you believe that?) I am asking 'where the heck is 2011 running to'

One of the things I was sure of was that I wanted to go out and gig a bit more, play my new songs and record an album; anything else, I wasn't sure about. I was however open to whatever God brought my way.

I promised myself to embrace change, appreciate the familiar and take moments everyday to be present and thankful.

So how's the plan coming along you ask? Nicely, I respond.

Last week, I started recording "PEN VOYAGE CHAPTER ONE; Singing For Change"



I haven't been in the studio since the last time with my contemporary UK Gospel collective 'GK REAL'... we're talking years here.

Not only that, where in the past all I had to worry about was come into the studio to record my assigned vocal part, with this project, I am involved from stage zero... It's new and challenging but also exciting. God had blessed me with people to help me bring this dream into reality.

And speaking of new experiences, a few weeks into the new year, I was given an opportunity to host a weekly Live Music event. My initial reaction was that of fear and then I thought...erm, 'why not?' I love live music in intimate rooms and space and Portobello Acoustic Sessions is just that.



Four months into this hosting gig, I have met some amazing musicians, it's crazy I tell ya, like good crazy!

I am sure the next seven months will be great, I know it will.

Here's my website if you'd like to come out to one of my gigs... be nice to see ya ;)
www.lanreworld.com

Friday, 29 April 2011

Time's ticking....

Thursday, 10 March 2011

Get Caught Reading - Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult





I had never read anything written by Jodi Picoult until I picked up a copy of ‘Plain Truth’ from Sense charity shop round where I live.

‘Plain Truth’ is a story of eighteen year old Katie Fisher who gets pregnant out of wedlock. Nothing new there I hear you say.

Well, Katie Fisher isn’t your average eighteen year old girl, she is Amish and in the Amish community, pregnancy before marriage is not only fround upon, but you run the risk of being rejected from your community and that's why Katie told no one when she discovered she was pregnant.

Katie Fisher’s secret could obviously be kept for so long and when the baby finally arrived, Katie did what she knew to do, Pray. When she wakes up from exhaustion and the baby is gone, she thought her prayer was answered but when the body is found and she’s accused of murdering the baby, her faith in her community, faith and God is tested.

Ellie Hathaway, Philadelphia defence lawyer’s plan to hide away at Paradise Pennsylvania from her high pressured job took a dramatic turn when she was reluctantly agreed to take on Katie’s case.

Immersing herself in the Amish culture, Ellie was able to see the difference between her world and a world that lives by rules that are completely different from hers.

I read the four hundred and fifty one page novel gripped by Katie’s pain of loss, fear of rejection, her need to right the wrong she was convinced was her fault.

I will definitely be checking out more of Jodi’s books in the future, she is a solid storyteller.

Monday, 7 March 2011

Love Way or is it Love Lane...

One day a question popped up in my head...

If God lived in our world, what would his address be? After much thought I came to the conclusion that perhaps he'd live on Love Way or perhaps Love Lane



Well, a few weeks later, I wrote this song.

Now that we've found God (2x)
Keep Him within four Walls
Doors closed to those who need Him
Hearts closed to the pain of others
They look nothing like us
Send them off with a prayer
Waiting on heaven as she waits on us
And when Angels come knocking
We send them away singing

Please take me to love way
That's where I wanna be
Please take me to love way
That's where I wanna live

Now that we've found God (2x)
Meetings, show off our Sunday best
In our pockets, the obligatory tenth
Have a man tell us what's on His mind
Ignore the Spirit that's on our inside
Forget what's really important
Love, the one, the only commandment
And when angels come calling
We send them away singing

Please take me to love way
That's where I wanna be
Please take me to love way
That's where I wanna live

Bridge;
You must be more than
Praying before every meal
You must be more than
Meetings everyday of the week
You must be more than
Praying out loud with fancy words
You must be more than
Living by faith without works

Now that we've found God (4x)
What are we going to do with Him.

(c) Lánre Njoku 2010

On my way to a gig in Camden last night, a man came into my train carriage holding a cup, begging for spare change..

As he walked towards me, I caught myself holding my breath and like everyone else I turned and looked the other way as if if we don't look in his direction or if we simply ignored him, he will go away taking his stench with him.

Now, few minutes prior, I was humming the song 'Love Way' preparing for my gig

"And when angels come calling
We send them away singing....."

so you can imagine my irritation at this guy who has interrupted my flow (remember, I have to hold my breath)

As my train pulled into the next stop.. Yep! It was Angel Station The guy got off my carriage and stepped into the next.

I knew I could not let this guy go without giving him something... Anything. I ignored the usual "He might use the money for drugs and not food or lodging as he claimed"

As soon as the train pulled into the next station, Kings Cross, I got off and ran two carriages down, jumping in right before the doors closed shut and there was the guy. I dropped the money in his cup. He looked at me and said, "God bless you and thank you"

I smiled and continued humming away

"And when angels come calling
We send them away singing..."

Love Way (below)

Monday, 7 February 2011

DO what you love & do it often

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Still on track

One of my new year resolutions (if you can call it that) was to find two live music venues in London every week to go to and to share my songs.

So far, so good.

Twice a week you will find me either running to catch the train or squeezed in like sardines with the rest of the London underground commuters with my guitar on my back and looking so serious (DARING ANYONE TO ASK ME TO MOVE MY BAG FROM THEIR FACES) my guitar has as much right as the next person stood next to me is what i say! LOL!

What amazes me is the amount of talent that is out there. I have come to the conclusion that if you're looking for good music, don't switch on the box, go out and find them. I have met solo artists and bands who are passionate about their art and most days I leave inspired.

Apart from going into the studio in April to record my first solo project, I am unsure where all of this new discovery will be taking me but I AM SO EXCITED... beyond words (seriously) I am looking forward to the months ahead and wondering what's in it for me.

I recorded a couple of my songs last night when I played at the Silver Bullet. The iPhone4 ain't that bad at all ;))

Enjoy and keep checking me out on www.lanreworld.com (I am always up to something)

Inspiration



Taste of Freedom