Coming in during one of her sets after rushing to get there, our first thoughts were ‘WoW’ what a voice. You see the day had been crazy busy but the excitement had been slowly bubbling underneath the crazy madness. We wanted to hear what Lánre sounded like because though she has been around for several years, it would be difficult to uniquely identify her voice. She was part of a group when last we met her and she was the funky but quiet member.  She has always been warm with her creativity flowing through in every interaction but it was not till tonight that the realisation of her intense yet soft voice really hit us.

Her image is a mix of Erykah Badu meets Sade meets Lisa McClendon but her style is distinctively her own. Wearing a tank top with African style Aladdin pants and high heels (if you can picture that!), she was definitely the star of the night. She dominated the stage which though full of people, seemed to contain her alone. Her style was eclectic yet inviting – a blend of Africa, classic new York and the British summertime. Sounds like a contrast yet it worked so incredibly well.

The album was launched through a concert.  The audience was delighted with a blend of soul, jazz and blues, but the night was ultimately about Lánre and her album launch. In her own words, the audience was given a full description of her heritage and her use of Yoruba (one of 250 languages spoken in Nigeria, West Africa from where she hails) to tell stories. She is on a journey and that much is obvious. But what makes this beautiful lady tick? What would her music have to say that is not just fun to listen to but also relatable? Who is Lánre?

Speaking to the lady herself during the break in the first set, we tried to get a sense of the woman behind the lights.  Enjoy..

RW: Describe your musical style.

I am not sure what it is or how to describe stylistically what I do but I guess if you have to it would be African Folk, Acoustic Soul, Storytelling.

RW: A wide range. Who would you describe as your musical influences?

I grew like most people listening to my dad playing music by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley and then Fela. Later when I became a Christian and I started singing in choirs I started listening to music by Amy Grant, Bebe & Cece Yolanda Adams, and Fred Hammond. A few years ago, I [then] started listening to  musicians and songwriters like India Arie, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and more recently discovering Voy Vance, Lizz Wright, Jason Mraz so I guess I am influenced by all these musicians in some way or another.

RW: Tell us about the journey of creating your album

I have always written poems and short stories but [had] never played an instrument until eighteen months ago when I started to take lessons and then started writing songs. I started going out to open mic venues and playing the songs and seeing what works and what doesn’t. I then went to Goz-i-am who is an amazing producer and together we came up with what musicians we wanted to play on the record, the sound we thought best worked with the songs I had written and I’ve been blessed to work with amazing musicians like Femi Temowo, Troy Miller, Pedro Segundo and Jimmi Clarke on this project.

RW: Wow – a diverse bunch. What would you say is the theme of the album?

The Album is called Pen Voyage Chapter 1: Singing for Change. The idea behind it is to show the journey of my pen as a song writer  and the  other part is writing songs and music about issues that are  close to my heart, some songs are questions unresolved, some are hoping to see change (starting with me) and some are just stories that I hope inspires.

RW: What do u want to leave the listeners with?

I see myself as a storyteller and I just like to write songs that inspire people in some way or another.

RW: The first song performed tonight tells us of your grandfather’s words to you years ago. The variety of instruments used combined the western with the African. You are immediately transported to the scene the music lovingly details for you. This is truly an invitation in a world beyond our own and yet so distinctly relatable. We couldn’t help but want more. What made you decide to open yourself up so fully in this song?

Ma Gbagbe is what I call a travellers’ song and it’s one of the songs I wrote thinking of my grandfather. He was huge on prayers and he had a way of always reminding us, the grand children of our heritage and how important family is. So that song was just me saying to myself not to forget who I am as I go seeking greener pastures and I guess singing the song does remind me of my grandfather and the emotion in the song comes through as I play it.

RW: You included your old band mates in your set tonight. Tell us a little more about that.

GK REAL is a huge part of my journey and when we decided to go on a break, I took on guitar lessons and started to write some of the songs that have now become a part of my new record. The show ‘Premier Gospel presents Live’ is the first time most people would probably see me perform live with a full band and having my second family on stage with me on the night just seems like a perfect thing to do. Also it was good to show people that GK REAL is simply on a break not broken up as some people thought.

RW: Inspiration is simply a beautiful song. Very uplifting and vocally rich it was captivating. What is your inspiration?

Thank you. I am inspired by great story tellers like my dad, my grandfather. I also love reading a lot; I love the work of Chimamanda Adichie, Jodi Picoult. I wrote a song after I read The Shack by William Young. I am inspired by creative singers and songwriters like India Arie, Foy Vance, Regina Spektor, Justin Nozuka and Asa.

RW: Your song – Taste of freedom: tell us more about it.

Taste of Freedom is a song I wrote about my journey to finding my voice. When I say voice I mean physically as well as metaphorically i.e. my purpose. When you have been part of a church choir or a collective as most have been, it can sometimes put pressure on you to sound a certain way or sing in a particular style to feel accepted into the ‘fold’ if you like. So you learn a song (which is almost usually a cover) to sing in church on a Sunday and you are expected to learn and sing all the riffs and the ad-lib like the original and anything else is not regarded as good enough. Or as a creative person you are expected to know and define yourself by a particular genre and you just can’t leave it at “I am a singer songwriter” it has to be what sort of singer are you? I tried to use a couple of verses to explain the journey of finally finding my voice and to me, that’s freedom.

RW: what have u got planned for the rest of the year to leave your mark?

Well going out sharing the songs, getting better at playing the guitar, sell some records, meet interesting people and hopefully get them to think differently.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes decades of time together strewn with a minefield of potential relationship wreckers. It’s a wonder that anyone ends up walking off into the sunset, hand-in-wrinkled-hand, with a silver-haired mate. What do those geriatric lovebirds know that you don’t?

Well, the truth is that even in so-called happy marriages, both partners probably fantasize some of the time—or even much of the time—about throwing in the towel. A 2009 Woman’s Day and AOL Living poll found that a shocking 72% of women surveyed have considered leaving their husbands at some point. But despite the occasional rocky patch, 71% expected to be with their husbands for the rest of their lives. So how do you make it to the finish line with your relationship intact?

Each decade will have its own drama, be it child-rearing, layoffs, second careers, and middle-aged angst, along with a big helping of the in-sickness-and-in-health stuff. Here’s how to have a healthy relationship every step of the way.

1. Watch your waistline

Now that you’re married, you can finally relax and skip the gym, right? Wrong. Wedded couples tend to have fatter waistlines, which can spell trouble in terms of sexual attraction and general health.

A 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that your chances of becoming obese increase by 37% if your spouse becomes obese. So unless you want “till death do us part” to include chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes, it’s important to establish healthy eating habits early on. But warding off weight gain isn’t as simple as whipping up a healthy meal together. Eating with anyone—from your spouse to coworker—can cause you to consume 33% more than you would solo.

Being aware of the potential fatty pitfalls of marital bliss may be enough to keep your portion sizes in check. Spend couple time checking out local farmers’ markets on the weekends in an effort to consumer fresher, low-calorie fare. Or schedule an exercise date to work off some of your hearty, homemade dinners.

2. Have a financial plan

Nearly 40% of married people admit to lying to their spouse about a purchase, according to a 2004 poll, and money woes can quickly send your marriage south. In fact, money is the number-one reason couples fight, and relationships tend to suffer during poor economies. You should discuss and agree upon some hard financial ground rules, preferably before you tie the knot.

Don’t fret if you’re a spendthrift and your partner pinches pennies. “It’s probably not a good thing to have the exact same philosophy about money, ” says Ken Robbins, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “But financial issues are best to resolve early on. You want to decide who is going to pay the bills, how much discretionary spending is reasonable, and how you’re going to keep track of it all.”

(Continue reading on CNN…)

*DR in wsj magazine*

Everyone has those moments where it’s almost as though a light was turned on in your head.  It could be the moment you realised the answer to a long standing problem.  Or the moment you see through a distressing situation to the cause of the pain.  It could be the moment you understand the meaning of a frequently used slang.  Whatever the case may be, most people have experienced something of the sort.

Reflecting on the end of the first month of the new year, I had such a moment.  It was a moment of simple clarity.  It’s difficult to explain the feeling but it was almost like a clicking into place of a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle.  Everything seemed brighter.  The air smelt cleaner.  It was an indescribable feeling of elation.

For a couple of years now, I’ve been walking under a blanket of darkness in relation to a particular venture I had started.  I had stopped it halfway through and couldn’t find a way to get back on board.  I was constantly thinking about it but couldn’t reconcile myself to what I needed to do to get back on top of it.  So it stagnated and dragged on.  The time to complete got prolonged.  What was originally scheduled for a month then took two years.  And then, in a few minutes I got clarity! It was life changing.  I feel completely transformed.  My mindset – in fact all my paradigms are completely renewed.

The moment of lucidity actually occurred at a time when I wasn’t focused on this particular venture.  I was reading about a strong woman in the Obama administration who I have since come to admire.  She is a woman using her natural ability to mix in different social circles to her advantage professionally. She has been dubbed the success behind the Obama ‘brand’.  Her office is a few doors away from Michelle Obama’s and she goes in to meetings with the president’s top officials every morning to weigh in on matters that affect the way the world sees the Obamas.

I was transfixed.  Here was an ordinary woman from New Orleans doing extra-ordinary things every day.  She isn’t necessarily the smartest woman in the world – that is to say she hasn’t found the cure for cancer or a way to stop global warming.  No.  This was a woman I consider extraordinary because of how ordinary she is.  She could be you or me.  She’s just someone who knows how to connect people.  She has built a network of friends who just happen to be world and business leaders, government officials, industry gurus and the like.  She knows what makes people tick.  She turned her assets, unconventional as they might be, in a career path that has made her a force to be reckoned with the domain of politics, trade, finance and education.

The more I pondered on the path my latest role-model undertook to get where she is today; it hit me that my focus for the past two years had been solely on me.  Not just merely centred on me but on all my weaknesses and flaws.  There were numerous but studying this lady’s life story made me realise the importance of studying one’s strengths and playing to them. I don’t know what it was about this realisation that cleared the way to my moment of clarity.  For two years I had been stuck in a rut.  I had struggled to find a way out and no matter what I had tried, I didn’t feel ‘right’ about proceeding.  However, in an instant, what I needed to do became so clear to me that I felt almost stupid.  The answer was so simple I almost didn’t want to acknowledge it.

For some people reading this, it could be a business matter that has you confounded.  Or maybe it’s a relational issue.  The resolutions to the issues you’ve been stumped by seem to be far-reaching or slow-coming.  You’ve almost given up on it.  The focus has been on all the things that have gone wrong.  All the things you are not.  Take a step back for a second.  Maybe study the life of someone who is successful in the area of your rut. It would surprise you how simple the answer is when the moment of clarity comes.

Most people overlooked this lady’s talents.  Her ability to hold parties that are the talk of the town. Her constant smile.  Her quiet strength.  Her ability to relate with people regardless of their background or cultural experience.  For most people, this isn’t a marketable quality.  Well, that quality is what makes her invaluable to the most powerful first family in the world.  That quality is what helps her keep ahead of her peers and has gained her respect in several arenas around the world.  That quality is what makes her extra-ordinary.

What are your assets? How can this be channelled to make a contribution to your community that would make you stand out? This new year – in fact the new decade – for me represents one of community and growth.  The time for reflection went by with the first month.  The plans have been formulated.  Now the ground work needs to be done.  No one is saying it’s going to be easy but then life isn’t easy.  For me, the only route available now is to work on my new mind frame.  I don’t have to be a genius to turn my strengths into marketable assets.  Clarity.  That’s the way forward people!

This feature is slightly different.  For starters, it is brief.  As Warren is currently on tour, we have to appreciate the fact that he is busy albeit never too busy for us or his fans!

Next, this feature is only a taster.  We wanted to reveal to you that ‘Reach’ the album is a must-buy.  So we spoke to the man behind the music.  Ladies and Gentlemen.  Boys and Girls.  Dogs, cats and all fishes…  We are proud to present the man himself.  Warren Barfield…

RW:  Could you please tell us who you are and where you’re from.

WB: Warren Harding Barfield, Jr. I’m the third of four children to Warren Sr. & Pat Barfield. I was born in Goldsboro, NC. I grew up in several small towns in NC as we moved due to my dad being a pastor.

RW: Although you’ve got several albums out in stores now, you’re still relatively unknown. randomwonders.com would like to know the man behind the music. Who is Warren Barfield?

WB: It is mystery even to me. I’m still learning who I am. At this moment I am a husband to one, a friend to a few, and an artist to many.

RW: For someone who has never heard of you and doesn’t know what you are about. Why should such a person pick up your album ‘Reach’?

WB: If you have ever wondered why you are here. If you have ever questioned why things happen like they do. If you are a person who finds it hard to settle for the answer, “that’s just the way it is”, then REACH might be a record that you would enjoy listening too.

RW: You’re not just a talented singer and a pretty face. You are a very talented song-writer. Where do you get your inspiration?

WB: I write about life and the way it affects me, or the way I aspire to affect it. Inspiration comes in many different ways. Maybe a book, or a song, a conversation, or just the created world around me.

RW: Listening to your latest album ‘Reach’, the listener is left feeling elated and much more reflective. Picking a song at random, ‘Saved’ for instance is a powerful song that makes the listener feel like they can relate to the song and feel loved rather than feel condemned for their past experiences and the way they are. Could you give us an insight to how you were feeling when you wrote the song.

WB: I wanted to write a song that expressed the fact that I have been rescued from hopelessness through Christ. And I wanted to say it in such a way that the listener would know I believed what I was saying. Excitement, gratefulness, and passion are a few words that describe what i was feeling when I wrote “Saved”.

RW: Now that your albums is in stores, how do you feel having poured yourself into it and having it in people’s homes and cars?

WB: To some extent I feel relieved to finally have all of that emotion out of me. It is a form of release. But it is also frightening to put yourself out there where people will either accept or reject you. You hope that everyone will connect, but I realize that it is rare for such a thing to happen.

RW: Does the attention you get ever get too much for you to handle?

WB: The pressure is overwhelming sometimes. My faith keeps me from totally loosing it.

RW: You are married and have a successful career that seems to be getting bigger and bigger. Having had some experience of the man rather than just the musician, I can say you are one of the most humble people I’ve met in a while and you definitely make a impression that’s lasting no matter how brief the encounter. How do you handle the pressure of it all and still stay grounded and humble and relateable?

WB: Like I said before, my faith keeps me from loosing all perspective. The scriptures are a wonderful place to turn for wisdom on how to handle the stress of this life. I’m just a normal dude. I have a wife and a home and a puppy. I take out the garbage. Yea, I stand on a stage most nights and sing songs, but it’s more important to me what people think of me off the stage than what they think of me when I’m on it.

RW: We heard of the struggles you went through after your first album. Looking forward now, what have you gained from that experience that you feel you needed to learn either for your own development or for someone else’s?

WB: I am grateful for all the struggles I have had. I didn’t enjoy them at the time, but they have given me a clearer perspective on what life is really about for me. As far as what specific thing I’ve learned, I guess it’s that I’m still learning.

RW: Do you ever get so frightened of what might be in store for you that you just want to pack it all in while you’re still riding high on the waves of success?

WB: I quit at least once a day. Then I get back to work. Success means something different to me today than it once did. It’s becoming more about being genuine and honestly connecting with people. Those connections sometimes require more work and often come much slower than you hope for. But they are much more valuable than the shallow mass of fans that most artist work to attain.

RW: What keeps you going when everything else fails you?

WB: The idea of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is the opposite of what matters most in this world. It is inspiring.

RW: What can we expect from you in the coming years?

WB: I will be working on being a better husband and friend. I hope I’m a good father when the time comes. I will be creating music inspired by the world I live in and the hope of the world beyond this one.

See?  A true star and gentleman!  The album ‘Reach’ is at stores everywhere now.  Pick one up today!

Picture the scene: A cold night in West London.  Tens of people crowding the foyer of a well used movie theatre.  Anticipation and excitement pervades the air.  Colourfully clad individuals fill the theatre.  A diverse mix of people of different ages and backgrounds eagerly wait to be taken on a journey filled with music and theatrics.

What we were not prepared for however was the sincerity of emotions that played throughout the evening.  When invited to an artist’s album launch, you expect to be entertained.  What you do not expect is the tears, unhidden passion and the sense of uncertainty that saturates the atmosphere.

The night started off somewhat shakily when Muyiwa took to the stage and in his usual self-deprecating way announced that he was unaware he was supposed to perform at such an event.  An album launch with no performance to showcase the songs to the audience? Interesting.  This slight was quickly forgiven however as curiosity set in and an eagerness to experience what might lie in store took hold.

Roll the film (we are in a movie theatre after all!).  With no parental advisory at the start of the piece, we were not aware of the highly emotive nature of what we were about to witness.  Instead we are transported into a time zone that spans over 30 years.  The night turned out to be one of journeys.  Rollercoaster rides.  For every song showcased from the album, a feeling close to elation is unleashed.  You can’t help but crave more and with each helping, you sense that a lot of effort was put into its creation.

Displayed, scene after scene, were excursions starting from the personal tragedies endured to the simple joys that make up his person; in short Muyiwa was laid bare for the audience.  This proved to be an excellent framework for the album.  Every aspect of this album is raw and edgy and yet borders on the tender.  From the loss of his parents under tragic circumstances to the birth of his son, this album lays the groundwork that, regardless of your status, age or background, you are able to relate with.  If you are looking for a feel good album, this is it.  On the other hand, if what you need is a serene album designed to leave you feeling reflective and mellow, it also does not disappoint.

The significance of this album and the sense of community it seems to envelop is the bringing together of different cultures through its variation of beats and lyrics.  Muyiwa himself says that this album is “letting it all hang out and that invariably draws people together.”  Going further he focuses on the message it conveys stating “Real life, real worship, real openness and real people feel it.”  This shows the intensity it possesses.  There is a varied mix of songs on there from different cultures across the world but it’s its naked, unapologetic nature that stays with you.

Asked about the position of vulnerability this puts him in his response was simply “There’s no other way for me to live, especially on stage.  It’s an insult to God and the people watching for me to be faking the funk.”  This candidness is what has endeared thousands of listeners to Muyiwa during his weekly radio show.  His lists of achievements are long but there is a humility that can’t be ignored.  Asked about all he has accomplished so far his response centred on his feelings that there is so much still to be achieved.  His view is that “there is no time to waste getting happy about being a big fish in a small pond.  We’re striving on.”

There is a lot to be gleaned from an artist whose star seems to be shining as brightly as Muyiwa’s and who, yet, stays grounded in his faith and sense of family.  This is altogether more apparent when asked at the end of the interview if he could have an audience with just one person, who it would be.  His response was his father.  He says he wants to get to know him; wants him to get to know the man he’s become.  To learn from his mistakes.

A lot has been said about the man based on our encounter of him but his music is where you can truly experience not just the man, but the God in the man.  Our words can do no justice to why you should pick up a copy of ‘Declaring his love’ so we let Muyiwa do the job for us.  In his own words the album is “eclectic; high energy.  It’s raw.  It’s fun.  It would bring tears to your eyes.  It would make you laugh if you are down.  If you want to experience the American Indian culture it’s in there; if it’s the African culture you want, it’s there.  It’s an album that won’t be for everyone, I could say ‘Ha everyone would love it’ but the truth of the matter is it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but if you want real truth in music, real energy, real openness, then this is the album for you.”

You’ve heard the man! You can hear samples of his music via his myspace page.

Till next time folks…

All around the world over, ‘latino’ women are considered some of the most beautiful women around.  Now combine this beauty with a soulful voice that can melt even the strongest of defenses and what do you have?  Melodie Joy that’s who!  A true artist who’s very heartbeat is music, her songs are a blend of different flavours all reflective of who she is.

We were so honoured to have a chance to sit down with MJ and find out what she is up to and what is behind her music.  She is beautiful, talented, and so very sweet – can you ask for more?  You can? Well read on and find out about this beautiful latin sultry singer who is taking the world over one song at a time…

Enjoy folks.

RW:  Firstly, could you start off by telling us a little something about yourself and where you’re from MJ.

MJ: I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey.  I’m now residing in Orlando, FL.  I am about to be 25 years old.  OMG (Oh my God), I’m getting old (laughs)

RW: Not that old. As you’re one in a line of musicians, do you feel any pressure to ‘fill their shoes’?

MJ: I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing musicians and there have been times where nerves just take over but I’ve got to pull myself together and sing somehow.  I don’t know how I do it.  I’ve even forgotten my lyrics because when I look over, I see the amazing musician I’m standing next to.  One thing I always know is that it’s never a competition for me.  As ministers of the gospel through music, we’re on the same team.  I’ve been taught from a very young age to always have a spirit of excellence and that continues with who I work with nowadays.

RW: Tell us what it was like starting out so young with so little training.

MJ: From the moment I can remember, I’ve loved to sing.  As a little girl, even before I could write, my father used to get on his guitar and strum some chords and I’d make up a song off the top of my head.  Something about the trees, the birds and Jesus.  So that was my real first training ever of song-writing.  As I grew up, Mariah Carey was such a big vocal influence and I studied her riffs and runs for hours after school.  At around the age of 16, I first started taking vocal coaching lessons by Gerry Williams.  He’s been an amazing person and we still keep in contact today.  I’m always telling him that I need to visit and get some coaching from him and he’s always like ‘You’re crazy girl – you know what you’re doing’.  He’s the best. (smiles)  It might be hard to imagine but I was so scared to sing in front of people – even my parents.  I was so shy.  They saw through that and knew that I was created to sing.  They’ve been and continue to be my support system.

RW: You’re so young but no one could guess that at first glance or even by listening to your music. You have a maturity and a humbleness and this is radiated through your music. What would you attribute this to?

MJ:  WOW.  Humbleness doesn’t come easy. Let me explain.  When you have people constantly reminding you of your gift and your voice and your this and your that, it briefly takes the light off God who gave the gift.  That’s why it’s really important to me that people realise that it isn’t even about me.  I’m just a body that God is using to say and do whatever he pleases.  I’d rather learn to be humble than have God humble me because it won’t be pretty.  My parents have been a great reason for this as well.  Just because I’m an only child doesn’t mean that I’ve been spoiled.  As hard as it is to believe, it’s true.  They are my real source of ‘home’ and all that is normal and real to me.  Everything else is just added goodies.

RW:  For someone who has accomplished so much, how do you stay grounded?

MJ: The only way I really stay grounded is by the close circle of people that I allow into my life to speak to me and spend time with.  Like my mentor (Pst. Clint Brown) says ‘Whoever has your ear, has your future’.

RW: The new album is underway and nearly with us. Can you tell us what we can expect?

MJ:  Wow. This album means so much to me considering all the things I’ve had to go through to be at this point in my life.  I’ve written almost all the songs in English but we’re translating them to be sung in Spanish first.  But I do have both versions so we really hope to come out with this in English as well.  You’ll be hearing sounds of R & B with a Spanish flare, some classic power ballads and even some middle eastern elements.  So enjoy.

RW:  For someone who has never heard of you, why should they pick up your album?

MJ: Well the pictures will be cute (laughs).  I’m just kidding.  The message behind the music is what’s really life changing and important.  It’s my own personal testimony of the trials that I’ve had to encounter since my first Spanish album titled ‘Virus Del Milenio’.  The long and hard process has made me realise that when God has placed a calling on your life, nothing can stop it from coming to pass.  So you should buy it to encourage your own gift that might have been staggered for whatever reason.  Have faith.

RW:  You seem to have so much going for you. For your younger fans, what do you aim to leave with them when they hear the new record?

MJ: I hope to be an inspiration to the young people and a breath of fresh air to parents.  With the way our media is, it’s hard to even turn on the TV and not see so much junk.  There are too many shallow things that we young people are expecting just because we see it on TV.  No you don’t have to be a size ‘0′.  No you don’t have to be promiscuous to get attention.  You get my point.  You don’t have to do what everybody else is doing to be cool.  Your security comes from knowing who you are.  The only way anyone can really understand is by having a revelation for yourself as I did.  God reveals to you who you really are.  The Bible is really the source of life.  No one is perfect so don’t put your faith in men.

RW:  Excellent points.  Is singing your only passion?

MJ:  Besides singing being my passion, I love to read and write.  I love to read ’self-help’ books that are Christian based.  Writing is therapy for me.  I put on paper what my heart is overwhelmed by and I really feel a sense of freedom in doing that.

RW:  Where can we expect to find you a year from now?

MJ:  Hopefully married! Of course in God’s time and perfect will.  Just continuing to make great music.  Involved in helping others to get their projects started with a professional team of people.

Check out Melodie at her official website www.melodiejoymusic.com

Till next time folks…

Well well!  It’s a mighty fine evening – well at least for me as I have the nice task of introducing four fine, talented – o did I say fine? – young men.  This is just like it!

Before I get carried away, meet Four Kornerz – four fantastically talented musicians whose sole aim is to use music to share their message.  Deji’s voice, the lead singer, is a cross betweeen Maxwell and Justin Timberlake .  His voice however is unique and guaranteed to take you to new heights of muiscal elevation.  The band, consisting of four brothers,  combine a sound that is so unique and yet universal that you can’t help but love them.

Enough talking from me….let’s meet them shall we? Introducing, from left to right, Deji TJ, Vidal and Daniel.

The guys answer questions on their lives and their music.  Read on and enjoy!

RW: Watching the band on stage, there seems to be a quiet confidence that seems to go beyond the crowd’s participation or involvement. What would you attribute this confidence to?

VIDAL: I wouldn’t really call it confidence.  I think it’s more of a trust in each person’s ability on stage.  The band is a unit and when we go on stage, we depend on each other to deliver. Also, I think ‘coz we really believe in and enjoy what we do when we are on stage, you never really have time to think “what ifs…” and even when things do go pear shaped, we cover each other so the audience is non the wiser.

RW: As young men experiencing and facing new challenges daily, how do you stay grounded?

DEJI: I think to a large extent, our grounding is thanks to the people around us who won’t take any silly diva theatrics.  To be honest we haven’t really reached anywhere yet!  We’re still at the infant stage of our journey so there isn’t really any room for haughtiness.  I tend to believe as a personal ethos that fame should never be the paramount aim or goal of what we do; fame should be a by product of success.

Thankfully we have a good background, i.e. growing up in Lagos, Nigeria, where our youth church provided a very strong foundation for our faith and our family upbringing has really helped us dvelop a positive attitude towards facing challenges and just staying focused regardless of what’s going on around us.

VIDAL: At the moment there seems to be an overwhelming hunger for closeness to God within the group and that’s where I think the real grounding ultimately comes from.  We’re blessed to have parents that are church ministers and don’t play when it comes to prayers and studying the word (7am family morning devotions every morning!…Enough said)

RW: What do each member of the group do outside of ‘FOUR KORNERZ’?

DEJI: I am a real juggler!  Aside from coping with the demanding but enjoyable four kornerz schedule and workload, I work full time in the city as a finance analyst in a Forbes 100 firm.  I also volunteer in my church as a youth worker and worship leader and do a little graphic design work.

TJ: I’m completing a degree in Business Studies with Business Info. Systems this year.  I also work as a session musician in a few studios in London and I’m also involved in the music department of my church.

VIDAL: Studying a Politics degree in Nottingham so you can imagine the frequent shuttling I have to do between Notts and London.  I am also quite involved with the local church and help out when I’m available with drumming etc.  I also host and organise events, e.g. concerts and showcases.

DANIEL: I just recently started a sports degree in Twickenham and that’s my main vocation at the moment. I drum for my family church when I’m down in London on the weekends.

RW: Based on your individual priorities outside of the group, how do you orchestrate your schedules so as to not interfere with gigs and appearances that might occur?

DEJI: To be absolutely honest, I don’t know how we do it! That is why I’m pretty convinced God is behind us! To a large extent, a lot of gigs are booked well in advance so in those instance it’s easy to work out calendars and diaries around exams, work schedules, studio time etc. It’s the impromptu and short notice bookings that throw things into chaos sometimes! Ha Ha.  I remember coming back from Liverpool 5am on a monday morning and getting to work by 7am back into rehearsals that same evening and back home past midnight. Up for work the next day and out that evening for the “New Sound of Gospel” Album Launch! Ha Ha. I think we should teach the SAS a few things.

RW: From watching you perform live, it seems to be Deji and Daniel that are at the forefront.  Does this ever cause any conflict between the group from the perspective of the two members that stay seemingly in the background?

DANIEL: I think people underestimate the role that Vidal and TJ play as well as the rest of the band.  Deji and I could not function without them holding things together.  TJ is like the music director and to a large extent Vidal sets the tone for the energy on stage.  We like to see each other as one big cohesive unit, each man taking charge of his assigned role.

DEJI: I remember when we were in Holland last year.  Vidal was unable to travel with us so Daniel had to drum in his place.  The whole event went very well but it was weird for me not to have Daniel by my side holding it down or to look back and see Vidal grinning and doing his thing.  TJ directs what happens.  A lot of the time Daniel and I are actually looking to him for cues and directions etc. Vidal loves to bring surprises on the drums which then inspires me to up my game and this cascades all the way round the whole band. They’re the real hard workers; Daniel and I just jump up and down and take all the credit! But that’s cool, we’re the talented ones any way! Ha ha ha.

RW: What pressures do you as a group face that you feel is unique to your ministry (in terms of being Christian artists)?

VIDAL: At the start, a lot of Christian groups used to really lay into us purely because we didn’t fit into the mould of a typical Christian music group in the way we dressed, the style of our music and even when we’d use non Christian/secular samples in our songs.  It’s funny because a lot of them are now trying to imitate our style. One constant challenge is trying to re-educate the stereotype perceived by non Christian promoters/media towards us once they realise what we’re about.  Also as a group, four kornerz imbibes various genres and styles into one big gumbo and perphaps that is a unique challenge as it’s not often easy for people to identify us under one specific genre or tag.

RW: How do you overcome these pressures and get so successful at handling it?

DEJI: There have been moments where we’d sit back and think “Oh maybe we should be more conservative or more churchy” etc but thankfully God always finds a way to remind us what he called us to do and why we are different.  That has really helped us to draw strength and stay focused.  Our goal has never been to “shock” people or push the boundaries.  Our goal is simple; to show God to the world through our style of music.  The crucial thing is to keep true to our vision.

RW: Four Kornerz are obviously a gospel group, spreading and sharing your faith through song.  What would be the appeal for someone who is interested in your sound but isn’t a Christian?  Why should they pick up your single/album?

DANIEL: It’s a no-brainer. Everyone is always looking out for ‘the new thing’.  Well I’d say this is it.  Four Kornerz is a new and positive kind of sound that would appeal to everyone.  We’ve had a wide array in terms of our audience demography; from 5yr olds to 50yr olds! And they were all getting down with the funk! So I’d say to anyone – non Christians – out there: This is what you’ve been looking for.  That positive funk sound that is guaranteed to make you touch the sky (and no we aint selling drugs!).

RW: Asa band that do a lot of live shows often times alongside people who don’t share your faith, how do you each handle women and any ‘indecent proposals’ that may come your way?

DEJI: I always find it weird when people approach us with salacious innuendos.  I’m thinking “DID YOU NOT HEAR A WORD WE SAID ON STAGE?!?!” but the simple remedy I’ve found is simply not to engage those kind of people in conversation; just smile and walk on.  Good thing we have managers who don’t take any rubbish…they’ve got our parents to answer to!

VIDAL: Last year we were at a music festival near Great Yarmouth and after our set, some young girls came up to us asking what hotel we were staying at and if we could sign their breasts! To be honest I was really surprised as it was a Christian music festival! We told them a simple “NO thanks” and carried on signing CDs and posters.  That’s really all you can do; just say no thanks and move on.  Our manager stepped in when it got a bit over the top.

RW: Do you as individuals and as a group feel limited in your options or choices as a gospel band?

DEJI: Nope. Our faith is our way of life so it’s not just a sound we’ve crafted. We’re just singing about what we believe in. Besides if anything at all, having limited options makes you more creative; it challenges you to be innovative. I don’t think we could really be successful unless we were singing about subject matter that was consistent with our faith.

TJ: No I don’t feel we are limited in our options being a gospel band. I believe it’s our calling and according to our mandate, I believe the Lord will take our ministry to greater heights and wider spans as a band and however He plans to do so, we’ll follow.

RW: Could you each please give real examples of times where you were shown beyond doubt that the faith you represent is real and that this is your ‘calling’ – where God wants to use you to exert influence.

TJ: When we were in Germany, a young lady came up to us after the show to say how much she had been touched by the whole ministration in a real life altering way and how she decided to re-commit to Christ and start attending church.  It was really heart warming to know that God was able to speak to her as she hadn’t even planned to come to that church that evening.

VIDAL: Right from the start we identified that God was trying to use us to inspire a lot of young people to follow God and to use their talents for him.  The best feeling in the world is to know you’ve had a hand in helping someone else birth their destiny.  I’ve been really priveldged to be able to mentor and influence a lot of young drummers who have seen me in Four Kornerz and followed our journey.

DANIEL: I am pretty glad that we’re doing what we’re doing because at the end of the day what we sow into people with our music is a seed and God waters it.  Maybe immediately at the gig or later on, a lot of times people drop us emails or messages on our website or myspace.com with testimonies of how they were really inspired or touched by what they heard or saw at some of our gigs.  It’s those things that help us stay humbled and confirm to us that God is using us and with us.

DEJI: From the very start we identified that God wanted to use us to influence the generation so I guess along with the vision of introducing this great God to people, we are also conscious that people might be in the audience who are thinking of going into singing/drumming etc but maybe lack the confidence to do it or some people have the gift but don’t know it. I remember a youth church we ministered at and aferwards, we didn’t really think anything of it.  A year later, we were invited back and we saw a massive difference. They saw how we did it and it inspired many of them to want to develop their own talents.

RW: randomwonders.com is an avenue designed to encourage views and opinions to be shared freely and an area where some level of influence can be exerted on issues relating to the people concerned.  With the articles on the site, could you please comment on which one ’struck a cord’ and why?

DEJI: Well I was nominated to research this out.  I think initially it was the Easter bunny. Ha ha ha. It was an interesting piece.  What can I say, it was an eye opener. There are very insightful and thought provoking topics and I’m actually spoilt for choice on which I’d say was the most poignant. I liked ‘What do women really want?’ though I’m still no closer to answering that question.  The writer always seems to have a very feisty pen when it comes to voicing her opinions, but it’s fun to read.

Well that’s the end of the interview.  I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did.  Thank you to the fellas and I truly feel everyone out there, if you don’t know who they are, get to knowing! They are excellent – hence why I featured them! Till next time folks – ta da!

Ok.  Let’s set the scene here.  We’ve been up and down, far and wide searching for a voice that can truly amaze and leave you wanting more.  This is the centre for excellence and we know you demand just that so we knew we had to ‘bring it’.  Anyway, just when every face was starting to look the same, every voice singing the same tune, we found ourselves face-to-face with a beauty whose voice and style was fresh and edgy.

JD definetly stands out in a crowd.  Although soft spoken, you’d never know it when you listen to her songs.  Her new single, The Noise, is so loud and electrifying, you wouldn’t believe it came from such a sweet and soft soul.  That’s the appeal.  She’s different.  She’s different in a way that intrigues rather than repels.  She’s young yet mature, strong yet sweet, confident yet humble.

She’s definelty one that impresses and leaves an impression.  Her style is interesting and appealing. So we knew we had to get her on randomwonders.com.  So we did.  We were not disappointed by the person we encountered and we’re sure you wouldn’t be either.  So sit back and relax as we introduce to you – the talented Jesse Daniels…

Interacting with Jesse, a native New Yorker, was an interesting experience.  Having started young within the entertainment industry, JD is no stranger to bright lights, cameras and attention.  Having been involved in musicals, films and adverts, the young lady knows a thing or two about the business.  Speaking to randomwonders.com about her early start into her career, she spoke of her parents taking her from one audition to another because they knew it was what she wanted to do.

That might make you wonder why she choose music seeing as she got her start in movies and advertising.  Reflecting she says, “Right after 9/11, I felt that God wanted me to use my voice.  I went to a new church after the event and that was when I felt God tug at my heart more heavily. He wanted to use my voice.”

Her desire to pursue a singing career might not sound so foreign considering the fact that Jesse was involved in musicals from a young age but even at the tender age of 19, her passion for music hasn’t wanned.  Instead, it has grown with the realisation that this is what she was made to do and what she wants to do.

Being a native New Yorker might explain why her style is so edgy.  After accepting that music was the path she wanted to take, the next step was deciding what she was going to be putting out there.  As she was right at the centre of it all , it might not surprise you to know it somehow features in her music.  Sharing her philosophy with us, she says ” I think that everyone has something different about them.  I always say in order to make a difference, you have to be different.”

Well what about people who influence her music and style.  Speaking of her influences, she notes “I guess I’ve always listened to the radio – whatever was out.  I listened to a lot of vocalists growing up like Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.  People like Alanis Morrisette and Jewel were also favourties.”

JD feels people can feel some of these flavours in her music although her style is uniquely her own.  Commenting on this, she states “I honestly hope that they (the audience) see something different in me, whether its something I say or do or something crazy they see but I hope it’s different and they take to it.  What I aim to do is to reveal God in the most real and relevant way possible.  Being from NY, I find that Christianity is more a lifestyle rather than something I do.  When people see me on stage, I hope they see that in me.”

As young as she is, it’s amazing to see that she lives her life by her beliefs in a higher power rather than chasing titles.  We asked her about this.  Laughing she answered, “The thing is I could say I want a grammy or I want to be famous.  Everyone in acting would love an Oscar – I would love to get a grammy.  But the bottom line is that I believe in myself enough to know that I would be here in the long-haul.  My talents are bigger than just me.  I pray that in the long run, I do what God wants.”

Speaking so much about her faith in relation to her ambitions while considering her age, it makes you stop and ask, so what about her family?  Where do they feature in all of this?  Speaking on how her family contributes to her dreams, she says “They contribute so much.  From the very beginning, they’ve been so supportive - emotionally and financially.  They’re just awesome.  Of course they influence who I am.  They raised me to be independent.”

And independent she is.  She has been on the road and when we caught up with the young singer, she was far from home in Tennesse.  She’s working hard on her projects including a Christmas album and her second album is already in the pipeline.  Joking about it she states “It’s never too early to start is it?”.  You can catch her performing in Songfest – a Christian festival in different cities and she’s been having a blast.

Although she is very busy with her “crazy” schedule, Jesse is never too busy to make new friends.  She tells us “I miss everyone back at home but as far as new friendships go, I think it’s fun.  Being away so much you get to find out who your true friends are.  As far as relationships go, I haven’t found the right person for me.  I would rather be in nothing than in something meaningless!”

Young but mature.  You can’t beat that.  But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have bad days; days she doesn’t feel so sociable.  For most people, we run and hide till the moment passes.  For Jesse, she “sucks it up”.  Talking about it she notes “In a lot of ways you have no choice.  You remind yourself that this is bigger than you.  God always does something cool when I’m most down and someone would say something I want to hear.”

On the whole, JD shows that her music is her means of touching the world, one record at a time.  Commenting on randomwonders.com she says “I really like the site.  I come on and it has a whole bunch of things – not just music.  It has a bit of everything.  As I try to share my openmindedness with everyone to try and strip down the banners, so does randomwonders.com”

Well thank you Jesse.  I’m sure by now, you know that we found a true star in the making.  For those who are left intrigued, and even those that are not, pick up a copy of her record and we promise you won’t be disappointed.  We sure weren’t.  Till next time folks…