Stepping into the limelight in 2005 to hypnotise audiences with her own Alternative Soul sound, Kadija Kamara is on everyone’s lips right about now. As she prepares to release her debut album, she talks with Tajha Myer-Ferreira about her recent EP “Changes”, her journey to discover her sound and her undying passion for all aspects of that great thing we call music.
So Kadija, Tell us a bit about yourself…
I’m a singer, songwriter, composer, producer from South London. I released an EP in February and I’m just trying to promote the EP right about now. I love music, I love performing, I’m always gigging and just waiting for the realease of the album in 2012. Oh, and I’ve just brought out a video for “Talking to myself”.
So what are we to expect from your album?
The album…it will be similar to the EP, but bigger – bigger musical arrangements, but definitely with that alternative sound. There’s many different sides to me – I like my Blues, I love my Motown, I love my Rock, I love my Indie, I love loads of stuff, but you know really, I’m just doing me. Everything has been written and we’re just recording it now.
Where did the stories on your four track EP “Talking to myself” come from?
Every song I write reflects a time in my life. Not just my own experiences, but experiences of others. On the EP there are stories about things going on in society, how the world gets you down, which is what “Changes” is about. Then “I’m Endeavoured” is about love, not necessarily love between partners, but love for someone who has been there for you. “Deeper than this” is a more traditional love song but it’s about the partner or the other person getting to know you better and understanding the same things in order to get closer to each other. Then “Talking to myself” is another love song but about respect and relationships for women.
And your style on the album?
The songs on the album, the vibe is pretty much broken apart. You can see my talent in some of them, in some you can see my emotion. When you write a song and you’re in that moment, you need to go record it because it all comes out in the performance – people won’t understand certain lines without that delivery to it. I try not to sing it too much when I’ve written a song, and then when I go in that way I can give it my all.
So what made you pursue music as a career?
Just being passionate about music really. I got into music when I was about 5 and then in the choir from 6. But then when I got to Secondary school that’s when I started getting more involved – there were more girls who were into the same things and I kinda mingled with the crowd and dabbled in different music and that’s when I thought “hey this is something that I want to do”. It wasn’t something that my parents expected me to do, especially coming from a black family – unless they’re a musical family, the clever thing to do is to get educated to advance through life, so I thought I’d do the smart thing and get an education as well doing my music and everything else as well.
What did you do at uni?
Business I.T. It actually helped with my production because I like to do all the technical stuff.
What did you do musically while you was at uni?
While I was at uni, I was in a girl group, a couple of girl groups. At that time it was what I needed to give me confidence. When you’re not confident, it limits your creativity. But there came a point when I decided I didn’t actually want to be in a group. I hate people trying to dictate to me what I should do. Part of the reason for me wanting to do music is to do it my way and the only way I’m going to do it my way is if I’m a solo artist.
Not only are you a big fan of live music but you live for the live music circuit. What has kept you into it?
I think that’s where most music is at its best. Your performance will be remembered and your heart gets that energy and your character comes alive and when most people hear the record, they want to hear it live. So I think it’s imperative as a musician that you can perform. I love hearing the musicians backing me and what they can do with leading the vibe…. it’s exciting stuff!
I’ve been doing the London scene because London is big with music and it’s known. I just love it, you get the different crowds and you just never know what it’ll be like. I’ve done a few international performances too – the last one was Beachfest in Bermuda and that was great and it can only get better.
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