I did what my parents wanted, then I became a musician – Siji

Weekend Magazine: What motivated you to go into music?Adesiji Awoyinka: Music has been, and remains an outlet through which I’ve been able to express my innermost opinions, desires, fears, pain, anger … Really, it’s a spring board through which I’ve been able to communicate with the outside world. How did you make the switch from […]

Weekend Magazine: What motivated you to go into music?
Adesiji Awoyinka: Music has been, and remains an outlet through which I’ve been able to express my innermost opinions, desires, fears, pain, anger … Really, it’s a spring board through which I’ve been able to communicate with the outside world.
How did you make the switch from Mechanical Engineering to music?
It was easy enough for me. My Engineering was a means to an end really. Fortunately my grades were good and in all, I’m glad I got to study for a higher degree in the sciences. My degree has always been an asset to me and never a liability. During the early stages of my career, I moonlighted as an engineer on occasions to help fund my studio recording sessions. Also, composing and playing music is in and of itself a science. So, I guess you can say that my engineering degree has in some way or the other helped me become a better musician.
If music was what you always had a passion for, why didn’t you get on with it from the start?
For my parents’ generation, education was the way to further oneself in society. A learned man was looked up to in the Nigerian society. They thus ensured we put our studies before anything else. So, a career in the arts (music) was not an option as far as they were concerned. However, upon completion of my studies, I was free to pursue whatever career I chose to.
You’ve worked with the likes of Yinka Davies and Ade Bantu, what motivates your choice of people to work with?
I always seek out creative souls who share similar music ideas to mine and from whom I can learn and vibe with.
Did you have any worries about moving back to Nigeria?
None thus far. I’ve steadily engaged with the nation over the last couple of years and glad I chose to do so. It’s still an ongoing process and who knows, I may yet make it a physical home at some point.
How much has this move impacted on your career?
It’s really helped to consolidate some of the music ideas I’ve held unto over the years. See, I’ve been seeking ways to channel my ethnicity, traditional, cultural influences, spirituality, etc into my art. Returning home has given me an affirming sense of self to say the least and it’s also enabled me to grow musically.
Most people relate to your music side. Not very many know about your film side. Could you tell us about that?
I caught the film bug about five years ago having shot my very first music video for the song, ‘Yearning For Home’ taken from my sophomore album ‘adeSIJI.’
It was a revelation to me given I found the moving image to be yet another means through which I may channel my creative ideas to audiences and I haven’t looked back since. I’m currently at work on my documentary film debut on a project called ‘Elder’s Corner’ on Elderscorner.com.
It’s a musical journey through Nigeria’s colorful socio-political history as well as a personal voyage of rediscovery.
When you do your music videos, what is at the back of your mind; what do you intend to achieve with them?
With music videos, I seek to visually convey my songs’ meaning as well as to take my audiences on a trip.
Is there a certain point where you would draw the line regarding what kind of movie you would be a part of?
As an artiste, I try to remain open, but I can safely state that I’d draw the line on images that intentionally demean or degrade others.
Is there a certain point where you would draw the line regarding what kind of music you would make?
Again, I remain open as a musician and for the most part, my work is autobiographical in nature.
Music and film, which of the two are you most a home with?
I’m equally comfortable working in both media though music has always come first given I’ve been a musician for far longer than I have been a filmmaker.
What language is most expressive for you to work in?
Yoruba without a doubt; the language is poetic and highly nuanced. The few times I’ve sang in Yoruba have been really special given I find it to be a language which readily lends itself to witty and descriptive narration. That said, it can be tricky to pull off given a lot of English words get lost in translation when conveyed or sang in Yoruba and vice versa. 
Your songs are a blend of jazz, blues, soul; how would you best describe them?
To coin a phrase I first heard used by a longtime music collaborator, producer and friend, Osunlade, I’ll describe my music as ‘Yorubasoul.’
How have audiences around the world received your music?
My work has been openly embraced with warmth and love by audiences worldwide which I remain thankful for.
What initiated your move from the UK to the US and back to Nigeria?
I was born in the UK to Nigerian parents and brought back to Nigeria as a child. Having completed my secondary education, I was sent back to the UK for further studies. I then made my way across the Atlantic to the US in pursuit of my musical ambitions. I’ve now recently made overtures to return back to Nigeria to share some of my experiences with my kinsfolk back home and to see how I may add my quota towards helping to move the nation forward. 
How do you contend with piracy, if that’s something you encounter?
Unfortunately, piracy has bitten deeply into creative industry profits (both film and music) and eroded product values. This has forced me as an artiste to find alternative and novel ways with which to sustain myself so as to remain active.
You have lived in Nigeria, England and the US. How have the different cultures and lifestyles influenced you as a person and your work?
The different values, lifestyles and cultures have greatly enriched me and broadened my outlook towards life. Given I constantly draw from my personal experiences and channel these directly into my work I can gladly state that I now have a colorful array of colors with which to paint my canvas.
You had your secondary education at Federal Government College, Kaduna, have you had a chance to visit your alma mater recently?
I haven’t been to the north in many years given the recent disturbances in the region but would love to revisit my alma mater.
What fond memories do you have of the school and the town?
The five years I spent in boarding school in Kaduna instilled in me a sense of independence which has served me well till this day. Not only this; my childhood friends remain loyal and active supporters of my work and a number of them have also become prominent and successful members of society. This gives me an enormous sense of pride. I remember skipping school to sneak into town (Malali Village) to go swimming, our literary day parties, the quirky nicknames we came up with for certain characters… It was a pleasant and memorable time indeed. We are actually seeking to put together a reunion of sorts.
How would you define Siji?
Easy going, open and free spirited.
Who or what has had the most influence on you?
My father without a doubt has had an enormous amount of influence upon me as an individual. He’s more like a friend to me these days and an endless source of pride, joy as well as a bedrock of support.
What does music mean to you?
Music is a channel through which I’m able to express and share my innermost ideas, opinions, emotions with the world at large.
Did you have musicians whom you admired while growing up?
I certainly did. My father had an incredible collection of records he brought back with him to Nigeria from London in the 1970’s. This meant I grew up listening to the likes of Al Green, Marvin Gaye as well as Fela Kuti, James Brown and King Sunny Ade to name a few.
Do you have particular themes you like to treat in your work?
My work is largely autobiographical in nature so I draw from everyday occurrences about me. I particularly prefer to sing about themes and experiences that affect all humanity from my own unique perspective.
Could you tell us about ‘Elder’s Corner’?
Elder’s corner is a musical journey through Nigeria’s socio-political history as told through the lives and work of the nation’s foremost and iconic musicians. It is also a personal voyage of discovery.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
I’m getting ready to release my third album, ‘Home Grown,’ in the summer. The first single, ‘Lagos Lullabye,’ will be made available as a free download from my website Sijimusic.com sometime next week. I am also about to put things in place so as to complete my documentary film, ‘Elder’s Corner.’
Where do you see yourself in the next two, three years?
Actively building and promoting my brand as well as informing and engaging worldwide audiences with my work as a film maker and musician.