I expect people to be blessed and encouraged. There’s a variety of songs in there, one of them is a worship song, there’s also a mainstream of songs of encouragement. I expect people to be inspired and for their spirits and souls to be ministered to. I have been receiving good feedback so far. People use words like 'refreshing’ and 'soothing’ to describe my music and that is what I like to hear. It should affect people.".  Meet Tosinger!  Refreshing and Inspirational Nigerian emerging Musician based in the United States.  We got a chance to listen to her EP which you can pick up from iTunes.  Enjoy the interview and pick up the EP -Finally.

 

You talked about your music being inspirational and Christian in nature, but that’s not all there is to it. I know, coming from Nigeria that people tend to put people in boxes and they would ask why you claim you are an inspirational musician and a Christian but do not wholly and only express that in your music. How do you intend to deal with such comments?


I already come across such comments because I do music reviews online and I have a face book page where people make comments. However, there are other things that humans deal with in life that are beyond religion. I am coming from a spiritual perspective, even though my content may not be ‘gospel’ according to the Nigerian standard. But, there are some other life issues, things that happen to Christians- relationships, down times in life, loss of loved ones. So many things happen and songs can minister to those different aspects. For dating Christians or married Christians, love songs, “clean” love songs are applicable to them. There are also people who are going through emotional times. We are humans but we have a heart and soul in the body. Songs can be directed to those different parts of the human self-we can have spiritually uplifting, emotionally encouraging, physically moving songs. As Christians, we can be selective in what we listen to. Clean, good songs are best. Songs can have contents directed to the spirit or the soul. Inspirational music is for the soul and the spirit and sometimes the body too. Songs have different purposes.  I could release a project today, gospel related and another time, something Asa-type like life stories, issues, and family inspirations. The question is it adding value to your listeners or audience?

You have your new project which is coming up in January. I know you did most of the songs here in the United States. What are the challenges you faced?

Well, that’s a good and relevant question because I’m an independent artist. In fact, I’m at the last stretch of my Master’s program in Arts Administration and my thesis is about Independent artists and the challenges they face especially in the marketing process. So, while doing my research, I found out that the first challenge they face is the problem of finance. It is different if a record label finds an artist and invests in them. Music is very expensive and it takes a lot of financial investments. The Internet and social networking makes it a bit easier for independent artists since marketing online is most of the time a free venture. But after you have a life online, what about on ground? People have to get to know you and accept your music beyond social networking. You have to market yourself and this involves funding as well. So it comes down again to money.

You touched a very important point on funding as it seems to be a huge headache for most Independent artists. How do you raise the funds, if you don’t mind my asking?

This is a case of one day at a time. I’ve been on this for a long while. Most of the funding is through personal funds and moreover, these songs were recorded like 3 years ago and maybe I added one or two and remixed them, but because I had them done over time, they weighed a lot less on my pockets. It wasn’t like I was doing 14 songs at a go! Most independent artists get money from personal funding.  I know some who are taking advantage of fundraising sites online like ‘Kickstarter’ and ‘Pledge music’. I just didn’t do that. I’ve had the support of my family and few friends too. So far so good.

You mentioned your family and you’re Nigerian and almost done with your Masters in Arts Administration. Being Nigerian, we know that most family members and parents need you to follow a particular pathway and generally not in art. However, you’re singing, entertaining, up to a Masters level. What did you do to convince them that your calling is music performance and entertainment?

Funny enough, I didn’t need to do any convincing! My family has been very supportive and we are an artistic family. It all began with my grandma, who is one of my greatest influences. Like I mentioned in my bio profile, she always used to hold my hand to go to choir rehearsal, she always used to sing in the house...so I was surrounded by music growing up. And then my mum was a broadcaster and is now in P.R, so I grew up in the entertainment industry. She was also a Newscaster in NTA Abeokuta. Everyone knew I could sing and love to sing. My younger sister paints also. So, this has been in my family and they have been very supportive of me.

You say you draw inspiration from your family who have followed this pathway which made it easier for you. What about other influences? What other artists do you draw inspiration from?

That’s a long list. Let’s start with a legend. Mother Miriam Makeba, blessed memory. She’s great. Coming back to our generation-there’s Asa and India Arie whom I call my sisters. Going back to Nigeria, I like Onyeka Onwenu, Christian Igbokwe, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Yinka Davies... I love reggae so I love Bob Marley, all the Marley family.

So what’s on your Ipod right now?

There’s a lot of Asa there, Adele,  Israel Houghton, Tom West...supporting our Nigerian artists, there’s Nosa who I think has something going for him. He has an exceptional, soothing and inspirational voice. He sang ‘Always Pray for you’ which is really out there and he’s one of the top artists I did a little promotional thing for. In America, there’s Jack Johnson...in Nigeria, Beautiful Nubia, Lagbaja...

You have a really eclectic taste!

Yes I do, my taste is all over the place!

It’s wonderful to have all these people who you can get ideas and tastes and influences from. So how do you get a balance with everything you do- the studying, music, other things you’re involved in?


Oh wow. I think it’s just about being mentally organized and having compartments for everything. My family comes first and then the others fall into place. I don’t take more than I can chew. I try to stay accountable, selective and organized. Everything apart from God and family, I compartmentalize.

You know how people say only men can compartmentalize and women have difficulties getting things into their tiny compartments; they kind of merge it all together. Have you heard that one before?

What I’ve heard is that women like and are better at multi-tasking.

What do we expect from this new EP coming out?

I expect people to be blessed and encouraged. There’s a variety of songs in there, one of them is a worship song, there’s also a mainstream of songs of encouragement. I expect people to be inspired and for their spirits and souls to be ministered to. I have been receiving good feedback so far. People use words like 'refreshing’ and 'soothing’ to describe my music and that is what I like to hear. It should affect people.

People would look at your finished work in January and love it and some may aspire to be just like you. What word of advice would you give such people?

Everyone is blessed with a gift. Find the gift, use it, and follow your dream. Stay determined and focused, don’t let any discouragement get you down. Be prepared and step out when you are ready. Never act under pressure. Use the time you have to develop yourself actively and try and meet people who would help you grow.

What’s up with the name ‘Tosinger’? Is it like ‘Tosin the singer’?

That’s exactly it. I’ve heard so many versions of my name!

So what do you do to prepare yourself before you go on stage to perform?

The first thing is to pray. This helps in being spiritually prepared because you need God’s presence and divine help. I also do breathing exercises because no matter how good you are, you are prone to being nervous. Then, I go for it and give it my best, hoping to make people enjoy themselves.

Where can we get your music when it comes out in January?

It’s going to be online on CDbaby, Itunes and Amazon. It would be sold elsewhere but those are the three main places. There would also be physical copies. I will have a link on my website www.tosinger.com if you desire to order a copy.

Is there anything else we need to know about Tosinger?

It’s just me, Tosinger. I’m a singer, song-writer, artist, I promote other artistes, I write reviews-I do a lot of ghost-writing, I can be eccentric , I love God and I’m a mother and wife.

One of the things I loved when I asked about your music is how you broke it down. Sometimes as Christians, we get caught up in certain mentalities about ourselves and sometimes, other people. At the end of the day, God is love. We can get our inspiration from plain Christian songs, but God can speak to us through other places that do not have ‘Jesus’ wrote all over.

I know you are an African in the Diaspora and we have many African listeners particularly in the Southern region. What do you want to tell them about being an African in the Diaspora?

Being an African in the Diaspora has both positive and negative sides. The positive side would be that anything you set your mind to achieving, you are most likely going to get it done. There are so many opportunities that present themselves that you can take advantage of. The main problem is maintaining culture. That can be a challenge, but it also depends on what part of the Diaspora you find yourself in. In some places, there are so many diverse people and you would easily find food, clothes and music from your own country. In other places, it might not be as easy maintaining your culture. I try to keep my culture alive in my home by teaching my children my language-Yoruba. I travel home like every 2 years. It can be really tough but Africans are doing well with this effort.



Listen to the Podcast:

 

You can buy her EP through ITunes / Amazon / CD Baby and other stores that sell great music.

January 2012