MUSIC FREEDOM DAY AT MOTO REPUBLIK

A discussion was held today at Moto Republik; "The Role of Women in Music" in celebration of World Music Freedom Day.  What does it mean to be a woman in music and how can women musicians go beyond providing music and be more involved in the communities they live?  More collaborations, more networking, more sweat and more music.

Photo by Batsirai E Chigama

Photo by Batsirai E Chigama

Photo by Batsirai E Chigama

Maria Vera Chisvo, Natalie Kombe: Phhoto by Batsirai E Chigama

Tariro NeGitare: Photo by Batsirai E Chigama

TRAVEL POINTERS FOR THE YOUNG ARTIST

Often when an opportunity to travel arises for a young artist there is excitement.  Excitement to be travelling and performing at a new or unfamiliar stage and audience; excitement that one's work is finally being recognised.  It may be local, regional or international.

Having travelled and met with a plethora of mishaps, it is important that young artists take notes from their colleagues in the industry.  Asking around doesn't usually yield truthful results, some people are not willing to share bad experiences.

Travel can be tough for artists who do not have managers or agents or tour managers. Negotiating issues such as accommodation, air and ground transportation, visas, performance fees, per diems can be very tricky issues to those starting out. There is an excitement that comes with touring or performing at big stages that artists may overlook some of these important admin aspects. Seeing social media posts about connecting flights and exotic places visited by other artists may give the illusion that all is rosy.

It is important to ask the following questions:

• Is the host whether festival, organisation be paying for board, travel and local transport when artist arrives in the host country or town?
• For transport does the artist have a standard like fly only or they can travel by road.  Will there be someone to pick the artist up from the airport?  It is important to have contacts of the person responsible for transport for whatever event the artist will be attending.  Ensure that if the host is responsible for your transport that you have return tickets way in advance before you travel.

• For accommodation, does the artist have a standard, three star or four star hotel?  Here the artist must insist on knowing where they are booked before they travel.  Is it full board, bed and breakfast or just bed.  When travelling with a team/band always make sure that you provide gender breakdown to event organisers so that accommodation bookings are done accordingly. 

• Performance Fees, does the artist have a standard or it is negotiable with the host?
• Itinerary.  Is the artist expected to do more than just perform or exhibit?  Talks, workshops, press interviews?  It is important to have this information before hand so you can fully prepare yourself.
• How long is the set for performance?
• Ask what kind of  a venue you will be performing in then send technical rider  to host in time so that the necessary provisions are made to make sure the host is prepared for all technical requirements of the artist's performance.

Courtesy of

http://www.radionashvilleband.com/Radio-Nashville-Stage-Plot.jpg

 

• Per diems, being daily allowances paid to the artists for food and local transport.
• Publicity.  Who is responsible for publicity?  As an artist always have a press kit ready with press photos, short bio and recorded works or a portfolio of your work.

It is important to ask questions and get answers and proof of e.g accommodation bookings or flight bookings in time before your travel.  Sort out issues of visas should you require one for the country to be visited.

It is also important to know the basic information of area to be visited.  What is the weather like, language, basic greetings perhaps.  Research on the event so you are aware of what you are getting yourself into.  Is it an event you would like to be associated with?

In the beginning it is always to hard for many to negotiate terms.  Always have everything reduced to a contract signed by both parties.  It is professional so do not be afraid to have a standard contract just in case your host does not have one.

While the questions above are not exhaustive, I hope they may be a guide and assist those young artists who find themselves travelling for the first time and have no idea what to expect. 

15-Year Old Mbira Sensation Launches Two Singles From Upcoming Album

Fifteen year old mbira sensation, Tendai Mavengeni has done it again.  She launches two singles from her upcoming second album “TENDAI” this Friday 18 November at Alliance Francaise.  The second album follows two years after the release of her debut album, “DESTINY” released in 2014.

PHOTO BY: STEVE CHIKOSI
SET DESIGN BY: THERESA MUCHEMWA & ZAZA MUCHEMWA

Tendai who writes all her lyrics on her own says she is keen to tackle issues to do with the girl child as daily, she encounters young girls who are constantly being abused. This is reflected in one of the songs to be released on Friday, “Motoroodza.”  The second song “Munzira Yakachena” is a plea for protection to the gods from the evil haunting the world.

Producer of the album, Adrian Mparutsa says "Being part of this creative process has been a good experience working with a very young artist who has so much depth.  Her writing is very profound and subjects you to a lot of introspection.  As the producer all I had to do was magnify her thoughts to bring out the musical product."

PHOTO BY: STEVE CHIKOSI
SET DESIGN BY: THERESA MUCHEMWA & ZAZA MUCHEMWA

Talking to her parents recently who have been very supportive in Tendai’s artistic journey, both Chengetai and Boniface Mavengeni are like any other parents with some tough love for their daughter.  They encourage Tendai to balance both her academic and artistic life, obviously with the academic taking precedence over all else.  “I would like to see her excel in both her art and academics to make her a full-rounded individual," says Tendai's mother.

Although they are protective like parents should be, Tendai enjoys the freedom to write, arrange her music the way she wants.  “We argue sometimes, about lyrics and the way the music is arranged but we want her eventually to be able to stand on her own, so she must learn the business side of her art without us interfering but giving advice.  In the end the final decision on what stays is hers,” says Tendai’s father.

PHOTO BY: STEVE CHIKOSI
SET DESIGN BY: THERESA MUCHEMWA & ZAZA MUCHEMWA

 Born in December 2000 in Harare, Tendai is a student currently doing her form three at Malbereign Girls High.  Tendai has a passion for music, particularly traditional music, the influences she acquired from the music she grew up listening to. She started playing Mbira (Nhare) at the very young age of 9, taught and mentored by respected mbira players Trymore Guchi Jombo and Brezhnev Guveya.  In the ensuing years she went on to she win a number of awards and medals at primary school level, performing at various platforms and events.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER: TATENDA MABIKA

“I am excited on this project, I know I have grown from the first project.  I hope people will love the effort we have put in the project,” says Tendai.

For more information contact:  

By Batsirai E Chigama

Artsy Event Organiser
+263775179168