Zainab Sule is one of Nigeria’s soft rock musicians. She just released an acoustic cover of Labyrinth’s, ‘Beneath Your Beautiful’ for episode four of her ongoing Zainab Sule Acoustic Series. She is a graduate of Mathematics from the University of Jos. Apart from getting so engrossed in rock music, she doubles as an instrumentalist, playing the guitar with ease. In this chat with Ogechi Okorondu she sheds light on her love for rock music. Excerpts.
What is your take on rock music in Nigeria?
Rock music is a genre that has not really been explored in Nigeria. The foundations of rock music are in rock and roll, which originated in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, and quickly spread to much of the rest of the world. Its immediate origins lay in a melding of various black musical genres of the time, including rhythm and blues, gospel and country music.
Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources.
Rock music has also embodied and served as the vehicle for cultural and social movements, leading to major sub-cultures.
Love for music?
I grew up listening to Don Williams and other country gurus before evolving to soft rock, so it was not too much of a surprise to me when I found myself writing songs under the particular genre. Minus the above, I have a special kind of love for music. Music is life; it is food for the soul.
What genre of music are you into?
My music can best be described as soulful, and my mastery of the guitar and thought provoking lyrics combined with a strong stage personality turn to make me an instant favourite.
Why did you choose rock?
I decided to get into Soft Rock because music is medicine for the soul. It is a substance believed to cure all ills. It is known and in days of old for its magic and rarity. Music heals, music soothes, and it sinks deep. That is what I had in mind when I was working on my songs.
My latest album, ‘Elixir’ with 12 Tracks, offers an enticing intro into, pure undiluted Soft Rock, with songs like ‘Could it be Love?’, ‘Emotions’, ‘Crazy’, ‘Sako’ and ‘Fine Wine’ seeping through your soul to create something uniquely sweet, yet tingling.
Influences and role models?
Well, I must say I was greatly influenced by some American artistes. My music shows early influences from Bryan Adams, Tracy Chapman, Coldplay, Third Day and others in the genre.
How do you get inspiration for your songs?
From live circumstances that surround me. It’s in the break-ups, the love stories, the weddings, the heart breaks. I see something that stirs my emotions, I pick up my guitar and I write. Sometimes it takes days, sometimes hours, sometimes years.
As an artiste, what are your challenges and how have you been able to cope with them knowing that Abuja is not as booming as Lagos as far as entertainment business in concerned?
Basically, the challenge for any music act is finance, and without a steady source of income, there is bound to be friction. That is why every day I thank God I have a source of income aside from music. And I organise my yearly Night of Rock Shows, which started in 2011 with Thread Stone, and will still happen this year God willing. Basically I think you can create music wherever you are. It is all in the music.
Describe your experience on stage?
I love rocking the stage. In fact when I am on stage I feel exotic that is why my performances usually generates quite a stir as I do my best to give my fans the satisfaction they need. When my fans are happy, it makes me happy too because without them I am nothing.
When I am on stage all I want to do is leave my fans gyrating and screaming for more.
Do you perform in public? If yes how do you handle mistakes during performance or competition?
Yes, I am a live performer. I ignore my mistakes on stage. As a stage performer it is very important for you to conceal your mistakes. What you don’t let the audience know won’t hurt you or them. Competition? I am not sure about that. I rarely compete.
How often and how long do you practice?
As a musician, especially an instrumentalist, after a while, you have no set time to practice. Sometimes I spend the whole evening or perhaps an entire day. It no longer becomes quantifiable after a while. But I’d say at least five hours in a week.
Where do you see yourself in 10years?
I am definitely going to rise higher and higher. I am envisioning a time when my skill as a guitarist will grab Nigeria by its horns and I will be an outstanding impact on my generation. I will love to remain a Soft Rock artiste and guitarist in my other life.
Who have you worked with or intend working with?
So far I have featured a few emerging artistes on my songs and I plan to work with a lot more. All that one is in the bag o. But soon…
Future plans
To keep doing more music, writing more songs, and be the best of what I was meant to be. Soon!
Achievements
As per achievements, regarding the tour, since April it has been awesome. I have been given platforms to perform and spread the music. We have been on the Welcome to Nigeria TV Show which airs on AIT, Cool FM, the Abuja Writers Forum, the Real Factor Club in Karu just to mention a few.
Hit songs
Well…I wouldn’t go as far to call them hits, but I have a couple of songs that my fans love and well, have gained a bit of popularity in Abuja. Some of them include, “Am not Afraid”, “You and I (God bless Nigeria)”, “Radio”…and there’s this new one which came out in March 2013 called “I’ll Make You Dance”. So far the response to the song has been mind blowing… The song has been featured on some popular online blogs. All my songs are available on iTunes and Amazon.
Tell us about your first love
My first love is music. I am so in love with music.
Your hobbies
Aside music, I love web designing. So in the day time, I am an excellent web designer mean while in the night I am a stage artiste.