Smashing it at Groove Odyssey’s 5th Birthday in London town this weekend
Interview by Nicky Trax
Welcome to Groove Odyssey’s latest vocal discovery…Taliwa who is making her debut at their 5th birthday Party on Saturday…
Taliwa welcome to DMCWORLD…this is this your first time at Groove Odyssey right?
“Hi Nicky! Yup this is my first time at Groove Odessey, I love performing live so I’m really looking forward to it!”
How has your year been?
“2014 has been a really positive year and I’ve been focusing more on my solo work but I’ve also had the opportunity to work with DJs on house tracks like ‘The Right Way’ with DJ Able that I’ll be performing on the night. There’s been a great response to this so far and there’s sure to be a follow up.”
What can the GO crew expect from your set?
“The GO crew can expect a high energy performance with Divalicious vocals. Gotta toot my own trumpet innit – lol!”
It’s a great line up on Saturday, anyone you are really looking forward to checking out?
“I’m looking forward to hearing as many of the DJs as possible. There’s a variety of styles and I like to boogie too. Yes that’s right I said boogie, I think that word needs to make a come back…”
What would you say is your career highlight to date?
“Firstly for me it’s that moment when someone communicates how much a song (that I have written) means to them. There’s something very special and humbling about that. To know that my lyrics may have helped someone through a trial in their life is rewarding. Secondly, some of my most proudest moments have been performing in venues such as the Jazz Café in Camden and also at the infamous Ronnie Scotts jazz club in Soho. Some serious legends have performed there which always makes me feel one step closer to my dreams.”
How and when were you first infected by dance music?
“I’ve always been a soul chick listening to artists like Jill Scott and Marvin Gaye, but I was introduced to house by a producer friend of mine. We experimented with some sounds and I was fortunate enough for that experiment to turn into a released single and from then on I was hooked. I’d say I’m still discovering all the facets and realms of the music and enjoying all it has to offer.”
What was your first break in the industry?
“In terms of house music I’d say it was a release called ‘Everyday’ that I featured on with Ziggy Funk. It was the first time I heard myself on the radio so it was all very exciting and I think that it was the first time people started to take notice.”
What is your earliest musical memory?
“My earliest music memory is my dad playing R&B on his vinyl record player dancing with my sisters with a hair brush in my hand mimicking any diva-esque vocal I could sing along to. I was a late bloomer and didn’t start singing until Secondary School where I entered a singing competition. I later joined a girl group and after music college began focusing on live music performing with bands of different styles genres in and around London.”
Who are some of the people you have enjoyed working with in the music business over the years?
“There are a few but I would have to say that the favourite person I have worked with in the music business is Matt Bandy. Though he has several more years experience Matt has a great ability to guide me whilst at the same time making my opinions and skill set feel valued.”
What’s the driving force behind your singing career and how would you describe your vocal style?
“When I first began singing it was a tool I could use to feel “heard”. I was a shy teenager so singing helped me to build my confidence and was a way in which I could express myself. Now I’m a little bit older (er hum – cough!). The driving force behind my music is to encourage others to have a voice. To let themselves to be heard and to know that they are not alone in their struggles. In turn hopefully show that there is a light at the end of “every” tunnel. So that said I think I would describe my vocal style as Big Soulful gospel-esque vocals with a hint of cheeky chocolaty goodness for good measure.”
Who is the most inspirational and influential person in your life?
“Anyone who knows me would anticipate me saying this, but it has to be my mum! She is so strong and supportive and a woman who has overcome so many obstacles and hardships but despite these hardships dedicates her life to helping others. Throughout my life she has gone back to college to study, owned her own business for 10 years (whilst taking care of 3 children) and later changed her career and is now proudly a School Mentor. She’s doing what she loves and helping others along the way and to me that’s something to aspire to.”
Can you tell us something you think we should all be listening to before we head out the door to the Groove Odyssey 5th Birthday party?
“Oooh you should check out Sean McCabe’s new album ‘It’s Time’ on Z Records where I feature on the single ‘Finally’. Plug, plug…”
And finally, can you please tell us something about you that you haven’t divulged in the music press before…
“Hmmm…so in my spare time I love anything that quietens the mind and puts you in touch with yourself and your spirit – so in my spare time I do yoga classes and often read books and watch programmes about self -improvement. But then…ok, so I have a confession…I LOVE really ratchet ghetto programmes like ‘The Real House Wives of Atlanta’ and ‘Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta’, that sort of thing. Everything that is good and wholesome in the world screams out “these programmes are wrong!” All the cat fights, arguments and affairs! But I can’t help it! I have a serious addiction. Right the cat’s out the bag now, I feel so much better for off-loading now. Lol.”
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Taliwa performs live at the Groove Odyssey 5th birthday this Saturday November 8th alongside the legendary Kenny Bobien and Hanlei, plus DJ Spen, Neil Pierce, Sean McCabe, Groove Assassin, Bobby & Steve and many more at iCan Studios in London town.
More info at www.grooveodyssey.com or facebook.com/grooveodyssey
