Have you ever had a dream? One that you knew you could accomplish if you only had the right tools. I’ve been writing and working with music since I was young. I have also been singing for as long as I can remember. In 2016 I met a large group of people who were a part of an artistic scene growing in Phoenix. I’d gone with a friend to a new friend’s house she’d met at a festival that Feb. She told me that the friend had a music studio and would probably love to record with me. So after hanging for a while we found an instrumental to a fav song of mine by Hozier (work song) and we got everything set up. I pushed past the nerves and went for it even though there were about 15 people in the small humid room with no fan. All that were pretty much strangers barely hours before. When it was over everyone applauded and a few had tears in their eyes and that day started about 4 years of work with several different artists.
I had performances around the community, at events and house parties even got to perform at the AZ Vegetarian Festival in 2017. While being a part of this group of people I had seen a lot of people turn their dreams, talents, and ideas into a reality they actually made revenue off of. I’d made a couple of hundred dollars throughout as well. From monthly backyard parties evolving into Large local events monthly to bi-monthly. 2 different food vendors being able to open shops in downtown phoenix, Artists promoting and selling their paintings for thousands of dollars after years of their art piling up simply off of a pastime form of expression. Seeing friends that began making music together just for fun go on tours throughout the U.S. Of course throughout this I was able to gain experience in a number of different ways especially musically. I taught myself guitar and learned a simplified system that refreshed my piano abilities. Singing all the time strengthened my voice and a few friends that had heard me years before would compliment on the new abilities and dynamics of my voice. The other thing that became stronger was my confidence.
The downside to all of this was when working as a music collective there only being a few of us who had the equipment needed and the money it takes to bring our sounds to professional standards as well as promote the music we would put out created a lot of frustrations, roadblocks, and dead ends. Years of work would often get swept aside and buried in the archives and after a while, you start to lose that drive and passion. Riffs in friendships and collaborations would mean giving up a project you invested your soul into over simple disagreements. It’s impossible to recreate the magic of a moment that brought together something moving and authentic after its already collecting dust and energy has been exhausted. I could name at least 50 different individual songs or collaborative projects that never got to see the light of day. And are either erased into the abyss or at the bottom of a list on someone’s dusty old hard drive. I was lucky enough to be able to keep a few unfinished projects that I’m able to listen to every now and then.
I’ve worked for years trying to save money to purchase the equipment needed so that I could be my own boss, and not have to conform my expression to fit the styles and needs of others’ crafts. So that I could keep my projects that might have been left behind to pick up later on and complete. Sadly like the rest of us life happens and that money has to be used elsewhere. And now with covid and the difficulties getting a job I feel pent up having so much I wish i could just get out and no outlet.
I know that I have something that deserves to be shared and seen and heard and felt., Not just because of my own beliefs in myself but because of the feedback I’ve received. Not to mention seeing the way people respond to something you created in touching ways, it’s the most rewarding and driving part of sharing the darkest, saddest, happiest, and most vulnerable parts of yourself. Having people pull you aside and tell you the ways it helped them or moved them, and giving you the boost to keep striving. I have a voice and a mind that wants to be heard and seen by others. I have an inspiration that wants to inspire others. And to be honest I feel lost most days not being able to hone in on it.
The most important instrument is the computer. Macbooks are the best for production, They are usually around $1000 which I’ve found places I can get one almost new for $500. Studio quality production software is also another $1000 like Ableton which I have extensive knowledge in as it’s the program I’ve used in the past so I feel most comfortable working with. Then a hard drive, an interface, recording microphones and headphones, a keyboard (does not have to be expensive just have a midi hookup) an Electric acoustic guitar (I’m sure I could find one used for around $100 if I look hard enough) and the proper cables to hook up. I know there are Ableton bundle packages I’ve researched and easy DIY soundproofing techniques. At the lowest, I could get all the basics for $2000 but to get everything and not have to cut corners $3500 would be enough to get everything needed AND use a little leftover to invest and build for promoting later on. But honestly anything will help. It’s a shot in the dark but I’m getting desperate and just want to begin again. I posted a collage with some info on general prices and a picture of me we took for promotional purposes. Thank you for taking the time to read.
paypal.me/MoriahOsuji