What is your name?
Bisola
What is your genre of music?
Soul, Pop, R&B and Inspirational (is that an official genre ? ha, ha)
Give us a little bio about you:
I’m a singer songwriter with a passion for positive and life affirming music. I released my first single ‘Need a little love’ in 2012 and followed that up in 2013 with an EP 2013.
I’ve been fortunate to have my music played on radio stations across the UK and North America including Best of British Unsigned, Premier Radio and KB Radio. I’ve performed at renowned London venues like Hackney Empire, The Bedford, The Ritzy and Smith’s and headlined at The Goodship when I released another single in 2014.
I’ve just released an upbeat pop single called ‘Million Miles’ which was awarded the number 1 spot on weekend chart count down on The Blitz 92.6. I’ve got a new EP in the works due for release of March this year
What made you go in to music? I’ve always loved music and singing, so naturally when I was growing up I had an interest in anything related to it. I started singing in choirs and then gradually progressed to become a solo singer in my church which I particularly relished as it gave me more freedom in expressing myself the way I wanted. I also started writing my own songs when I was quite young mostly as an outlet for my teenage angst !!
Are you a signed?
No I’m still waiting for that big record deal!! Lol. That said I think there are loads of benefits in being an independent artist as you can call the shots and do whatever you feel is right for you and not feel any pressure to have to do things because you’re signed up to a contract. The downside of course is you’re self funded and recording, releasing and promoting your music can be expensive business not to talk of the amount of work involved which when doing this alongside a full time job can be a real challenge
Your brand new Single is out ‘Million Miles’, what an you tell us about it?
Million Miles is an upbeat pop love song that takes listeners on a journey of what it’s like for young couple in love to profess their undying commitment to one another and go the extra mile for that person. I’m so pleased the amount of positive feedback I’ve received from the track so far. It even made the no. 1 spot on the countdown chart show of an American Radio station
What was the recording process like?
It was great fun. I worked with a producer called David Ezra (Hilltop studios) and he was really creative and had loads of ideas which took the song to a whole new level as when I initially sent him the raw demo it was just an acoustic guiiar and my voice. I remember when we finalised the production on the track we were so excited about it we were dancing round his studio and he was running around and jumping up and down like a kid! It was a good laugh
What was the writing process like?
I initially had an idea of the melody for the chorus months before and recorded it on my phone as a reminder and then it just sat there for several months until I forced myself to complete the song. When I went back to it, I had a strong sense that it needed to be a love song – and with me not being the world’s most romantic person known to man, coming up with the lyrics didn’t come natural for me so I decided to ‘burrow’ the words from the traditional wedding vows which couples exchange on their wedding day. Once I latched on to that idea, it just grew from there. Also by giving myself a timeline to have completed the song by it really helped keep me focused as there’s always something to distract you and make you drift off and do something else.
Who did you show Million Miles to first?
Probably my guitarist as I decided I was going to add it to my set list for my live performances. He put such a great spin on it using just the acoustic guitar – made me love the song even more
Your last single ‘The Impossible’ reached #5 in the Indie charts, Soul Genre, what went through your mind when you find out?
I couldn’t believe it ! I was so chuffed at achieving such a major achievement. The song has really inspired and touched people. A friend of mine who was really going through a particularly tough time in her life said she had this song playing almost every day in her car during that time and it really helped her through that period. Those are the kinds of stories that really encourage me to carry on doing this.
Who did you tell first?
I think I put it on Facebook – to let my fans know first of course !!! Ha ha
Do you play any instruments?
Yes I play the guitar. I originally learnt it off Youtube – you can learn anything on Youtube these days !! I’ve taken a few classes in between to work on specific techniques and improve my playing to a more professional standard but without doubt, I earned my stripes off Youtube
Who are your influences?
I love Stevie Wonder and songwriters like Babyface back in his hey day really inspired me. Recently
How do you get inspiration to write songs?
To be honest it tends to come to me on the fly while I’m doing regular day to day stuff like doing the dishes !! Sometimes I may have something on my mind which I’m thinking about and then I latch on to a word or phrase which just feels like a song needs to be written about it. Sometimes I’ve actually woken up in the middle of the night with a fully formed melody in my head ! At the end of the day though what I’ve found is getting ‘the idea’ is one thing, the real work is in developing it into a full song you know, finding the lyrics that work, getting a good bridge if needed, making sure you have a hook that works and so on.
Where do you see yourself now in 5 Years?
Hopefully topping mainstream charts all over the world and Grammy’s to boot ! ha ha
When you’re not doing music, what do you do?
I have a regular 9 – 5 office job which can be demanding and does mean I have to work hard to carve out time for my music.
What was the song you listened to most that influenced you to go more in to the music scene?
I don’t know that I have that one song that made me want to do music, it’s a combination of seeing some amazingly talented artists and having a desire to do what they do. Also I think when I wrote ‘Need a little love’ a few years ago, I really felt I had to do something more than just a demo with it before then was the farthest I gone with my music – I really felt I had to get it professionally recorded and get it out to a wider audience and see where things would go. It hasn’t been an easy road but I thankfully I have no regrets in making that decision those years ago.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given?
Good question I’ve had so many over the years it’s hard to choose the ‘best’ but one that’s always proved useful is ‘do your best and leave the rest’. Hopefully that’s self explanatory
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians not about the industry and just as an artist?
Never stop writing, performing or ‘doing’ your music! Share it as much as you can as that’s the way you grow, you discover your own sound and style and can carve out your own niche to set you apart from the crowd. With platforms like YouTube you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to share your music. Also if you can learn to play an instrument if you don’t already play one that definitely helps. I originally didn’t play any instruments when I started writing songs as a kid but over the years I’ve picked up the guitar and it’s really helped me with writing better songs. I’ll let you in to a little secret – I learned to play guitar on Youtube! Ha ha. I’ve had a handful of lessons with a tutor to help me polish up some elements but I don’t know if I’d have ever have stuck at it if it wasn’t for Youtube. I could learn at my own pace and in my own way
What quote or saying do you always stick by?
Oh I have loads and we all should to be honest ‘cos you learn something new every day (see another quote right of the bat !). But maybe I use you only live once a lot
You get off a plane in your hometown,
1/ where is the first place you visit – Home to see family
2/ where is the first place you see – The beach (well ok may be in my dreams that’s what I’d really like to see first ! ha, ha)
3/ where is the first food place you go and what do you get – That’s a tough one as I’m more of a home cooked food type of person
When you are at a gig, what are 5 things you cannot forget?
Oooh to be honest I just keep things simple once I’ve got some water to keep myself hydrated and I’ve had rehearsed my set list enough times I’m ready to rock and roll.
Do you have social media accounts so your fans can follow you?
Yes absolutely I’m on all the major social media platforms (FB, Twitter, Insta) under my main handle : @bisolamusic
www.facebook.com/bisolamusic
Also check out my music videos on Youtube at : www.youtube.com/bisolathemusic
