June Gachui: Celebrating 20 years of Live Performance
June Gachui is no stranger to the music scene. Having been in the music industry for 20 years, this sultry singer has travelled far and wide plus stamped her footprints as the queen of neo/new soul in Kenya. I caught up with her to discover what she’s all about and this is what she had to say: When did you discover that you could sing? When I was 9 years old I used to like singing for my family in front of the television. Then when I was between 11years and 12 years old I went for music classes at Real Music School. What inspires your music? Life inspires my music (experiences and the emotions that they generate, hope, joy, heartbreak, when I lost my dad, feelings and other people’s experiences). What was your whole experience like performing at the just concluded Terminal Music Weekend? It was interesting and different for me as I’m used to organizing shows. It was also overwhelming and I did well with my band. I was glad to have been part of this experience. How did you end up working with Art In Motion Dancers? In 2016 I had my album launch in August of that year and I was looking for dancers. I was looking for that connection and I saw it in them.
How do you feel about female artists in Kenya? There is an interesting variety. In the last five years there has been and outbreak of young singers and there’s a bigger task at hand to be memorable and timeless in this generation. What would you term your style of music to be? My style of music is heavily influenced by neo/new soul, R&B. I Call it Nyummy music with heavy influence from jazz music. When do you see yourself ten years from now? Still performing, writing, gigging and raising children. Do you have any new projects your working on? Yes, I do-Writing and performing at gigs with David Hunter my producer and Victor Kimeto my music director. Where can we access your music? On Mookh.Africa, waabeh and all other platforms from next week. My physical CDs are still selling for audiences from 50 years and above. If it weren’t for music, which other career path would you have taken and how do you balance it with music? Law is my main career path. Time management is how I balance both music and law. It’s a constant exercise in finding the perfect balance. What is your album ’20 years’ all about? Life-20 years of live performance since 1996 when I had my first gig. It was a culmination of all that performance, learning, growing musically and discovering myself. Making it memorable and standing out. Do you plan on collaborating with other Kenyan or international artists and which ones are they? Yes I do with Eddie Grey, My sister-Angie, Khaligraph Jones, David Hunter and Blinky Bill. Do you face and challenges in your music career? Wanting to produce more shows, not being a great song writer, life perception, creating a niche inspite of what people think or say. What is the whole concept behind ‘Because You Said So’? It was Improv Theatre done by a guy called Jason Runo.We met up as it was like a reunion. There’s no script, there’s no preparation. It’s just comedy and theatre.
Advice to your Kenyan fans and fellow female artists? Thankyou to my fans, Im blessed and lucky to have had a listening audience, open with constructive criticism. I call them my nyummy army who are very loyal to me as they continue fighting the fight with me. Don’t lose sight of the prize, be true to how you represent yourself, work hard, surround yourself with the right people, join the women in music forum. Any last words? When God has your back and he opens a door or opportunity for you, your obligation is to walk through the door and unapologetically smash it every time.