Osunlade

“Art and life are the same for me, as a creative person I create what I live, its not the other way around for me. Some make music to create life; on the other hand, the music is the expression and mirror of the life I live”, says highly respected musician Osunlade. “At age seven, I knew I wanted to be a musician and started playing piano”

He describes his interesting personality, “I’m a very personal man, I’m an introvert, I don’t live a rock star life style, and my life is very quiet and spent just cooking and relaxing at home. I don’t enjoy the company of people much, I like to be alone, I’m a natural chameleon, I adapt to any surroundings and/or situation. I love to watch people and analyze things and people”

Osunlade is known for his deep and soulful house songs with spiritual melodies and captivating lyrics. Though, he listens to music that is quite the opposite to what he makes. As he confesses, “Jazz or any folklore music is what I hear most. People are surprised when they find that I don’t listen to dance music at all, outside of what I create and what I spin at clubs” He continues, this time, he says how many instruments he can play, “Well, that’s an interesting question, for me, everything is an instrument, it all has sound. So in my eyes, I play every instrument, or at least I can create sound from anything. I think that’s the beauty of music, its not only about talent, it’s about perspective and the knowledge of how to create something from nothing and visa versa”

“Twelve years old was when I wrote what I'd consider my first song, nothing more. It was during the assembling of the first band I was a part of; it was just a moment that I found my personal interest and sound palette (at least at that age)” Admits Osunlade, he expresses his views on why he feels music is as powerful and moving “The fact that when you create, you have healing powers and if others energies are open to connect with you, you can change many things” Osunlade started out in a local band, he says. “We did cover music, as most bands start out performing, a lot of funk, some rock, and pop, but mostly radio tunes etc. We never released any original material” He says, “They all have”, in regards to what was his most valuable musical experience growing up. “I don’t have a favorite of anything in life. It’s all-apart of the big picture and evolution, without one, the other would not have happened or given time, the perspective it took to join forces and create further”

Osunlade says, “My up bringing was pretty much the same as my life now, and I’ve always been an introvert, always alone, not many friends outside of music. School was difficult as I was not your average guy, by looks or attitude, I’ve always been a bit eccentric, and pushed boundaries with what people and society says is rule. I was president of the high school band but other than that, I was simply an outcast of sorts”

BBE Music released the stunning Aquarian Moon album. Osunlade says, “It was a decision made from many years about speaking of an album for BBE, although, Aquarian Moon, wasn’t made with any label in mind per say, it just happened and I thought BBE would be a good home for it”

Osunlade makes soul music for the world, he is a spiritualist, and a global thinker and this shines through his music. “Again, music happens as my life dictates it, I don’t decide to make a song, if I’m inspired by something or someone, then I get a feeling to say something or a sound in my head, or a title based upon an experience or conversation etc. It’s as simple as that. I don’t plan music, just as I don’t plan life, its not honest for me if it’s done that way. Life is about expression, about vulnerabilities, disappointments, love, joy, and all that. You can't create purely from the soul, if you dictate how, when and what you will create if you don’t allow yourself those moments to be real”

What can Osunlade fans expect from you in 2007? “The best thing I can say for 2007 is that Yoruba Records will become stronger, as for Osunlade, who knows. I change with the wind, the most creative projects have been them all, from the simplest to the most complex, they all allow me the models to grow, and so I don’t look at one thing more revered than another. It’s not how I see or hear music”

Where are your favorite places to travel? “Greece and Turkey are my favorite places. I am definitely one of those people that are affected by the environment and surroundings. I’m very moody and simple things change my state instantly. It doesn’t take flashy things to excite me, only natural and spontaneous things”

If you weren’t doing music, what else would you be? “I would have been a doctor, a brain surgeon or some medical specialist”

Phone Interview by Matthew Daniel

Soulisms 2008