Hollywood Music TV Canada Tina Interviews
Great Solo Artist Sheela Langeberg
Great Solo Artist Sheela Langeberg
www.sheela.com.au
www.myspace.com/sheelasheenalife
HMTV Canada: 1. Hi Sheela Congradulations on your new album Dream. How are your fans reacting to Dream?
Sheela: Thank you Tina. After the success on my first Demo album "Chants of My Life" from which I now have a Remix album "NAKED FIRE" also released by popular demand.
In 2006, I compiled all the songs that were part of my stage touring plays of "MAIJA OF CHAGGALAND" "AMANDINA, and "NDELAWASI" into "DREAM" and sold to a long pre-order list
The fans wanted more so this year, I remixed one of the songs from the album into DREAMLAND 4 ME single.
GET YOUR COPIES TODAY at:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sheela3, Apple Itunes, http://www.isound.com/sheela_langeberg http://www.yourindiecdnet.com
HMTV Canada: 2. Can you tell us about Dream and your new Demo Album Chants of Life, anything from messages to inspirations?
Sheela: My music, plays and dance, are all part of me and my life and those in my family. Sometimes, I’m not so sure, which one of the three comes first, when I’m writing. I only follow my heart, instinct and the memories that I’ve at the time. My aim is to revive, restore and strengthen the African history, culture, good traditions and heritage.
So, anything and everything that I know and can remember, I try to in cooperate into my own stories, songs, music and plays that I write and produce. My wonderful mother is no longer here, but I always hear her beautiful singing voice, just like she used to sing when I was little. She’d be sitting weaving, or cooking, or platting hair, or sweeping the yard, or breast feeding her new baby, and she‘d chant or hum softly, with her neck always tilted to one side. I’d be sitting next to her observing. Her trying to engage me into it, mama'd smile and gently caress my hand or cheek. That was very special and very powerful
HMTV Canada: 3. What are some of your musical influences, your personal way of music? Do you have any spiritual influences?
Sheela: My musical influences come from mother, grandmothers and aunties who hummed and chanted to anything they did when I was around them. Other influences come from the hard working women of Africa. Now I’m also exploring traditional music from other parts of the world that I’ve been blessed to visit and live in.
HMTV Canada: 4. What do you stress in your music when it comes to your unique style of writing songs are they personal experiences or about life in general?
Sheela: I like keeping it real, pure and grounded. It’s very important for me to leave a defined benchmark of my culture, heritage and existence in my art and music for the coming generation. I also like to not only move but also travel with the time in my life and art, and I can only do it by cleverly combining the old and the new.
HMTV Canada: 5. One thing I truly admire in your music is a certain defining unique style, a compelling different vibe that must be heard. How do you compose or create this certain unique solo capella style sound in your music?
Sheela: Very kind of you. A lot of people have said this, and its very flattering for me. I must say though, that I’m not aware of it so much. May be it's because my work is about me, my life, and those close to me.
HMTV Canada: 6. Can you tell us about the intruments or technical equipment, recording environment?
Sheela: Every artist has her/his little secrets that they keep about their work and success. With me, I see instruments as true beings in my music. Because of this, I chose the player of that instrument very carefully. A great instrument player is not enough, if she/he does not see, understand, feel or respect the writer/composer's vision. As for the environment, I believe each album requires its own timing and surroundings, during writing/composing and recording.
HMTV Canada: 7. Do you work individually as a Solo Artist or in a group of collaborative members?
Sheela: I mainly work solo in most productions. I direct all my plays but hire an assistant director for advice. In music I’ve only worked with session musicians during recording.
HMTV Canada: 8. Do you find the internet an effective marketing tool for your music?
Sheela: The internet have changed my life-positively. I also respect and use other methods of getting my music and art out there..
HMTV Canada: 9. Why do some fans describe Sheela as "Sheer Theactrical Magic"? What are your live performances like?
Sheela: Some critics have described me as : “A grace of a gazelle” “Sheela; with a smile as big as Africa itself” “Pure Magic” “Mama Africa” “Little Zulu” “ Fair Dinkum Sheela” and so on.
I really don’t exactly, know how those names came about. All I know is I put 110% of Me, Myself and I, in everything. When I'm writing, I try and put myself on the audience chair and watch myself on stage, and when I'm on stage, I become both. the actress and the audience-feeling their energy, exitment and criticism at the same time.
HMTV Canada: 10. Out of your 59 solo stage plays and musical dramas which of these works won compelling awards?
Sheela: This year (August) I wrote, produced and premiered my 60th stage play called, “SALMA-The Girl From The Africa Roof”
My award winning productions are: “MAIJA OF CHAGGALND”-a true story about my mighty mother’s life. It's in two versions, major theater and high school)
Award: The Canadian English Critic's Award: MECCA (Canada!)
“AFRICA” (in three versions: Junior/elementary schools and family fun.
Award: Best Relevant School Productions
“DANCE CELEBRATES LIFE: Award: Best Outstanding Festival Production.
The piece was also a TV Commercial for a Christian TV.
This year, I receive another award “ “Most Inspiring Person” for my work with young people around Australia and the world.
In 2003and 2004, I was a nomenee for “Business Women’s Award” in Australia
HMTV Canada: 11. Can you tell us a little bio about Ndito Ths Masai Girl published in 2004? Have you found a publisher for your autobiography titled Under The Red Jarcaranda?
Sheela: Ndito’s story is about a little nomad girl, who grows up to face many rapid changes in her village. These changes, according to the elderly, have brought many problems in their society, and they find it very hard to accept.. Despite all, Ndito has a simple dream, and that is to meet and see her favorite birds. The Flamingos, The Marabou Stocks and The Peacocks. They live right in middle of the wild animals paradise. On the journey to fulfill her dream, she’s faced with many obstacles. First, she must sing in concert with the rain. Then she must go past the home of Mama Yeyo- a very old crone feared by all. Then, Ndito must go past Mzee’s hut. a very old skinny man, with no hair, no teeth, and no bum-not even a little one an no family of his own either. Mzee would sit infront of his little hut, talking to his imaginary friend who seemed to be sitting on his right shoulder.He'd stare at everything and everybody going past. He'd also force them to dance with his other friends, the mud crabs. Then before coming to the lake, where the birds would be, Ndito must go past the home of two twin brothers and little friend called Doti who for many years now, had managed to knock down every person and animal that must pass there to get to the other side of the valley. Ndito uses her own profound methods ato over come each obstacle. In the end, she does not only meet her birds, but also becomes the princess of the jungle animals paradise.
NDITO THE MASAI GIRL is also a radio drama and a stage play production, with thousands of shows already toured schools around the globe, including Montreal, Australia, Scandinavia and counting! In 2005/6/7 The piece topped the charts in most requested productions during the Book Week in South Australia. This record was repeated in Sweden in 2006.
I’m still looking for publishers for my autobiography book and other stories. Also looking for film and animation producers for the book and stories.
HMTV Canada: 12. Tell us about your exciting Career as Director, Author, Storyteller, Performer and Dancer? Amazing talent did you study music in your education most of your life or has this been your natural talent?
Are your parents Performers or Musicians?
Sheela: I also work, professionally, with the elderly, young offenders and autistic children-motivating them and helping them with their life directions and dreams where I can.
With that said, life is always hectic. I find myself spreading thinly everywhere at times. The only way I get by it is by being very organized, focused, self disciplined. I’ve raised my children showing them everything I do, by making them part of it. My children have been my first readers and listener. They’ve also helped with the editing of the first drafts. They’ always have chores to do in and around the home, and they are part of taking care of the household finances. They must work hard to earn everything given to them both at home, and in school. They love it!
HMTV Canada: 13. What kinds of film or commercials have you completed and do they relate to your music?
Sheela: The films that I’ve played in have been roles given but I wrote or co-wrote some of the commercials that I’ve been involved in. The commercials have been more of my dance and choreography.
In my upcoming E. Books, will involve more of my music and storytelling expertise (COMING SOON!)
HMTV Canada: 14. As a Teacher how would you convince your students the importance of Musical Education?
Sheela: Its always good to be educated and well informed about all things in life. Unfortunately, the world does ask for a lot of things to be put on paper these days. Having said that, they are people who have never been to a music school in their life, but can sing better than a lot of those seen and heard in some realty TV program and mainstream music labels today.. My advice is then: Try a lot of avenues in learn about music. Listen to all sorts of music, learn in and outs of many good artists as you set your own trademark which is very important.
HMTV Canada: 15. What is the music industry or business like in Australia and Tanzania? What are the popular music genres being noticed in media and played on local radio?
Sheela: In Australia, like everywhere, people are asking for more variety in music and theater. Its seen everywhere and especially in major festivals. I do think though, that Australia and media in particular, need to do more when it comes to traditional music of the world. Many commercial radios and TV stations are still stuck in old ways of putting to air only one or few music genres which is unfortunate really. I understand that they must specialize their stations and what genre they play, but they could put more culture on and artists on.
Tanzania and all African nations, have had a sad past, there wonderful traditional music, stories and languages were banned or totally destroyed during many years of colonization. Today, Africa has to work 100 times harder than any other continent on earth, not only to catch up with the rest of the world, but to revive and re-built their lost history and culture and they are doing a great job. A lot of resources, time and patience is needed for this kind of work. The world must realize and understand this fully, or we will be cheating ourselves otherwise. Whether we like it or not, we need to have Africa coming aboard in our development-probably more than Africa needs the rest of the world?
HMTV Canada: 16. As a mother of twins, full time Career as Teacher and All Around Solo Artist do you find ""Time "" an overwhelming factor sometimes in maintaining your busy lifestyle?
Sheela: The art is to make the entire family be part of what I do. They are not with me on stage but they are involved in planning and getting all together where possible. They’ve been traveling with me to some countries as part of their well deserved breaks. In those years I was being their teacher for all subjects in life. Hihihi!
HMTV Canada: 17. What are your future plans for 2008? Do you have anyone you would like to acknowledge or any last words?
Sheela: I hope to finish my E. books and get them out there. I’ll also be touring with my production SALMA-The girl from The Africa Roof “ “Africa” and “Ndito The Masai Girl” I’ll also be doing dance w./shops that I do every end of the year. This will still give a chance for me to fit in any projects throw at me that year.
I have so many people to thank it’ll be not fare to mention only a few but I sincere want to thank Hollywood Music TV Canada for giving me this brilliant opportunity to talk about me and my art.- YOU’RE A GEM! I love you!
HMTV Canada-Tina: Thank you Sheela it has been an honour to interview a you. I found your music very beautiful, different, inspirational and unique and found all your talents very impressive . Hope to see you in Canada someday in concert. You Rock
www.hollywoodmusic.tv/tina
Thank you ever so much Tina.
Sheela (a.k.a Sheela Sheena)
