WeTalkSound met with talented singer Cill, Born Chioma Ogbonna. A singer, songwriter and founder of the songwriters community, we gained some insight into who she is, enjoy!
What sparks your creativity when writing songs?
It depends on how I am writing. When I am writing a song from scratch without any music, itwould be the way that I am feeling in that moment, it could also be a thought or an idea from aconversation that inspired me or a book I’m reading. When I’m with a producer who’s creating abeat for me to write to, it’s the music he’s creating, the beat, it could also be an element in thebeat, usually the element that drives the music. I allow the music to inspire me. I don’t try to bestubborn about it, a few times I do try to deviate from it and create something magical. So yeah,it’s different in different scenarios.
If your music were a color, what would it be and why?
I’d say the peacock blue or green, I see my music in this color, it’s warm yet rich, my music feelslike a warm cloak in a cold world, soothing yet empowering. Peacock blue is a rich, iridescentcolor. It’s one of my favorite colors also and inspires me so much. Every time I wear a color inthis tone I feel elevated and so comfortable, there’s this confidence I feel that’s unexplainable.That’s how my music is.
If your music was a specific culinary dish, what would it be & why?
Hmmm, I will say Alfredo pasta, it’s not so spicy yet it’s tasty. That rich, velvety smoothexperience with a prominent creamy texture, comforting. Just as it coats your mouth with aluxurious slightly thick layer of sauce that clings to the pasta noodles that’s how my musicsoothes your soul, my voice sounds very soft yet rich over layers of sounds that are well thoughtout.
What’s the most meaningful song you’ve written and why?
That has to be the one I just released, it’s called Échí, a song about taking small actions todaythat affect our lives in the future and our planet. it features the Children of the Destiny Trust Foundation
The music video is a powerful visual journey that juxtaposes two worlds: one ravaged byenvironmental pollution filmed in the oil-spill-stricken Bodo Community in Ogoniland, in RiversState, Nigeria, the video captures the stark reality of environmental degradation. And another filled with hope and sustainability featuring the children of the Destiny Trust Foundation singing and telling a story of a brighter future.
Who are your musical influences?
I’d say I have had different influences at different points in my life but it all comes together in a
wholesome union. One time it was Christy Lane, an American country singer, and it was
because my dad used to play her music a lot when I was a child along with that of Jimmy Reeves. It later evolved to singers like Majek Fashek, Evi Edna, Onyeka Onwenu, Patty Obasiwho’s music resides freely in my subconscious. Then there was Lighthouse Family whose lyricsI was very fascinated by. I would sing along as I listened to the Lighthouse Family album giftedto me by my eldest brother.As I grew I fell in love with Sade Adu, Asa, Bez, Fatoumata Diawara, Rihana, Adele. Everysingle one influenced my sound or philosophy as a musician.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened during a performance?
Technical issues with the mic. Happens all the time.Wow Let me see, there are so many… I’d share this one… One time, it was in Abuja for performance as one of the top 10 finalists in a project I was part of. I used to battle anxiety a lot when I started performing. And on this occasion, I was so nervous about going up stage that I convinced two other ladies that we should all perform together considering that we were ten. It told them that we may not be given enough time to perform individually and so it’s best to perform as a group. Yeah, I was trying to hide and draw from their energy. So they agreed thereand then we wrote a quick song to perform together with each of our guitars, and it sounded really great.
The time came to perform. We each had a line or two in the song and when it got to my line assoon as I sang mine the crowd went wild, it was so unexpected for two reasons; 1. This isAbuja, who knows me? 2. I was super nervous and unsure what I was doing and I was prettysure my voice was shaky, so why are they shouting? The next thing was I heard my name allthe way deep in the crowd and this person was so excited I could have sworn they were high.
We finally finished our song, and I was about to get off stage just like my colleagues when I heard my name being sung in a chorus “Cill Cill! One more, one more, one more!” I was sotaken aback and didn’t know what to do, they didn’t stop at all, it just became louder and louder.I wasn’t ready, the people with whom I was doing the project started to play the song I hadrecorded on the project expecting me to Mike. I don’t know where the strength came from, but I told the dj to stop, and I opted to play a song with my guitar. It became one of my best performances in Abuja till date. Even after I finished they wanted more but I had to respect myself and leave the stage.
I wasn’t even the headline, none of us were. The main show hadn’t even started so that wascrazy. These guys all the way in Abuja knew me and I thought I was just starting my career andno one would know me. From trying to hide in a three man performance I became sort of like astar of the night. It changed my perspective and the way I saw myself.
How do you prepare for a show?
Well, it depends on whether it’s a full band performance or an acoustic performance type ofthing. If it’s just me and a guitar I basically align with them for rehearsals. I always rehearse,sometimes it annoys my band cos they say they know my songs, lol, but I do take rehearsalsseriously, this applies to both situations. In the case of a full band performance, I first know whatthe performance plan will be in terms of a song list, then communicate to my band and then rehearsal with them. During rehearsals we can then fine tune what works and take out what doesn’t based on the arrangements.
Then we plan outfits especially for me. I allow my band to express themselves the way they likeas long as it’s not way off or too laid back, but we are always good together. I like to go for an outfit that will make me stand out, I like to experiment with African textures, like asoke andleather, etc. On show day, I do my vocal warm-ups and pray before sound check and performance time, I show up early for soundcheck, dress up after, and then come to the stage and kill it. Like I have absolute fun and make sure the audience does, too.
What’s your go-to karaoke jam?
It’s “One and Only” by Adele, everytime!
Which genre or era of music influences your style the most?
Hmm I listen to a vast range of genres and learn a thing or two from everywhere but in terms of
influences it’s hard to say cos I have always been independent minded about things like this. I
guess whatever influences there are would be the ones that influences me subconsciously. I
used to listen to a lot of country music growing up, Jimmy Reeves, Christy Lane and the
Nigerian guitarist and singer Pat Obasi. I think this guy is stuck somewhere in my subconscious,
the way he plays his guitar and sings those Igbo tunes. Somehow I am exploring my Igbo roots
more and I’d give singers like him credit for that.
What’s the best fan gift or message you’ve received?
This one is hard, I won’t lie. I’ve gotten a lot of special gifts o, the one that comes to mind is a guitar. When my first guitar got bad and I was guitar less for a while, Tim sent me a guitar all the way from Abuja. At the time, I was in Ogun State, and he sent it brand new still in the package. I was mind blown by this gesture, and how quickly the guitar arrived
Advice for other rising stars like you?
Focus on what truly matters. There are so many voices and so many paths to the top, some are already congested, open your eyes, and you will see others. Stop copying, be yourself.
Connect with Cill.
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