After the first successful launch event last month, You Saw Them First! is returning to Freo.Social and are picking things up another notch with special guest Abbe May in the headlining slot on Wednesday, May 22. The unique concept, devised by Open Minds Music, offers emerging artists the opportunity to take the stage and play their original songs live, often for the first time ever, backed by an experienced house band. On Wednesday, three more emerging, unsigned singers and songwriters have been selected to play their original songs on stage to a live audience and BRAYDEN EDWARDS spoke to them to get a taste of what we can expect.
KOZO MKHWANAZI
How did you get into music and how long have you been playing for?
I’ve been in love with singing and creating music for as long as I can remember and I started writing songs when I was 10. I started messing around with the guitar about six years ago. I’ve been playing in Monroe on and off for a few years now.
What artists have influenced your sound the most and why?
There are WAY too many to mention here, but from a singer/ songwriter/ entertainer’s perspective, some I can say for sure are Bob Marley and J. Cole for their message, Freddie Mercury, Aretha Franklin and Jeff Buckley for their voices, and of course Michael Jackson who just had everything.
When people come and watch you play, what do you think they’ll remember most about you?
Well I think my passion and my love for what I do always shines through, and so I just try to combine that with my best possible performance and that hopefully creates something memorable for people.
What’s next in the pipeline for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
Right now, I’m doing a lot of rehearsing and building with my band Monroe and trying to push that to its full potential – we’re currently in the process of recording a couple of songs and then after that just getting around as much as possible.
ZOLA LI
How did you get into the music industry and how long have you been playing for?
I Have been into the music industry since I was four. Since when I first learned violin. I started to learn guitar by myself at the age of 14 and been writing songs since then.
What artists have influenced your sound the most and why?
Definitely Celtic Woman. I love the violin played by Mairead Nesbitt.
When people come and watch you play, what do you think they will remember most about you?
I think when people come and watch me play they will definitely remember two things: my tap-dance violin and my whistling.
What’s next in the pipeline for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
My plans are to come back to “Music backpacker journey” and then touring around Australia and USA.
ALEXIS NAYLOR
How did you get into music and how long have you been playing for?
I am so lucky that music has always been in my life. My dad loved music and it filled our house when I was growing up. Mum would be singing away too, she has a killer voice! Not that she would admit it! I’ve been playing music since I was in primary school, performing solo until high school where I was in a band playing covers and writing originals.
What artists have influenced your sound the most and why?
I am influenced by so many artists and their craft that it seems impossible to choose, but here goes… City and Colour, Lykke Li and Amber Mark just to name a few. We also have so many home-grown artists who I just adore their sound too, Missy Higgins, Amy Shark, The Paper Kites, Ben Abraham, Bri Clark and Emily Wurramara.
All these artists have a way with emotive storytelling and that is something I try and emulate in my writing.
When people come and watch you play, what do you think they’ll remember most about you?
Where does that voice come from?!?! Haha I’m short in stature so it is usually the first thing people think. But in all seriousness, I hope they remember the stories and can relate, perhaps maybe in some way it can help them. Family, friends, love, heartbreak, mental health, losing loved ones, social expectations… these are the stories I tell.
What’s next in the pipeline for you musically, any further plans for 2019 and beyond?
I am heading back into the studio in October so 2019 will be filled with releasing some new music and touring. Past there, who knows but I’m excited to find out!
