Name: Julia Sarr
Nationality: Senegalese
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, producer
Current release: Julia Sarr's new album Njaboot is out now.
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KIRIPI KATEMBO: Congolese photographer and videographer Kiripi Katembo. Aged 36, he died of cerebral malaria.
FATOU DIOME: Writer. See wikipedia for more information. 

If you enjoyed this Julia Sarr interview and would like to know more about her music, visit her official website. She is also on Instagram, Facebook, and twitter.  



When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

As a teenager, I started to write songs as little poems but I wasn’t sure if they  were interesting enough. With time and different experiences, I gradually gained confidence. The idea of producing came after Setluna/ Label No Format. I really felt that I wanted to take charge of my music, with a free and independent spirit.

My early passions and influences were Miriam Makeba, Youssou N’Dour and also jazz icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan.

What drew me into music? The feeling of being able to express myself with music, tell short stories in songs and represent my culture.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening and how does it influence your approach to creativity?

The human body is the first instrument of singing, it gives us the chance to share emotions, and to receive as much as you give.

Happy to hear that you see shapes and colors, that’s also my vision of music. Just like paintings, the approach of creativity leads me to a state of motionless travel.

How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice, as well as breakthroughs?

My development as an artist seems to me an eternal restart, each album is a new challenge to overcome. Although I know that there are achievements I've already done, I do not rest on them.

Breakthroughs are coming by working every day, by expanding your networks of influence.

Tell me a bit about your sense of identity and how it influences both your preferences as a listener and your creativity as an artist, please.

Well my sense of identity is quite strong. I can even say that my African roots give me a wide motivation to go ahead in creativity.

But my  preferences as a listener is absolutely open hearted. I enjoy any good music and beautiful art .

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?  

My approach towards art: always be real, sensitive, and generous. Have a heart that knows how to marvel, admire the talent of others as a holy gift.

How would you describe your views on topics like originality and innovation versus perfection and timelessness in music? Are you interested in a “music of the future” or “continuing a tradition”?

First of all I may surprise you but I believe there is nothing new under the sun. But for sure when you create art you must look for originality. It is the key to make the difference, to remain unique and identifiable.

Searching for perfection? I just avoid it in my heart, because I'll never be satisfied. Anyway I give myself the right to make mistakes.

Yes I am interested in a “music of the future” above all in the “music of the present moment” without rejecting tradition. I try to break the codes and go for a merge.
 
Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools - and what are the most promising strategies for working with them?

My most important instruments and tools and piano and all the electronic system of recordings in the home studio. Promising strategies is that I’ve learned to compose much easily, and also to keep all my fresh ideas.  

Take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work, please.

My morning routine: I start my day with a time of prayer and reading the Bible Scriptures, I prepare my heart to welcome the day. Then I drink a tea :-) watching my mails and social networks.

Later I take a  time to vocalize then I turn on my sound equipment, microphone etc then I start to work. Sometimes I read and / or write depends on the mood.

Could you describe your creative process on the basis of a piece, live performance or album that's particularly dear to you, please?

My creative process for a live performance or studio session, always begins with my several mindsets: to stay focused on why I am behind a microphone, what do I have to offer to the ones who listens to me, how to connect heart to  heart.

Then I concentrate on breathing and the technical way to give the best of me. My only purpose is to deliver and serve the songs

Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Can you talk about your preferences in this regard and how these constellations influence creative results?

Surely when you have to practice on your instrument you do it alone, often the same when you compose song, music, riffs.

These are moments of intimacy and grace. But we have to keep in mind that music is about sharing. So yes, I ‘d rather be collaborative when creating.

One example of a collaboration that works really fluidly is my long-time duo with Fred Soul.

How do your work and your creativity relate to the world and what is the role of music in society?

My work is my life and my life is related to the world and the society in which I live. I am concerned by everything that surrounds me, it inspires me, encourages me to listen to the world, it revolts me also.

I really think that the role of music in society is to be a witness, or a way to heal and be healed, or at least to give hope and calm down the madness.

Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: Life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way and on which occasions has music – both your own or that of others - contributed to your understanding of these questions?

Yes in Africa, as in many ancestral cultures - we have music for any occasion to celebrate birth, weddings or simply the daily work in the fields etc. It is definitely a way of life.

I can testify that I was listening music from day to night just to survive several loss, I could not make it without it.

How do you see the connection between music and science and what can these two fields reveal about each other?

I suppose that music can help the psyche and therapies: the treatment of mental illnesses, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer. Music can reduce depression and anxiety, why not play it during anesthesia or coma. Music also soften the end of life ….

I imagine sience has a lot of things to explore with music.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?

Hahaha, this question is really funny ... I think a good cup of tea or a great meal will be forgotten at the end of a day or the end of the week. It can't be compared to a song that strengthens your soul, your body, your spirit all your life,  helps you to live and survive the worst.

I don't know if I’m going to dare to say it … but music comes from Above, from the sacredness of what is bigger than us. We are called to express the strength, the fragility, the greatness,  the beauty of it all.

Music is vibration in the air, captured by our ear drums. From your perspective as a creator and listener, do you have an explanation how it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages?

Yes music is frequencies, it’s the supernatural in the natural.

We are practically in the sphere of the invisible, that’s why it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages. The question is which message is it?