Lahani Presents: Ythera and Ciano

I will not bore you with details, as this is not your run of the mill press release. This Saturday, 910 James Gichuru will be hosting another edition of my acoustic gig Lahani. This one features Airtel Trace finalist Ciano Maimba, as well as vocalist extraordinaire Ythera. Who knows, should my voice stop "riding roughshod over me", then I might sing as well.

Lahani is purely acoustic awesomeness and mellow magic, so bring your ears and hearts. See poster below :) Advance tickets are only KES 500, payable to Paybill number: 138090 (JK & Associates.). When you get to account number, simply type in your Mpesa name.

Mwakaribishwa.

Music Giveth Wings to the Soul

Not many people live up to their name but Gilad Millo certainly does. Hebrew for ineffable joy, Gilad has brought mirth to all and sundry through his melodic songs and affable personality. The former diplomat and current PR head has been instrumental, in spearheading campaigns that focus on paradigm shifts among the youth and discrete communities.

A global citizen, Gilad grew up in various corners of the world. This exposed him to different cultures and shaped his worldly perspectives. This has had him in good stead, ensuring that he fits in wherever he goes. This has also ensured that he developed a knack for picking up languages wherever he goes, an endearing quality.

Gilad’s musical journey began in Israel, but it was in London that he really collided with music. He was in the choir all through his formative years. Having honed his skills, he formed a band in high school which was the stepping stone to a latter musical outfit dubbed White Donkey. He recorded an album with them dubbed ‘Country for Sale.’ Not one to shirk responsibilities that were increasing by the day, he decided to step away from music, and focus on building a career in journalism and diplomacy.

This new shift allowed him to work in different areas around the globe. His multifarious background has equipped his to move seamlessly in different career confines, merging them in a bid to create rapport with different communities. This is how Gilad has been able to merge his music career with his current career direction. Whilst in the States, Gilad was at the forefront of Hollywood campaigns that shed light on the positive work that Jewish communities were doing around Los Angeles.

Gilad’s music is centered on healing audiences and spreading joy. Dubbed “Music for the Soul”, Gilad is hell-bent on ensuring that even as his fans are transformed mentally even as they revel in his melodies. He also donates proceeds from all his concerts to charities, because he believes in creating a longer table when empowered financially as opposed to building higher walls of segregation. This has seen him immerse himself in myriad charity campaigns, as well as working with diverse artistes in Kenya.

And come Saturday 21^st May, Gilad will be on stage at the Alchemist to share his gift with his adoring fans. Other acts include Njambi KoiKai and Dela Maranga. Got prior plans? Cancel them, you will be glad you did. If you are an avid YouTube ‘watcher’ like me, then be sure to watch his videos. Other duets by him feature Wendy Kimani, and Gachago. Musical influences include Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Zohar Argov, Ali Kiba, Kidum, Sauti Sol and Broadway musicals.

The sky is truly the limit for this multi-lingual, multi-faceted musician, on a journey to transforming communities through music. His agricultural projects seek to teach young people sustainable long-term farming, as a source of income. Gilad is truly a son of Kenya, born in a distant land. 

Remember: Saturday 21st May 2016, at The Alchemist. Se poster below

Image Credits: Gilad (Facebook Page)

June Gachui And Maurice Kirya To Slay At Koroga Festival.

It is said that music is emotion searching for expression, and no two artistes encapsulate this better than June Gachui and Maurice Kirya. I will admit that I am not that familiar with Manu Dibango’s music, save for the songs that have been covered by other artistes. Call it a generational flaw if you will, honesty after all is the best policy no?

How does one describe June Gachui? A multi-faceted, consummate entertainer, she oozes pure awesomeness whenever she hits the stage. June sings, acts, emcees effortlessly, and slays when it comes to intellectual property. How pray tell does one breathe into words this larger than life personality?

The first time I got the privilege of watching June performing, she was requested by Mumala to come on stage and say hi to the audience. She instead decided to sing, because authentic expression is the core of June’s being. First offering was Bibanke by Asa and I kid you not the room was pungent with expectation. My heart skipped a bit as a holy stillness enveloped the air around us. It’s the way she stood, as if preparing to manifest the sublime calls for a sudden transformation.

First few notes and the entire audience were transfixed. I watched in awe as Ms June dissected herself and bled dry on that podium. By the time she was done and transitioning into En Vogue’s Don’t Let Go, I was enthralled by her rasp, vocal command and expansive range.She was belting G5’s in full voice, unrestrained, unfettered, no mean feat. There and then I knew my heart was taken.

She was a stranger then, but I am now privileged to consider her a friend. Nonetheless, my hairs rise on end whenever she sings. Twenty years under her belt, June is now ready to showcase songs penned with her own DNA. A long time coming, avid fans have been waiting with bated breath for her debut album to drop. Have you not had the pleasure of listening to some of these songs? Then Koroga Festival is definitely your opportunity to.

You will be blown away; her music transcends genres and has coalesced into soul-serenity, like rain drops intertwine to form a river that leads to your ocean (Definitely thinking about Emotions by Destiny’s Child).

Enough with waxing lyrical about June, I am also stoked that Maurice Kirya is back in town this time singing songs reeking of soul and sensuality. I had the pleasure of interacting with Maurice Kirya, back when I was part of Eric Wainaina’s camp during Maisha Superstar.

Maurice would saunter in like he owned the ground he walked on. I find such people perplexing, the ones that are unrepentant about being in the space they have been invited to. Maurice is unapologetic about music, his voice wafts like a smoke signal and draws you into his being.

Affable and unguarded, he sings like he talks; melodies pour out of him like honey from the honeycomb.

It is no secret that I love live performances. I love to watch artistes contort themselves with pleasure as they pull notes from their spirit. I love to watch emotion take over a singer visage, because it makes me envisage what was going through them as they reached into higher planes and tapped into melodies lesser mortals are oblivious to.

I am reminded of rainmakers, invoking the elements until clouds collide and a downpour ensues. And yes, it will rain on Sunday, but it will not be rain that will soak our spirits but epic melodies. Go on, purchase our tickets and come discover Edward Parseen and Manu Dibango with me. It’s an odyssey worth taking, your future self will thank you for saying yes.