G2U Profiles: Interview with Davis Ntare.

1. Hi Davis Ntare?

Hey Bro.  Greetings to all my friends and fans in Uganda, in East Africa and across the Globe.

2. How have you been?

Doing really, really well.  Thanks.  Life keeps getting better and better.  I have been in studio working on the music.  Since September, I have been working with The Band, spreading the music around.

3. Let’s discuss a bit about your music, we knew you way back in a collaboration of the Whistle song, then TPF later, how has been the Journey been?

Every journey start with the first steps.  The Whistle Song was a great collaboration.  And Tusker Project Fame was a fantastic learning experience.  They fantastic team at TPF worked so hard.  Gee, I worked hard.  And the results were fantastic.  I won the first year, and then I also won the All Stars experience.  I was honored.  It was such fun and such hard work that it sometimes seemed like a dream.  After winning, there were successes and setbacks.  I am coming out of a low period.

Back in 2015 I decided to partner with Rogue Elephant Creative, and the director Kelley MacTavish is my manager.  We have been working closely together.  First we have three videos that you should check out.  “I Wanna Be Your Man” was our first video under REC.  This was filmed in Queen Elizabeth National Park.  It was a great experience.  We filmed in three days.  And we managed to get some great footage.  Then we went to Dar es Salaam to film the video “Walking on Water” with Atlas da African.  Another amazing experience.  We finished both those videos in 2015 and they are on YouTube for viewing.  In 2016, we filmed the video “Kyange Naawe” here in Kampala.  But for most of 2016, we were working on the music.

We have also been fortunate to play around town.  We played at both the Muchomo Festival and Blankets and Wine.  We have appeared at Jazzville, Bubbles, The Establishment, Sheraton, the Irish Society party, the American Chamber of Commerce 4^th of July party, Otters Bar, Serena and more!

And our songs are very, very popular at weddings. We have been performing at many of those this last year. We enjoy performing at weddings because they are such joyous occasions.  Everyone is happy, and that is a good thing indeed.

Davis Ntare and the Band are currently performing every Wednesday night at Cayenne in Bukoto.  Entrance is free.  Show starts at 9pm and runs til midnight. Every show is different.

I have been performing with some really, really great musicians.  Pragmo, Michael Kitanda and Ernest Otim are some of the regular members of The Band.  Michelle Dalen also sings backup, and for a petite woman, she has a huge voice.  Everyone has been so phenomenal and supportive.  It is a real pleasure to work with these professional musicians.

4. What are your plans in the next 5 years from now, should we expect any Concert?

Wow.  Five years is a long time.  In 5 years, I would love to be an African Icon.  I want to be able to share the music around the region and around Africa.

Of course I want the music to be popular and enjoyed by lots of people.

For right now, I am concentrating on the music here in Uganda, then moving across East Africa.  I will be moving across the continent when the time is right.

I am looking for partners to help push the music.  I am looking at doing festivals and concerts, yes.

It is probable that I will be doing a concert and album launch.  I have put together a 20 track album with 5 bonus tracks, and that will be coming out within the next 6 months.  A concert is imminent, but we have not set the date as yet.

And there are many more ideas for albums and music.  I have been asked to do many collaborations.  Some special things will be announced soon.

5.What are your charges in case someone wanted Davis Ntare and The Band to perform a show?

Another sticky question.  You know that people do not like to talk about money.  That is why I have a manager.  She takes care of all of the logistics of the show including making the bookings and paying the band.

Traditionally in Uganda, bands have not been very well paid.  Musicians and artists deserve more respect.  We work hard.  There is a lot of work that goes into each performance, especially when the performance is outstanding.  God gives the talent, but it must be properly exercised and developed with rehearsals and coaching.  Every week, I am in studio rehearsing by myself and with the band, refining the music.  Every week, I research new and different music.  That takes lots of time and energy.  But that is what is required to give an outstanding performance.

Band culture is growing.  It is really hard to answer this question about money in isolation.  There are so many variables in music and in performing.  What kind of music is the audience interested in?  How long do you want us to perform?  Will you need us to bring all the equipment for the sound?  Where is the show taking place?  Is it a wedding or private event; is it a corporate performance?

We are happy to perform at corporate and private events.  We are happy to perform at weddings and graduations.  We are happy to perform at festivals and events.

Most times when Davis Ntare and The Band play, there is a performance fee of 2 – 5m UgShs.  BUT like I said before, there are many variables.  If there are people out there that would be interested in having us perform, it is best that they get in touch with Kelley MacTavish and Rogue Elephant Creative.  Kelley is my manager and friends.  She handles all this.  She can be reached on +256 772 403 614.  She has all the answers regarding the band, and she is very helpful.

6. Do you have an Album or you are doing singles only?

I write my own music and I produce my own music.  Of course, for production, there are many other people involved.  It is a team effort, and I am the team leader.

I have been working hard on the music.  I record from Rogue Elephant Creative and their studio in Kololo.  I try to be in studio 3 or 4 times a week.  When I am not performing, I am rehearsing or recording.

I like doing singles, but I have lots of music so albums are the way of the future.

The album will be launched soon.  The album is titled I Am Davis Ntare.  It has at least 20 tracks, and likely to have another 5 bonus tracks.

The songs “ I Wanna Be Your Man” and “Kyange Naawe” will definitely be on there.  Also my newest track “Darling” will be on there.

I have been in studio for the last 6 months putting this together.  I took some time off of live performances to make sure that the album sound was right.  I am still do some final adjustments, but most of the music is ready for distribution.

 

7. What is your kind of music?

I listen to all kinds of music.  One week I will be listening and researching Jazz greats from the 50’s and the next week I will be listening to 80’s and 90’s pop rock.  I get inspiration from the greats like Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson, the real greats.  I was listening to Guns & Roses and Paloma Faith this weekend, to name a few.  Of course the African Icons like Fela Kuti, Youssou N’Dour, Koffi Olomide and Papa Wemba are on my regular playlist.  And who can forget the late Lucky Dube and Bob Marley.

I play drums.  I play guitar.  I play keyboard.  I compose my own music.  I write my own lyrics.  I have a lot to share musically.

So what is my kind of music?  I would say that I am a world musician.  Of course my roots are in Afro Beats and Afro Soul.  But I started my performing career as a drummer for a rock band.  I also perform R&B, Blues, Jazz, Soul, Neo Soul, Reggae and more.  I like trying out new music.  I like trying out how different songs can fuse together to make new sounds.  I like experimenting.  And I like performing live.

8.Any words for people aspiring to be like you?

Great question.

Music is for everyone, but not everyone will succeed at music.

The music business is not easy.   It is a business, with a production side and a sales side.  Understand that.  Businesses have structure and work plans.  They take time to build and effort.  Work with good people. Have a good plan

To be really good, you have to put in time, energy, heart and money.  Nothing happens without effort, which is true for many areas of life.  If you make a decision that music is for you, then be prepared to work hard.  Be persistent.  Find a good manager.  Have good people around you that counsel you to save some of the money that you make for rainy days.

Listen to others.  Opinions are good, different points of view can be interesting. But also learn to listen to your heart.  Not everyone out there has your best interests in mind when making decisions.  Find balance.

Be confident but not arrogant.  There is room in the business for many people, and as you go forward, try to make friends not enemies.  You do not know when you will need the assistance or support of a fellow colleague.

Don’t be one of those people that always puts other people down. Some people are jealous.  Do your best and worry about you and yours, and leave the haters to worry about everything else. Don’t brag and be arrogant, even when you have achieved success.  There is always someone doing better than you are.  Great things come to the people that earn them.

Don’t lag behind, but don’t be in too much of a hurry.  Enjoy life.  Enjoy the experiences so that you have something to write about.  This music thing does not happen overnight.  Be prepared to put in your effort to be able to reap the benefits.

And when you have made it, share your success.  Mentor young artists and talent so that the next generation can benefit from your experience.

I hope that helps the youngers out there.  I wish them all the best as they grow and develop into tomorrow’s musicians.

 

9. What do you do in your free time?

I like to watch movies and I like to read.  You can learn a lot about things and about yourself through media.  Recently I have been watching movies that have a message to inspire me.  I didn’t intend to be inspired, but that is what happened.  I could see myself and my journey in what I was watching.

I like listening to music, which I do a lot.  All kinds of music find their way to my playlist.  Sometimes I get lost in the music.  I end up writing it out in my head or banging it out on the table with a spoon before I get the chance to record.

I like to work out.  I spend an hour or two every day running.  It is one way that I clear my mind.  Then to the sauna to sweat out all the toxins.  I try to take good care of my body; I eat my vegetables and fruits.

And I like spending time with my friends and family.

 

10. If you were not doing music, what else would you be doing?

I truly hope that day never comes.  I live and breathe music.  It is very important to me.  It is part of my day and my night.  It is for others, but it is for me as well.

I don’t think I can live without music.  I remain committed to bringing music to the world.  But should one day I not be able to share the music, well, I could write songs and compose music for other people.  I could teach.  I could possibly manage other artists.  I could be a motivational speaker.  I could be a mentor for young artists.  I would consider acting.  All of these things are somehow associated with music.

And because music is part of who I am, it is hard for me to think of being a doctor or lawyer or banker.

 

11. Many Artistes choose to use nick names as stage names, why did you chose to retain your real names?

I Am Davis Ntare.  I am proud of myself.  The name Ntare means the lion.  I think of myself as a lion.  I can’t say why others choose nicknames or stage names.  But I feel like Davis Ntare.  If one day someone journalist or fan gives me a great nickname, then I can always add it to my names.

You know they called Elvis the King of Rock and Roll, but not til after he had proved himself.

Maybe the time for a nickname is in the future.

                                                                               

12. Any new message for your fans?

Thank you.  Thank you to all the fans who helped me win Tusker Project Fame.  Thank you to all that come out to our shows and give support.  Thanks to all our friends and fans on Facebook and Twitter.

Keep up the good work.

Keep your eyes and ears open.  There is some fabulous music coming along for you.

I make the music for each and every one of you.  Please go to Facebook and like my page.  Like the page for Rogue Elephant Creative.  Go to YouTube and listen to “Wanna Be Your Man” and share with your friends.  Listen to “Walking on Water” and share with your friends.  Listen to “Darling” and “Kyange Naawe” and share with your friends.  This is some amazing music that I know you will like.  With your help and support, I will be able to achieve my dreams and aspirations.  And I promise to keep sharing the music with you.

And be on the lookout for full details on the concert launching the album “I Am Davis Ntare”.  The concert will be one of a kind, and you should show support by coming to the show.  You will not be disappointed.  It will be different.  It will be phenomenal.  I am looking forward to seeing you all there.