A Chat with London Based Singer & Songwriter, Salliefoyeh
Sarah Olowofoyeku, known by her stage name as Salliefoyeh, is a London based singer and songwriter, with a passion for music. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @sfoyeh and on her blog: saraholowo.wordpress.com
Seele Magazine: When did you discover you were good at singing?
Salliefoyeh: In my early teen years, while singing along to Destiny's Child tracks! I don't remember the specific moment, but at some point I think I thought that I actually sounded pretty good.
SM: What brings about you being able to write songs? - Scripture, life's challenges?
S: I think a lot, so sometimes an idea or a thought will come into my head and then I find myself developing it into a song idea. Sometimes a melody will come to me and I'll think about lyrics I want to set to it. It's a combination of all my lived experiences I'd say, so scripture is a part of that, ups and downs of every day situations, the poetry of this whole existence.
SM: King David was a prolific songwriter, which was one of the ways he worshipped God. Do you find yourself relating your relationship with God through making music?
S: Yeah, I love worship. I love singing to the Lord. I think music is such a powerful offering to God because it's mentioned so much in the Bible. It's clearly significant. Also, God is a singer too. Zephaniah 3:17.
“The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.””
SM: You're on iTunes. What inspired you to put your music on there?
S: It's a great platform, so when I was putting out my EP I knew I wanted it to be on there. It's also straightforward - most people have iTunes, so it would be easy for people to get a hold of my music.
SM: For any young person with a desire to sing and or write music, what's your advice to them?
S: Do it!
There are lots of different ways to sing and to write. Find out what's going to work best for you. For someone, joining a choir might be a great way for them to sing, or being a part of the worship team. Someone else might just want to get together with a friend, or other musicians to create and jam and bounce of each other. It might be taking singing lessons or just going at it with open mics and putting yourself out there.
If you want to write, I would definitely say, don't try and write a hit or an anthem. Dig deep, write from your deepest place and whatever comes from that will resonate with whoever it needs to. Even if it's just you! If the song's going to be an anthem, it will become one by virtue of it being authentic, not from you trying to create an anthem. If you want to write, you also need to read, and listen to a wide range of music.
SM: When you hear the name Jesus what comes to mind?
SO: Oh, so much joy. He is the sweetest, most wonderful, kindest and most faithful friend. I am always compelled by his nature, the fact that He went through what He did and now He is forever glorified! Colossians 1 is one of my favourite scriptures. The Preeminence of Christ. "All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Amazing. <3
