We were fortune enough to catch up with musician ADE FABOLA following his stunning single release ‘Something Good’. Read the full interview below.
How did you first get into music?
I took music courses in school and enrolled in a few summer schools for music when I was young. I didn’t take it seriously at first, I just wanted to learn to play the instruments that looked cool, so I gravitated towards the piano and bass guitar.
Even though I didn’t realise this at the time, it laid a solid music theory foundation for me. I later picked up the guitar and got really into fingerpicking, and this led me down a path to what I now consider ‘my sound’.
What is the first song that captured your attention as a youngster?
It’s difficult for me to recall exactly because my childhood memories aren’t all that reliable. That said, I remember Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ and ‘No Woman No Cry’, as well as Michael Jackson’s ‘Heal the World’ and ‘You are Not Alone’. Those songs have been kicking about in my head for as long as I can remember.
Who influenced your superb latest release ‘Something Good’?
I was listening to a lot of Kodaline when I wrote ‘Something Good’. I love their sound, their melodies, their instrumentation and the nature of their lyrics.
I don’t think I sound like Kodaline at all, but there’s probably something in the vibes and production of Something Good, that reminds me of them.
My fingerpicking style is also heavily influenced by Passenger and Tallest Man on Earth, so they always come to mind when I think about my influences.
Pre-covid, what was the music scene like in Manchester?
Pre-covid, the local scene was the best. Always vibrant and bursting with new music, so much diverse talent on display and so much support for one another. There was always a gig to go to or an open mic to go and play, and regular jam sessions with like-minded people. It was brilliant. Here’s hoping we don’t lose it all to Covid.
‘Something Good’ is folk-pop in nature; what draws you to the genre?
I like warm, gentle-sounding music, just something to do with my nature, I guess. This has probably influenced my style and my choice of a primary instrument at the moment – fingerpicking on nylon string guitars.
I love folk as a tool for story-telling, and pop music just makes me feel good. That said, I’m always open to borrowing elements from other genres; it’s all music at the end of the day. I tend to sprinkle a bit of Jazz, Blues and World music on my tunes, and I try to bring the Soul with my voice.
What motivates you to make music?
Music, as a form of art, transcends culture, time and place, and in that sense, it is truly universal. I love being able to put in words and melodies, how I feel, and it’s such a humbling, heart-warming feeling when someone else finds that relatable. It’s just so powerful.
There’s also the fact that the process of making (writing, arranging, recording), and performing music can be so illuminating and therapeutic. I’ve learnt a lot about myself through music, and it’s gotten me through some difficult times; I can’t imagine what the past year would have been like if I didn’t have music.
What’s your favourite venue to play?
I love Matt & Phreds and Night & Day in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. There are also many small venues around Manchester that give you such a cosy, intimate space to connect with the audience. I feel like my music tends to work well in those settings.
What are your other passions aside from music?
I enjoy writing a lot. Some of the things I write tend to make it into my music and other online posts, but sometimes I like the idea of writing just for the sake of it. It helps me process my emotions and figure out where I stand on political or philosophical issues.
I also enjoy being active. I love walking, running and playing Table Tennis (I actively played leagues/tournaments/competitions before covid, and played BUCS back in my Uni days).
What is the best music advice you have ever been given?
In the music business, the music comes first, but don’t forget that it is also a business 😉
What new music are you listening to at the moment?
Passenger’s got a new album out, and I’m a fan. These days I’m also enjoying a bit of Norah Jones, Joss Stone and the soul kings such as Otis Redding and Sam Cooke.
What musical plans do you have for the next two years?
To make and release more music, build my following, and have fun in the process. I wrote a lot in 2020 and was fortunate to record a bunch of songs which will be coming out this year. Something Good is just the start, the first of those songs, so there’s a lot more coming later in the year.
I’ve been writing away in lockdown, and I’m looking forward to when we can get back in the studio to record more. When things get better, it would be nice to go out and play these songs live, maybe even go on tour when the logistics allow, but for now, I’m focused on making music and building my online following.
FV Music Blog February 2021
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Twitter: @DrFabola
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