Interview with Buwa

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I have been singing since I was 5 years old, but I never thought it could be a career until I changed schools in Grade 10 and I met people who were serious about music as a career and all of a sudden a new realm of possibilities became open to me. If I had not gotten into music, I would have been a doctor just like my dad.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I love playing games! It’s my way of completely zoning out after a long day while still enjoying the insane creativity of the creators. I see the world in pictures and my writing comes from pictures in my head. Open-world games typically have vast worlds with beautiful colors, themes, designs and so on. Just having those images in my head ALWAYS inspires me. It sometimes inspires a new photoshoot style, a fashion idea, a color scheme, a storyline, a theme, or a quote.

How long have you been making music?

I have been writing music for over 16 years now, but I did not start recording music till about 2013. In fact, my first single was called Under Construction. For some reason, it never occurred to me that I needed album art until I sent it to a friend. Lol

Where are you based out of and how did that influence your music?

I am based out of Nanaimo, BC in Canada. Nanaimo is such a beautiful accepting town that honestly has everything. Being in Nanaimo has allowed me to explore different things and forced me to enjoy the beauty and solitude of nature. Nature is honestly inspiring. Just being in its embrace paints a lot of beautiful images in my head which in turn becomes a song. Nanaimo does that for me.

Tell me about your most memorable shows, if you haven’t played live what is your vision for a live show?

I recently did a Discovery Show at The Port Theatre which seats about 800 people. I remember being extremely nervous that no one would show up or perhaps not even enjoy the show. I came out after the show was done and the reviews were amazing! People were crying, hugging me, giving me flowers. I was taking pictures and signing autographs. It is a night that is forever imprinted in my memory.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

Currently, my favorite venue to perform at is The Port Theatre. It is such an amazing venue. I would love to play Madison Square Garden at least once in my life. I want to experience it!

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Tiwa Savage, Billy Porter, Celine Dion, Omawumi & Yolanda Adams. Hopefully, we all come out at the end and do a fantastic song together.

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into making music and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

To my younger self, BE YOURSELF. In so many ways and sometimes now, I find I am hiding myself trying to be like what is expected of me. Anyone getting into music just needs to be themselves. There’s already another someone else but no you. Being you is what makes it fun!

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I have a song called The Show. I wrote it specifically for the day I do a stadium show or at the World Cup. It is the quintessential song.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

Want me, Eminlo & Changes are my favorite songs to play. Want me ALWAYS gets requested!

What is your creative process, and what inspires you to write your music?

My music is heavily inspired by life experiences. I won’t say I have a creative process. I always hear melodies and see pictures and I record them on my phone. I sometimes ruminate on some melodies for days and almost sort of write the song in my head before I write it.

Do you have messages that you like to get across in your music, if so please tell me about them? Hope, Love & Faith. That’s really what I try to convey in all my music.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

I plan to keep making music and performing. I have been lucky to be part of the Coffee Series at the Port Theatre on February 13, 2024

How can your fans best keep up to date with you, any socials you want people to check out?

My website is www.buwa.ca. It is always updated with the most current information on my performances or new releases. My twitter, Instagram and TikTok is buwalegend & just Buwa on Facebook