Music is my life, I can’t do without it —Mistony

Jane Ikasi, otherwise known as Mistony, is a London-based female recording, singer/songwriter and a performing artiste. She joined the first dancing group of seven in the same school then proceeded in study Performing Arts, Information Technology (IT), Business Administration and English Communication at the Lewisham College and Goldsmiths University of London. She speaks with SEGUN ADEBAYO about her growing music career.

You are a singer, songwriter and producer. How have you been handling all these?

It comes naturally for me, and because I write songs, it helps. It takes steps. It starts with song writing, singing to the lyrics and production. Sometimes, it’s the other way round with beats song writing then production combining them together. It’s a bit like cooking, what you start with and finish with to make that perfect dish.

At what point did you start to see music as your calling?

I saw music as my calling when I was a dancer for celebrities. It was one big concert I remember in Tanzania. I was dancing for the great Koffi Olomide Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer, and composer.  I’ve always felt I could sing when I was dancing with bands, but this particular day, it rushed through me, I felt the biggest courage, I was so motivated and that was it for me. That was the last show I ever did with the legendary Koffi Olomide. I stopped dancing for bands temporarily and I went into my folder full of lyrics. I was writing undercover; I got courage and I approached a guy, who is the most amazing guitarist called Mbokalia. He helped me so much and released my first single called ‘Baybe’.

Judging by where you grew up, how much influence did you draw from the place that shaped your career?

I had so much musical influence around me because I lived with music every day. I was always with musicians, music concerts, dancing and all of that. This helped shape my music so much that when you listen to my old music, you can tell where the musical influence came from.

How long did it take you to fully understand your path as a musician?

It took me quite a while to be honest. It took me about years.  I was also so scared; I thought people would laugh at me because I’m just a dancer.  What saved me was the fact that I always wrote songs; I had that in me so it was easy to start with lyrics.

You seem to have a cordial closeness with some of Africa’s foremost music acts, both old and young. What’s the connection?

The connection is purely music, music is what keeps us close together; music makes us happy. Music gives us money but besides that I’m a people- person as I get along with everyone.  The connection is so strong because we all are passionately mad over music.

How would you rate the acceptance of your music at this stage, especially in Africa?

I would rate it very high; I don’t want to blow my trumpet. I’ve had a lot of great feedback, followers, downloads, messages, reviews and comments from Africans. This is what keeps me going.  When you are an artiste and you are performing and people sing your song, it is the most satisfying feeling in the world.

You have had collaborations with a number of artistes across the globe, which of them do you think challenged you most?

The one I remember most recently, I collaborated with a great Afrobeat artiste named Monack.  I was in the studio recording my song, when he came in, loved the song and vibed to it. He had great ideas, we tried recording it, and it came out so good. It was so unplanned but the results were phenomenal.  I found it as fun and exciting. The challenge was blending our ideas together, harmonising and bringing different flavours together and making it work; I like challenges I thrive on them.

What do you think about African sound as some music listeners believe that it is nothing compared to what is obtainable in other climes?

There’s nothing like African sound. When you listen to the African sounds even from different African countries, it is breath-taking. African sound is original, like you said; nothing can compare to it.

Do you really think music is the way for you?

Music is the only way for me, I’m not doing it because I want to be famous or have nice things. Yes all that stuff is nice, but music is my way of life. I eat, breath, sleep and dream music. It is in my blood, I cant live without it, If you take it away from me, just get ready to bury me.

How easy does it come for you to write and record your songs by yourself?

That’s a hard question to answer about writing. Writing comes easy at times and sometimes not.  It comes from anywhere anytime. For example, I could be walking down the street, then boom, it comes, and when it does, I can write the whole song that same day.  Sometimes I have to force it when I want a specific topic and have a target, but the ones that come naturally for me I find to be the best, because when the song comes out people will feel you.  Recording songs myself I feel is the easiest for me, once I know the rhythm, style and the words properly, recording Is the best because now I know how to deliver, but I’m not saying its easy, recording can sometimes take a turn and doesn’t come out the way planned.

What would you call your unique selling point as a musician?

By far, my selling point is dancing.

How would you describe life in South East London and how do you intend to spread your music?

We get used to our lifestyles, I was brought up in London; so I’m custom to it. London is the most multicultural city in the world; it is fun, fast, busy and the most expensive city to live. I have gained a household name in London, which helps spread my music easily.