SHISHANI: "I FEEL FREE!"

Namibian songstress Shishani

To the masses, she’s a singing sensation and a revolutionist who is quick to let out her humanitarian ideals that are centered on improving relations between people and creating desirable environments for all to flourish. Shishani Vranckx is a remarkable lady, she embraces all the world's energy, harnesses it and let’s it out as constructive art. I had the opportunity of interviewing her recently via e-mail, needless to say she gracefully took out some time from her busy schedule (at the time of compiling this article Shishani was on a collaborative tour around Germany with Tonetic) and answered these few questions:

Tell us about your background and the sort of influence it has had on your career as an artist.

I’m the daughter of a Oshiwambo speaking mother and Belgian father, spent my first five years in Windhoek then moved to the Netherlands. I always returned on vacations but really came back for longer periods since 2011 when I started my solo career.

Growing up with two completely different backgrounds definitely shaped my way at looking at life, seeing the differences and resemblances between all people and trying to find my place in it. As a child of mixed backgrounds - and I guess that goes for most people growing up like me- it was hard to find ‘belonging,’ I was never really this nor that.

Being the only person of colour in many situations in Europe, living in different place and leaving friends behind definitely shaped my way of seeing life. Right now I see it a treasure box: I’ve gotten to know so many different people, cultures, music styles etc. that all feed my inspiration. After a while of searching yourself you come to see your essence, the spirit you carry inside you, which does not belong to any culture, religion, colour or place. I feel free.

 

A scene from her music video 'Minority'

Which musician(s) do you look up to?

Major influences have been Lauryn Hill, India.Arie, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, D’angelo. Bob Marley, Jeff Buckley, Coldplay and Radiohead. Currently I look to fellow Namibian musicians like Lize Ehlers, Jackson Wahengo, Erna Chimu, Big Ben, Ras Sheehama, Ngatu and Tonetic (Amongst many) who are bursting with creativity. Other African artists like Fatoumata Diawara, Moroccan/Dutch singer Karima el Fillali and Dandio Sidibe are such an inspiration to me a well.

Your Windhoek EP single 'Minority' was well received, how did that song come about?

Minority was inspired by true life stories, experiences and feelings I felt around me in Namibia. It’s my plea for equal rights to all people regardless of their cultural backgrounds, sexuality, religion, colour, etc. Although we have one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, we are still dealing with daily stigmatization of certain people because of these factors. I think many people could relate and that’s why the song resonated so well.

 

Tonetic & Shishani (captured by: Thomas Behr)

Would you say that your current EP is both a musical and professional success?

The reactions to the Windhoek EP were great. I got so much personal feedback from people about what the songs meant to them and I think that’s the greatest success one could have as an artists. My music is about being able to truly reach out and touch people with what you are saying. Seeing that the EP was recorded in one afternoon at Christian Polloni’s studio (it was only meant as a souvenir before I flew back to the Netherlands) then yes, it was a smashing success.

Tell us about your collaboration with Tonetic on the enchanting song "Undefended" and the German tour that both of you recently embarked upon.

Tonetic and I met three years ago. I attended one of his concerts in FNCC and was captivated by his music. We started jamming together and our musical connection was born. Since then we’ve always played in each others projects: me as a drummer and vocalist in his band, and he as a guitarist in my band.  In 2012 we traveled to the Lake of Stars Festival in Malawi together representing Namibia. We’ve always performed together and the song and video “Undefended” has been the birth of our new musical-duo adventures together.

Jana Bruckner, director of the Undefended music video, saw us perform the song at one of my shows in 2012. She was completely captivated by it and had been pushing us ever since to make a music video for it. And so we did in February 2014 with film crew Endemic Productions. A few weeks later, German filmmaker Wolf Gaudlitz visited Namibia and met Jana Bruckner. They loved each others work and Mr. Gaudlitz decided to take us along throughout Germany for his film premiere of his movie “Sahara Salaam.” It has been one of the most exiting experiences ever, traveling throughout the country, and getting such positive feedback about our music. I feel Tonetic and I are growing together everyday and I’m very excited bout our music future.

You have spoken out against the 'exploitation of artists' by unruly events organizers and corporate firms, were you a victim of this practice and how does it affect your livelihood as a full-time artist?

Indeed. I have gone though this experience, like most artists. I felt if no one ever says anything, nothing will change. It doesn’t really affect my art, it just affects your weariness of dealing with people. I think is the case for all entrepreneurs, not only artists. But especially artists have to deal with this behavior from exploitative people. Most importantly I wanted to show that art is hard work, not a cute hobby, and people should be made aware of that so that artists get the respect they deserve.  

 

The Bamberg crowd that came out to see the two Namibian musos

Tell us about your involvement with the artists union, has it yielded any fruits as far as bettering the livelihoods of artists and the industry at large is concerned?

This problem of artists is universal, not only Namibia or African. It’s a long road to go so I don’t expect any overnight changes. A lot of support has come from fellow artists and art supporters, so I see it as process that will definitely yield fruits on the future.

Do you think that an artists union will solve artists problems? If yes, how?

Any active union with the true aim to better the situation of artists can better the situation. As I said before, its an ongoing process that will take time. And it needs support from all parties in society, not only artists themselves who need to stand up, but also from private and public sector. Most importantly it is about raising awareness to the importance of arts for the health and growth of a nation. Once we have realized this and have the right set of mind and structures in place, we can build. And there are effort being done and I’m proud to see the progress being made.

You've emphasized the fact that your musical talent should be detached from your sexuality, have you encountered any societal lash-backs with regards to your sexuality and what effects has it had on your creative process?

I have only gotten positive feedbacks about my art and the fact that people appreciate and respect my open-ness. I am who I am, and my music reflects that. We should always look at the quality of what the person brings, not at factors like somebody’s sexuality of colour, for example. Whether I share my life with a man or a woman doesn’t change the colour of my voice. Of course, my life influences my music in terms of the lyrics I write, the struggle to accept yourself and be yourself and love yourself.. But like I mentioned before, I have only gotten support and love from people.

Do you consider yourself to be a socio-political activist and do you believe  that homophobia is a big concern within your home country Namibia?

I think activism takes on many forms. Yes, I do speak out through my music and share wherever I can, and I’m involved in different projects to raise awareness about sexuality. Homophobia is like racism or any form of discrimination. It took a while for people accept that Black people are equal human beings, with equal capabilities and equal beauty.

In general I think violence is rampant in Namibia. Look at the Gender Based Violence happening…Homophobia is part of that. I think our nation is dealing with a lot of frustration; raging poverty, frustration and that reflects in violence. On the other hand Namibia has a strong LGBTI movement who are moving mountains in my eyes, and which I’m proud of and support. Let’s start seeing everyone as people. We are too beautiful of a people (really!) to fight. Namibia must heal.

Bamberg Flashmod: Shishani & Tonetic

How has the experience of living in Holland been so far? Do you like it there more than here in Namibia?

Every country has its beauty and the beast. I love Namibia. She inspires me. Being in the Netherlands afforded me to get a lot of different musical influences and meet many different cultures. And I love certain things about the Netherlands as well. Currently I see being in Europe as a way to grow my art and experience, but I will always return to Namibia.

Have you collaborated with other Namibian artists apart from Tonetic in recent times? If yes, with whom and on which songs/projects?

Yes, I wrote “I Praise your name.” and approached Erna Chimu to collaborate on it. It’s on her latest album. I’ve also worked with Ru & Samuele (formerly known as ‘Qondja’) on the song “Successful”.

And I’ve done many collabo’s with local artists such Lize Ehlers, Keith Vries, Nunu Namises aka “Truth”, Playshis the Poet, Tangeni “Empress Poetesse”, Miss H, Naxa Nakale, Jacques Mushaandja, Black Vulcanite and I’m looking forward to many many more!

When can we expect a single or an album from you?

My new music is done. I can’t wait to drop my new stuff. I’m working with European promoters as well now, so what's taking long is making a unified promotion plan for both Europe and Africa at the same time.

 

Flashmob setup: The setup crew prepares the stage.

FUN QUESTIONS 

What do you enjoy doing the most?

Right now I love traveling with my music, it’s really amazing, a wonderful fulfilling experience.

What's your ideal global travel destination and why?

I have never been to Asia and I am curious to experience something completely different to what I know.

What do you love most about Namibia?

What I love most about Namibia is its purity. The vastness of nature and the strong sprit that this part of the earth carries. I love being able to sit around the fire with friends, sing, chant, tell stories.. And of course … what I love most about Namibia is my family and friends, the wonderful people you meet here.

 

Her collaboration and subsequent tour with Tonetic (above) has been lauded as the right career move.

Seeing as that most fans have not only been drooling about your art but about your charming looks as well, are you off the market?

Thanks. I’m not for sale. (laughs)

Who's your celebrity crush?

Choosing has never been my strongest point… What ever happened to Cindy Crawford?!

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...

What message do you have for your sisters our there who find themselves in male dominated industries and those that are facing personal hardships in general?

I’d tell them the same my mom told me: always be yourself. That way you can keep doing what you do, without losing yourself in other people’s expectations. As an artist you have to master your skills. No one can take that away from you. So if you do what you do as best as you can do it, and keep improving yourself, then no one can stop you.

Any final words to all your fans back home?

I thank each and everyone who has supported me so far, and I really appreciate the encouraging message I receive to ‘keep going on!’ That’s exactly what I’ll do and you can follow my adventures on my Facebook page  (Shishani.Music) and twitter (ShishaniV).