Ayomide Olufawo, whose stage name is Ayofawo, recently hit the spotlight with her debut single Firefly. The songstress, who plays a couple of musical instruments, has performed with live bands for years. But with her nascent soloist career move, Ayofawo repositions herself to take on the mainstream industry while staying true to her preferable Electronic and Alternative genres.
In this interview with Culture Custodian, Ayofawo lets it all out as she shares vital moments of her music career, her influences and what she intends to do differently.
What inspired your single Firefly?
I think I found myself in a place where I was reaching too much and I felt I wasn’t being my authentic self. It was a song to remind me of staying true to myself.
Every artist has their own unique creative process, can you walk us through yours?
Different things. Sometimes, it could start with me creating the instrumentals and beats, before adding lyrics and melody. When an idea or a wave comes to my head, I write it down. The ideas could take the form of a poem. Usually, when I’m creating music, I look over what I’ve written and select the ideas I want to use, and arrange them a certain way. Other times, I might just be with my guitar and start making a song, which then drives me to write an entire song. It would now be a matter of producing it. Apart from the guitar, I play flute, saxophone, and keys.
How long have you been doing music before hitting the mainstream?
I’ve been doing music all my life. It’s always been a part of me. As a kid, I was in the orchestra and played different instruments. But it’s been eight years since I started playing with bands during which I acquired technical experience. I was playing with an Afrobeat band named Bitter Kola until 2019. I played guitar and saxophone. We did mostly Fela songs. Back in uni, I played with a number of friends, and we did Jazz-inspired music. But I’ve not had any live performances as a solo artist. That’s something I’m now getting into.
How would you describe your style and approach to music as a solo artist?
Sometimes, it feels as if my music is there to fill a void. My genres are electronic and alternative. It’s also Jazz-inspired and very instrumental-based. I think my music is there to change and affect people differently. I also feel my reliance on live instruments for production makes me stand out. I do not use samples, so anything I put out will be original.
What artist would you credit with having the greatest influence on your work?
I listen to a lot of music genres, so I’m influenced by a lot of people. For example, with the way I sing, I think of voices like Erykah Badu and Nina Simeone. Those would be influences for me. If it comes to Nigeria, I’m influenced by the likes of Asa, whom I consider to have led the alternative movement in Nigeria. When it comes to production, there are a lot of really cool bands I like to listen to.
Apart from being an artist, you’re also a photographer; it makes your art so much more interesting to consume. What do your art and journey with photography represent?
At this point, I want to take pictures of only things I am interested in. I am happy to have worked on projects and received technical experience on how to do certain things and have certain standards. I am also at a place of wanting to tell my stories. Photography is the right tool for achieving this. Right now in my music career, I am using retouching to make all my artwork look the way I want them. I don’t really have a niche in photography. I’m very eclectic and realistic. I’ve done different forms, including fashion, documentary, etc. I’ve also done contextual photography.
Is there a connection between your background and career?
I grew up in Lagos. In primary school, I had lots of music classes. I did music and arts in secondary school as well. I attended Babcock University and studied Law. While I was in the university, I was in the choir. I went to Law school and practiced for almost a year. Then I switched to the media space.
Which Nigerian/African artists would you like to collaborate with, and why?
That’s Obongjayar. I like what he’s doing. I’ve also seen him perform and love the intensity he brings to his performance. It would be nice to work with him. And also, maybe Little Simz.
Who’s your favorite Nigerian musical artist at the moment?
My favorite is The Cavemen.
What hidden talents or interests do you have that people don’t know?
I’m very interested in film. In my mind, I’m a filmmaker. I have something in the works for film.
What future musical projects do you intend to take on?
Right now, I’m working on my EP. It’s going to be seven tracks. It should be out this year.