We love sharing the stories and insights of creative individuals navigating the freelance world. Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down with my friend Seye, a talented musician with a wealth of experience and wisdom to share.
In this interview, Seye opens up about his daily routines, the importance of collaboration, non-musical skills that enhance his music career, and much more. Here are the highlights from our 25-minute conversation.
Lauren: Hey Seye, what’s the first thing you do in the morning that sets the tone for a creative day?
Seye: Even something as simple as like, I get up, I have a coffee, I make my bed. That’s kind of how I start every day. Every day can be different. That could be at 6 a.m. because I might have an early start, or I wake up around half nine. But if I’m getting up, having a coffee, and my bed’s made, my day starts with as much routine as I can control.
Lauren: What advice have you been given / what have you learnt from the people you’ve worked with in your career?
Seye: I can’t say I’ve been given loads of advice directly, but I’ve observed a lot of great people. I spent the best part of the past 10 years working with Gorillaz and with Damon Albarn. One thing I’ve learned from him is that his superpower is putting great people together. Collaboration is key. Music is a team sport, even if you’re a solo artist. Surrounding yourself with great people who push you to get better is crucial.
Lauren: What’s a non-musical skill that you’ve picked up that surprisingly helps you in your music career?
Seye: The best non-musical skill I have is cooking. I got really obsessed with it during lockdown. Growing up in a Nigerian family, there was always great food around, but I took to heart learning to cook for myself. It’s a practical skill that saves money, but it’s also really creative and fulfilling. Cooking is a cool parallel to learning an instrument. You get better at it over time, just like with music.
Lauren: Can you tell us about a song that was particularly challenging to create and how you overcame those challenges?
Seye: The first single I released from my recent songs is called “A River,” written in Iceland in November 2022. I went there kind of scared because I hadn’t worked on solo music for over 10 years. But booking the time, taking the trip, and setting up the studio were big steps. It was tough getting into the room, but once we started, things flowed. The first line that came out was “There’s a hole in your heart,” which became the song’s title.
Lauren: How do you balance the highs and lows of the music industry?
Seye: I used to do it with booze and drugs, but not anymore. Now, I balance my life by being aware that things will constantly change. Being on top of finances is crucial because the industry is so uncertain. It’s easy to lean into partying, but it will burn you out. Having good friends around and doing things outside of music, like going to the cinema or having hobbies, helps balance the chaos.
Lauren: Can you tell us about a time when a mistake or mishap led to something positive in your career?
Seye: I had a record deal when I was younger and spent every cent I had in 18 months. But I got invited to a project called Africa Express in 2012, where I met Damon Albarn. I couldn’t sing at the time, so I focused on playing and collaborating. Damon noticed my playing, and that led to opportunities with him, including playing with Sir Paul McCartney and joining Gorillaz. That mistake led to the next 10 years of my career.
Lauren: If you could send a message to your younger self just starting out in music, what would it be?
Seye: Don’t spend all your money, be kind to yourself, and it will be all right.
Lauren: If your music could be on the soundtrack to any film or book, which one would you choose and why?
Seye: I’d love to have my music in “Back to the Future” because it’s one of my favorite films with a great mix of sci-fi, comedy, and drama. Also, anything by Neil Gaiman, especially “The Sandman” series.
Lauren: What kind of advice would you offer someone just starting out on their freelance or entrepreneurial path?
Seye: Sort out your finances first. Do a financial audit to see where you can save and invest in your creative work. Work out who you are and what you want to get across. Start a social media account that works for you and be consistent.
You can see some more images of our day with Seye on our Instagram account and follow Seye here.
