Don't lose hope

ALICE KAMANDEShe may be an award-winning gospel singer and songwriter today but once upon a time ALICE KAMANDE was just like the thousands of jobless youth in the city, she talks to Matilda Nzioki about her journey
Tell us about yourself...
I am the lastborn in a humble family of five children. My parents are saved and we were brought up in Christianity. We didn’t have it all, but we never lacked.
Have you always wanted to be a musician?
Since I was in primary school, I used to imitate performers, not knowing I was my own artiste and did not need to imitate anyone. My friends told me I was doing it so well and their faith in me helped in a way to realise the artiste in me.
It is at Nyeri Baptist High School that my talent grew. The school had a studio where we could record and compile songs.
By the time I was 14, I was already writing my own music and I was singing at the chapel. Someone had once prophesied to me that God was going to use me through music.
I knew I would do Gospel music, since I’d already given my life to Christ. God dictates everything around me, so it made more sense for me to venture into Gospel music.
Did you study music?
No. Because I loved sciences, I studied electrical and electronics engineering at Kenya Polytechnic.
Throughout my studies, though, I found time to write songs and I recorded my first song in 2005 while still in college. However, every time I wanted to release the songs, there were obstacles.
I kept waiting, although I was impatient just at the thought of my songs not playing on radio and TV. But lack of money and the fact that I wanted to do a whole album held me back from plunging into the industry.
What did you do after college?
I went through a period of frustration and stress because I got into a few contract jobs that did not last. I later stayed for a long time without a job. I had dreamt of getting a good job after school, but that didn’t happen. It was the lowest point of my life and I was so lonely because I could not hang out with my friends who had jobs.
I did not want to keep telling people God provides when I had nothing to show for it. My family encouraged and supported me, though, and I just kept praying. God gave me hope.
Did you end up getting a job?
I eventually got a job in a bank on contract for one and a half years. After a short while, the frustration set in afresh and I began to wonder if I was better off without a job. There was no hope of a permanent job, so I could not plan for the future.
I felt like I wasn’t achieving anything. Meanwhile, I sold jewellery I had made to friends and workmates. They liked the pieces and urged me to make it a full time career. I would have wished to, but it was hard. Capital to set up the business was a problem.
In 2008, I clashed with my supervisor over poor working conditions and I felt like God wanted me to move to another level. I quit in 2009, but prayed that I would not to back to the same bad feeling of joblessness.
Was that the turning point?
Yes. I always knew God was calling me to do music, but I wrestled with the idea because I wasn’t sure. I had a deep feeling it was the right time, but I did not have the capital to start recording. I contemplated working a little more to raise the money, but I chose instead to believe God would provide and I was at peace.
I had written the song Wewe Pekee when I was working at the bank. The song ministered to me as though I was not the author and singer. It addresses the browbeaten, as how I felt at the time when I was jobless and almost gave up in life. It’s a song of hope and it has received a lot of feedback from people going through the same struggles.
With a little savings, money from the jewellery I was selling and support from producers R Kay and Sammy Gitonga, I was able to record and release Wewe Pekee.
The song won me Worship Song Of The Year at the Groove Awards 2010. I was also nominated for Groove’s Best Video and New Artiste Of The Year.
Any challenges in your music venture so far?
I take a day at a time. Challenges will always be there, but provided I’m within my purpose of living, I deal with them. I’m doing something I love.
I don’t want to attract the wrong attention. I don’t want to be caught in showbiz and forget my purpose, which happens with artistes. You know, once you make it in the industry, the fans want more from you. God’s favour has seen me through.
Money can be a big challenge too, especially at the beginning. I don’t want to release music without quality videos and so I need a lot of money.
Quality music and video means I don’t have to struggle with video jockeys and presenters to play my music. I have learned that if you do your part well, God takes care of the rest.
What else do you do apart from singing?
I do jewellery design. It’s my other strength. During the week, I’m mostly involved in music-related business and over the weekends, unless there’s a show, I relax.