Joanna Chaba: 'I Wanna Love Forever' (Feature/Interview)
How did you get your start in music?
I spent my childhood years in Kocierzew, a village located in the central part of Poland, in Mazovia, surrounded by music and folk art. My grandmother sang in the church choir and often took me to rehearsals and performances, where I could observe a tremendous passion for singing, and sometimes even join in and sing myself. At the age of six, my friend and I used to listen to Queen concerts, recorded on VHS tapes. During that time, I was invited to join a children's group called 'Kittens' and went on my first solo debut at an English Song Festival, where I received an award. A few years later, I began my musical education at the First and Second Degree State Music School in Sochaczew, specializing in the flute initially, then saxophone, and also taking classical singing lessons. And when I first heard Aretha Franklin, I felt that I wanted to sing soul.
What was the hardest part of making this song?
The most challenging part was finding the right people to collaborate with, maintaining motivation and the vision of the song throughout the various stages of work, in the face of various adversities or changing circumstances. A demanding but equally enjoyable aspect of working on the song was selecting the right arrangement, one that would capture my intent with which I composed this piece on the piano, one that would convey the same message and evoke the appropriate impression.
What was the most enjoyable part of making this song?
The whole process of creating a piece of music, the journey itself, and getting to know its various stages has been and continues to be very enriching and enjoyable. However, what brought me the most joy was composing music on the piano, combining words with specific sounds and harmonies in the comfort of my home, reviewing the initial scores, the first rehearsals with musicians - those moments when you hear that your idea and the vision of the composition come to life were really pleasant and moving. And then, listening to the final version of the song after mastering it was also a special experience.
Did you perform and record yourself?
I have been performing on stage since a very young age, both as a soloist and as a choir member. I have sung with various instrumental ensembles, in full bands, duets, in larger and smaller artistic projects, at singing competitions, as well as guest appearances and in my own projects within my WokArt Studio, such as in the musical with French songs 'Parisian Tales.' When it comes to recording in the studio, I recorded my vocal parts for the first time at the age of 16 with the band I was part of at that time, creating original pop-rock music. Later, I recorded choir parts for projects I was involved in, and in 2015, I recorded our original songs with my band, which we created together during rehearsals. Most recently, I recorded vocal parts for my first solo album.
Why is vocal health and development so important?
The life of a vocalist is not just about the spotlight, joy, and pride - it is also about the ability to deal with judgment, criticism, stress, shame, and perfectionism simultaneously. These skills and knowledge in this area are just as important as vocal emission and text interpretation. Personal development helps you better understand yourself, leading to greater self-awareness of your potential, and consequently, more effective self-management. It is often said that someone sings well or poorly, someone is good or bad, but what does that really mean? In singing, there are many areas in which one can excel or struggle, and you don't need to be perfect in all areas to be an exceptional artist. Instead of focusing on having a narrow vocal range and not hitting high notes, see that you have a unique tone and excellent interpretation. Once you understand this, singing will become pure enjoyment rather than a pursuit of perfection. As for vocal emission itself, we are like athletes, utilizing various muscle groups and resonators that need to be maintained in shape, which is why systematic, conscious, and attentive training is crucial to take care of the health of our voice.
What makes a voice unique?
I think what makes a voice unique is its timbre and the personality of the vocalist. The sound is filtered through the personality of the singer, who knows how to develop their talent and how to use their vocal apparatus. Vocal cords, when combined with values, dreams, thoughts, plans, experience, emotions, visions, and mindset, as well as the intention of the individual, give singing a deeper meaning, making it so special, and the voice sounds unique.
How are you managing to stay inspired with all the changes happening in the world right now?
I have always had a lot of inner peace and I can find joy in the smallest things, like the rising sun. I strive to stick to my values, surround myself with kind, creative people who seek solutions instead of complaining, and who work on their personal development instead of judging others. I believe that change starts with ourselves, and if we want to make the world a better place, we must begin by changing ourselves. Besides that, I sing and listen to my favourite artists because I believe that music has incredible power. Every day, I meditate to break away from external influences and maintain peace and gratitude.
What's a good bit of advice you can give to aspiring and developing singers?
Always be true to yourself, your dreams, your visions and your values, and never give up in the face of adversity. Work concurrently on your voice projection, vocal technique, which is your external voice, and your inner voice, which comprises your beliefs, awareness of strengths and weaknesses, and your values. This greatly builds self-esteem and confidence. Thirdly, practice and experience - put your methods to the test to see if they work for you. Love your voice and don't compare yourself to others; you have your own unique artistic path.
What can we expect from you in 2023?
By the end of 2023, I'm planning to release the first two singles, which will serve as a preview of my debut album 'Awakened,' coming soon.
SOCIALS
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