A Q&A with House Gospel Choir
London-based Gospel Choir sing House…
What’s the title of your latest release, and what does it mean to you?
‘Glow’, featuring Rudimental & Afronaut Zu is the focus track from our newly released Love is the Message album.
What was the hardest part about putting this release together, and why?
This is the first release on my independent label, Swear Down Music, so the whole process has been a massive learning curve for myself and the team. We’ve previously released music on major labels and other independents, but funding and doing it all ourselves is a new challenge which is hard but incredibly exciting.
Who produced the release – what did they bring to it?
I have executive produced this album and feel very fortunate to work with music producers Rudimental, Nicky Brown, from London and our very own Harrsn. They all bring something different to the project but all of the tracks work so well together.
What do you want the listener to take away from listening to your music?
There’s so much going on, we’re faced with so much negative news on a daily basis that life can feel so overwhelming sometimes, so I want to make music that counters that. I want people to press play on a House Gospel Choir track or come to see one of our shows and leave feeling like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. Love is the message.
How does a track normally come together? Can you tell us something about the process?
I write with Lizzie Nightingale mainly and every lyric comes out of the long conversations we have on the way to the studio. We talk our ideas through with our producers, and they play us some bits they are working on, or they simply start by playing some chords for us to work with. The whole process is just us going on a musical adventure, never sure of the final destination but we commit to enjoying the journey and leave space for God to guide where the song should go. It’s called “playing” music because it’s supposed to be fun. If it’s not enjoyable we move on to something else.
What band/artists have influenced you the most since you started this project, and why?
Our society is kind of obsessed with the idea of musical genius and loves to act like individuality is the most important thing but great music is always created with the input of others. I really love artists that collaborate and showcase the power of community. Ezra Collective, Rudimental, Louie Vega’s Elements of Life and Sault. I’m also still a soul-jazz girl at heart so I love listening to the voices of Kyra, Cleo Sol, Samara Joy, Yasmin Lacey, Jill Scott and Shay Universe.
What countries would you like to tour? Are there any standout venues you’d like to play in?
I’d love to take House Gospel Choir to America. A Tiny Desk concert would be a lot of fun or the birthplace of House music, Chicago would be special. And, on the opposite side of the scale, House Gospel Music does Australia would be a dream come true. A little Sydney Opera House pop-up performance would be incredible. HGC was born from an idea that came to me on a South African dancefloor, performing a show there would be a real 360 moment.
If you could pick one track for our readers to listen to in order to get a taste of your music, what would you pick, and why?
‘Glow’ ft Rudimental & Afronaut Zu. Honestly this is one of the most “us” tracks we’ve made to date. It has beautiful harmonies, you get to hear the individual voices, the beat is wicked but mostly the message is super empowering.
What ambitions do you have for the band/your career?
I’d like House Gospel Choir to be recognised as the group that changed the way the music industry treats its vocalists and songwriters, and HGC be known for spreading positive energy and just having a good time!
Finally, as you leave the stage, what are your parting words?
Comparison is the thief of joy. You are the light, glow.
For more information about House Gospel Music go to housegospelchoir.com
