Kujenga Upya Habari

[kujengaupya]

24 Hours

Hi guys, how's it going?

You may or may not know we have a recording studio. In 2023 a friend funded and installed a studio at Steve's house. Our lives changed forever. :-D

Since then, I've been working hard to learn everything I can about audio engineering. I knew some things, but really not much at all. A few friends shared some of their vast knowledge with us, but it was really too much to absorb at once. I asked God for opportunities to learn more without going away to school for several years. Soon after, I learned about Mastering.com.

This kind of language might seem strange to some of you, but me and God have a running conversation about everything. This isn't religion, but faith, in Jesus. Life is hard and people are faulty. God isn't, and this conversation helps.

So, I've learned lots about audio engineering from the people at Mastering.com. Mostly via their live, online events and more recently via a 6 week Production Intensive and now a Mastering Intensive.

Signing up for the Production Intensive was a bold step for me financially and professionally. It's pretty intimidating, and well, maybe too much for me. I got stuck and sort of gave up in the middle of week 3 at the lesson on synths and found sounds. I understand the concepts, but need more time to work though it all and get good at it. The internet is also a challenge with their platforms, but I should be good at overcoming that challenge by now.

One of my biggest fears these days is that Steve will bring in other people to work in our studio and slowly edge me out. I'm taking lots of time to learn audio engineering, and progress feels slow. It feels like any day now he'll say to me, "Stephanie, you've had lots of time, but you're not good enough, not fast enough. Sit to the side and make room for people who actually know what they're doing. But you should still clean every week or two."

I'm not sure Steve would actually say this, but I think he thinks in this direction sometimes. I understand too that most fears like this are a bit irrational.

This week, just yesterday actually, I spent a full 24 hours in our studio. I'm there most days, but this was 24hours sitting at the desk working on people's music. We recorded 3 songs for the children's choir at Steve's church in July. I finished one song in August, and am close with another. I arrived super early on Wednesday to finish this song. Sometime mid morning Steve told me a choir from one of the churches I go to wanted to come record a song that afternoon to sing at an event the next morning. This is a challenge. My typical turn around is weeks or months, not hours.

We agreed to try though, because well, these are people we know. The song itself is a remake of one they recorded with another studio for a TZ political party. They needed to change some of the words and names to match this year's general election, and the guy who produced the original song wasn't available. They had the original backing track, and the songwriter/choir master was around, so they asked us.

And it was indeed a challenge, from beginning to end. After the vocalists left at around 8pm I packed up our gear and worked all night to send them the song at 6:30am for the 10am event this morning. What I sent has lots of faults, but it's a coherent song, and it's done.

The guys at Mastering.com are always talking about finishing vs perfection. It's a mindset issue where working through creative blockages are more important than a precisely perfect end product.

This mindset definitely helped me finish this song in the prescribed time frame. This and setting time limits for myself for specific tasks like gain automation for transients and peaks, trying only 2-3 presets or settings before making a decision, and generally sticking to made decisions. An awareness of these technical (i.e. cleaning and organizing tracks) and creative (adding a panning plugin to the backing track) modes was also helpful when I wanted to do more with the song when what I really needed to do was just make it coherent and relatively clean.

Remember too I was working through night in a home with small children. Those metering plugins they're always talking about at Mastering.com and gain staging allowed me to work effectively while everyone else slept peacefully, at least until around 6am when I needed to confirm with my ears what my eyes were seeing.

That I was paid for my work last night might not seem like it should be important, but it definitely encouraged my heart. I'd like to see our studio support itself and even make a profit, but have been discouraged by failures in the Production Intensive and other pressures. So, I had a smile on my face at 7am when Steve came to let me out of the studio (I'd locked myself in and couldn't open the door) so I could go home.

Walking home from the studio felt different, but really the same. My morning commute in reverse, body protesting more than usual, with a shower, bed, and nothing scheduled on the other side (thank you Jesus). Things are hard and life feels so very challenging, but I seem to think that if I keep showing up everyday, if I keep going even when I'm sick, tired, and feel like I'm in an oil press, that maybe tomorrow will be better. And if not tomorrow maybe the next day? I really have no choice but to live and find out.

P.s. Ooohh, look, I used lots of audio engineering jargon here, and I didn't even reference dictionaries, notes, or Google. That means I've learned something, right?

[kujengaupya]

A New Look

If you've ever wandered here before, you'll notice a new look. Green instead of blue, and new pictures.

The profile picture shows three people (only two can really be seen) bending over a device, a Zoom H8 handy recorder. This device is something like a portable studio in your hands. The people bending over it were students in a workshop in August 2022 where they were learning how to use said device.

The header picture is footprints of children and chickens in the sand, taken outside my friend's house. It's not as broad as the former picture, but it's more meaningful.

Green, only because that's what I'm feeling these days. That's reason enough, isn't it?

[kujengaupya]

Some YouTube videos

These days, I've also been making short videos and posting them on YouTube. It's a learning process, and I haven't quite come to a good place for the audio, but generally they're well recieved. Practicing video production and improving my audio and video skills is a goal in 2023.

Check them out, if you like.

Stephanie Biggs

Just me, my life, and my work. Welcome

[kujengaupya]

Kuria Gospel Songs

Greetings all...!

I hope you're well and in good health.

That very same month of my last post, August 2020, we finished producing four original gospel songs in the Lilandi style of the Kuria people of Tanzania. The Kuria are also in Kenya, but I work mostly with Tanzanians.

You can find the audio and translations for these songs on Bandcamp, here; https://stevenchuchu.bandcamp.com/

Specifically, they're in the album called Omoghaka wa Nguru.

We also produced video, but those aren't online anywhere.

If you happen to be getting this post in your inbox, please email to let me know. I'm not sure if that service still works.

[kujengaupya]

The Everyday

Sometimes people ask me, "What's your daily life like in Tanzania?" I find answering this question difficult.

In an attempt to answer, however, in June I put together three videos, "Asubuhi," "Mchana," and "Jioni" which translate to "Morning," "Afternoon," and "Evening." Each video is a montage of 12-14 second clips taken at a specific time each day for a week.

"Morning" was shot at 10am every day from May 24th-31st, 2020. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/qB9kn1N3oN0

"Afternoon" was shot at 2pm every day from May 31st to June 7th, 2020. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/ufWbPgVQIyI

"Evening" was shot at 6pm every day from June 7th-14th, 2020. You can watch it here: https://youtu.be/Ruv43DwEdsc

Unfortunately, May- June is still kind of the slow season here in TZ, and especially so this year, so these videos are not very exciting. Still, I think they are a fairly accurate look into my life here during that season. I think if I were to do the same for the next three weeks, you'd see a different picture. That's just how it is here in TZ.

Enjoy.

[kujengaupya]

Faraja - Solace

A new song by Steven Chuchu.

https://youtu.be/9llWshjE-m8

Some songs take longer to germinate. The idea for the song "Faraja" came into being when Steve was reviewing the human condition globally, particularly issues like poverty, disease, war, etc... In his contemplations the Spirit of God gave him the word 'faraja', translated here as 'solace.' When COVID-19 began to spread, God showed Steve that now is the right time, and he received strength and inspiration to produce "Faraja". Steve had lived with this song for three years before producing it in the form you hear here.

This song depicts people who live with deep, long lasting distress of some sort, explaining that true solace is found in Jesus. The first verse speaks of people who have sought various solutions, i.e. doctors, scientists, and close companions, without receiving relief. The second references people who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Later, words depicted on pieces of paper, Poverty (umaskini) and Domestic Violence (Migogoro wa Ndoa), imply long standing individual and communal distress. Even the Biblical figures cited in the latter half of the song persevered through many years of suffering before receiving 'faraja.' All of this reinforces the primary message that Jesus truly relieves suffering, giving those who believe in and follow him the ability to persevere.

All lyrics sung in this song are in Swahili, Tanzania's national language, with English language subtitles. The word 'faraja' in Swahili is often translated as 'comfort' in English. Comfort implies the release of greif or stress. This term, or the act of seeking comfort however, sometimes implies the pursuit of a light, easy life with no, or very little trouble. For this reason, the term 'solace' was chosen to translate 'faraja,' in order to clearly convey the depth of meaning in this song.

Song composition and production in Tanzania is a collaborative process between the singer(s), who is(are) also often the composer(s), the producer, and others; friends or even others who just happen to be present during production. Choosing a producer who can create in the style of music you'd like to produce is key. Although potentially skilled in creating 'beats' (the instrumental accompaniment in any given song) in various styles, the producer's strengths are evident in their creations. For example, the producer for "Faraja" is known for favoring Bongo Flava (as opposed to Gospel), therefore the Bongo Flava influences, as mentioned below, come from his strengths as a producer.

"Faraja" clearly embodies East African, particularly Tanzanian popular music. Originally envisioned in the Zuku style (in Tanzania, Soukous elsewhere in Africa), during production this incarnation of "Faraja" took on distinct Bongo Flava characteristics. This was intentional so as to broaden the listening audience. The Zuku style of this song is evident by the sort of two-step round rhythm and accompanying dance step that ground the song. Male tenor voices, liberal use of the Auto-tune and Delay effects, the vocables, the quick partial drum fills, and the underlaying strings synth all characterize Bongo Flava, somehow implying life on the Swahili Coast (at least to this listener).

The Bongo Flava characteristics of this song are mirrored in the video production. The coloring of the video, the use and placement of slow motion cuts, and the kind of quick flickering in time with the drum fills are all typical Bongo Flava. At the same time, several characteristics also place this video in the Tanzanian Gospel genere. Steve's clothes, the shots of Steve's feet walking, the little bits of drama, the news clips, and of course, the message of the song also make this a Gospel video. These styles, and others implied in small ways in "Faraja" are part of the varied and diverse soundscapes heard daily in Tanzania.

Regardless of whether you prefer Bongo Flava, Zuku, Tanzanian Gospel, or something else entirely, "Faraja" is an easy listen. This ease is belied by the depth and relevance of the message of this song. Our prayer is that it reaches many, particularly those who desperately need solace.

This song is an entry in the COVID-19 Songwriting Competition run by the Syncing Your Life iN Christ (SYNC) organization led by Stan Nussbaum. Both me and Steven are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this contest. We pray that this song will be a blessing to everyone who hears it in every season they are walking through and that true comfort, true solace is found in Jesus.

To learn more about SYNC and their work, check out their website: https://www.syncx.org

[kujengaupya]

Two Gregory Porter songs (on YouTube) to follow up that last post.

Fan the Flames

https://youtu.be/MEBy4fHbi0M

Consequence of Love

https://youtu.be/5oSnLt20Wn4

[kujengaupya]

Just about a week ago right now, I was catching myself up on news about George Floyd, and what has followed. I started to read up on what was being said on the internet about this man, his murder, and how people continue to react to it. I'm not a news junkie, particularly news coming out of the USA, but that night I slept late without even eating, because I wanted to know what was going on. This behavior continued the following morning. I broke, sobbing, reading the San Francisco Chronicle's live updates (I couldn't find one for the East Bay), specifically BART station after BART station closing due to "civil unrest." It's not easy watching the place you grew up in crumble, even if I haven't lived there since 2007. Finally, after putting up black on my FB and Insta last Tuesday, I swore off social media for a whole week, even if just to stay sane with the Tanzanians around me that were unaware of what has been going on. In the few days I have succeeded in staying away from social media, I have had time to think, and this is what I've got, so far.

From the early years of my life we (me and my two sisters) learned that people are more than they appear to be. We learned that regardless of what a person looks like, they should be valued and treated the same. This lesson has stuck with me, and it is part of my worldview, along with adapting culturally to whomever I'm keeping company with. When I started to travel, I eventually learned that our upbringing was unique. I'll also admit that my cultural chameleon tendencies have caused me to pick up ways of seeing the world that are counter to how I was raised. Particularly in Tanzania, I have found that evaluation of character and social status based on appearance, tribe, or even a person's family or religion is ingrained into how many people in this country see and interact with the world around them. Recent events, globally and locally, are highlighting to me where I have adapted to positive and negative aspects of the culture(s) here, and that change is possible, personally and systemically.

George Floyd did not deserve to die in the way that he did. Neither have the other innocent and unarmed people, black and otherwise, who have been killed by the police in the US. Neither have the victims of generalization, tribalism, genocide, or even the all out wars that originate from the hate one group of people has for another, simply because of who they are. When people are hunted and killed for how God made them (i.e. whom they were born to, how they grew up, what they look like) it is human evil, the antithesis of the goodness of God.

I agree, many of the systems in the USA are still broken, and change is necessary. It will come, by the grace of God. Do you know how powerful the grace of God is? In all these worthy efforts, I'd like to caution us that there is always more than one side to a story (or viral video) and to be careful to not replace what is clearly broken with a twisted version of the same, broken, thing. Call out racism, tribalism, even favoritism, in all the grotesque and ugly forms it takes, consistently, not just when it's in your best interest, or in the best interest of people who look like you, to do so. Think critically about what you see and hear, and think the best of people even if you find proof of the worst in them. Love people too, genuinely, and wholeheartedly. Isn't this what Jesus called us to do? Don't forget to pray. Only God knows where we're headed, and where we will land.

Heaven forbid I ever tell anyone what to do, especially grown adults, :-) so just consider these ideas for thought from my own experience. I'm sure some people will disagree, and I'm OK with that.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/YdgmYIsemVk

Maneno hayatoshi kuelezea nini mimi na Steven Chuchu tunacho pamoja. Katika miaka michache ambao tumefahamiana, urafiki wetu umekua kina na kwa haraka. Yeye ni msanii halisi katika sehemu nyingi na ninapenda kumwezesha kuwa zaidi ya nani Mungu amemwumba, na kumfanya kuwa. Yeye ni mapacha wangu wa kiKurya, na kwa pamoja tunaenda mbali zaidi na zaidi kuliko tunavyoweza kama tungetengana. ZAIDI YA HAYA, mke wake pia ni mwimbaji, na wavulana wao tayari ni waimbaji, kwa mfumo wa kiTanzania. Urafiki wangu nao umeweka alama maishani wangu kwa wema.

Steve, nimeona Kristo akiishi ndani yako, na hii pekee yake inajenga ufalme wa Mungu hapa ulimwenguni. Ni kwa utukufu wake na ubora wetu kwamba ametuunganisha, na sina ya ziada ya sifa na shukuran kwa Mungu anayejua na anayeona vyote. Unaenda mbali kaka yangu, na nimebarikiwa tele tena tele kuwa katika safari hii na wewe.

Nb; Mfumo kwa mahojiano haya katika Mfululizo wa Mara ni tofauti kidogo. Sikumwuliza Steve maswali yoyote ila kumkaribisha kusema zaidi kuhusu yeye binfasi. Utaona video hii kuna sehemu tatu. Kila sehemu inaonyesha Steve kwa mtazamo tofauti. Sauti siyo sahihi sana, lakini ni sawa. Tutasikia zaidi kutoka Steve Chuchu badaye.

Words are not enough to explain what me and Steven Chuchu have got together. In the few years that we have known each other, our friendship has grown deep and quick. He's a true artist in so many aspects and I love enabling him to be more of who God has made, and is making him to be. He's my Kurya twin, and together we are going further and deeper than we would apart. WHATS MORE, his wife is also a singer, and his two young boys are already singers in a Tanzanian sort of way. My friendship with them is one that has marked my life for good.

Steve, I've seen Christ living in you, and that alone builds the kingdom of God here on Earth. It's for His glory and our betterment that we've been thrown together, and I've got nothing but praise and thanksgiving for our God who knows all and sees all. You are going far my friend, and I'm so abundantly blessed to be on this journey with you.

Note: the format for this interview in the Mara Series is a bit different. I didn't ask him any questions, other than for him to tell us more about himself. You'll see that there are three sections. Each one shows Steve in a slightly different respect. The sound isn't perfect, but it'll do. We will hear more from Steve later.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/4eQ6RGNZ5BI

Me and Madam Lucy Mlaki go way back, in the scope of my life here in Tanzania. We met through the Free Pentecostal Church of God Tanzania in Bunda pastored by Tukiko Omosso when she welcomed me and a colleague to stay in her home while we were leading a seminar at that church. A friendship blossomed, and I also stayed with her family for about a month before moving into my own place in Bunda. Life is very different now, in so many ways, but I am grateful for Madam Lucy's friendship these few years. I have learned more than I could have anticipated. We don't see each other much because we live on opposite sides of town and are busy people, so we treasure the moments we have when can meet up. In my opinion, her video interview featured here, is one of the best in this series.

You have blessed me with more than you could know Madam Lucy. This short intro is not nearly enough to explain the depth of our friendship. God has, and is doing great things in and through you. He actively facilitates every step that you and your family take.

Mimi na Madam Lucy Mlaki tumefahamiana kwa muda mrefu, katika maisha yangu hapa Tanzania. Tulikutana mara ya kwanza wakati alipotukaribisha mimi na ndugu yangu wakati tulikuwa tuliwezesha semina katika kanisa la Fee Pentecostal Church of God linalochungwa na Tukiko Omosso hapa Bunda. Urafiki ulikua, na pia niliishi naye na familia wake kwa kama mwezi nzima kabla kuhamia kwangu Bunda. Maisha ni tofauti sana sasa kwa namna nyingi, lakini nashukuru urafiki wa Madam Lucy hizi miaka chache. Nimejifunza zaidi kuliko matarajio yangu. Sisi hatuonani sana siku hizi, naamini kwa sababu tunaishi upande kinyume ya Bunda na tuna mambo mengi, hivyo tunatathmini muda tunaoweza kutana. Kwa mtazamo wangu, video yake inaoonyeshwa hapa ni bora kulio nyingenie katika mfuluizo hii.

Umenibariki na zaidi kuliko unavyoweza kujua Madam Lucy. Utambulisho fupi hapa haitoshi kuelezea kwa kina urafiki wetu. Mungu amefanya na anafanya mambo makubwa katika na kupitia wewe. Anawawezesha kwa bidhii wewe na familia wako kwa kila hatua mnavyopiga.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/BzaEdBiXSpg

Amani Joseph Sospeter is one of the youth in Steven Chuchu's band. I can't say I actually know that much about him personally. I've seen him be efficent in his work around church and a competent leader. He and some of the other members of the band have a sincere passion for interior design besides being promising dancers. There's lots of potental here that I'm still not quite sure how to direct. Although Amani has finished secondary school (roughly equavalent to high school in the US), I don't think his family is able to finance further studies. This is unfortunately common for some here, at last in my experience. Still, the paths that God arranges are different for each person, and God is deffinely with this young man.

Don't forget this Amani. God is with you and He knows where you're going. Just follow him, and without a doubt, you will arrive.

Amani Joseph Sospeter ni mmoja ya vijana katika bendi ya Steven Chuchu. Siwezi kusema kwamba ninajua mengi kuhusu yeye mwenyewe. Nimewahi kumwona kufanya kazi kanisani kwa namna zinazofaa pamoja kuwa kiongozi mwenye ustadi. Yeye na vijana wengenie kwenye bendi ya Steve wanapenda kwa dhati muundo wa mambo ya ndani pamoja na kuwa wachezaji wenye ahadi. Kuna ahadi ya uwezo hapo ambao sijui sana namna kuendeleza. Ingawa Amani amemaliza shule ya sekondari (sawasawa na High School ya Marekani), sijui sana kwamba familia wake wanaweza kumwezesha kusoma zaidi kwa sasa. Ni hali kawaida yanaosikitisha, katika uzoefu yangu. Hata hivyo, Mungu mwenyewe anatengeneza njia tofauti kwa kila mtu, na ndio Mungu yuko pamoja na kijana huyu.

Usisahau hivyo Amani. Mungu yuko pamoja nawe na anajua wapi unapaelekea. Mfuate tu na bila shaka, utafika.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/_CXljEwkiV4

Romanus Komba is someone I have wanted to know better for awhile, and so I was delighted when he agreed to do this interview. He works full time in the Bunda local government's finanical department and serves as an elder at the Evangelistic Assemblies of God Tanzania church, Lango la Uzima. All this responsibility means that he's not usually available. The chances we have had to chat though are always enlightening in one way or another, and his thoughtful conversation is welcome. All that said, I'm grateful we seem to have forgotten that I skipped out on his wedding just as he and his bride entered the church. :-) Komba has a sincere heart, contemplates his actions before he takes them, and is in a good position to do just as he says he would like to do; create solutions and help people.

Komba, it was my delight to learn more about you and how God has built you through this interview. Thank you, and be very blessed. I'm praying that God continue to expand your territory so that every thing you touch turns to gold, gold thats shines with the glory of God.

Romanus Komba ni mtu ambaye kwa muda nilitamani kufahamiana na zaidi, hivyo, alipokubali kuhojiana nami, nilifurahia sana. Anafanya kazi katika idara ya fedha ya serekali ya Bunda na anatumikia kama mzee wa kanisa katika kanisa la Evangelistic Assemblies of God Tanzania, Lango la Uzima. Majukumu yote haya yanamaanisha hapatikani muda mwengi. Lakini, nafasi tulikuwa nayo kuongea ilikuwa inaangaza mwanga kwa ufahamu wangu kwa namna moja ama nyengenie, na ninashukuru maongezi yake ya fikiria. Japokuwa, nilitoroka helusi yake wakati alipoingia tu na bibi helusi yake. :-) Komba ana moyo wa dhati, anatafakari matendo yake kabla ya kuyatenda, na yupo mahali sahihi kufanya kama anavyosema angependa kufanya; kubuni suhulisho, na kuwasaidia watu.

Komba ilikuwa furaha yangu kupitia kuhojiana nawe kujifunza zaidi kuhusu wewe na namna Mungu amekujengea wewe. Asante na ubarikiwe tele. Nakuombea kwamba Mungu aendelee kupanua maeneo yako ili mambo yote unayagusa yanafanyiwa dhabu, dhabu inaon'gaa na utukufu wa Mungu.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/AG8EOswFvYk

I appreciate many aspects of Pastor Edmund's approach to ministry. His decisions appear practical, and he seems aware that growth comes in stages, and not all at once. I believe his advice towards the end of his interview about starting a ministry here in Mara Region comes out of deep personal experience. Pastor Edmund is originally from another part of Tanzania, and has built the church he leads from the ground up, literally. He loves and cares for the Christians he pastors with his whole heart. I have witnessed him praying for each one individualy in Sunday services. When he first invited me to a service, their building was made of grasses and reeds. Now they have a pretty solid concrete structure on the edge of Bunda town. Their front door faces the same rice fields in which Pastor Jacob Martin stood for his video interview.

God bless you Pastor Edmund for sharing your heart and mind with us in this interview. May this same God who has brought you to where you are continue to push you forward to where you are going.

Nashukuru sehemu nyingi ya mtazamo Mchungaji Edimund anatumia kwa huduma. Maamuzi yake yanaonekana kwa vitendo, na ametambua kwamba ukuzi unakuja hatua kwa hatua, na siyo kwa wakati moja. Naamini ushauri wake mwishoni wa mahojiano wake kuhusu kuanzisha huduma hapa Mkoa wa Mara unatokea uzoefu kwa kina wa kibnfasi. Mchungaji Edimund anatokea sehemu tofauti Tanzania, na amejenga kanisa ambalo anaongoza kuanza chini hadi juu. Anapenda na anajali Wakristo anaochunga kwa moyo wake nzima. Nimemshuhudia yeye akipowaombea washiriki wake moja, moja ibadani. Wakati aliponialika kwa ibada, jengo lao ilikuwa ilijengwa na majani. Sasa, wana jengo imara ya cement, pembeni ya Bunda Mjini. Mlango lao ya mbele inaangalia shamba ileile ya mpunga ambapo Mchungaji Jacob Makorere alisimama kwa mahojiano yake.

Mungu akubariki tele Mchungaji Edimund kwa kutushirikisha moyo na fikra zako nasi kwa mahojiano. Nawaombea kwamba Mungu yuleyule alieshawafikisha mahali ulipo, aendelee kukusongesha mbele kwa mahali unapaelekea.

[kujengaupya]

Rob, katika mazingira yake ya asili

Kama ninakumbuka sahihi miaka, Rob Veith (pamoja na mke wake) walikuwa walihamia kutoka Botswana wakati ambao nilikuwa nilihamia kwa Tanzania. Ingawa sisi wawili tumezunguka katika jaamii zile zile za taaluma, tulikutana rasmi kupitia Inspiro Arts Alliance (kwa wakati ya nyuma Sauti za Moyo Kimataifa). Tangu wakati huu, nimepewa heshimu kivutiwa na kazi ya Rob kwa kutekeleza miradi mifupi naye katia nchi za Kenya pamoja na Tanzania. Jifunza zaidi kupitia maneno yake, chini.

Wewe ni nani? Habari ya msingi ungependa kushirikisha.

Kuzaliwa kaskazini ya jimbo la New York, nilitumia nusu ya maisha yangu kuishi California kusini na muda iliobaki nimekuwepo mahali mbalimbali, iwapo miaka kumi Afrika. Hadi sasa, nimekuwepo duniani kama nusu ya karne. Sasa kwangu ni Kaskazini-magharibi ya Pacific (USA), ambapo naishi pamoja na mke wangu wa miaka 19 katika nyumba ya shambani ya miaka 100 uliorekebishwa. Miti zinaonekana kupitia madirisha yangu yote na nina wajamaa wanaoishi jirani yangu.

Kwa wakati huu maishani mwangu, nina urefu juu ya kawaida, na nywele zinazo urefu chini ya kwaida.

Tafadhali tuambie kitu cha pekee kuhsu wewe.

Sina rangi ninanayopenda kuliko.

(Sijui kama ni kitu cha pekee, lakini mara nyingi ninaulizwa kuhusu rangi ninayopenda, na ninaona ngumu kujibu swali hili. Miaka mengi nilifanya kazi ya graphic design, hivyo nikipofikiria rangi, sifikiri nyekundu ama kijani nafikiri Pantone 3102 au kitu kama hicho. Pia, kuna rangi nyingi na zote zinathamani yao. Sina upendeleo.)

Yesu ni nani maishani mwako?

Hili ni aina ya swali ningeweza kutumia siku kadhaa kujibu. Jibu fupi - jibu ya shule ya Jumapili kanisani - ni kwamba yeye ni Bwana na Mwokozi yangu. Na ni kweli! Lakini sisi sote tuna maana binfasi kwa maneno haya mawili. Kuwa na Bwana inamaanisha nini? Kuwa na mwokozi inamaanisha nini?

Nilikuja kwa Yesu badaye ya kipindi cha kutafuta. Nilichunguza dini na falasafa nyingi. Yesu alinivutia na hekima na umuhumu wake. Niliona kati yake upekee ambayo niliipongeza.

Katika ujana wangu nilibaini na uzuri wa punk, siyo sana nguo za punk, lakini maadili yake ya msingi; uwe wewe, fanya yako, fanya mambo ya maana. Dini haifai katika haya; kwa namna nyingi dini ni kinyume ya punk; dini ni ufanye kama tuliofanya kamwe wakati tunayokuambia kuifanya. Dini ni orodha; fanya mambo haya yote na umefanya dini sahihi. Nilivutiwa na Yesu, lakini sikumfuata kwa sababu sikujua namna. Yesu alikuwa na uzuri, lakini dini ambao nilikua na hakuwa na uzuri. Mwishoni wa ujana wangu nilisikia mhubiri kusema Matendo 17:6, kwa kusema "Wale wakiume waliogeuka dunia juu chini..." na waza hili lilipasua akili yangu. Yesu hauwepo kuorodhesha orodha. Yesu aligeuka dunia juu chini. Ambao ni kitu cha punk sana. Ilikuwa katika roho hii kwamba nilianza kumfuata Yesu.

Sasa tunaweza kuongea kushu namna nyingi ambao Yesu anatoa changamoto kwa hali ilivyo. Haya labda ni mazungumzo mengine.

Usipokuwepo ofisini, unapenda kufanya nini?

Kazi yangu nyingi zinafanya nje ya ofisini. Ninapenda kazi yangu. Hivyo, nisipokuwepo ofisini, napenda kufanya kazi.

Kazi yangu inahusika kubuni vitu vipya na kuwasaidia wengenie kubuni vitu kwa utukufu wa Mungu. Kwa siku zangu nzuri, ninapewa fursa kutembea na watu wanaopenda muziki, lakini hawakuwahi kutunga wimbo, na kuwasaidia kutunga wimbo mpya kabisa inaowasaidia kuelewa zaidi Mungu na Neno Lake.

Kwa kuburudika, napenda kula chakula kizuri, na kugundua maeneo ya asili. Kitu kimoja nakumbuka sana kati ya nyakati huu ya kujitenga ni kuwa pamoja na wazazi wangu mara mbili kwa wiki kwenda kwa chakula kizuri katika moja ya hoteli nzuri sana jirani yetu (wazazi wangu wanaishi upande mwingine wa wilaya).

Unafikiri nini kuhusu maisha yako ya sasa hivi? Unatumaini na unapanga nini kwa wewe binfasi, familia wako, kazi, n.k...?

Ni ngumu kuwa na mipango sasa hivi.

Nilikuwa na mipango kubwa mwezi moja iliopita. Mwezi wa Tatu, nilikuwa nilitaka kuwepo Thailand kufundisha. Mwezi wa Nne, nilikuwa nilitaka kwakilisha shirika langu katika mkutano mkubwa iliotakakufanikiwa Greece. Mwezi wa Sita nilikuwa nilitaka kuwa na mfufulizo wa semina ya kutunga nyimbo katika Kosovo na Bangladesh. Mwezi wa Saba, nilikuwa nilitaka kuwa moja ya watu kuongoza sifa na kuabudu katika mkutano wa Global Consultation on Music in Mission iliotakakufanikiwa mji wa Dallas, USA. Nilikuwa na kazi ya uzalishaji ya CD sita au saba kushikana katika nafasi za katikati.

Sasa hivi sitarajia yoyote kufanikiwa.

Bado natafakari huzuni fualni kwa mwaka 2020 bila mipango.

Napanga kuishi...kustawi mahali. Malengo yangu mapya ni mambo yanoendelea kupangwa.

Ninatunga na ninazalisha muziki. Ninafanya kitabu cha pili katika mfululizo wa riwaya ya graphic. Ninajaribu kushirikishana kwa ubali na watu fulani kwa miradi ya ubunifu ambao bado ni mchanga kiasi cha kutosha kutoyaongelea sana sasa hivi.

Nimepewa ushauri kuanza kazi ya PhD na sasa nipo kwenye mchakato ya kuomba nafasi.

Nini ungemshauri mtu anayetaka kuja USA kwa mara ya kwanza?

Sasa siyo wakati nzuri kukuja! Ha!

Lakini kwa kumaanisha. Uje USA kwa fikra wazi. Yoyote unayofikiri ni USA, ndio ni tofauti. Hii ni kweli pia kwa watu kutoka USA wanaosafiri kwa sehemu tofauti ya nchi. Los Angeles ni tofauti na New York kama New York ni tofauti na Seattle, kama Seattle ni tofauti na Dallas. Sikuwahi kushutkwa na utamaduni kama nilishutkwa kuhamia kutoka Seattle kwa Dallas. Zaidi kuliko kuhamia Botswana. Hii nidio ni miji mikubwa tu.

Je, wewe ni mwenye ubunifu? Kama ndio, tafadhali tuelezee zaidi.

Ndio.

Nafanya aina nyingi ya vitu.

Hivi karibuni mambo mawili makubwa yanahusika muziki na riwaya ya graphic.

Kama mwana muziki, ninapiga vyombo kama 12 kwa ustadi. Pia ninatunga, ninazalisha, na ninatengeneza muziki. Nina sifa kuwa utunzi wa nyimbo, mwana muziki, mzalishaji, au mhadishi kwa miradi kama 50. Wato ambao labda hujawafamu. Nafanya kazi ninazothamini, siyo kwa kazi zinazoweza kunipatia sana pesa au kujulikana. Napiga mtindo mbalimbali. Mtindo yangu ya "asili" inaambantana sehemu za freak folk, folk punk, jam rock, na low fi. Nawakilisha mbele bendi ambao ninasimama nyumba inaoitwa One Finite Monkey (onefinitemonkey.bandcamp.com). pia mimi ni mtunzi wa nyimbo ya kwanza kwa mradi ya EDM inaoitwa The Space Mice. Kwa nyakati huu ambao nimejitenga kwa studio yangu nyumbani, mara nyingi ninatekeleza miradi binfasi, japokuwa nakaribisha kushirikishana na wengenie, na ninafurhaia kujaza sehemu zinazokoseka kwa miradi ya kimuziki ya watu wengenie.

Kwa ajili ya riwaya ya graphic, nimependa vitabu vya comics tangu nilikwa mtoto mdogo na nilianza kuvichora kabla niliweza kuandika maneno (nililazimisha mama yangu kuongeza sehemu ya maongezi). Mwaka jana, nilichapisha kitabu changu cha kwanza cha urefu nzima, Matembezi Urefu: Dragons Katika Nchi za Kistaarabu, Kitabu cha Kwanza, (The Long Walk: Dragons in Civilized Lands, Volume 1 kinachopatikana kwa Amazon, Comixology, and DriveThruComics), ambao ni waraka ya upendo kwa ile "sword na sorcery genre" na comics ya uhuru niliogundua katika miongo ya 1970 na 1980 mwanzoni. Nipo kwa kina katika kitabu cha pili na niatumaini kukikamilisha kabla ya mwishoni wa mwaka.

Chochote kingenie unachopenda kusema?

Tafuta furaha. Ubarikiwe.

Nashukuru sana Rob, hii inapendeza, labda kwa sababu wewe unapendeza. Ilikuwa heshimu yangu kukuonyesha hapa, na ninakuombea kwamba Mungu aendelee kujitukuza kupitia wewe. Amekupatia moyo mwema, na ulimwengu wa ujuzi unaoifanyia dunia hii kuwa kama kwake, zaidi.

[kujengaupya]

Rob Veith in his natural enviroment

If I have my years correct, Rob Veith (and his wife) were moving out of Botswana around the same time that I was moving into Tanzania. Although we've both made our rounds in some of the same professional circles, we formally met through what is now the Inspiro Arts Alliance (formerly Heart Sounds International). Since then I've been honored to admire his skill set while working alongside him in both Kenya and Tanzania. Learn more about him in his own words, below.

Who are you? Basic information you're willing to share.

Born in upstate New York, I spent almost half of my life living in southern California and the rest all over the place, including a decade in Africa. At this point, I’ve been on this planet approximately half a century. Home is currently the Pacific Northwest, where I live in a 100 year old repurposed farmhouse with my wife of 19 years. All of my windows look out on trees and I have relatives who live just down the street.

At this point in my life, I am above average in height and below average in hair length.

Tell something unique about you.

I don’t have a favorite color.

(I don’t know if that is unique, but I’ve often been asked as to my favorite color and I have a hard time answering that question. I spent many years working in graphic design, so when I think of color, I don’t think of green or red, I think of Pantone 3102 or something like that. And there are so many colors and they all have their value. I don’t have a favorite.)

Who is Jesus to you in your life?

This is one of those questions I could spend days on. The short answer—the Sunday school answer—is that he is my Lord and savior. And this is true! But we all find personal meanings in these two words. What does it mean to have a lord? What does it mean to have a savior?

I came to Jesus after a period of seeking. I investigated many religions and philosophies. Jesus impressed me with his wisdom and practicality. I saw in him a uniqueness that I admired.

In my teens I identified with the punk aesthetic, not so much the fashion of punk, but the underlying ethnic: be yourself, do your thing, do what matters. Religion didn’t fit into this; religion is in many ways the opposite of punk; it’s do what we’ve always done when we tell you to do it. Religion is bulleted lists; do all these things and you’ve done religion right. I admired Jesus, but didn’t follow him because I did not know how. Jesus appealed to me, but the religion which grew up after him did not. Towards the end of my teens, I heard a speaker quote Acts 17:6, “These guys who have turned the world upside down…” and this idea exploded in my mind. Jesus wasn’t about creating a bulleted list. Jesus turned the world upside down. Which is a very punk thing to do. It was in this spirit that I began to follow him.

Now, there are all kinds of ways we can talk about how Jesus challenges the status quo. That’s probably another big conversation.

What do you like to do when you're not in the office?

Most of my work occurs outside of my office. And I like my work. So, when I’m not in the office, I like to work.

My work involves creating new things and helping others create new things for the glory of God. In my best days, I get to come along side people who love music but have never composed a song before and help them compose a brand new song that helps them better understand God and His Word.

For fun, I love to eat good food and explore nature. One of the things I miss most from this era of self-isolation is getting together with my parents twice a week to have a nice meal at one of the many awesome restaurants in our area (my parents live on the far other side of the county).

What do you think about your life right now? What hopes and plans do you have for yourself, your family, your work, etc…?

It’s hard to have hopes and plans right now.

I had big plans a month ago. March, I was going to be teaching in Thailand. April, I was going to be representing my mission organization at a conference in Greece. June I had a series of song creation workshops in Kosovo and Bangladesh. July, I was going to be the worship leader at a conference in Missouri, then go immediately to the Global Consultation on Music in Mission in Dallas. I had six or seven CD production jobs to fit into the spaces.

I don’t expect any of these things to happen now.

I’m still processing some of the grief of a 2020 without plans.

I plan to survive… to thrive in place. My new 2020 goals are a thing in progress.

I’m writing and recording music. I’m working on the second book in my graphic novel series. I’m attempting to collaborate long-distance with some folks on a few other creative projects still enough in their infancy that I’m not ready to talk about them yet.

I’ve been encouraged to start work on a PhD and am in the application process now.

What advice do you have for a person coming to the USA for the first time?

Now isn’t the best time to come! Ha!

But seriously. Come to the USA with an open mind. Whatever you think it is, it’s something else. This is just as true for people from the USA who travel to other parts of the country. Los Angeles is as different from New York is as different from Seattle is as different from Dallas. I never had such culture shock as I had moving from Seattle to Dallas. More than moving to Botswana. And that’s just big cities.

Do you consider yourself a creative person? If yes, in what way? (Describe your creativity)

Yes.

I do all kinds of things.

Lately, the two big ones involve music and graphic novels.

As a musician, I play a dozen or so instruments competently. I also write, produce, and arrange. I have credits as a song writer, musician, producer, or engineer on 50 or so projects. People you probably haven’t heard of. I work on stuff I value, not on things which will give me significant money or exposure. I play all kinds of different styles. My own “native” style incorporates elements of freak folk, folk punk, jam rock, and low fi. I front a band for which I am also the backing band called One Finite Monkey (onefinitemonkey.bandcamp.com). I am also the principle song writer for an EDM project called The Space Mice. While at this time, isolated as I am in my home studio, I’m working primarily on solo projects, I welcome collaboration and enjoy filling the missing pieces of other people’s musical projects.

As for graphic novels, I’ve loved comic books since I was a small child and started drawing them even before I could write words (I made my mom put the speech bubbles in for me). Last year, I published my first full-length book, The Long Walk: Dragons in Civilized Lands, Volume 1 (available on Amazon, Comixology, and DriveThruComics), which is my love letter to the sword and sorcery genre and independent comics I discovered from the 1970s and early 80s. I’m currently deep into book two and hope to finish it by the end of this year.

Anything else you'd like to add, on any topic?

Seek joy. Be blessed.

Thank you Rob, this is beautiful, probably because you are beautiful. It's been an honor to feature you here, and I'm praying that God continue to glorify Himself through you. He's given you a good heart and a world of skill that make this world more like His.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/mn49EEcpV6k

"Msusi" kwa Kiingereza ni "hair dresser." Hata ndio ni nini tunawaita wale wanaosuka nywele hapa Bunda, Tanzania. Watu wengi wamefungua saloon yao ("salon" kwa Kiingereza) hapa Bunda, lakini sio wengi wanaomaanisha kwa kazi hii kama Ester Tunge. Pamoja na kuwahudumia wateja wa kawaida kwa saloon yake kati ya Nyasura, Bunda, Ester hutengeneza nywele na upaa kwa helusi na tukio yoyote maalum. Zaidi ya haya, anaendelea kuimarisha na kupanuka ujuzi wake kupitia kozi mablimbali ya urembo. Tukatengeneza video hii salooni kwake, ambao ni karibu sana na barabara kati ya Mwanza-Musoma/Sirari. Sauti za barabara unasikia nyuma ni kawaida yake kila siku. Ilikuwa mara ya kwanza kwa Ester kuhojiana na mwengie kwa mfumo huu, na msisimko wake wa neva unaonekana rahisi. Tofauti ya nywele na upaa, Ester anafurahia kufaniya maeneo kupendeza na kuwa na ukarimu; michango yake kwa upambo kanisani kwake inonyesho hivyo. Upendo wa Ester kwa kazi ya msusi nilitambuliwa badaye tulianza kufahamiana. Tulikua marafiki kanisani kwake, Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania, Bunda, ambao mme wake ni mzee wa kanisa, na Ester anasaidia kuongoza idara ya wamama.

Nakupenda sana rafiki yangu Mama Tunge. Mungu anayetulinda sisi sote, asikome kamwe kukupatia yote unayahitaji kutengeneza uzuri unayojenga ufalme wake.

The word for "hair dresser" in Swahili is "msusi." At least that's what people who braid hair are called in Bunda, Tanzania. Many people have opened salons ("saloon" in Tanzanian Swahili) in Bunda, but very few here take this profession as seriously as Ester Tunge. In addition to serving the regulars at her salon in Nyasura, Bunda, she also designs hair and make-up for weddings and other special occassions besides persuing further education to strengthen and expand her skills. We staged this video-interview in her salon, which is on the Mwanza-Musoma/Sirari highway that cuts direct through Bunda. The traffic noise in the background is part of her daily soundscape. This is the first time she's ever been interviewed like this and her nervous exitement shows in the video. Besides hair and makeup, Ester enjoys making spaces beautiful and welcoming; a fact clearly displayed in her contributions to the interior design at her church. I only learned later in our friendship about Ester's love for hair design and makeup. She and I became friends at the Free Pentecostal Church of Tanzania (FPCT) that she attends in Bunda, where her husband is an elder, and she also helps lead the women in this church.

I love you very much my sister, Mama Tunge. May the God who protects all of us never cease giving you all you need to create beauty that builds His kingdom all around us.

[kujengaupya]

https://youtu.be/enSNb38LCfM

Tunakaribia mwaka nzima tangu nilianza kumfahamu Fatuma Saidi. Alikuwa alichapa makadi, tiketi, vipeperushi, n.k. kwa tamasha la uzinduzi wa albamu ya Twendeni Mjini tarehe 30, Mwezi wa Sita, mwaka 2019. Wakati huo, nilivutiwa na maarifa yake kuhusu kuchapa vitu mbalimbali, na kuendesha biashara yake. Siwezi kusema tumefahamiana kwa kina kwa sasa, lakini hakika tumekuwa na mwanzo mzuri. Kwenye video hii anajitambulisha kupitia kujibu maswali.

Ubarikiwe Fatuma. Nashukuru muda wako na urafiki wetu. Mungu akupe maarifa na uwezo zaidi kukuza biashara yako iwe kubwa, kimataifa.

It's been close to a full year since I started to get to know Fatuma Saidi. She printed the cards, tickets, fliers, etc... for the Twendeni Mjini album launch concert on June 30, 2019. At that time, I was impressed by her knowledge about printing various things, and how she runs her business. I can't say we know each other deeply just yet, but indeed we have gotten a good start. In this video she introduces herself through answering some questions.

Be blessed Fatuma. I appreciate your time and our friendship. May God give you more knowledge and ability to grow your business so that it is big and international.