Today we’d like to introduce you to Vivalda Ndula.
Hi Vivalda, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a young child, she was influenced by both her grandfather António Domingos a storyteller, and her great-grandfather Dia Lobilo, a master instrumentalist of the Madimba (African Xylophone) and the Kisanji (Thumb Piano) leaving a strong and significant footprint to her music career.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As may things in life, No. In this industry (music),
Firstly, Relocating to another continent, a country with a major cultural difference, language, habits and costumes, naturally creates a considerable barrier between both parties. As a musician Vivalda had to learn to present her sound in a creative and interesting way so the new audience could feel part of it and not create a friction between both worlds since many people here in the USA are unfamiliar with her culture.
Secondly, since she mostly sings in Kimbundu (Angola native language) and in Portuguese (Angola official language), she often translates 2-3 music during her shows allowing a proximity to happen, understanding that she has to present her sound slowly to this place that she now calls home.
3. The lack of opportunities for lack of proximity; as many say ”we are unfamiliar. What is that, who listens to this? We don’t listen to this here”, and so on, creates a level of sadness, disappointment and miss of beautiful and impactful creative collaborations between both worlds.
Fourth, dealing with misogyny and denying certain offers/opportunities that makes you question your personal and social morals….and so on and on and on…
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Born and raised in Luanda-Angola, Vivalda Ndula’s music is a symbiosis between her traditional African background and Western music creating a harmonious and fresh mix traveling through African roots, world music, Afro-pop, and jazz using storytelling that she learned from her grandfather. On stage and accompanied by her quartet or quintet band, Ndula takes her audience on a joyful and memorable musical journey. Throughout her career, Vivalda Ndula has released one EP and two solo albums. She has teamed up with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Emilio D. Miler for her 2nd solo album, DULA, which put her on the final of the ballots of the 2018 GRAMMY Awards. This singer-songwriter, percussionist, dancer, and activist is a multi-award winner, nominated/finalist of Angola Music Awards, StarAfrica Sound, International Songwriting Competition, and also the winner of the second edition of the Performing Arts Houston NEW/NOW Commissioning Project. Vivalda also works tirelessly at raising social awareness against child labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking as reflected in her award-nominated songs Mazui (Voices) and Monandengue (Children). Songlines, UK says ‘Powerhouse Ndula is an African voice to rank alongside the very best.’
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
These books are places I return frequently:
– The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
– The art of happiness by the Dalai Lama
– The four agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
– Atomic Habits by James Clear
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vivaldadula.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivalda_ndula_oficial/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VivaldaNdula
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivalda-ndula-46390530/
Image Credits
Credits:
Melisa Taylor
Angola Embassy in USA
GwangJu Basking World Cup
