Brian Temba, inspirational soul music

Brian Temba’s first release, the EP Dominoes, was launched on Friday 14th November 2008, and to mark the event he performed live at Industry, a cosy venue in London’s trendy east end. Temba was born in South Africa and began singing in church at a young age. Whilst in South Africa he also sang for the likes of Nelson Mandela and Jonathan Butler. Since 2000 he has performed in Disney’s Lion King, which took him to LA and then London, where he has since been working away at his music and growing his own sound. It was obvious at the launch, where Brian gave a truly impassioned performance, that the charming singer has already gained a loyal fan-base. Before the show I was given some time with him to find out as much as I could about him…

CAV: So Brian, how did music first come into your life?
Brian Temba: Well I’ve always had music at heart. Growing up, my dad used to listen to a lot of different genres; South African music, Jennifer Rush, Rock Set, Phil Collins, Michael Bolton. And I used to enjoy it. I used to sing with it sometimes, and my cousins used to say, “oh, you can sing” but I never thought anything about it – until I started going to church, and singing there. Many great singers started in church and so I guess that’s where my journey started as well.

CAV: Has church music influenced your style of music at all?
Brian Temba: Yes, greatly! I think my music is a bit inspirational, but it’s not gospel. It is something different because I sing about relationships.

CAV: And apart from relationships and elements of the music you grew up around, what else inspires you? Any role models?
Brian Temba: My mum is my role model. The strength that she has, the things that she’s been through; I look at her and I’m like, you know what, you’re strong. And sometimes when I write songs I think about her, you know, I think about the unconditional love that she has for us, as her children. I grew up in a not so very great background-

CAV: You mean politically, the country?
Brian Temba: The country and within my family – it wasn’t easy. But yeah, my mum is my biggest inspiration. And my daughter is my biggest inspiration as well, but I think god is my ultimate inspiration.

CAV: You’ve recently been heralded as a long awaited representative of London’s talent and as a rising soul star. How do you feel about that?
Brian Temba:  It’s lovely to hear that, absolutely an honour. I receive that and I claim that and I take it on board.

CAV: Why have you chosen London, in particular, to launch your music career?
Brian Temba: You know what, I didn’t choose London, but I believe that our paths are directed; I’m here because I have to be here, because I was directed to be here and this is where I am and this is where I live. And if London chooses me, then I am for London. I’m representing London, America, South Africa: everywhere I’ve been, basically. As long as I’m making a difference, as long as whatever I do affects and influences people.

CAV: Last year you were involved in the Don’t Trigger ‘07 campaign and their anti gun crime film Hip Hop Opera. What drove you to take part in that – was it a sense of responsibility to society and/or young boys?
Brian Temba: Yes it was, because coming from South Africa we experience a lot of violence, gangs and gun crime. And I was at one point involved in it. Now I want to make a difference. I would want to be involved in anything that I need to be involved in to help out the community, not only in England, but everywhere. When I go back to South Africa, I want to be involved.

CAV: So how do you see your career developing from here; do you see yourself doing any more acting?
Brian Temba: Well, I did theatre for eight years straight, so now I’m concentrating on my music, and I believe that if I concentrate my energy then that will take me to another level, even within my acting. I’m still going to act but music is my passion. I’d like to do movies, TV and adverts and stuff like that, because it’s fun. But it’ll be first music and then film and theatre.

CAV: And if you had to sum up your sound in a couple of sentences, how would you do that?
Brian Temba: I’ve been asked that a lot [laughs]. Um, I would say, rock, soul, pop, r&b. No, I would say soul first. Soulful rock, r&b. Because it’s not your typical pop, and it’s not your typical r&b, but it has a bit of everything in it, so I’d say … soul, rock, pop, r&b. Yes, that’s it!

More on Brian Temba:

Brian Temba on myspace
Brian Temba on youtube