Songwriter Interview – Furah Dread

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, singer songwriter Furah Dread talks about his new single, Heart Is Smart, and what inspires his music.

Written by JJ Barnes

www.jjbarnes.co.uk

I interviewed Furah Dread about his life and career, what inspires his music, and the inspiration behind his latest single, Heart Is Smart.

Tell me a bit about who you are.

My name is Fundile Guqa which is popularly known as Furah Dread which is my stage name in music; I was born in Ndunge location a small place which is found in rural area of a small town called Bizana in the Eastern Cape province in South Africa. Born and grow up in Ndunge.

When did you first WANT to write songs?

I started to be interested to want to write song in 2002 when I was 11 years old after I fall in love with music.

When did you take a step to start writing songs?

I started to write a song in 2002 when I was 11 years old but it was for fun because I was young I wasn’t even thinking about recording or going to studio.

What was your first song released, and what was it about?

My first song to be released was ‘Smoking’ on 28 February 2017, the song talks about the danger of smoking cigarette compared to smoking marijuana.

What was your latest song released, and what was it about?

My latest song is called ‘Heart Is Smart’, this song was released in June 2021, this song talk about true love which is hard to find and false love which is hard to feel when you are in a relationship with someone.

Focusing on your latest song. What were your biggest challenges with Heart Is Smart?

My biggest challenge when I was writing and composing the song, firstly was how I’m going to tell this message in a short way and how I’m going to put lyrics in a best way with the beats of the song and another challenge was in promoting this song during the lockdown which was made in South Africa after the COVID 19 outbreak in the country, so it was hard for me to promote the song.

How many songs are you working on right now?

Ever since I started doing music I have composed and wrote many songs which I rehearse them during my rehearsal time and I select the song that I want to record I will do it and go to studio to record the song, so I have many songs right now but sometimes I write the new song and go to record without selecting on the ones I already has.

Do you keep to a theme with your music, or just go where the mood strikes?

My theme that I keep is that every message I wrote on my songs must be for the youth and much older people, when it comes to writing a song I write about any message whether it’s about love or peace it doesn’t matter as long the message fit my target audience.

What is your favourite song you’ve recorded, and what do you love about it?

All songs I’ve recorded so far are my favourite, I love them all, they touch my heart in the same way and were produced by one producer.

Do you find other people’s music inspires you? Who do you listen to most?

Yes I think every musicians has got inspirations from other musicians. I listen to many musicians but Bob Marley music inspired me the most.

Do you write your own music, or do you have musicians you work with?

I write my own music and compose them, for now and since I got into music I’ve never work with any artist so far.

Do you play any instruments?

I play a guitar which I also use it to compose my songs.

Do you like performing live, or does it scare you? Where can people watch you?

I like performing live although I’ve made not many live performances, invitations or bookings are very few, but I love it. I don’t have a platform where people can watch me.

Is your music available online, and where can people listen to it?

Yes my music is available online where the audience can listen and buy my music. My music is available on YouTube, mixposure and band camp, the listeners can find my music on these platforms, by searching Furah Dread in all of these platforms.

Are you able to make music full time, or do you have day job?

Outside music, I am a small business owner. I run my own business at home in Ndunge location, I am also an upcoming actor, film producer and script writer. I recently graduated for a bachelors degree in film on 2022. I also shot a Furah Dread documentary last year on July 2022 which is available on my YouTube, so I’m not full time in music, I still look for an opportunities in the film but I can do music full time if I can get a record label because I’m an independent  musician for now.

Are your friends and family supportive of your music career?

I don’t have friends but I have people who I talk to they like my music, they listen to same as my family. They listen to my music but they don’t support it because they don’t buy it. They have never given me money to buy or to donate for me to do a record, I do all things by myself with my money.

What’s something you never expected about being a songwriter? What have you learned that surprised you?

When I became a songwriter, I wasn’t thinking that I can write a song that can reach the whole world and get airplay to many radio stations all over the world and be loved by different races of the world. As a songwriter I’ve learn that the world can experience the same problems, so as a songwriter I have to make sure that my messages speaks to all people of the world not only speaking to one people or tribe.

Have you had any experiences that really stand out because of your songs?

When I write a song like ‘People Must Stop’ or any song people will expect you as an artist to be what you say in your song, if you talk about peace you must also be peaceful person, if you tell people to stop fighting you must be that kind of person who is not willing to fight, so my songs are the guidelines of my life or close to that. That’s what I’ve experienced from my songs.

Do you have any important events coming up we should know about?

For now I don’t have any important events coming.

What is the first piece of advice you would give to anyone inspired to write songs?

The advice I can give to the people or anyone inspired to write a songs is that he or she must make sure that whatever he or she write must educate people because most of the time people like to listen to the music that educate them, and also this is the advantage of writing the music that will be played by the radio stations all over the world because most radio stations play good music, not cursing songs.

And, finally, are your proud of your accomplishment? Was it worth the effort?

Yes I’m so proud so far about my success in music because it was my dream to write or make music make music that will reach the whole world that alone is my achievement then the rest can follow like performing live to all different countries of the world which is also my dream.

Pop all your music, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:

My music can be found on the following platforms; YouTube, mixposure, bandcamp and I am available on instagram and Facebook for more information or communication.

https://www.instagram.com/furah_dread/

https://m.facebook.com/people/Furah-Dread/100063966372573/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHjqLtjpoEgAQwr5ICb7D0A

https://furahdread.bandcamp.com/

https://mixposure.com/furahdread/action

https://www.mzansireggae.co.za/artist/furah-dread/

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