Soulful. Izabel says she is able to balance her job and the art by making some sacrifices to make both work. PHOTO / COURTESY
Penetrating the industry: Uganda’s music industry is highly competitive and there are many musicians in the country, which makes it difficult to stand out. Izabel Ug, alias Isabel Twongyeirwe Abenaitwe, notes that many musicians struggle to make a living solely from their music and the industry remains unpredictable. She adds that musicians may have to work multiple jobs or gigs to make ends meet, which can take time and energy away from practicing and performing, which explains why she trades as a musician and lawyer, writes Gabriel Buule.
The idea
Izabel suggests that to succeed as a musician, one needs to keep their skills sharp and adapt to new techniques and technologies continuously and all that has to be complimented by constant marketing.
“Music is a business that requires an ongoing commitment to practice and learn, which can be challenging and time-consuming, which affects your income as an individual,” she explains.
She notes that many artistes struggle to get noticed and gain recognition in the crowded music industry. Without significant promotion efforts or networking, it can be tough to build a fanbase or secure gigs. Izabel says this is why she had to consider pushing a professional career in Law alongside music.
The youngster adds that the business of making music is often an emotional and personal experience and musicians may struggle with self-doubt, writer’s block and other creative challenges that can hinder their work.
Finding a balance between parent’s interests and a career
A daughter to a baptist pastor and a ministering mother who is a staunch Christian, Izabel says her parents were always opposed to her idea of pursuing music as a career.
She adds that much as they were fine with seeing her sing, they were bothered with how their daughter would evolve in Uganda’s music setting.
“Our mainstream music industry paints a picture that artistes are supposed to exhibit roguish lifestyle, which worries parents and indeed my parents had to be worried,” she explains.
She adds that her parents, who sing and play a wide range of instruments in church, assumed that their daughter would have a professional career but still minister in the church.
“Parents have a music background that is inclined to the church and that is how they would wish me to be, but I saw music differently and I kept convincing them to support me,” she adds.
