As part of our Inspirational Interview Series, we tracked down the talented Ugandan Guitarist and  recording artist Maurice Kirya for a one on one Interview and some insight into the production of his new Song “If I Ever”.  We came across Maurice’s video via   a recommendation by a fellow Ugandan living in the diaspora who felt that a feature of the song would be inspirational to us and our audience.  We bring you Maurice in his own words.

UNAA Times Liaison: Hi Maurice, good to hear from you man. Thanks for the music, I was inspired this morning by your Song, “If I ever” ( Check out the Music Video on UNAA Times TV – Under Featured Ugandan Musicians Playlist)

I  love Jazz, and India Arie’s music. This song touched a chord inside because it falls in a similar style. I must admit I played the music video like 6 times before I contacted you. I do believe that my fellow Ugandan’s here in the Diaspora would benefit from watching the video, so I decided to feature it. We often focus on news subjects about Uganda in general, but once in a while we come across a subject that is so inspirational that we make the decision to share it. “If I ever” is one such Ugandan related subject.

UNAA Times Liaison: Can you please introduce yourself to those who might not know you, although that would be difficult to imagine since you have been on the music scene for some years now.

Maurice: I actually meet many people that have no idea who I  am, ha-ha, and that’s ok, it only inspires me to work harder.

Once again my name is Maurice Kirya, a musician from Uganda , East Africa ; I might have been around for a while but through my experience I believe am a growing artist, in this case upcoming.

I call my music style ‘mwooyo’ which means ‘soul’ but with a Ugandan touch.

UNAA Times Liaison: So, tell me how your  were inspired to pen the lyrics?

Maurice: I have always been the kind to want to do things outside of the box; I wanted a song that would soothe a lady, yet be a completely man kind of wording song. You see, men always never know the right words to say but through their lame words is poetry. The kind that makes u sound unbelievable but will keep a woman around. lol

UNAA Times Liaison: Are these your band members that we see in the video?

Maurice: Yes they are, and they are some of the musicians I look up to. There is more of the band, which could not be present on the shooting day.

UNAA Times Liaison: How did you come up with this particular style? We have heard some of your more famous hits, but this has a new touch?

Maurice: Today I call my music style ‘mwooyo’ which has nothing to do with this song. This is a song that one of my band members and also one of my producers, Fred Walusimbi, wanted me to work on, and he was right.

UNAA Times Liaison: Have you always played guitar? Who are your inspirations?

Maurice: I have always loved the guitar, I carried it around even when I could not play it, there was a gentle man called Solomon, when I was younger. He played from across his house on the veranda, I loved how he lost himself into the instrument, even though he had a terrible voice, the guitar brought light to it.

UNAA Times Liaison: My name Sake!!  That’s interesting because one of your band members, in this video, used to sing with a gentleman, Isaac Serukenya. He was my inspiration and he taught me how to play the guitar. Small World!

UNAA Times Liaison: What message would you like people out there to take away from this song?

Maurice: You don’t have to be poetic to say ‘I love you’

UNAA Times Liaison: Wow, thats deep!   A word of encouragement to budding guitarists out there?

Maurice: Its only the beginning for you, you are going to be greater than you ever imajined if you practice hard, and respect every note in the music.

UNAA Times Liaison: When is the album coming out?

Maurice: In a month.

UNAA Times Liaison: How can people buy your music?

Maurice: There will be physical CDs and will also be sold online, visit http://www.mauricekirya.com

UNAA Times Liaison: Thank you for your time and we hope to see and hear more inspirational music from you. Keep up the wonderful work.  We are inspired to love

For more information Visit Maurice Kirya’s website at http://www.mauricekirya.com

Popularity: 1% [?]