Tell us about yourself and your music
I was born and raised in Nigeria ( West Africa). I am currently married with 2 children; 3 step-children and 7 grandkids. I loved music as a little child and happened to write a few songs as a teenager. However, at some point, I had lost that zeal and went on with my life. I later moved to Canada in 2006 as a Registered Nurse and became a Canadian Citizen. While still practicing Nursing but also involved in music/ Arts ( Drama) in my local church here at Calgary Alberta, I was in 2014 sent to Bethel California ( Redding) for 2 weeks training mainly on Worship Arts. During this 2 weeks program themed “The University Of Worship U on Campus,” I had a life-changing experience- the zeal/ gifting and destiny that were inborn in me for Songwriting/ Singing were suddenly revived. My entire life took a turn around for good. I started writing songs right from Redding and had written about 3 songs before going back home from the event to the amazement of my family and myself as well. Currently, I have written up to a hundred song but have professional studio- produced and released 36 songs. I am currently in a casual Nursing position since 2016 since I have resolved to give most of my energy and time in music-related activities. I am very passionate about making Songwriting / Singing my major career and so I work hard in that direction.
Talk to us more about your latest release
My Latest release ” A million Praise” was a song of gratitude to God. Having been amazed at how my entire life has suddenly been transformed and filled with an outpouring of praise and worship songs, I wrote this song. Through this song, I expressed how good and Mighty God has been to me. He overcame my fear and feeling of inadequacy and has overwhelmed me with great inspiration to write different lyrics with melodies to them. Hence my target is to write and sing a million songs to the praise and worship of God Almighty in my lifetime.
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VSUiwlxYuFLjsWJ9FwS0H?si=pD6E2TEQQv-TQ9m9wr59KQ
What inspired you to write this release?
This song was inspired by the vision that I have in my mind regarding my Music Career. I intend to write and sing a million songs to the praise and worship of our great God.
I have seen His goodness and might through what I have been experiencing in Songwriting/Singing from 2014 till date. With my trust in Him, my mind is made up to reach my target. Given that this Vision could be beyond myself, in my song I also requested for Angelic assistance and guidance as needed.
Describe the writing and recording process
“A million Praise” was written and waited on -revisiting and re-crafting as needed until the lyrics and melody were satisfactory to the vision I had in my heart for the song. I prepared the first demo using a keyboard to apply the basic chords as per the created melody. Next, I had to get out to a professional studio here at Calgary Alberta Canada to start the Recording. This took several steps starting with recording a demo until the final product was reviewed and approved. All these happened between August 2016 and April 2017 since I was recording an album of 10 songs at a time. The entire album of 10 songs titled ‘Wherever You Go’ (with “A Million Praise” being the 2nd song in the list” was finally released on April 10, 2017.
Any plans to hit the road?
I have just got back from a trip to Nigeria so resting a bit while trying to complete my Keyboard and Guitar training here soon. Such plans will be short.
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
I am committed to constantly reading Blogs and articles regarding Artist’s growth and development in diverse aspects. Skill development and improvement is a continuous process for me. I am currently training on playing Keyboard as well as Acoustic/Electric guitar. I have done some vocal lessons recently to improve my vocal skills and I plan to embark on more professional vocal upgrading lessons shortly. The Unquenchable Flames Music is Music for the entire family ( all ages). I try to produce my music in different styles, eg. Rock; Reggae, Country to mention but a few. This aims to suit the taste of different ages and races. I explore different professional producers and studios with my different albums/ singles as I search for the best producer each time. For example, I have produced two singles with the “Studio Pros”. The Songs were 1) Thanksgiving for Salvation Canada. 2) Dominion from Sea to Sea. Studio Pros is an online producer located in California USA. My four different albums were recorded/produced at three other different studios in Canada. My zeal for songwriting and the inspiration for same are like ‘Unquenchable Flames’ and the songs are cotemporal.
Who have you been listening to lately?
Have been listening to Hillsong worship; Jesus Culture; Christ Tomlin; Don Moen etc. I am also listening to a lot to the Holy Spirit-Lol! who inspirations my heart with new songs.
Who are your biggest influences?
Dan McCollam imparted and impacted my life positively during my training at Redding California. The Bethel musicians; Hillsong Worship Artists – Amanda cook; Steffany Gretzinger; Matt Redman; Chris Tomlin etc influence me a lot. Last but not least, my husband and my two children give me a lot of support that influences my progress as a nurse /Artist and I’m very grateful to them.
Tell us about your passions
First of all, I am passionate about caring for the sick- my patients are quite excited to have me look after them whenever I pick up a Nursing shift. For example, a sick person ( patient) under my care who was met worried and depressed at the start of a shift turned into a cheerful /’happy camper’ before the end of my shift. Sometimes, the patients call me an Angel but it’s just because of so much life that I carry through the great music that always resounds in my soul. Mostly, I’m heavily passionate about music. Songwriting/singing have therefore become both a hobby as well as a career for me. Music brings life to my soul at all times since there is always a good song in my mind. I love to reach out to people in different situations and circumstances through my songs. This I do by writing songs in every situation and circumstances that I found myself in life. I try to express the feelings of my heart in those moments through songs. In that manner, someone in a similar situation could relate to that and be ministered to as they listen to my song. By this, I meant that every one of my songs has a story behind it. Singing has become for me a big avenue of ministration. I am passionate about the height that I am working hard to attain in my Music Career. Included in that is my goal of writing a million songs in my lifetime.
What else is happening next in your world?
As a mother of 2 children and 3 step-children with 7 step grandkids, it’s obvious that my world is full of fun-Lol! I am enjoying the great energy that it takes to live with my two Young adults children- a 23-year-old son and 22year old daughter. I am putting a bit of energy and thought in supporting my daughter as she looks for a job following a recent Graduation from the University. My son is also into music and supports me a lot with some high tech stuff; he produced all the videos of my 2nd and 3rd albums for YouTube views. My family as a whole including my wonderful husband Bradley has given me profound support in my double Career as a Nurse/ Artist. Their great support is the reason why I have been able to release 4 albums between 2014 and date with a total of 36 songs produced professionally and about 20 songs sang solely while I played my instrument in a community gathering. I am looking forward to being financially able to produce and release the more than 50 songs that I have already crafted.
The last but not the least, I recently started and heading a Team of songwriting group here at Calgary Alberta Canada and we are currently recording our debut single with the ‘Studio Pros’. This is very exciting to all of us Team members. We anticipate that our Debut single will ‘go places’ by the grace of God.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Beatrice Nneamaka Allen
Connect with The Unquenchable Flames Music
Website: http://unquenchableflames.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/beatriceallenmusicInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/beabrad/Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AguAllenLastFM: http://store.cdbaby.com/cd/beatricenneamakaallen4Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/beatriceallenmusicLinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/beatrice-allen-9448a851?
