VUSHE RAISING ZIM FLAG HIGH
AUSTRALIA-BASED gospel musician Tarisai Vushe has expressed satisfaction with the response to her latest single, Mighty God.
Vushe, who is also into acting, said focus is now on reaching out to people in her motherland.
“My focus has not been much on Zimbabwe. The reason is because of the theatrical background that I have, which is different genre all together.
“I feel that I haven’t given my own people the opportunity to listen to what I do. I feel that now is the time and the season has changed.
“There is a season for everything,” she said.
She, however, said her work is making impact and appreciated in other parts of the world.
“I am very grateful for the support I receive from different parts of the world like Asia, Canada, Sweden and Zambia etc.
“They buy my music, travel to watch my musicals wherever I am performing and invite me for events. I get to travel and explore the world,” she said.
Vushe said her versatility has helped her reach out to different audiences.
“Being a versatile artiste broadens me up. I enjoy meeting and connecting with new people. I also vocal coach during my spare time, but I don’t take up many singers due to a tight schedule.”
Apart from her latest release, Vushe is working on a play she believes will make an impact.
“Apart from my new single Mighty God, there is a play coming up soon.
“The script has already been developed and we are putting so many hours into it. The photoshoot itself gave me so many ideas I immediately called the producer and gave him a different perspective about it.
“I have never had to tell such a long story about myself like this. It is a whole lot of work on a new level;” she said.
“I have done a number of projects; I have an album and four singles including a duet with Congolese artiste Luundo Raj.
“I have done a few American television shows, with lead roles in Dark Minds currently on Stan and Deadly Women.
“Soon after, I toured with Prestige Presents with Madiba Nelson Mandela story. Music Theatre does take up most of my time. Once you are on the road it is not easy to be recording much,” she said.
She said her target now is to work with renowned actress Danai Gurira.
“I have had a chance to work with Audius Mtawarira since I was 16 years of age and I am always calling if I need any advice. I have also worked with Lionel Richie, Lebo M and some renowned Australian artistes.
“After the pandemic, I want to work with my cousin Danai Gurira. She is a great playwright and actress, something I am about to venture into with my first playwright coming up soon,” said Vushe.
Vushe said cultural differences have been affecting her work, but she has now adapted.
“Culture clash was one of the problems I faced.
Having two different cultures is not easy, but you have to find yourself in all that and regain your identity.
“I have been integrated well into the Australia theatrical industry and they have taught me so much. The balance is now there because of growth and maturity,” she said.
Vushe also shared her musical background: “My love for music began at the age of three when I was still residing in Harare. At the time, my aunt was a great singer, but she is late now. I settled in Australia in 2001 at the age of 14. I remember I didn’t want to relocate to Australia because I did not want to leave my friends at Kyle College where I was schooling at the time.
“When settled, my uncle immediately enrolled me into a singing school, which was run by one of the best vocal coaches in Australia Jonathan Welch.
“He took me after an audition and gave me an opportunity to have my first television appearance on Network 7. I eventually moved on and signed to Giant Management. We fell out when he turned down two major contracts with Def Jam Records and Universal Music.
“This led me into contacting one of the strongest A&R managers of Sony BMG and he got me to audition for Australian Idol in 2007.
“After Australian Idol, I released a single Head over Heels, which won two awards. I decided to transition to the Christian genre as I knew that it was what I was called to do.
“The transition was not easy so I studied music theatre at the Australian Institute of Music while I was adjusting. A few months before I graduated, I signed a contract with Walt Disney to tour with the Lion King.”