David Webster, Author at 1Africa

It’s who you are, not what you do

David Webster

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February 23, 2016

Life is harsh. There are people that are living large, successful lives and those that are struggling to get through the day. Some have huge influence, but are dying inside from boredom and tiredness. Some have started hundreds of initiatives, but have never been able to finish them. Some have taken years to work through emotional baggage before even being able to think about doing something meaningful. Some find it easier to react in anger than start doing what they can to change their situation. Some are truly helpless – and that helplessness is as real in the mansion with the curtains drawn as it is on the street.

No matter what the circumstance, challenge presents itself to all of us in some areas of our lives. But I have been looking at some of the people that I admire – those who are living large, exciting lives – and I have seen them live beyond these challenges. In a world where everything is about achievement and glory, there is a different mindset that I think sets these people apart. It may sound simple, but I ask that you actually consider the full meaning behind it:

My success in life is not about what I achieve, it’s about who I am.

Realistically, what will last longer? What you do, or who you were? Even looking at some of the most successful, long-lasting companies in the world, it is either completely different in vision from that of it’s founder, or it is thriving off of the identity established through who the founder actually was. A great example is Apple and Steve Jobs. The way that Jobs thought and saw life is still very evident in the company. Admittedly there are a few things that would not be Steve’s cup of tea now, but the very essence of the brand remains solidly under Jobs’ legacy.

Will our children remember us for the house we bought or for who we were in that house? Will they remember the school books we bought for them, or the encouragement we gave when they were about to write the test? Who we are will outlast what we do. It will have effect (positive or negative) on the generations to come after us.

So who are you? If you are anything like me, you could possibly be caught so busy with “doing” that you haven’t even thought about who you are “being”. You might say that what you are busy with is an expression of who you are. But then all that you are is wrapped tightly in the intentions of tasks that some people will never understand or appreciate. What you do may speak of who you are, but it is not the substance of who you are.

Who you actually are is exposed when you are challenged, or caught off-guard. It is revealed more in your reaction than in your calculated response. Who you are is unique and colourful and refreshing. It is the combination of characteristics that people around you find refreshing. Who you are is something that you need to work on constantly. How you speak, what you allow yourself to think and how you make others feel are all elements of you that will outlast your achievement.

The Bible speaks of the nature of our hearts – the core of our existence. It says that others may be impressed by the exterior appearance of people, but God looks at our heart. After you have reached your goals, ticked off your bucket list and “changed the world”, what will be left? That is when “who you are” will really count.

I pray that you dream big and shake this world. I believe that the current generation of young people will redefine life – for the better. But who will we all be once it all has been done? Will you be comfortable with yourself in the afterglow of success – when there is nothing more to be done and all the excitement has passed? The value of being an excellent “you” will far outweigh being an excellent achiever of anything else. The only way I can truly understand and celebrate who I have been created to be is by knowing Jesus. The more I know him, the more I have been able to know who he made me to be.

God doesn’t want you for what you can do. He wants you for who you are. In fact, He doesn’t care what you have done, He still wants you. To find out more click on the link below.

What are you letting in?

David Webster

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February 17, 2016

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I don’t normally do late night movies. But this week, I decided to go hang with some friends and watch a new superhero film. If you asked me about the world of Marvel and DC, I wouldn’t be able to tell you much beyond the fact that I enjoy the movies. I am friends with some pretty die-hard fans, though. So after church on Sunday night at 22:15, me and about 15 other guys walked into the cinema to try and stay awake for the following two hours.

I wish I could tell you it was an awesome experience. I wish I could recommend the film and say it was a whole lot of fun. But it was probably the strangest experience I have had in a while.

Unlike the blockbuster epics that these superhero films have become, this one had more of an indie approach – it was a whole lot more tongue in cheek and it was refreshing to have a different, slightly sadistic take on the Marvel franchise. With multiple one liners that ripped other films off, it started to feel a bit like a spoof. What came with it, however, was a whole lot of crass jokes and sexual content I was not expecting.

As a creative person, I am pretty liberal when it comes to art. I can tell you that there are scenarios where I believe certain language is appropriate for the kind of world being portrayed. But this film was extremely gratuitous and just unnecessary.

If I had watched it by myself, I would also probably not be writing this article, but I was sitting next to two guys who I have walked a bit of a journey with in church. In fact, there were a few people there who would call me their leader in church. After watching the film, some friends were absolutely overjoyed with it. They were talking about how awesome it was, while guys who have been struggling with sexual addiction walked along with them silently.

I know that all the guys were not meaning wrong, but I have realised that there are certain things that can do more harm than good when it comes to what we partake in with others. There was a time when Christians especially tried to tell people what they could and could not watch or listen to. I don’t believe that is ever going to work or help people find God. I am not writing this blog to be legalistic. I am just asking that whatever you do, you stay aware of how it affects those around you.

In pop culture today, it has never been more clear how frail people in the entertainment industry are. With suicides, drug, and alcohol problems and many celebrities looking for God, I hope people realise that entertainment affects people on both sides of the screen.

There is a scripture that says, “Everything is permitted, but not everything is beneficial”. The next time you decide to watch a series or listen to music, I know the last thing you want to do is think. But maybe consider two things before you press play or buy your popcorn:

How will this benefit me?
How will this affect the people around me?

When it comes to communication, I am a bit of a nerd. I love looking at art and studying how it communicates with its audience. No matter what you try to tell yourself, what you watch, listen to, and read will shape how you see life. All I ask is that you stay aware of that while you enjoy the God-given talents of those who are entertaining you.

If you feel vulnerable, have struggled with addiction or want a change in life, can I encourage you start by focusing on Jesus first, before allowing the world around you to have its say? If you want to find out more, click on the link below.

There is no perfect Christian

David Webster

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February 16, 2016

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There are some things in life that will never grow old. Take sleep for example: you will never be “tired” of closing your eyes and resting. Breathing is another example – the basics that keep us alive will never grow old. The same can be said about our faith as well. The very essence of what we believe relies on certain elements that will never become stale – and if they do we are in danger of our faith dying.

One such essential element to faith in Jesus Christ is the concept of forgiveness. Whether you chose to follow Him yesterday or 20 years ago, you can never grow tired with forgiveness. Everyone messes up – fault is not something you simply throw away when you become a Christian. There is no perfect Christian (and if you think you know one, there is probably a whole lot they are hiding). We will always need to be forgiven for something. We will always have to rely on God’s forgiveness for things we did in our past. We will always be required to forgive others when they mess up, too.

But there are a few aspects to forgiveness that I have struggled with in my life.

Forgiveness means I was wrong

You are never forgiven for doing good. The concept of forgiveness is that you are released from the consequence of a bad action. For a long time, I didn’t believe I needed to be forgiven because I didn’t think I had done anything wrong. Self-righteousness is a toxic mindset to live with. If you always believe you are in the right, then I would encourage you to have a reality check. Call your own intervention and just ask some of your family and friends to point out you faults.

You probably do know the areas you have messed up in, but being honest about it to yourself can result in depression if you don’t have a revelation that you are already fundamentally forgiven for everything you have done wrong. Good intention does not mean that you are always right. Just because you mean well doesn’t mean you are a saint.

Forgiveness means I must change

If you have ever found yourself caught in destructive behaviour – whether it is an addiction, a problem with your anger or unhealthy relationships – you’re probably already aware that you are at fault.

A few years ago I was extremely affected by the wrong choices I made almost daily. It resulted in me withdrawing from the world and experiencing intense anxiety and depression. I knew what I was doing was wrong, but did not want to accept forgiveness because it meant that I had to change.

Self-pity and guilt is like a pool of mud. It is comfortable until you have to get out of it. Receiving forgiveness actually requires a whole lot of brave faith. You not only need to confess and open your life up to God (and others), but you need to have such a strong conviction that you don’t have to live with the weight of your actions that you actually change how you live. That takes guts. It took me years to get out of that pool of mud. It was really hard. But so worth it.

Forgiveness means I need to forgive myself

It is one thing to be forgiven by others, but actually having grace for yourself is a completely different story. When you know you are wrong, your natural response is to make sure you don’t do it again. So you live in constant condemnation, trying to make sure you feel so much guilt that you vow never to mess up again. As much as this seems justifiable at the time, in hindsight I can see in my own life that that was actually pride.

When you have been forgiven by the One who has created you, who are you to not forgive yourself? It is like your cell has been unlocked, but you have taken the key, locked yourself in again and refuse to let go of the key. I have been there. I have tried to “teach myself a lesson” and condemn myself no matter how much freedom I had already received from God.

I don’t know if you can identify with these struggles. I don’t know about you, but I am very aware that I don’t deserve a good life. But the fact is, we never will. God has forgiven us so that we can live in freedom and absolute grace.

Living a life of faith means receiving a whole lot of things that you could never earn. If you are willing to face the fact that you are wrong; if you’re brave enough to actually change; and if you are ready to give yourself a break, then find forgiveness. Click on the link below to find out more.

Florrie: If Kate Moss could sing…

David Webster

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February 10, 2016

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Strong vocals, a unique, clean look, awesome lyrics, and extremely musical. This girl is something of wonder. With music that could most accurately be described as retro pop, it is deeper than Katy Perry, smoother than Taylor Swift and lighter than Charlie XCX.

Florence Arnold had her big break as a drummer, playing with Kylie Minogue, Girls Aloud and Pet Shop Boys. She also was the face of Nina Ricci’s new fragrance, with multiple campaigns. But behind her pretty face and all of those beats (which shine through in all her tracks) is a voice that is pretty special. This comes through in the awesome covers she posts on her YouTube channel. Check out her version of Radioactive from Imagine Dragons:

Another thing that needs to be really appreciated about this artist is her musicality. She can play drums and guitar very well – while singing, which is no small feat. This quirky music video also shows her how much of a command she has as a performer. In many ways, if Kate Moss could be musical, she would be a version of Florrie.

With three EPs under her belt, the full-length album should be on its way very soon. With a new single out now (see below) and a catalogue of producers and writers rumoured to be working with her under Sony, hopefully it won’t be too long before she blows up our airwaves.

Florrie has had success independently, with over a thousand copies of her first song released being downloaded in days. She has over 39 000 people subscribed to her personal YouTube account and more than 36 000 people following her on Instagram. But the elusive “bigtime” is yet to dub Florrie “up-and-coming”. I have found that this sense of right timing is not only applicable to the music industry, though. Sometimes you can have everything set up for a win, but it just isn’t the right time for things to move forwards.

The thing about artists that not many people know is that you can have the whole package – the look, the vibe, the style, the talent and the drive – and still not make it. It’s the ugly part where business and brilliance seem to fracture. You could look at it two ways: either Florrie is not what the “market” wants right not, or the worldwide market isn’t ready for all that Florrie is. I believe the latter is true for this artist. So when she does get her big break, don’t forget where you heard of her first! You’re welcome.

It was never meant to be easy

David Webster

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February 10, 2016

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Faith is a very important part of life. Knowing God is the best part of my existence. I would not be who I am or where I am without my relationship with God.

In the process of doing life, however, I have seen many people who find God begin to struggle and then settle, or even give up on their faith. I know there are many factors in life that can cause people to waver in their faith, and in no way do I want to condemn or judge people if that has been the case, but there is a very important aspect to longevity in faith that I believe people don’t take into account.

I am convinced that understanding this fact can bless your belief, and not knowing it can absolutely break you.

Believing in God is not easy.

Many people think that if you make a decision to follow God, you will live happily ever after. But there is no scriptural basis for this. In fact, I have experienced how life has got a whole lot more “involved” and challenging since deciding to believe in a God who I cannot see.

In many ways, I understand people who choose to be atheist or agnostic or simply choose to not think about faith. Life seems easy when you are only dealing with the finite in front of you. If you believe everything that there is to life is tangible to your senses, then there are no big questions like, “What is my purpose?” or “Am I pleasing God?”. All you live for is what feels right. I find it interesting that the more “comfortable” or financially secure people I know seem to prescribe to this thinking more than the poorer, more desperate people I know. God is not just a concept for the unfortunate to believe in to have hope. He is not a promise for an easier life.

But God does promise a better life. We all have poverty in our lives. Whether it is financial, spiritual, emotional, relational or physical, we all have areas of our lives that could be better. Choosing to believe in God means constantly growing – and God uses the hard things of life to hone us. Choosing to believe in God means choosing to change the way you see life and the way you see yourself. Choosing to believe in God means choosing to sacrifice for a greater reason than your own present comfort. Choosing to believe in God means saying yes to things that matter and no to things that don’t.

If you want to grow, become more effective, and see the world around you impacted – then believe in God. But do it whole-heartedly. After all, a life of faith is one where we pursue Him, no comfort. There are so many times in my life where I am tempted to just “settle”. To say, “I’ve done my part. I’m happy with where I am.” But God can only take you as far as you are willing to go.

If you feel like you have settled for the norm in life; if you know that there is more to who you are, but cannot seem to gain any traction in becoming who you have been made to be… I would like to invite you to get to know the architect of your life. It may seem a bit strange; it may seem like there is a whole lot of your life that will be thrown into question; you may need to change more than just your Facebook status. But it is worth every single sacrifice.

A relationship with Him is the best thing you could ever have. It will outlast life itself. Click on the link below to find out more.

I believe in South Africa

David Webster

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February 5, 2016

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I will never leave South Africa. Having had the privilege of travelling extensively, I can confidently say that there is no place like this unique country. It goes beyond the fact that it is where my family lives – in many ways, the amount of foreigners who have chosen to restart their lives on this southern tip of paradise speaks of something greater than just a “nice environment”.

Don’t get me wrong, our nation is far from perfect. But despite crime statistics, flawed politics and poverty, there is a certain magnetism to this land that cannot be ignored. And it all has to do with the people.

A lot of South Africans (not only whites, may I add) have left this country because of bad experiences. And yes, I do agree that there are some appalling things that justify emigration. But I also believe that there is something in South African society that won’t be found anywhere else in the world.

The thing about being South African is that there is no space for pretence. Firstly, the whole world is aware of our shortfalls. From Apartheid to Marikana, I have been shocked by how much we are in the international news. Even the politics of our nation is under keen scrutiny by the powers of CNN and SkyNews. I believe this interest is a result of a miraculous past, in which prejudice and oppression was resolved reasonably peacefully. Mandela has been heralded one of the greatest leaders ever – and rightly so. But the world wants to know if his legacy lives on. The fact is; if South Africa can forge a healthy, diverse society – containing many cultures, races and histories – then there is hope for the future of many other nations. So, as South Africans, we have a way of life that the world wants to know about.

This draws me to the second reason why we cannot live behind any pretence: crime, poverty and politics regulate a vivid connection to reality. In many nations I have been to the government works, everything is thought of and people get hung up on what Nicky Minaj said to Miley. There is such a sense of comfort that the basics of life are not only taken for granted, but never considered. When the end of the world looks like a television malfunction or someone getting your order wrong, then I think you need a reality check. Living in South Africa, all you need to do is drive to the nearest traffic light to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

I am very grateful for this country. I may live in a neighbourhood where my car has been damaged by burglars three times in the past six months. I may have to have some awkward conversations with the jobless guy at the traffic light. I may have to focus really hard to understand why people are talking and acting in a certain way, but that is what it takes to see us all grow. I hope you agree.

Joy: An Experience

David Webster

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February 3, 2016

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Watching the new David O. Russell film, you cannot help but be transported. With a dynamic set of very unique characters, a compelling storyline and an eclectic combination of layers of meaning, it is no surprise that this film has been praised as one of the best of the year, despite it having only one Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

Jennifer Lawrence takes on a much meatier character this time round. Having worked with Russell successfully before, there is a very clear sense of command that she carries in her role. She plays Joy, an overworked single mother who is managing her whole family and work, while trying to get to fighting for her dream to become a successful inventor.

Loosely based on a true story, this movie gives a unique interpretation of the times. It captures the struggle of a dying age of the housewife, while also introducing the wonders of television sales channels and business law. You may think that this all sounds very serious, but these elements are merely the outlines of an inspiring story, coloured in with rich hues of humour and vibrant characters.

My favourite thing about this film, however, is the amazing use of metaphor throughout. Opening with a full scene from an old American soapie that Joy’s mother watches, there are multiple parallels drawn from Joy’s reality. It is a satirical commentary that, even if not fully understood, sets the tone for the film. In many ways, it symbolises how detached all the supporting characters are from true reality – throwing the full pressures of life onto Joy to carry. Whether it is the mother’s reclusive behaviour, her father’s faulted business acumen or her ex-husband’s hopeless dreams to be the next Tom Jones, all of them live in their own versions of reality, unaware of what Joy has to do to keep everything from falling apart.

There is a very dry, sometimes dark, sense of humour throughout everything. It blurs between irony and cold hard fact to a point where you realise how ridiculous the human condition is. One of my favourite scenes is when Joy freezes on live television. The comical outplay of the situation is amusing in isolation, but the truth that her whole life depends on how she performs anchors the moment to leave the audience wanting to laugh, be anxious, and cheer her on all at once. That is where I have found Russell excels – in combining the hilarity of life with reality, which leaves you not only amused but internally challenged. In many ways, David O. Russell’s perspective of American life is what should truly be celebrated. Embodying an almost Arthur Miller kind of euphoria, Joy is the most cohesive addition to his body of work in that regard.

If you are looking for something that is inspired – something where you will be able to appreciate story, cinematography, acting and directing – this film is worth watching. You will leave satisfied, challenged and somewhat enlightened about the way people can live. Check out the trailer here.

Your faith needs focus

David Webster

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February 2, 2016

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Have you ever stopped your everyday life to focus?

Have you ever taken some time before an event just to think about what you are going to experience? Whether it is a Mumford and Sons concert or an orchestra concert, I have caught myself trying to calibrate what I am about to witness.

Whether you identify or not, I think it is safe to say that there are moments in life when you consciously have to prepare yourself to savour a moment. You want to make sure that you are not distracted by the cell phone bill you need to pay later, or how sunburnt you may get (the is real for me in that department). And as you focus, your senses become heightened. Your eyes seem to see more. Your ears are on high alert and the occasional goose bumps rush over your skin. And in the end you leave either satisfied or wanting more.

Another great example is Christmas. The wrapped presents slowly building under the tree and the smells of family meal cooking in the oven wafting through the house all build to a sense of clarity – where the doors of anticipation and preparation swing open to an experience worth remembering. As a child, I would wait all night, unable to sleep. So excited I could burst, so focused on what I was about to receive that I had an unusual amount of energy that kept me going all through Christmas Eve and Christmas day.

You could experience this kind of clarity on the first day of your job: when adrenaline is pumping high as you step into an environment that will become your new normal. You focus on remembering names and the faces they belong to, you take note of where you parked your car and how the traffic was en route to the office. You are still not quite sure if you want to be there and there is a lot of unknown factors that keep you highly aware of the dynamics within the business.

Have you ever paused before a World Cup final when your nation is playing? Somehow, you think you can will your team into victory. There is that shortness of breath – the tension is tangible. Every play that is made, every call the referee makes, and every score change becomes of paramount importance. In moments like these the kitchen could be on fire and you wouldn’t tear yourself away. It is like you are every player on the field, as well as the coach and the ref. You’re sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting for the score to go in your favour.

There are so many instances that can describe this kind of focus. It’s an inherent practice that defines our lives. Without it, there would be nothing by which to measure the good in our lifetime. The thing is, I believe this clarity and expectation that heightens our senses and wells within us was meant for more than just happy memories. I believe it is an instinct that draws us towards God.

For many, the word “faith” means worldview or perspective. But true faith is belief that compels you to grow and change and forge ahead. It is an expectation for the goodness awaiting us beyond the horizon and our lifeline when struggle tries to take us out. Those quiet moments of focus – of intentionally quietened thought – are not reserved for special occasions or sports games. They are actually essential moments that can consistently improve your faith in God.

Every time you want to have a conversation with God, it is an event. The creator of the universe interacting with a mere human; wanting to be involved in the mundane details of your life, is definitely an event. If standing in a crowd with thousands to see small figures play a few songs results in this type of focus, how much more should it apply to the one-on-one interaction with the person who invented everything about your life? The thing about this kind of focus, however, is that you will leave both satisfied but also desperately hungry for more.

Just like Christmas, God has set up moments where you can feel loved and appreciated. He wants to bless you with unexpected gifts and nourish you with the finest of sustenance. What focus does to our faith is it helps prepare us for these glorious moments. Imagine walking in on Christmas in April and receiving an unwrapped gift. The experience would probably be underwhelming, if not unsettling! But building the anticipation for God’s presence and goodness allows us to mark out and remember it. It also helps us stay thankful when daily life has taken away the novelty of the moment.

Just like your first day at work, this heightened awareness can teach you about how God thinks, works and outworks things. You remain conscious of the fact that your way of living and thinking is not how God operates. We need to fit into his culture, and not the other way round. This kind of focus in our faith lives helps us understand that when God has the big picture, the possibilities are endless.

Just like a final sports game, focusing on God causes the “distractions” to fade away. God wants you completely engrossed in his plan. He wants you to celebrate life with him. He wants you involved in how people see Him. He wants you to participate, not just observe.

If you are reading this and have never tried to engage with God – to take time out to just wait for Him to communicate to you – I would encourage you to give it a try. If you would like to know more about who God is, click on the link below.

Brain-dead or brain-fed?

David Webster

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January 29, 2016

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You’re tired. After a long day involving a whole lot of people and many variables of stress, all you want to do is go home and escape. The truth is, the best thing you could do is collapse on your bed and sleep. But there is too much you need to process. You can’t simply “stop”. You need that thing that is going to help you unwind and feel normal before you venture to your bed.

I don’t know if you can identify, but there are many days where this is the case for me. In times like this, all you want is something to either help you “escape” the demands of your day, or give you some sense of normalcy – and that “something” happens to be one of the biggest industries on the face of the planet: entertainment.

With Netflix just launching in South Africa and Showmax giving them a run for their money, Africa is finally catching up with the world when it comes to home entertainment. The streaming of series and movies means there is now so much more of a variety of things to see; so much more opportunity to get lost in alternative universes and escape from reality to be amused for a few minutes. I have to confess, I have watched two full seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. I am not proud of it, but it did help me “unwind” from reality. Modern Family is the perfect length if you need a quick fix, while Downton Abbey is there if you want to be coaxed into a coma after a big day.

The thing about entertainment is that it plays on our sense of reality. The most effective shows take elements that are relatable and factual, but then weave a story that is a degrees more “exciting” than actual life. This helps draw the audience into a world where they can be anything they want to be. It is a false sense of freedom and safety, but a very real part of modern day life. At university I met hundreds of students whose laptops had more series and movies on them than study guides or assignments. I am not proud of it, but there was a stage where I was watching thirteen series at the same time (I had a real problem) and had to get someone to keep me accountable so that I didn’t fail my year!

A few years down the line, however, I have been able to observe two kinds of entertainment. These two categories can be applied to books, films, series and activities. Both have different goals, and I would venture to even say both are helpful in everyday life.

Brain-dead entertainment

Have you ever read a book, or watched a film and realised there is nothing of substance to it? This kind of entertainment is shallow and vaguely intriguing but doesn’t interfere with any cognitive parts of your psyche. The value of this category is that it makes people feel safe and familiar. You can return to a series every night after a busy day and you will see the same loveable characters facing their own generic problems and finding solutions. To be honest, most days my mind screams for this kind of entertainment – where you don’t have to think at all about what may be playing out before your eyes. You can simply observe a different world, completely aware of all its downfalls in narrative and CGI, and be content. I once heard a very successful, big-thinking speaker who deals with policy in the constitutions of nations around the world say that she watches Friends after a big engagement to make her feel “small” again. In many ways I can identify – not with the high profile life she lives, but with the need to unwind and feel “normal” after a day spent conquering the giants in my world.

Brain-fed entertainment

This is the type of entertainment where, no matter how tired or distracted you may be, it makes you sit up and lean in. The artistic world presented before you is so well crafted that you are forced to engage with it on a deeper level.

I went on holiday over the New Year and a friend gave me Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea. As much as all I wanted to do was be slightly amused as I lay next to a river for five days, the writing drew me in and made me think more than I had bargained for. Watching House of Cards, I came to appreciate the minimalism of style that turned this slow story into a thick plot with multiple levels of intrigue and meaning – even though I just wanted to forget about the fact that I couldn’t afford food at the time.

When you go to the theatres and watch a film like The Revenant, knowing the lengths they went to to capture this amazing story, you invest yourself not only emotionally, but intellectually as well. Christopher Nolan’s Inception and Interstellar push audiences to the extreme of this kind of entertainment, while the Bourne series demands our full attention throughout to understand what is actually going on.

This type of entertainment makes you feel clever. Whether it has lasting effects is another question, but this entertainment leaves you with a sense of refined understanding about your world, not only the one you have got lost in. I don’t know if it is just me, but if I am drawn to think about those who made the piece of art I have witnessed, then I consider it brain-fed entertainment because I am relating what I have seen back to real life.

I believe there should be a balance between the two, but both types of entertainment can be helpful. As long as, after the last page or when the credits roll, you are able to walk away ready to face the world again.

Reload Sessions: An exhibition of sound

David Webster

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January 27, 2016

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Song covers has become an industry of its own. Ever since Bieber, the term “online sensation” has inspired many a musician to post their own versions of popular songs. With successful artists such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Carly Rae Jepsen, Austin Mahone, The Weeknd and Shawn Mendes being discovered on YouTube, it is almost a given that an aspiring singer would have to go online.

One YouTube channel that has risen above the many private accounts is Reload Sessions. With over 76,000 subscribers, there is no doubt that they have done well to capitalise on this “niche” genre. Featuring over a hundred singers, the quality of these covers are seriously remarkable and varied, embodying soul, funk, pop, and reggae gracefully. The one underlying constant that ties each video together is the quality of the filming, as well as the acoustic medium – there is no extra production, it all takes place right before your eyes.

The founders Peppe Fazzolari and Joshua Galinato started their company in 2012 after graduating. With over 11 million views to date, they have become a team that is literally bridging that gap between the artist and the world of opportunity in the music industry. These days the first impression an artist makes is so important. The problem is, musicians need to be in front of the camera and normally don’t have all the elements to put forward such a great finished product. Reload Sessions is an absolute oasis for budding artists who need that boost.

The formula of a well known song being covered, combined with the strict acoustic rule, allows the performer’s voice to truly shine. The best covers are those that completely contrast the original and, in many ways this contrast makes the new version more exciting. This cover of Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off is a great example. After listening to it, I would not mind buying Jesse Will’s music.

Sometimes a cover can actually outshine the original. Rebecca James’ version of the Bond song The Writing’s On The Wall is definitely worth listening to.

Truly Ford’s version of Florence + The Machine’s Ship To Wreck flies in the face of contrast, however. It isn’t in any way different to the original, but her execution of the song is very impressive. Even though she sounds similar to Florence Welch, Ford’s voice is richer and her playing guitar at the same time also makes you appreciate her musicality.

If you want to find some great music, with fresh voices and great production value, Reload Sessions is for you. So if you have a whole lot of admin to get through, or are looking for something cool to relax to during your lunch break, check them out!

David Webster

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