Exposed Vocals: How did you hear about Exposed Vocals? What made you decide to sign up?
Terna: Let’s just say it’s a divine co-incidence, I came across Exposed Vocals on twitter and here we are now.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Terna: I was born in the northern part of Nigeria and my parents moved to Iseyin after a few years. I had my nursery and primary education in Iseyin, started my high school education there but then I moved to Ibadan to complete my high school education. I’m currently a lab scientist in view.
I’ve loved making my own songs for a long time now and the drive to become a music artist actually came from motivations I got from friends around me, particularly in 2012, I was in my room writing and composing as usual when a friend came in and said “baba, let’s visit the studio soon” and that was when it all started.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
Terna: Well, when I started then I had several names because many people called me different names but then I had to come up with one so I got “Nomolos” (Solomon spelled in reverse), so one day I met a producer in Abuja and he advised me to get another name since someone had that name in the music industry already. So after a lot of thinking I decided to just keep it simple and short, “Terna” is my native name which means “God’s gift”
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
Terna: Yes I do, I mean when I have a new song, I send them to family and friends first before I post the download link on social media.
I do this so as to hear comments about the song first before I put it out to the masses so its just like my little way of censoring my own songs.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Terna: Well there is no one particular way to success, what worked for me might not work for someone else but despite this I’ll just say, in whatever you do, be loyal to it and give your very best, don’t just sit back and expect success to locate you, make moves towards your dreams and even if you fail at first, try harder and be better at it and I’m sure soon you’ll succeed.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Terna: (Laughing)… Well I’m not perfect though but sometimes when I make a mistake, I just pretend its part of the show so my audience won’t even notice it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
Terna: As much as I would love to tour, I have not really had time to go on one yet due to my commitment to my studies, but I hope soon when I’m done with schooling, I’ll have time to tour.
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
Terna: Inspirations just come to me depending on what I see, hear and experience. It’s sometimes my imaginations too, Jason Derulo and John Legend also inspire me. Actually, anything inspires me as long as it tallies with my emotions at the moment.
Well my song-writing process is an easy one. Once I get inspired, I say what comes to mind, I write it down, I record it on my phone and compose it into music. That’s it.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
Terna: No, I don’t have a band website, I upload my songs on random free sites and I broadcast the download link.
Exposed Vocals: What are some really embarrassing songs that we might find on your mp3 player?
Terna: None actually, I have carefully selected songs on my Mp3 player so I’m proud of them all.
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
Terna: Well I’ll take time to explore the clothing line and learn how to make good clothes so with such a huge amount of money I’ll establish my own clothe line.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Terna:I plan and hope to work with Don Jazzy of the Mavin Records soon. Currently I’m working with a couple of songs which will be on air by the end of the year.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
Terna: Well I’ve not really had anybody to promote my songs for me apart from my friends who broadcast my links on social media.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
Terna: Well it will definitely be MI (Jude Abaga), Ice Prince and Don Jazzy. I love MI and Ice Prince for their dope flows and I respect Don Jazzy for his determination and strong will.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
Terna: None that I want to talk about for now.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Terna: I’ll probably either be modeling or making clothes.
Exposed Vocals: Do you remember buying your first album? Who was it? What was going through your head?
Terna: I don’t have an album yet
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
Terna: My lecturer in school always say “there are nine rules to success, one of them is that you have to be able to manage every resource according to what you have at hand” so I apply that everyday.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2015?
Terna: 2015 is almost gone, but 2016 really holds a lot of promises. I’m coming out bigger and stronger.
