Portrait of an Artist : FENDA
An artist profile on London based singer/songwriter FENDA, photographed in Dalston, Hackney District by Paix Robinson & Jeff Hodsdon, in-conversation with Artvomit Studios following the release of her latest single “Equals”.
Once upon a time, before the streets stood still in silence, a tall, tan and lovely London based Singer/Songwriter jets across the intersection of Dalston Ave and Kingsland Road on a Tuesday, like all the rest. Even with her shades drawn, hot beverage in hand and her boots made for walking, her presence along the East London concrete is felt. From a distance you can sense the confidence in her steps. As she grows closer, her dynamo expands. Then, with a smile wide and a gust of wind to the hair like a well timed Beyonce moment she hugs me, and I realise she is real. Her name is Fenda.
Raised in Switzerland from Bosnian and African descent, Fenda moved to London at nineteen to immerse herself in music and pursue a career as an artist. A born entertainer, Fenda studied the arts and performance as a child and saw no reason to stop. She began writing at thirteen and continued her studies in Ballet for 8 years.
Now with a quarter of a century under her belt she takes control of her music by independently releasing and writing her own course. Far from her hometown and the people that once poked at her height and made fun of her petite frame, she stands in a league of her own. Creating cotton laced R&B, Fenda serenades with songs of her life, both of love and undoubtedly the pain. Infused with sensual beats and soulful melodies, she has performed at intimate venues like The Library, Shoreditch House and collaborated with London based rapper Razor for her heartfelt anthem “Loves Gone”.
Fenda cascades in front of the camera with photographer Jeff Hodsdon and myself as if the bitter UK winds don’t phase her. Turning an alley way into her playground she dons a garment made for a goddess, designed by Berta Cabestany and custom neck-piece, whilst sharing her inspirations, telling us why london is worth it, and promoting her new single “Equals” with Artvomit Studios.
ARTVOMIT: As a singer songwriter, how do you distinguish yourself from others?
FENDA: My songs are very personal and I am trying to take the listener on a journey. This is why it is so important to me to write my own stuff.
A: Where do you write?
F: I mainly write in my room.
A: What is your songwriting process? Are you a quiet room and a cup of tea kinda woman or tunes blasting, spliff in mouth and a cup of coffee type of gal?
F: Sometimes little ideas or maybe just a word pops into my head when I am out, so I write it down and work on it later.
A: Notepad scribbles or phone notes?
F: Usually phone notes. I had notebook but phone notes are just easier to keep track of.
A: Who are some of your main inspirations in songwriting? Former Artists or former lovers?
F: Definitely both. I am hugely inspired by Banks, her songwriting is very raw and straightforward. I usually always end up writing songs about ex lovers, it is my way to cope with the disappointment and heartache.
A: When jamming out trying to find the grove or maybe just to mellow out, what’s your go-to album and why?
F: It changes, but for a very long time it has been “Born to Die” by Lana del Rey. It just hits a certain nerve and gets me into the right zone.
A: Tell me about the new song, how it came to be and why now?
F: I had half a song written down that I wanted to finish for a while but I was stuck. But once I went into the studio I remembered a chorus idea that a friend of mine wrote so I tried to mix it in and it worked.
A: How does “Equals” compare to your previous work?
F: “Equals” is another emotional song with a lot of depth to it. When Jamie (producer) and I first started working on it we started with a completely different type of beat but it wasn’t working and we quickly changed the vibe. I like my beats moody, a bit dramatic and sensual. Every session is a new learning curve for me and even though I don’t make the beats myself, I am very involved.
A: What’s one thing you lll never do again, a lesson well learned perhaps?
F: There are so many lessons that I had to learn over the years but one of them is definitely not to focus on the things you can’t change and focus and what you can change.
