ANNA MAKULA, 25, is an upcoming gospel artist who leaves crowds awe-struck when they hear her beautiful voice and the dexterity she shows on her guitar.
She has released songs such as Sendanami, Confessions, Happy Alone and EPs such as Beginnings, Midnight Prayers and Leng. Dressed in a blue T-shirt, blue jeans and blue sneakers, Makula sat down with Quick Talk to tell the story behind her musical journey.
Who is Anna Makula?
I would describe myself as singer, guitarist, producer and a daughter. I am all things music. Music has always been part of my story. I started playing guitar at age ten because at my school, everyone was supposed to learn how to play an instrument.
So, I started playing the guitar but I started by playing violin. I quickly gave it up because I didn’t have a violin. In my later years I started writing music.
Can you describe your music style?
I am a Christian and my faith drives all I do. My music is based on my faith and the story that I want to tell during that season.
So, I have my first album, Beginnings, which was a mixture of Amapiano and alternative music genres. I use whatever genre I can to achieve the storytelling I want to do.
So, what genres do you blend when doing music?
I blend Afro beats, Amapiano, log drums and folk. But tomorrow I may wake up and do RnB or Afro rave. I have been into Afro rave recently. I am not the type of person limited by genre.
What criteria do you follow in your creative process?
For my Beginnings EP, some tracks are purely instrumental, crafted to tell a story without lyrics, while others start with the lyrics, especially when I have something specific to express and don’t want the track to limit me.
In those cases, I write the words first and build the production around them. For my most recent album Leng, I created a song skeleton, then reached out to my friend Joel Bunjo for help, as I wanted the story to resonate within the Ugandan context.
This album marked the first time I wrote in Luganda, making the song more relatable and impactful. Joe helped elevate the song, turning it, into something bigger, wider, and more beautiful than I could have achieved on my own. It was also the first time I collaborated with another writer.
What’s your favourite song amongst the music you have produced?
The first song I wrote and produced – Confessions – is my favourite song, not only because it was my first single, but I produced it and everything in that song was done by me except the mixing, and I love it.
Has music always been your first choice?
Music has always been my first choice. If you would have asked me when I was younger what I wanted to do, I would have only had two answers: a musician or psychologist. I knew I was going to do music in some capacity.
Somehow, God has orchestrated it that I’m now here doing music and I am so grateful. I am not driving a Range Rover, but God is keeping me.
If you could collaborate with any artiste dead or alive, who would it be?
There’s a certain peculiarity to this Nigerian gospel artiste called Dunsin Oyekan; there’s a way that he does his production which is peculiar in a good way. His music tells the story just as much as the words tell the story.
So, for me, his production is so beautiful and if I could work with him, or whoever produces his music, that would be crazy.
So, what has been the most memorable moment of your musical career, so far?
So, there’s a gig that I went for at Acapella Reeve and the crowd was very musical. Most of them have grown up around music and stuff; so, they knew music. And there were like above 700 people; and so, I got on stage after all these acappella guys who had been exciting them.
And for me, my music is a bit more modest, more mellow. I was shocked when the crowd was singing the chorus to my song Happy Alone and it was one of my most memorable moments.
What has been your biggest stage, so far?
Last year, I performed at the NBS Christmas carols and also performed at the Abryanz fashion show. Notably, I have also performed alongside artistes like Mun G at Aka dope and also performed with Joshua Baraka and Lilian Mbabazi.
How was it growing up, Anna Makula?
My childhood was pretty ordinary. The only thing that stood out was that everyone in my school [Word of Life International School] was required to do music. We all had to take internationally accredited music exams and learn an instrument.
My days mostly consisted of going to school and church. For me, one of the most memorable moments was when I finally got access to the internet. That’s when I could go online and find guitar tutorials to teach myself. I would spend hours playing, and it just brought me so much joy.
Which schools did you go to?
I started my education at Word of Life International School, then moved on to Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and later attended Uganda Christian University Medical School.
People often find it interesting that I attended the same school for my entire primary and secondary education. I was in the same classroom for about 15 years, surrounded by people I have known my whole life.
They became like siblings to me, and I still work with many of them today.
What do you do in your free time?
I watch Gamble; I watch Adventure Time. I don’t really have free time, but when I used to have free time, I would read a lot. I love books about Christian philosophy. I like fantasy. I like apologetics.
How do you handle pressure of expectations?
I don’t let people’s opinions control me.
Do you make your music based on Bible verses?
Most of the music I make is based on Bible verses like my songs Amos and Psalms 112.
Have your parents been supportive of your music?
If I had different parents, I honestly don’t know where I’d be. But my parents have been incredibly supportive. They might not always fully understand my music choices, but they’ve never made me feel insufficient or stupid.
My mom even plays my music and shares it in her WhatsApp group, and people are responding positively. There was a time when they worried, but despite their concerns, they’ve always known music was my passion.
Back in high school, when I was picking my A-level subjects, I chose music, psychology and art. I didn’t know what degree I would end up with, but that was what I wanted.
My parents, recognizing my determination, sat down with me and we discussed it, but by the end of the day, I found myself studying biology, chemistry and math instead. So, it wasn’t a surprise to them when I chose music; I have always been singing and playing guitar. I think, in many ways, God has been guiding me and showing me the way.
What Bible verse keeps you moving?
My favourite Bible verse comes from the book of Revelations 7:16-17: “Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”