In the most unlikely place, from unassuming faces emerge a blend of voices like a cry in the wilderness with both the strength and tenderness to pierce and soothe the soul: the voices of singers Abidemi and Asha Seaforth of Buxton, East Coast Demerara.
Abidemi, 20, and Asha, 21, popularly known as the Seaforth Sisters have been inextricably linked to onstage singing since they were still too young to understand the nature of the art. But the nurturing of their immature voices may have been somewhat unavoidable as they were born into a family of singers, musicians and music teachers.
The singing duo sat down for an interview with The Scene recently at the Friendship Primary School, Buxton, East Coast Demerara, where their angelic voices pierced through the stillness of the afternoon, a stark contrast to the metallic sounds which rang through the village in the not too distant past.
Implanted in a village that was not made famous for the proliferation of musical talent, the sisters see themselves as no different from their peers of any other village not punctuated with so much turmoil. Abidemi is employed as a Customer Service Representative, while Asha has just graduated as a trained teacher of the Cyril Potter College of Education. “When we go outside to perform people are usually amazed that Buxton has such talent. The village does have a lot of talented people involved in music, drama… but the 2002 jailbreak buried all of that,” Asha said. “Our community is now recovering from what occurred and we will come out on top again,” she added.
When asked how they wish influence their peers, the sisters agreed that the success they have achieved in the musical, personal and professional facets of their lives came from much commitment and hard work, traits they wish their counterparts would adopt for matched successes in their lives. “You have to work hard,” Asha said, “try not to follow bad company, and be the best you can be.”
Offering her words of advice to her peers, Abidemi said “as long as you dedicate yourselves to your gift and stay clear of bad activities, people will respect you.”
The interview was conducted under the watchful gaze of their mother, Yvette Herod, who also along with their father, Gordon Seaforth, plays the role of manager, voice trainer and mentor.
Over the years, the Abidemi and Asha explained, their parents have nurtured their voices to the extent that they are now poised to monopolize singing opportunities which may present themselves both local and internationally.
“I see myself going far and I am taking my sister with me,” Abidemi said when asked about
her plans for the future. She is also seriously considering pursuing music academically, having recognized the need to develop her talent professionally.
Since they were placed in the stoplight as mere tiny tots, they have delighted audiences with their voices at occasions including graduations, concerts, weddings and church services.
But while they blend their voices on stage, they have been lauded individually for their commitment to singing. In 2005, Asha was recognized as a Young Achiever in the first publication of the Guyana Bank for Trade Industry and Commerce (GBTI) calendar, and recently Abidemi received high praises for her vocals skills when she took part in the Guyana Music Festival. She was also a back-up vocalist for the winner of the 2009 Soca Monarch Competition, Shelly G.
Disclosing their views about the local music industry, they both agreed that it had grown over the years. “We [the local music industry] are now recording, we have our own studio, we can make our own music video,” Asha said. She added though, “we are not at the level we should be, we need more training to get to that international level.”
Apart from the inputs their parents have made into their art, the Seaforth Sisters have
received instructions in singing from music stalwarts like Russell Lancaster, Bridget Nelson, Joan Bacchus and Carmen Cox. These inputs have developed the size and range of their voices to sing melodiously without the need for microphone projection or musical accompaniment.
So far they have no original music but sing from a repertoire of songs from genres inclusive of classical, gospel and rhythm and blues.
