-UK-based musician says: ‘I am finally getting to live my truth’

WHILE the Coronavirus pandemic has wreaked complete havoc on the lives of some individuals and families, it has also created the space and provided the time needed for many to find their ‘truth’; during this period, many have been afforded the opportunity to introspect and think about what they really want to do in life.

Such is the case of 28-year-old Erica Hyacinth Elfrieda Bissember, a budding United Kingdom (UK)-based musician with Guyanese roots. Having been a projects manager for some time, Erica realised during the pandemic that perhaps music is what she’s meant to do.

“When we went into a lockdown, I re-evaluated where I was at in my life. I felt like everything I did always drew me back to music in some way or another,” she told Buzz during a recent interview.

She explained that working from the confines of her own home helped her tremendously to focus on herself, and her plans for the future. The pandemic period, according to Bissember, afforded her more free time to do the things that she loved. “Music was something that I’ve always loved from a young age, so when I started spending time with a new vocal coach that I found, it was like a stress relief to begin with. But then we started working on writing songs and focusing on the type of voice I have and I how I wanted it to sound,” she reflected.

This led her to recording and releasing her very first song in July titled, “Trust Me.” So now at the beginning of her career, Erica, going now by the stage name ‘Erica Sember,’ said she is learning as she goes along, and the support she has received from both the people of Guyana and those in the UK, has truly been helpful.

Born in Guyana, ‘Erica Sember’ migrated to the UK when she was about five years old with her Guyanese parents; her mom being from New Amsterdam, Berbice and her dad being from Georgetown.

She recalled that she was about 10 years old when she started playing the piano properly after her mom decided to send her for professional lessons. “In my subconscious, I did think about a career in music but I just got so shy as the years went on. I didn’t like playing in front of people even though I was really good. I used to get very nervous,” Bissember related.

However, owing to an electric connection that constantly drew her back to music, Erica realised that perhaps it was time to overcome her fear and embrace the fact that music was maybe what she was meant to be doing.

“Music has always kind of consoled me as I passed through different things in life. My goal is just to keep creating music that can help people and bring them together. I would like to be global, touring, traveling, but ultimately, my goal is to share and connect with people,” Erica expressed.

Aside from being shy, the young woman said that her thoughts about getting into music were always hindered by the thought of it not being the right time to pursue a musical career; at least until now.

“During the pandemic, I had time to sit down and think [about] what it was that I really wanted to do. I was honest with myself that this is what I see myself doing and this is what I enjoy. It just made sense to do it. I wanted to live my truth I guess.”

Erica Sember is hoping to come back to Guyana and meet some of the people who would have reached out to her recently on her music.