Uwade Performs Her Debut Live

Summary

All Of It: Uede Performs Her Debut Live

Hosted by Alison Stewart | Released April 24, 2025 | WNYC

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1. Introduction of the Guest

In this episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes singer-songwriter Uede to WNYC Studio 5. Uede is making her live debut performance for her first full-length album, "Florilegium". The album title, derived from Latin, signifies an anthology of writings, reflecting Uede's rich academic background. She studied classics at Columbia and Oxford and is currently pursuing a PhD at Stanford University.

Notable Quote:

Alison Stewart [00:38]: "Florilegium comes out this Friday and Uede will be at Baby's All Right tonight. But first, she's here with me live in WNYC Studio 5 to play us some songs."

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2. Discussion on Debut Album "Florilegium"

Uede delves into the inspiration behind "Florilegium", explaining that the title is inspired by Ovid's Metamorphosis, reflecting themes of transformation and nature. She emphasizes the album’s floral motifs as symbols of natural beauty and effortless existence.

Notable Quote:

Uede [20:25]: "Because they're so beautiful. And they don't have to try to be. They just are."

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3. Live Performance Highlights

a. "Call It a Draw" Uede opens her set with the first single from her album, "Call It a Draw," a song born out of personal heartbreak. Written in December 2023 after the end of a long-term relationship, the track showcases her ability to channel emotions into music.

Notable Quote:

Uede [04:05]: "I just ended a long-term relationship and I didn't know what to do with myself. So I wrote this song and it really helped."

b. "Do You See the Light Around Me" Next, Uede performs "Do You See the Light Around Me," an older song from 2022 that marks a stylistic shift towards more electronic production and upbeat rhythms, reflecting her growth as an artist.

Notable Quote:

Uede [13:45]: "It's kind of like a hot song, as my mom says. And she loves, you know, when I write more upbeat music."

c. "Harmaton" To conclude her live set, Uede presents "Harmaton," a song inspired by the Harmattan season in West Africa, blending her Nigerian heritage with her musical expression.

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4. The Creative Process

Uede discusses her songwriting approach, particularly for "Call It a Draw," which relied more on improvisation than traditional structure. This method allowed her to authentically convey her emotions without the constraints of crafting a melodic journey for the listener.

Notable Quote:

Uede [04:42]: "I just let myself pick some chords that I liked. I'm like, I'm just gonna see what comes with this as inspiration."

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5. Collaboration with Fleet Foxes

A significant moment in the interview is the inclusion of a clip from Robert Pecknell of Fleet Foxes, who praises Uede's vocal performance on their album. This collaboration has been pivotal in launching her career, leading to opportunities such as gaining a manager, touring, and eventually producing her own album.

Notable Quote:

Robert Pecknell [07:30]: "Her voice is just so amazing. It was like, that was exactly how I wanted that song to be sung."

Uede’s Reflection:

Uede [08:15]: "Every time I hear him say anything about me, I'm so flattered. He feels like a friend."

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6. Academic Pursuits and Intersection with Music

Balancing her musical career with academia, Uede is pursuing a PhD focused on the relationship between literature and enslavement in the ancient world. She explores how formerly enslaved individuals contributed to literary forms in ancient Greece and Rome, drawing parallels to contemporary issues.

Notable Quote:

Uede [16:58]: "I'm interested in the relationship between literature and enslavement in the ancient world and the writings of the formerly enslaved."

Collaboration of Interests:

Uede [18:19]: "I've written a song inspired by book four of the Idiot, so that is in my catalog."

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7. Themes and Inspirations

"Florilegium" centers around themes of gratitude and natural beauty, with each song symbolizing flowers as representations of effortless beauty and appreciation. Uede expresses her gratitude to listeners, friends, and family through her music.

Notable Quote:

Uede [21:43]: "Florilegium. Florilegium."
Alison Stewart [21:43]: "You've called the songs on this album Flowers of Gratitude."
Uede [21:43]: "Yes... here are my flowers to you."

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8. Future Plans and Personal Insights

Uede expresses a desire to perform in Nigeria, embracing her Nigerian heritage and the vibrant West African music scene. She envisions a homecoming show that celebrates her roots and the energetic music culture of Nigeria.

Notable Quote:

Uede [22:13]: "I would love to do like a homecoming show there."

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9. Conclusion

Alison Stewart wraps up the episode by highlighting the release of "Florilegium" and Uede’s upcoming performance at Baby's All Right. Uede conveys her gratitude to the listeners and the WNYC community for their support on her artistic journey.

Notable Quote:

Uede [27:14]: "Her album is out tomorrow. She'll be at Baby's All Right tonight. Thank you so much for being with us."

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Final Thoughts

Uede's debut on All Of It offers a profound glimpse into her multifaceted life as an artist and scholar. Her ability to intertwine personal experiences with academic interests creates a unique narrative that resonates deeply with listeners. "Florilegium" stands as a testament to her dedication to both her craft and her intellectual pursuits, promising a rich and engaging journey for her audience.

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For more episodes of All Of It, tune in weekdays from 12:00 - 2:00 PM on WNYC.

Transcript

[Alison Stewart]

All of it is supported by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the Name youe Price Tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match Limited by state law not available in all states.

[WNYC Studios]

Listener Supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. Florilegium is the title of the debut album of our next guest, Oude. The album's name comes from Latin, which makes sense when you learn that Ouade studied classics at Columbia, then Oxford, and is now in a PhD program at Stanford. It means sort of an anthology of writings. Which makes sense. Sense because Uede has been heard before releasing songs and she provided vocals to the Fleet Foxes album. Sure. And she toured a bit with them. Florilegium comes out this Friday and Uede will be at Baby's all right tonight. But first she's here with me live in WNYC Studio 5 to play us some songs.

[WNYC Studios]

Welcome.

[Uede]

Thank you so much for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

What is the first song you're gonna play?

[Uede]

I'm going to play the first single off the album called Call It a Draw.

[WNYC Studios]

Holding my head in a pillow Carry me to all my friends, you were never meant to see me this low I was never told how to pretend have been trying hard to save my breath, Praying this is just another test But I was trying to melt into your arms I never knew the arm, Never knew the arm Call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw and in the distance makes it easier to see Sense of omission on the mantle I'd risk it all to save you, you, sleeping clothes I gave you I've been trying hard to save my breath Seeing all the signs I must have missed When I was trying to melt into your arms I never knew the harm, Never knew the Call it a draw, call it a draw, Call it a draw, Call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw, call it a draw.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Uede. When did you write that song? Call it a draw.

[Uede]

I wrote that song in December of 2023.

[Alison Stewart]

And what was going on in your life when you were writing it?

[Uede]

Well, the usual. Heartbreak.

[Alison Stewart]

Heartbreak.

[Uede]

The things that happen to us all. Yes. I just ended a long term relationship and I didn't know what to do with myself. So I wrote this song and it really helped. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Did it really help y'all?

[Uede]

It did. It did. It gave me a place to say what I. I didn't know how to. For. For a long time. So.

[Alison Stewart]

It's interesting because in one article, you said that you. That song relied less on structure and more on improvisation, which.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Is understandable.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Given it's about heartbreak. Where do we hear that in the song?

[Uede]

Oh, I think. I feel like. I think I usually like to have sort of a variety of chord progressions and songs, but this one was just basically the same thing throughout, except this sort of breakdown at the end. And so, yeah, I just let myself pick some chords that I liked. I'm like, I'm just gonna see what comes with this as inspiration. Instead of trying to craft some kind of journey melodically and thinking of taking people somewhat, I was like, no, I'm just gonna say something.

[Alison Stewart]

Has that continued with your writing, or is this sort of a unique situation?

[Uede]

I think it's continued. I think the more I do sort of logic and sort of, like, computer production, the less I feel like I need to be not innovative because, you know, I think I still try to do things that I feel like are original to me, but, like, I think when I was just relying on the guitar, it felt much more like I had to do something different each time to keep people's attention. But I think less and less. I feel that. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

Can you tell us what the timeline was for recording this album?

[Uede]

Oh, it was, I think, two years total, but only three or four sessions in those two years.

[Alison Stewart]

Oh, that's interesting.

[Uede]

Yes. So I started recording it in December of 2022, thinking that it would become, like, an EP. I had only a few songs, and then time went by and there was no recording, and I was writing new songs. I was touring, and I was going to school. And then in 2024, last winter and spring, I had the opportunity to go into a studio in North Carolina and record at, like, breakneck speed. Ten songs or, like, well, seven songs and then a couple more in New York were mixed together. So it was sort of stop and starting over the course of two years.

[Alison Stewart]

How did you feel about that?

[Uede]

It felt. It felt good because it felt like when I finally got to set everything down, it was time. I think it wasn't necessarily time for me to Release anything in 2022 when I recorded, because it wasn't complete, and it felt complete when I started in 24.

[Alison Stewart]

So I'm speaking with singer songwriter Uede. She's here in WNYC to perform live her Debut album. Let's hope I say it right.

[Uede]

Florilegium.

[Alison Stewart]

Florilegium.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Will be out tomorrow. She's playing at Baby's all right tonight. We first learned about you from the Fleet foxes album in 2020. Robert Pecknell came on the show, and I want to play a clip of him talking about how he got you to perform on his album.

[Uede]

Let's listen.

[Robert Pecknell]

A friend of mine a year or so ago sent me her cover of Flea Fox's song Mykonos. And I was, you know, better than the original to me, because her voice is just so amazing. And it's just, you know, I do. I feel like I have to use my voice in a lot of different ways across the course of an album to kind of have some variety and, you know, without kind of devolving into impersonations, you know. But then just hearing her, I don't know, you know, just her voice is just so distinct and so. So such a beautiful texture and so. And she sings with such confident ease, you know, that it was like. That was exactly how I wanted that song to be sung.

[Alison Stewart]

I wish you could see your face.

[WNYC Studios]

Oh, my God, she's so sweet.

[Uede]

Oh, she's crying.

[Alison Stewart]

First of all, what did you think about what he said?

[Uede]

I mean, every time I hear him say anything about me, I'm sort of so flattered. I mean, I've spent time with him now for several touring seasons, so he feels like a friend. But, yeah, I just. I think of myself as just myself, and I hear my voice as the thing I've heard my whole life. So it's really amazing to know how much he appreciates it.

[Alison Stewart]

It's interesting to think about it. But what opportunities came out of your.

[Uede]

Oh, everything.

[Alison Stewart]

Everything?

[Uede]

Yeah, pretty much everything. Getting a manager, a team, touring for the first time officially. What happened after? Yeah, the record came out and it was just like everything. Everything came from that.

[Alison Stewart]

That's really. Must be a very interesting thing for your life to be one way one day, and then it just. To flip quickly.

[Uede]

Yeah, it flipped. And it was sort of gradual in. In some ways because of everything that happened during the pandemic. The record came out.

[Alison Stewart]

That's true.

[Uede]

So I didn't have to, you know, go on the road immediately, but it was like, oh, this record has come out and now I have to do something about what's happening next week.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, it's interesting cause debut albums are sometimes considered an introduction. Even though you released music before, how did you think about the impression that you wanted to make people? Hi, I'm Uday.

[Uede]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

This is what I want to be.

[Uede]

Yeah, I thought. I mean, I'm used to being sort of very stripped down acoustically. I usually just play when I'm opening with a guitar and my voice, very simple, no effects. But I wanted to deliberately kind of really beef up the production and the styles that I. That I, you know, recorded and wrote, because I wanted people to sort of see the range, the possible futures that could come from my artistry and sort of be excited to listen to more.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, let's listen to more from Uede. What are we going to hear next?

[Uede]

This is do youo See the Light Around Me? An old song of mine from 2022. So.

[WNYC Studios]

Do you see the light around me? Well, I don't see the light around me most days. Do you see the good about me? I don't really think about it anyways. I spend my waking hours Dreams Dreaming of you Honey eyes None of this is in my power Should I even tell you? All the time I'd spend by your side Inside your mind I'm afraid of what I'll find But the sun is setting on me Do I make you see yourself clearer? I don't even think we need the sunlight don't bring anybody else near us if I could I'd drown them out I'd spend my waking hours Swimming in your honey I Wasting days in ivory towers I don't wanna say goodbye your inside your mind I've been looking all my life but the sun is setting on me if I disappear this summer Find myself in Mother Moon Then I'll reemerge Another I won't ask you if you do. Cause I know I'll see, I'll try, I'll be, I'll know oh, sing with me under fading trees and we'll live forever and find it together There's a reason I'll always believe in faith Please don't make me wait.

[Alison Stewart]

That was do youo See the Light Around Me from Uede, my guest. What made you decide to perform that song?

[Uede]

It's one of my favorites, and it was one of the first songs. I think it was, like, maybe the third or fourth song I released. And it really felt like a shift into a different direction. The recording is kind of more electronically produced and has a bit more drums. It's kind of like a hot song, as my mom says. And she loves, you know, when I write more upbeat music. So she was very excited about that song. And so it feels like a kind of mark of a transition that I really appreciate.

[Alison Stewart]

Where are your parents right now?

[Uede]

My mom is in the air on the way here right now. Yes, she's coming. Yeah, she's coming tonight. So she's here.

[Alison Stewart]

That's exciting.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

So you grew up in North Carolina. When did your family move there?

[Uede]

When I was 2 years old from Nigeria.

[Alison Stewart]

Growing up in North Carolina. Where do I hear North Carolina in your music?

[Uede]

Where do you hear North Carolina? I think in the guitars. Honestly, I feel like I wouldn't have become a guitar gal if not for, you know, being raised around sort of folk and country music in North Carolina. But I also think, you know, I lean into some. Some folk. I think there's some folk there. There's like a folk fusion. And I think it's because of. Yeah. The music that I heard growing up along with the music, you know, I listen to from friends, et cetera, et cetera.

[Alison Stewart]

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a professional singer?

[Uede]

That's such an interesting question. Oh, no, no. I mean, I think I was in, like, maybe like five or six years old, and I wrote it on the answer for an assignment, and I sort of looked back on it in high school, and I was like, ah, I was so silly. What was she thinking?

[Alison Stewart]

Little kids know.

[Uede]

Yeah, I guess I knew. And I guess I've been, you know, kind of doing it in some way for some time, but I never. In my adult life, I've never had, like a. This is the only thing. But maybe I should. Maybe today's the day.

[Alison Stewart]

Today's the day.

[Uede]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

But you're. Well, you are in school.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

You're getting your PhD at Stanford. Congratulations, first of all. Thank you. How did you become interested in the classics?

[Uede]

Oh, I was just talking to Simon about this. I was in high school taking Latin because I thought, you know, learning words and vocabulary might help me with my SATs, among other things. My dad was a fan. But then I read book four of Virgil's Aeneid, where Aeneas betrays the queen of Carthage, Dido. And, like, it's very dramatic. It is dramatic, but I felt such an instant emotional connection. I was like, what she went through thousands of years ago is what I'm going through right now. Because the guy I like didn't ask me to prom. So it's sort of that kind of. That empathy is really what drove me to continue to search for that in these ancient texts. Because it's so exciting to find that people were so similar so long ago. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

So what's the focus of your PhD?

[Uede]

I'm still figuring it out. Okay. I've been interested in fables in the past, aesopsychological fables, but now I think I'm kind of interested in the relationship between literature and enslavement in the ancient world and the writings of the formerly enslaved. So I think that'll. That'll be the category that I.

[Alison Stewart]

Wait, say a little more about that.

[Uede]

Well, I mean, slavery was a very massive institution in ancient Greece and Rome, and. But I think there were maybe more opportunities for sort of enslaved people to be manumitted and then to end up working in literary forms. And quite often for writers like, you know, Cicero and other greats, like, their slaves were the ones who were doing, like, the edits and the revisions and teaching their children. And there were whole categories of enslaved people who were also educated and educated others. And so I think there are lots of writers from the ancient world who were formerly enslaved. And I want to just see how that shows up, if at all, and what, you know, what comparisons can be drawn to other cultures and times.

[Alison Stewart]

That's so interesting. I'm wondering if your creative side, your musician side, if it ever collaborates with the academic side of you.

[Uede]

I think not as much as I would like it to. I do write songs based on the things that I read sometimes, so I like. I've written a song inspired by book four of the Idiot, so that is in my catalog.

[Alison Stewart]

What's the name of it?

[Uede]

Just curious. It's not out yet. It's called lady of Good Hope. It was recorded in 2020 and is in the vault, but one day it might be released.

[Alison Stewart]

Continue on, just wanted to make sure.

[Uede]

But, yeah, I think I just. I like to give myself space from things. So, like, I feel like sometimes academia can be space from, you know, the stresses of creativity, but then sometimes I. I just need the release that writing and performing brings. So I don't know, I think maybe they should combine, but I'm not interested in ancient music, so I don't know.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, it's interesting because the classics. When I think of the classics, I think of them as being very Eurocentric.

[Uede]

Yes, they are.

[Alison Stewart]

How do you. Is this something that you address on your album? Is it something that you address in your academia? Is it something that you address?

[Uede]

Yeah, it is. Because my introduction to classics was from my dad, who was a, you know, black man. Grew up in Nigeria. Raised in sort of colonial Nigeria. And so I never really thought of it as, like a white discipline because the only person I knew who was teaching. Yeah, it was My dad and then, like, eventually a bunch of other people. So I wasn't. And I think that's what sort of kept me inspired to sort of, like, interrogate this idea that, like, oh, it only focuses on Europe and also North Africa was such a huge part of the Roman Empire. People just, like, forget. Half of these writers, you know, were coming from North Africa and probably even deeper that we don't even know about. So there's so much there. There's so much to explore.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Uede. I'm speaking to her. She's in WNYC Studio 5 performing. It's ahead of her debut album. Let's see if I can get it ready. Flor. Floregium.

[Uede]

Florilegium.

[Alison Stewart]

Florilegium. Florilegium. Florilegium. Her debut album, Florilegium. Where does Florilegium come from?

[Uede]

It comes from this work of an author called Ovid, and it's in his Metamorphosis, I think. And he's talking about these bees that. That come from. Are born from, like, carcasses of bulls. Quite gory, but I think they carry flowers or something. Or they, like. I don't know. They. They bear the seeds of. I don't know. But it's from. It's from my. My readings.

[Alison Stewart]

Well, flowers are very central to the theme.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

On the album, first of all, why. Why flowers?

[Uede]

Because they're so beautiful. And they don't have to try to be. They just are.

[Alison Stewart]

It's so funny. This morning I just took pictures of tulips growing. Because they were just there.

[Uede]

Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

They were so pretty.

[Uede]

They're just there. And they don't run away from being there. And they can't do it. They're just like, I'm beautiful. Look at me if you want. I'm still gonna be beautiful, whether you do or not. And I didn't have to do anything to be beautiful. I just am so. I just love flowers. They're so great.

[Alison Stewart]

You've called the songs on this album Flowers of Gratitude.

[Uede]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Gratitude for what?

[Uede]

Gratitude to you. Gratitude to everyone listening. Gratitude to my friends and my family and people who have followed me and supported me. It's been a while. I. Like you said, albums are usually an introduction, but I was introduced about five years ago, so it feels like it's important for me to say thank you for staying along for the ride. And here are my flowers to you.

[Alison Stewart]

I read somewhere. I can't remember where it was, but I read somewhere that you have wanted to return to Nigeria to perform. Is that true?

[Uede]

Yes, that is true.

[Alison Stewart]

That's the Internet.

[Uede]

No, no, it's true. I go back pretty regularly, but I've never done any playing there, partially because my music, you know, unless I write some more hot songs, I don't know how many people will be in the crowd. But I would love to because I love West African music. I love Nigerian music. I love the energy of Nigeria, and I feel like it would just be so fun to do like a homecoming show there.

[Alison Stewart]

That sounds good to me. Let's hear a final song from your album. What are we going to hear?

[Uede]

This is Harmaton, inspired by a season that affects West Africa. Harmaton season this is OO a day.

[WNYC Studios]

Talking up into the morning Dreaming of things that we wanted these days I cry for flowers crushed in bloom But I'll believe for you Living through every moment Letting go all I've been holding on to Portraits and terrible visions haunt me when will you decide? Are you happy with your life? Will you sway with me when my voice gives out? When the harma comes around Will they know us then? Will we be forgotten? Never mind, doesn't matter at all oh, when it's brighter and it's time to be I feel lighter with no eyes on me look away now I can't bear the weight always to it Will you sway with me when my voice gives when the harm of time comes around Will they know us then? Will we be forgotten? Never mind, doesn't matter at all now the night has come o the mountains Wait for dawn with me laughing till we cry Bathing in dust and light I I don't mind I don't mind I don't mind.

[Alison Stewart]

That is the latest from Uede. Her album is out tomorrow. She'll be at Baby's all right tonight. Thank you so much for being with us.

[Uede]

Thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure.

[Alison Stewart]

We really appreciate it.

[Uede]

Thank you.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm Ira Flato, host of Science Friday. For over 30 years, our team has been reporting high quality news about science, technology and medicine. News you won't get anywhere else. And now that political news is 24 7, our audience is turning to us to know about the really important stuff in their lives. Cancer, climate change, Genetic engineering, Childhood diseases. Our sponsors know the value of science and health news. For more sponsorship information, visit sponsorship.wnyc.org.