Rwandan singer-songwriter Andersonne Uwineza crafts songs that linger in your mind long after the music stops. While her lyrics delve into broad themes like relationships, existential angst, and quarter-life crises, Andersonne has an exceptional gift for uncovering beauty in the teeny details.
When she embarked on her mini-tour, “Andersonne’s Volume,” on Friday, August 30, I attended with some skepticism—uncertain of what to expect. What I discovered was a tight-knit community, a gathering of friends and family all coming together to share in the concert (I know it sounds improbable, but it’s true).
The mini tour took place at L’Espace, an ideal venue for an intimate evening of music, soul, and connection. “Andersonne Experience has evolved into a full-fledged brand, with the concept now expanding into what I call ‘Volume.’
Each event, whether featuring myself or other artists, will be a different volume—just like adjusting the sound level. For music events, we’re calling it Volume,” Andersonne explained in an interview with SENS Magazine after her performance.
Beyond her live renditions, with “Dizzy” being a standout, Andersonne invited the audience to participate in the experience. She encouraged them to contribute a word or theme, even some backing lyrics, which she then wove into a spontaneous creation, turning it into what could only be described as a collaborative song.
This all made sense because the audience, though small, arrived on time—a rarity in Kigali these days. The show was set to start at 7 p.m., and by then, the music was already in full swing.
Uwineza mentioned that she’s developing a new podcast as part of the Andersonne Experience titled “The Andersonne Experiment”. Observing that children frequently attend her events, she plans to create a dedicated space for them. This will be a fun and engaging environment where they can enjoy storytelling, games, and singing. It’s amusing that regardless of how late her events run—sometimes even past midnight—children are always present.
Other performances included Andersonne’s backup singers, Kelly and Collin, delivering captivating renditions of “River” by Leon Bridges, “Genda Rwanda uri Nziza,” and more. Speaking about her backup singers, Andersonne said, “Collin and Kelly are, in my opinion, among the best vocalists I know, and they happen to be my friends. I don’t see them as just background vocalists. I want the audience to experience the great artists they can become.”
“The more Volume grows, the more I’m exploring different ways for artists to collaborate—not just offstage, but on stage as well. Is it even possible? That’s what I’m experimenting with, alongside the amazing Kelly and Collin.”
Andersonne also highlighted her band setup for the event: “Usually, I perform with a three-piece band, but for this space, two musicians were the perfect fit. I had François on the keys—he’s incredibly talented—and Sam, who just graduated from Nyundo Art School. The musicians coming out of that school are amazing, and I’m eager to collaborate with them, to understand their preferences and see how we can grow together.”
When asked about the challenges of planning events and how things have progressed, she said, “Honestly, it’s tougher now. I’m handling both the production and performance, which has been a real eye-opener. I’ve realized that artists shouldn’t be juggling these roles. We need producers, managers, A&Rs—people who can handle the logistics so we can focus on the art. But since I don’t have that support yet, I’m working with spaces like L’Espace, who have been incredibly supportive in helping me explore the potential of Volume.
“But it’s hard, I won’t sugarcoat it. Balancing production and performing is unrealistic—it’s a lot to handle.” She added, “There’s always this expectation for us to keep creating. Now, I truly understand what it takes to build something like this, whether it’s an intimate show for ten people or 100.”
As for what’s next, she shared, “I’m heading back to the studio to create an album. That’s my focus now—getting back to what I love. All these songs I’ve been performing, I haven’t released most of them. I’ve only put out five songs so far, but on stage, I’m performing at least 12.
It’s clear that I need to record more, so the next big step is the album. And, of course, I’ll keep surprising people—I’m a teacher at heart, always finding creative ways to inspire others to try new and creative things.”
One thing is clear: Andersonne has mastered the performance aspect, having hosted notable artists like Ariel Wayz, Sema Sole, and ET, as well as her mini experiences. Her ability to offer fans an up-close look at their favorite artists is impressive. As we anticipate her upcoming album, it’s exciting to reflect on her achievements and what’s next for her.
