Open call for singers / vocalists for Physical Gospel: a research into the subconscious, using movement and melody as the tool

We are looking for: backing vocalists with an interest in Soul, RnB, Jazz, movement and a deep-dive in bringing this together into a spiritual
practice.

Duration: 6 months (october 2023 – march 2024)

Context

Singer and theatre-creator Adja Fassa is organizing a 6 month residency in collaboration with De Centrale (Gent) to dive deeper into her practice she calls ‘Physical Gospel’, that ties in with her music project (under the name Adja). Combining voice (melody and harmonization), breathwork and movement (inspired by yoga as well as contemporary dance), she is curious about the development of a practice, a ritual, with the aim of bringing oneself closer to their own subconscious and eventually, closer to each other. She uses the word ‘Gospel’ to refer to the spiritual practice of singing (together).

Residency

For this chapter of the research, the ambition is to find potential backing vocalists who resonate with the existing music, as well as with this
unfolding approach to creation. The residency will be divided into 2 parts:

1. the workshop (oct-nov): this is for the participants to discover this practice, no strings attached. It’s meant for vocalists who are interested in the position of becoming long-term backingvocalists to this project, in order to get to know the ‘Physical Gospel’-practice and see if this part of the project resonates with them too. It’s a trial-period for everyone, including Adja who will be guiding the workshop. Her main focus will be to integrate your feedback, so she can continue to develop her practice towards something that works for the individual as well as the group.
2. production-phase (dec-march): after the workshop, gears will be shifted to trying out this practice within a production-phase of a new single-release in collaboration with the label Sdban Records. The intention is a long-term collaboration, with a studio-recording and concert as the first experience together. The production-phase exists out of:
   • (preparation for) studio recording (dec-jan)
   • (preparation for) filming of a concert film (february)
   • (preparation for) concert (march)

If all of this sounds like a big engagement – that’s because it will be! Therefore, we aspire to give you back as much as you put into it, hopefully providing you with an experience that fills the soul and brings you closer to music and oneself. The long-term aim is to continue a collaboration for Adja’s following album, next year (2025).

Profile

• you are a professional vocalist/singer or have ample vocal experience
• you are passionate about Soul, RnB and/or Jazz and vocal harmonization
• you are looking for a possible long-term commitment as a backing vocalist
• no professional dance-background needed, but a willingness and comfort with moving and expressing yourself through movement, on
  and off stage is required.
• you are somewhat acquainted with the necessary flexibility an organization needs from you to be able to plan residencies, rehearsals and other production- or performance matters. We are a large team of 8 musicians, a crew for technical and production support and management support, soon to be welcoming 4 to 8 vocalists. Although we adapt to everyone’s agenda as much as possible, some flexibility and prioritization on the side of the participant will be required.

Interested?

Please send us an email where you introduce yourself, including a soundbite where you sing ( +- 1 minute, can be longer). This does not have to be a professional recording, even an a cappella-recording on your phone is okay. We need a clear example of your sound.

mail to: annelies@gentlemanagement.be and adja.productions@gmail.com