When Laurette Chala was six-months old, her mother knew her daughter would go on to pursue music.
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, she grew up in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe for six years before coming to Australia with her family as refugees.
“We just knew that this would be a land of opportunities. This place would allow us to dream big and accomplish as much as we can with hard work,” she said.
The Logan-based artist grew up in a household where music was constantly playing.
Her mother was a lead singer in church and Laurette wanted to emulate her.
“As a kid I was watching my mother sing, lead prayers and worship in church,” she said.
“I think I was always around that and to a point where I’m like, I like what my mum does. It’s the way she makes people feel, I see how people get connected with songs.
“I’m like, I want to connect people like that – in that special way that music only can.”
Now as an adult, she is a singer-songwriter and event producer who’s excited to stage her second physical concert in a post-pandemic world.
Afro Gospel Experience is a family friendly Christian concert which brings artists from different African countries together to sing songs of praise and worship.
“We haven’t had an opportunity for families and people to come together and just enjoy good music because we’ve all just been isolating and being in the house,” she said.
“So this is a great opportunity to bring back that sense of community, that sense of engagement, talking to one another, being in one room and just enjoying good music.
“Bringing that life that we used to have.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Ms Chala was not gaining anything financially as an artist and she had to find new ways to share and connect her music to people.
It was heartbreaking for her but music saved her life. Gospel and Hillsong music was a form of therapy that got her through tough times.
The Logan-based artist grew up in a household where music was constantly playing.
Her mother was a lead singer in church and Laurette wanted to emulate her.
“As a kid I was watching my mother sing, lead prayers and worship in church,” she said.
“I think I was always around that and to a point where I’m like, I like what my mum does. It’s the way she makes people feel, I see how people get connected with songs.
“I’m like, I want to connect people like that – in that special way that music only can.”
Now as an adult, she is a singer-songwriter and event producer who’s excited to stage her second physical concert in a post-pandemic world.
Afro Gospel Experience is a family friendly Christian concert which brings artists from different African countries together to sing songs of praise and worship.
“We haven’t had an opportunity for families and people to come together and just enjoy good music because we’ve all just been isolating and being in the house,” she said.
“So this is a great opportunity to bring back that sense of community, that sense of engagement, talking to one another, being in one room and just enjoying good music.
“Bringing that life that we used to have.”
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Ms Chala was not gaining anything financially as an artist and she had to find new ways to share and connect her music to people.
It was heartbreaking for her but music saved her life. Gospel and Hillsong music was a form of therapy that got her through tough times.
“It carried me through Covid. I was listening to Gospel music and it connected me to God and I knew that this too shall pass,” she said.
“When I was in a refugee camp, we had music. Hillsong music was playing and I would hope that one day I’m going to be able to write a song, to produce a concert, record a live album.
“I was so young and I had so many dreams. Listening to Hillsong artists really inspired me. I am what I am today because of the inspiration that they instilled in me.”
She strives to be a role model not just for young African ladies but also for people who come from a disadvantaged background.
“I want my life to have a meaning to someone, who’s going to look at me and say if she can do it, I can do it as well,” she said.
“I do this to inspire my community, to inspire the world. No matter where you come from, you can decide to make a difference.
“Anything you do, as long as it’s serving people, you’ve done your job. And I love serving people through music.”
“I was so young and I had so many dreams. Listening to Hillsong artists really inspired me. I am what I am today because of the inspiration that they instilled in me.”
She strives to be a role model not just for young African ladies but also for people who come from a disadvantaged background.
“I want my life to have a meaning to someone, who’s going to look at me and say if she can do it, I can do it as well,” she said.
“I do this to inspire my community, to inspire the world. No matter where you come from, you can decide to make a difference.
“Anything you do, as long as it’s serving people, you’ve done your job. And I love serving people through music.”
Afro Gospel Experience is at Springwood on October 1. For more information visit eventbrite.com.au/e/405194005177?aff=efbneb.
