Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 311: Legend Ozora

Welcome to Voices in My Head, the official podcast of me, Rick Lee James. I'm a recording artist, a singer, a songwriter, an author, a worship leader, and an ordained minister in the Church of the Nazarene. The Voices in My Head podcast is where I discuss music, movies, books, pop culture, theology, and more with friends, colleagues, and sometimes just by myself. Now make sure to let me know what you think of today's episode by leaving me a review on iTunes or by tweeting at me @RickLeeJames on Twitter. And please join my mailing list at RickLeeJames.com where you can receive an email every time a new episode is released. By the way, in case you're interested in a daily dose of kindness and encouragement beyond this podcast, I also run the Twitter account @MrRogersSay where I post daily quotes from Fred Rogers one of the voices in my head. Well, I guess that's it for the intro, so sit back, relax, and listen to the latest episode of Voices in My Head. Welcome back to Voices in My Head. As always, I'm your host Rick Lee James, and I'm very glad that you can be here with us today for what is going to be a great conversation. My guest today on the podcast is Legend Ozora. Legend is an artist mature beyond her years, At only 18 years old, Legend is the first female solo act signed with Old Bear Records. Her love for people and the local church is evident in her life and songs. Much of her passion has been inspired by her numerous mission trips to Haiti serving the poor and the orphan. Her new EP, Come Close, released on February 15th, 2019, and we are so glad to have her with us today. Legend Ozora, welcome to the Voices in My Head podcast.

Thank you. I have no idea who wrote that bio, by the way. I really appreciate it. It was just on social media one day. I was like, I'm gonna use this.

Yeah, well, it was a nice— I think it's a very good and very accurate description, so that's, that's a good thing. It's short, but it says a whole lot about who you are as a person and as an artist, and so I'm excited to have a chance to speak with you today. So before we get too far into this, I know from listening to the Bare Tone podcast with you on it recently that you like singing a lot better than you like talking. So, yes, talking is always a bit of a challenge sometimes for those of us that make music. But I'd love for you, and, and feel free to do this as briefly as you want, but just before we get too far in, I always like to give the chance, uh, to guests to let the audience know something about them. So I'd love maybe if you just kind of in a nutshell tell us a little about yourself maybe how your God story connects in with your music and where you are now. But really, it's open to you. Just, uh, let us know a little bit about who you are.

Sure. All right. Um, well, I have grown up in the church. I grew up in an amazing Christian family. Um, both of my parents have been in ministry. When I was little, we had a skate park that we called the Tabernacle. It was just these huge skate ramps that we would travel all over with, and plant in a community parking lot or church parking lot and open up to the community, and people would come and skate and bike. And once every few hours, my dad would get up and preach the gospel. And, um, and then he moved into tattooing, and that kind of became a ministry. And so I've grown up in the tattoo industry and so ministry. Industry and the tattoo industry have kind of always walked hand in hand for me. Um, yeah, isn't that interesting?

Yeah, we're gonna get back to that later in the show because I'm fascinated by that, but please continue.

Absolutely, everyone is, everyone is. It is fascinating. Um, so he's been tattooing for most of my life and my mom has been a stay-at-home mom since my brother was born, I believe. Um, and I was homeschooled my whole life, which opened up a lot of time and opportunity to really dive deep into music and this desire that the Lord laid on my heart as a very young child to lead worship. And so I'm very thankful for that. I started leading worship in the church when I was about 12 years old, and I've been doing that ever since. And I've always believed and known that the call on my life was to be a worship leader. And that's taken on a lot of different forms throughout the years, not just, you know, leading a church congregation, but writing songs and recording and Haiti. That's a form of worship to me. And it's really just become a lifestyle. Now, I nanny full-time. I take care of some kiddos throughout the week and On weekends I write and work on songs to go to New York and record. And yeah, that's kind of my life in a nutshell, I guess.

Well, great. Well, that's a good start. Thank you for sharing that with us and letting us get to know you a little bit more and who you are. It's unfortunate that you have to work with such terrible people like the Old Bear Records people.

Oh my God.

Because, you know, if there's some people I can't stand, it's Chris and Anthony and all those guys. No, I'm just kidding. I love them dearly. Yeah, we, we have had some wonderful times together, uh, recording. And so I, and I know my experience was wonderful with them, and I've been up there a couple of times to record. But tell me about your new project and what it was like for you to record at Old Bear Studios.

Man, well, it was surreal. So I know Ryan Clair, he's a very, very good friend of mine. The church that I used to go to that we used to go to as a family in my hometown, Brainerd, Minnesota. Ryan Clare led worship there, and so that's how I got to meet him. So he connected me with Chris one day, and which I did not know was going to happen. I got a text from Ryan. He was asking what my number was, and I was like, oh, maybe he just wants to call and catch up, you know, it's been a while. So I sent him my number, and then all of a sudden I'm in a group chat with Chris and Ryan, and we're talking about recording an album. So that was super, super crazy. Um, yeah, as far as the recording process, I mean, those guys are phenomenal, you know? They're so good at what they do, and they're such real dudes. Yeah, so it was super cool, a great honor to create what we did together. Um, I, I had no expectations or no, like, I just had no idea what I was doing, so it was super sweet of them to just take me in, I guess.

Was this your first time in a recording studio being with them? Yeah. So, well, it's That's a good, uh, that's a good first place to go to because it is a very much, uh, kind of a family type atmosphere when you're there. I mean, they are family, for crying out loud, you know. Literally, yeah, literally, yeah. But that's a good— that's a great first experience. Now, one thing I noticed, um, you know, listening through your, your new project, um, it's a lot more vocal focused than a lot of records that I'm used to hearing. And what I mean by that is a lot of the tracks are really, it's like a guitar and several layers of vocals, and it's beautiful. And it's, it's your voice, and I'm sure it's Chris and Anthony and different ones that are probably singing throughout there. Was that sort of a conscious choice that you made, or was that sort of the— I'll call it the genius of Chris Hoisington as a producer, because he always seems to find what the artist does best and kind of highlights that and brings it out. Or so was it— just, just tell us about that, kind of how that came to be. I loved to hear that.

Sure. Well, I, I play instruments, but I don't play them well by my standards, at least. Um, but singing, and especially harmonies and just layering voices, has always been so special and fascinating to me. My first phone call with Chris, he was asking what kind of instruments I wanted on Well, first he asked, well, like, what's your sound? And I told him, well, I don't really know. Like, I know— I told him, I know I write worship music, but it's also like— whoa, I just dropped my phone! Sorry.

That's all right, no problem. We'll continue.

Okay, we're good. I'm so sorry.

That's okay, that's all right. No, that's totally fine. You are not the first to drop your phone on the Voices in My Head podcast. As a matter of fact, Mark Schultz was recording from his car and whenever we did it. So, you know, you're, you're with the best of them, so don't worry about it.

Perfect. So I feel better now.

Please continue. It's no problem.

Absolutely. Um, I was telling Chris that I knew I wrote worship songs, but not the kind of worship songs you would hear on a Sunday morning, you know. Um, and so I didn't even really have anything to like reference to. Like, I didn't have any— I couldn't find any sort of genre of music that kind of matched what I do, I guess. Um, so that was, that was a really special process to just kind of create this new genre of worship. Yeah, almost. Um, so that was super special, and to do that with Chris and Anthony and Jeremy and their genius minds was amazing. Chris then asked me after that first question, "Well, what kind of instruments are you wanting on the album?" And I was like, "Uh, I don't really know. But what I do know is I want lots of voices." He was like, "Okay, like a choir?" I was like, "I don't really know, but I just want lots of voices." Um, and it all kind of just came together on its own. We didn't start writing until the week that I left for the studio, so it was super, super like— I don't want to say last minute because that sounds unprofessional, but it was all very last minute. I mean, yeah, I was in the hotel room like the night before we were gonna be in the studio when we were working on like the second song. So, um, but yeah, it all just kind of, you know, gosh, I don't even know how to describe it. It was so cool as we were recording. I mean, someone would just have an idea and we would go in and track it, and then all just kind of perfectly pieced and layered itself together.

And yeah, it's Well, it's, it sounds lovely. And I, what I'd like to do now is let's actually take a listen to the title track of the album, Come Close, right now, because I'd love for those listening to be able to hear just kind of how unique this project sounds. So this is the song Come Close by Legend Ozora.

Oh!

Come close— Come close, come close, oh God. You turn our mourning into dancing when you come close, oh God. Oh, come close, come close, come close, oh God. You turn our mourning into dancing. When you come close, oh God, you turn our mourning into dancing. When you come close, oh God, let your presence fill the room. And let our souls be touched by you. It's in this place we have no fear. We've come to sing your praises here. When you seek me with all your heart, you would find Me when You seek Me with all Your Heart!

Lifting up our hearts—

When you sought for Jesus Christ... He said "you will find Me" when he seeks Me with all his heart; 'He who finds' Him by seeking after His Spirit first . Whoa-oh-oah-ohh-ho ho hooo. <LYRICS>when you seek me with all your heart,</LYRICS> ohhh my God, yes Lord! Oh yeah baby! You would find me when you seek me with all your hearts. Lifting up our hearts, let your presence fill the room, and let our souls be touched by you. It's in this place we have no fear. We come to sing your praises here. Let your presence fill the room. Let your presence fill the room, oh God.

And that was Come Close by my guest Legend Ozora from her new album of the same title. We're going to take a quick break right here, and then we will be back to talk more with Legend Ozora. This episode of Voices in My Head is brought to you by Podbean. With Podbean, you can create professional podcasts in minutes without any programming knowledge. Best of all, everything is mobile ready right from the start. Visit podbean.com/voices to find out more. That's podbean.com/voices. Voices. This is Rick Lee James, and the music you are hearing is from my new album, Thunder. The title track, Thunder, is a never-before-released song by the late Rich Mullins. There are also 12 other tracks made up of original music, hymns, and readings to guide the listener on a journey. You can buy Thunder today on clear vinyl and CD, or stream it on Spotify, Apple Music, and almost every other music streaming service. Thunder. Hear it today at rickleejames.com. And we are back again on the Voices in My Head podcast with our guest, legend Ozora. It's been such a good time talking with you. We've been listening to some of your music, and as we move through this today, I want to ask you a question. What, what music is moving you right now? This doesn't necessarily have to be your favorite artist or your favorite band, but just— I know there's different times in life that different songs are moving us at different moments. Do you have some music that's moving you right now?

Man, I've been super into this guy. Um, his name is Ryan O'Neal and he makes music under the name Sleeping at Last.

Oh yeah.

Oh yes. Oh yeah, just so good. I just deeply appreciate his artistry. I mean, I don't know if you've listened to his podcast at all, but he has a podcast where he breaks down like all of his songs almost word for word. It is insane, just the thought and the care that he puts into his music. So I'm, I'm, I'm on a huge Sleeping at Last kick right now.

Sure. No, that's terrific. I didn't know about that podcast, so I'm gonna have to check that out.

Oh, it's amazing. I love all of his Enneagram songs too. I'm a 2. Oh, I loved his episode, his podcast on that, and I I've just been tears the whole time. It's so beautiful.

Oh, that's terrific. Well, that's great. I, I think I'm a 3 on the Enneagram. I, I forget all the wings and all that, but you know, something like that.

Yeah.

Yeah. But yeah, that's, that's another conversation for another day.

Absolutely. That's a whole different podcast.

That's great. Um, well, well, you know, talking about music that's been moving you, I— and you talked about the way that vocals and harmonies and layers of vocals really speak to you. Do you have a favorite vocal band? I know there's kind of been a resurgence in the last few years of, you know, there's bands like Straight No Chaser would be one that comes immediately. That's just like an a cappella band, but there's a lot out there. Are there any like vocal bands that kind of have really meant a lot to you that maybe have just when you hear them, you go like, yes, those vocals are just right on, man.

I don't know, I don't really listen to a lot of a cappella. I guess this is probably totally cliché, but the only one that I can really think of right now would be the Pentatonix.

Oh sure, yeah, classic. Yeah, there are not— I'm— again, there are not like a ton in the mainstream. It's just been like a 3 or 4 over the last few years, and so I was just curious if there was any, in that range. So, so who do you consider to be maybe your greatest inspiration as a musician, musically?

Oh, Stevie Nicks, 100%.

Absolutely.

My mom's name is Rhiannon. She's named after the song. So Fleetwood Mac has been a staple in the family throughout the years. And I got to see Stevie Nicks. She was here, uh, last year. At the big Minnesota State Fair doing a concert, and so I got to see her live and it was amazing. I cried so much. I was so happy. Oh, that is terrific. The big one.

Oh man, I have to say, I don't know that too many 18-year-olds I would ask that question to would say Stevie Nicks, but that's, that's a fantastic answer. I love it. Um, Well, you know, we've been talking about a variety of things, and, you know, speaking of not necessarily your, your regular 18-year-old and the answers they might give, you spoke a little bit earlier about growing up in a tattoo culture and your dad having a tattoo ministry. And I find that fascinating because I kind of, you know, growing up there was different camps in the church that was like, well, if you have a tattoo, you're not a Christian, you know, things like that. So it's fascinating to me, uh, to hear about something like this. Tell me a little bit about that and growing up in, in tattoo culture, as you called it, because I just love to hear more about that.

Absolutely. Well, yeah, my dad has been a believer for years, and like I said, when I was little, we had that Tabernacle skate park that we would travel around with, and he would preach the gospel and lead so many people to the Lord. And when he moved into tattooing, um, I mean, I wasn't in the shop with him obviously because I was a very young child and children do not need to be in tattoo shops. Um, I remember just people being in our living room, like clients of his, uh, who had questions, you know, about his faith. And I know there's a couple that he actually we baptized. He met them, um, he was tattooing them and they just got to talking, and then eventually these people came to the Lord and started going to our church, and then they wanted my dad to baptize them. So that was super cool. Um, you know, you're sitting in a chair for however long getting tattooed, and, um, I know for sure that my dad never like forced his faith onto people, but I think when you're with the Lord, there is There's just something special about your presence, you know, especially if you're a non-believer, like you kind of notice like, oh, they're a little different, you know. He asked, and so people would ask questions and he would share his heart for the Lord. And so that's kind of what I grew up with. I'm very thankful to have grown up in that culture and that industry. Not, not just because, you know, I look at people and I don't judge them if they have tattoos now, you know, um, but because everyone in the tattoo industry is so expressive and so creative. So I grew up very expressive and very creative, and still to this day, I mean, I believe I wouldn't be who I am today if it for having been able to grow up around those types of people, even though, like, I mean, the tattoo industry is not necessarily Christian industry by any means, right? Um, but I just loved it. And to grow up around, you know, those kinds of people, you're— yeah, sure.

Well, and it occurs to me that, you know, that your, your family, I'm sure, was reaching a whole group of people that we never, when we're serving in churches, ever would even come in contact with at times, you know. And, um, and talk about some beautiful artwork. I've, you know, over the years— I don't have tattoos myself, but I've always admired the artistry when I've seen like really good tattoo artists, you know. It's the— I— the fact that I think it would be difficult to make some of those images on a piece of paper or on a canvas, but I imagine the challenge of doing that like on a person, you know, just That will be there forever. Yeah, yeah, for sure. Well, thank you for sharing some of that. I really appreciate and admire that. And again, I think that that's such a creative way to spread the gospel too. And again, it's not a matter of like we're forcing— you're in the chair, so you're going to listen to me preach for the next hour, you know. It's more of just being a presence there and meeting people that we might not have had a chance to before. So I really love that. Yeah, before we— we're— I'm gonna play some more of your music in a minute, but before I do, I'd really like to hear also quickly, before we run out of time, you've done some work in Haiti, and I know a lot of your heart is there. And if you don't mind, could you tell our listeners some of the good work that's going on there in Haiti that you've been a part of?

Oh, absolutely. So I've had the opportunity to travel to Haiti several times a year since 2006. I go to an orphanage called All God's Children. Yeah, All God's Children Orphanage. Um, that has been built by an organization called GBCM, and their main mission is church planting. So they have 58 churches across the country of Haiti, which is phenomenal. And on top of the 58 churches that they have, um, they have 17 schools and the orphanage that is the home to over 130 kids. So when I travel to Haiti, I have the opportunity to work with young worship leaders. They're such beautiful people who just have such a heart for worship. And so when I'm there, I have the opportunity to pour into them and to bring them resources that they don't have access to. I mean, things like books and podcasts that are so— that are a part of our everyday lives. That they could only dream of having, you know. So I love working with them, and they've just recently begun to be really passionate about songwriting. So that's kind of fun to work with them on writing songs. And so I do that. And then I also work with the deaf kids and do a lot of Bible study with them. Yeah, it's just, it's really, I kind of I've learned that I can't necessarily go with the plan because I could, you know, have a whole plan for every day. I'll be there, but it'll 100% change, you know. So just kind of taking the day as the Lord leads and the Lord gives it and just really like following his spirit in every moment. And yeah, but that's the basic summary of what I do there.

Well, what an amazing God, and what a creativity of our God that would give a singer a ministry to deaf people, you know, to deaf children. You know, we don't think of a lot of musicians who are working with the deaf, but I think that's a wonderfully creative thing for God to do in the midst of what we're talking. Well, we have been listening to the heart and the good words of Legend Ozora today. We're going to listen right now to her her song off of her new EP. The song is called Always Good, and this is Legend Ozora. Let's take a listen.

You are faithful, you are true. I will fix my eyes on you through every season, through every trial. When my heart is in denial, when I can't see what you're doing. It or how you'll pull me through it, Lord. This I know, this I know. You are good, so it is good. You are good, you are faithful. In the doubt, in the pain, I will always sing. You are hope, You are sure and your promise will endure forever, Lord. I will sing, you are always good to me. Ah, ah. You seem distant and unknown, still my faith's in you alone. When my heart in half is closing, it's your love that breaks it open. Lord, this I know, this I know. You are good, so it is good. You are good, you You are faithful in the doubt, in the pain. I will always sing. You are hope, you are sure, and your promise will endure forever, Lord. I will sing. You are always good to me. I fix my eyes on you, where my help comes from. I fix my eyes on you, where my help comes from. My help comes from— And your promise will endure forever, Lord. I will sing, you are always good to me. You are always good to me. Yeah. You are always good to me.

And that was Always Good by Legend Ozora, an artist on the Old Bear Records label. We've been talking with Legend about her new project, Come Close. Legend, it's been great to be speaking with you today, but we're about out of time. Before we go, a few moments ago we were talking about your dad and his tattoo industry and just the great artist that he is. And it's my understanding that he had something to do with the artwork on your new EP as well. Would you want to tell us about that?

Did indeed, yes. I 100% took advantage of having a tattoo artist as a father and asked if he would do the artwork. And so I gave him a whole bunch of ideas that I had and he came up with the album cover that I've had the opportunity to release come close under, and it's beautiful. It's this beautiful vessel, and, you know, it's sailing out at sea, and there's the sunset in the background and the beautiful floral pieces. So it's gorgeous, and it's crazy that he did it all by hand. Like, I am not in any way creative when it comes to drawing things.

I—

that— nope, that's not my gift. Um, yeah, it's so— it's So beautiful. And it's so special to me to have, um, that piece of my childhood and who I am, you know, be incorporated and involved with, you know, what I do as a worship leader and a singer-songwriter. So that's very special.

Well, Legend, it's been great speaking with you today. I love your heart and I love the music that you're making for the Lord, and, and I just appreciate you taking some time to talk about it with us today. For everybody listening, the website is legendozora.com. I would encourage you to go there and check out her music, learn more about her. And everybody listening, just do this right now. If you use iTunes, go to iTunes. If you use Spotify, go to Spotify. If you use Amazon Music, go there. If you use MySpace, I don't know who you are anyway, but other than that, go to those places where you listen to music and Save her music, buy her music, do everything you can to support Legend. It really is a big help. And, and leave reviews if you are— if you listen through a site like iTunes where you can leave reviews, it really does help artists. Um, you could even do that for my new album Thunder. Go, go do all those things, you know, add as many artists as you can. But we want to support Legend as much as we can. So Legend Ozora, thank you for being one of the voices in my head this week.

Thank you so much.

Thank you for joining me here this week on Voices in My Head. I hope you'll visit me on my website at rickleejames.com where you can find out more about me, get my music on vinyl and CD, follow my blog, and even schedule me for a concert or a speaking engagement. Better yet, even a book signing in your neighborhood. You can find all that and more at rickleejames.com. Also, it would mean a great deal to me if you could write a review of this podcast on iTunes. The more positive reviews that we receive, the more visible this podcast will be online. And now for the benediction. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. God bless you, and thank you for listening to Voices in My Head.