Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Rhythms of a heart
By Marisa de Silva
“When it’s over, you got to get it over. But how do you know that special people can change? Sometimes I just wonder why people get cheated, cos’ love is always blind, but God is not…”

A simple, yet haunting tune… a love song of sorts… a young man’s story of a love lost… Call it what you will, but talented, aspiring songwriter cum composer Chanaka Fernando’s (23) balled “When It’s Over” seems to be a composition that’s very close to his heart. From the soulful manner in which he sings it, to its heartbreaking lyrics, this song is sung straight from the heart, from the beginning up to the very last note.

Coming from musical family, Chanaka says with a laugh that it’s quite possible that he was “born playing the guitar!” Both he and his family share a love for music, and they have always encouraged him to make full use of the talents that he has been blessed with.

“However, once you’ve listened to the song, it’s quite obvious what made me write the song,” he says with a wry smile. He had initially composed the song more for his personal satisfaction than anything else. “However, having listened to a rough copy of my song, when it was at its very basic stages, someone I know told me to make it famous. So I thought, why not?” he explains.

Chanaka had set about seeking the help of his friend and fellow musician Billy Fernando of Ezra, to help him record his song. He not only sings lead, but has also recorded back-up harmonies separately, and incorporated it into his song. Chanaka’s melancholy strumming of the guitar is all that accompanies his voice on this track. Having taken only four days to write the lyrics and compose the song, Chanaka had then started recording with Billy at his studio.

Once the song was complete, he had played his song to DefJamLab, and asked if they’d be interested in hosting his webpage, to which they had readily agreed. Chanaka’s main intent in making his song available online was to get feedback from ordinary listeners about what they think of it. “My pursuing music as a career or taking it seriously will depend a lot on what the average listener’s response will be to my work,” he says. Chanaka even has plans to air it on radio in the near future, and maybe even release it as his debut single, but it will all depend on the feedback he gets.

All those interested in checking out what Chanaka’s music is all about, feel free to visit www.defjamlab.com/chanaka.htm. If anybody would like to have a better quality copy of the song, please add on your contact details at the end of your comment, and Chanaka will ensure that you receive a copy once he releases his song.

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