Today we’d like to introduce you to Prudence Chinedum.
Hi Prudence, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I would say I’m a creative musician. A majority of what I create is rooted in music. I’ve always had a natural ear for it. My mom said even as a baby I would sing the music before I even knew how to pronounce the words. I don’t think it’s something my parents thought I would stick with, though. I started teaching myself piano when I was seven, and by the time I got to middle school, I started collecting instruments like infinity stones. I developed a strong foundation in show-style marching band throughout high school and college – that’s really when I started writing my own arrangements and leaning toward trombone as my primary [instrument]. I studied music performance at Alabama State University with a focus in trombone and received classical training there. That was really all they offered, performance-wise, at the time. Anything outside of classical music or marching band…we had to do it on our own time. I never saw myself as a classical musician, so I was always trying to break the mold. That was when I started PTNTLNRGY (potential energy). It was supposed to be a band where I could try out my stuff and just play with other fire musicians, but it ended up being more than that. I hit up a few artists and musicians I’d been playing with at the time and we linked up in the studio at Tullibody after hours. We recorded a few songs that’ll probably never see the light of day again, and that was the first NRG Session. I pitched PTNTLNRGY Collective for my capstone project as a collective of musicians, and began working on my first project “Seasoning”, a five-part jazz suite and docu-series. When I graduated, I released the first movement/pilot, MINT. Over the last two years, I’ve been making a name for myself as a multi-disciplinary artist.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Growing up in an immigrant (Nigerian-American) household, your personal interests or any extracurricular activities weren’t always a priority. If it wasn’t academia, it didn’t matter. It got so bad to the point my parents started hiding my power chords, and generally sabotaging music opportunities. I ended up lying about after-school tutoring to get an hour or two of practice time to myself in the band room or the choir room. I definitely wish that the drive I had was enough to carry me through college the first time. I came in as a freshman in 2017, and at the time they had a saying: ‘Don’t get lost in the sauce.’ I did exactly that and dropped out in the middle of my junior year. I think I just needed a season to not be sh**. And that was cool for a while, then COVID hit and basically changed everything. I’ve had it twice, but the second time sat my a** down, can’t lie. At some point I did get back in school, but my body felt different, and I couldn’t breathe the same, so a marching band or choir scholarship were out of the question. To think that I was able to return and graduate in that state was pure delusion. Unable to physically engage with music in the same way, I turned a lot of my focus inward to reignite my passion for it. I became more involved with my music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, taking on a leadership role during undergrad, and becoming a member of SAI Alumnae Association. I also received mentorship and support through organizations such as Soulcenter and Sipp Culture, and continued support through Gumptown Fresh.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Professionally, I practice as a muti-instrumentalist, music educator, producer, arranger, composer and creative arts curator. My primary instruments right now are bass and electric guitar, but I still play trombone and piano from time to time. I operate PTNTLNRGY Collective as an artist-led, creative collective and platform based in Montgomery, AL. We have a few ongoing projects: NRG Sessions, Seasoning, and Archives.
NRG Sessions are live shows that give emerging artists an opportunity to perform live arrangements or their original music with a live band and a spotlight on our public pages through professional photo decks. There’s an open jam session at the end to encourage connections between artists and professional and emerging musicians, and gives music enthusiasts a chance for fellowship through our free shows.
The title “Seasoning” comes from the cultural relationship between black people and food. I have the privilege of collaborating with fellow black musicians and educators, connected through the Mighty Marching Hornets and/or the Montgomery music scene, who put their own “seasoning” on each track. Seasoning translates the experience of tasting five different seasonings, herbs, and spices through sound, packaged into a five-part jazz suite and docu-series. Each movement has been inspired by a dish or flavor from my life. The final project includes a professional and live recording of Seasoning, and a classroom resource utilizing the music and docu-series.
“Archives” is a series of collectible prints curated by PTNTLNRGY Collective, dedicated to documenting culture. It serves as a historical record of creative experiences, such as NRG Sessions, and a platform for photographers. Each selected image is treated as documentation, as well as a collectible artifact.
I think I’m most proud of the fact that my stubbornness evolved into tenacity. I’m always gonna find my way back to the music.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There’s a whole lot of hidden gems in Montgomery if you’re tapped in. There’s been a huge wave of alternative spaces. Growing up here, there wasn’t much to do, but now there’s something happening every weekend. I think Montgomery can have its moments, but if it’s not one thing, it’s another. We experience a lot of gun violence, but artists use creative outlets to keep the city feeling safe and optimistic.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @ptntlnrgy /@ptntlnrgycollective
- Soundcloud: https://tr.ee/LjRlpBjY8i
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ptntlnrgy
