Interview w/ Jay Dene's of Blue Six 07

Interview: Jay Dene's of Blue Six (Email)

Jay Dene's of Blue Six released his debut album, 'Beautiful Tomorrow'. Since the album was out in 2002, Blue Six have gone on from strength to strength. With an ever growing fan base of music-lovers of house, electronic and soul. Jay Dene's is one of musics greatest hidden talents.

01. Matthew - Hi Jay, thank-you very much for doing this exclusive interview for Feel The Soul. I've loved your music, since 'Beautiful Tomorrow' album came out. When did you start making music?

. Blue Six - I started plunking out bad tunes on my aunt's piano when I was in my teens. I saved money from a crappy kid job and bought a used Fender Rhodes. I can clank out the chords and play some funky stuff, unfortunately I'm no Virtuoso. I've tried to make up for it with writing and arranging. And my programming skills have gotten quite good after many years of work.

02. Matthew - And a question I always like to ask; is who were your first musical inspirations?

. Blue Six - My earliest memories of music? I was in love with records from my older brother's collection; Santana, Beatles, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder. Lucky to have grown up around such LPs. When I got a little older I became somewhat obsessed with Jazz, John McLaughlin, Miles Davis, Coltrane, etc. After that came Roxy Music, XTC, and Talking Heads. I went about it somewhat backwards. I liked popular music more as I got older, I was not in step with my peers, they were going to see KISS and I was going to see Ornette Coleman.

03. Matthew - How have you felt about the way music has changed over the years? Are you uninspired or unhappy about its progression?

. Blue Six - 'Resigned' might be a better word! Having lived most of my adult life in the business I'd be lying if I said I like it. The music business is something one suffers through in order to be able to make music full time. That being said, most of what gets made is simply a result of economic conditions in a given time period. There's been no artist development in the record biz for over 20 years now. So, of course music has suffered greatly. People didn't suddenly get untalented or insincere, there's just no economic infrastructure left to support the development of excellence. So when it occurs it tends to be a bit of good luck, a hit on a first record that allows an individual or group to have a long enough career to develop their skills. Having never had a major label hit, I've been lucky enough to survive on the 'underground' version of the same phenomenon. I've managed to sell enough records over my career, that I get to keep making them, and really, I just want to be better tomorrow than I am today. Things do appear to be turning around now. A new business model is emerging that's scaled down to reflect a new internet distribution reality. Hopefully they'll be some good new artists that manage to hang around long enough to be great.

04. Matthew - The vocalists you've worked with have always brought beauty to the recording. How did the studio link up w/ Lisa, Aya and others happen?

. Blue Six - I've known them all for years. We're all New Yorkers (or transplanted ones), we're in the same musical circles. Obviously you gravitate towards people that have similar musical inclinations. I pride myself on my ability to work with singers, and get their best work out of them. It's taken me some time to understand the nuance of vocal recording.

05. Matthew - Please talk to me about Naked-Music. Why has it been set up, how it was set up etc, general insights?

. Blue Six - Originally it was a production company started by me and my partner Dave Boonshoft, the label just seemed like a sensible thing. We didn't want to sell our music to third parties any more. We figured we could do it as well as they do. For the most part that's been true. Also, I have marked a version to being told what to do/make, it's a nice, a bit risky, way to control your musical destiny. It's continued to evolve, gradually becoming more and more aligned to my truest inclinations.

06. Matthew - Where are your favorite places in the world to DJ?

. Blue Six - I don't DJ. Never did. Boy I lost out on some easy money...

07. Matthew - Would you say that your a multi-talented artist?! What are all your creative talents?

. Blue Six - Well, over the years I've been forced to learn a lot of things. So I suppose I am now! I write music and lyrics, poetry, and essays on occasion. I'm a producer, engineer, and photographer. I've done these all professionally, so I suppose it wouldn't be unfair to say I'm 'multi-talented'. I'm also a pretty good cook!

08. Matthew - Do you have any hobbies outside of music? Or are you just music mad?

. Blue Six - As I listed previously, I like writing and photography, and I love to cook. Though it's no fun cooking for fewer than 6 people. I like to read. I'm the sort of person that other artsy types may find interesting but most people would probably find fairly boring.

09. Matthew - Your latest album, 'Aquarian Angel' is now available. What was it like making that record?

. Blue Six - Uh, rough. I was at a turning point in my life, career, etc. I felt I needed to be myself without a filter and I was pretty scared that people would reject it for not being what they expect. I'd been put in a rather confined box by Naked's fans, and I didn't want to disappoint them, but at the same time, the last few records (Aya, and Lisa Shaw) have been steps on a path toward my own, and the label's musical truth. Without the support of Dave, and a few of my closet friends I would have never made it through this one. Making records of the type I'm interested in is very very draining. I'm meticulous, a lot of overdubs, editing, etc. I throw a lot of stuff out, I was trying only to complete the material that I felt was truest.

10. Matthew - Have you brought in any new voices for 'Aquarian Angel'?

. Blue Six - Not on this one, I'm currently working on the new Naked Music NYC record for next year, that's got some new voices on it. You'll see, I hope.

11. Matthew - What is your worst personality trait/bad habit?

. Blue Six - I can be impatient, I don't suffer fools gladly. This sometimes gets me into trouble.

12. Matthew - What would you like to change about todays world, if you could!?

. Blue Six - Man, what a question! Enlightenment for humanity would be nice, but short of that, a less corrupt administration over here would be helpful.

13. Matthew - What can we expect from Blue Six in 2007 and beyond?

. Blue Six - Making the new Naked Music NYC album, and then the new Aya album after that. We'll see what else pops up along the way.

14. Matthew - And what can we expect from Naked-Music?

. Blue Six - Eric Stamile's record will be out in the fall. More techy, he's really great at that stuff. A couple 12's end of summer. Mike Callahan's working on his instrumental EP for us. Just trying to keep the quality consistent.

15. Matthew - Are you planning on visiting London for any tours and such?

. Blue Six - No tours yet. Not sure what's up for next year.

16. Matthew - Thanks again, I love your sound and if you need any further support with Naked-Musics releases and your music, Feel The Soul is your new online home! Take Care, Matthew Daniel.

. Blue Six - Thanks.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved

Interview w/ Calvin Richardson 07

Interview: Calvin Richardson (Email)

Former Jodeci member and now, a well known R&B solo artist. Calvin Richardson delivers some truth regarding the Angie Stone cover song situation, to his recent London live performances happening this year.

01. Matthew - What was it like working with K-Ci, Chico DeBarge and Monifah for your debut album ‘Country Boy’ in 1999?

. Calvin Richardson – The K-Ci session was like a re-union, we were in a group together at one point before the Jodeci years. Chico is very talented so I really enjoyed working with him. Monifah took a little more effort to make happen than the rest but it turned out great. I’m glad we did it.

02. Matthew - What was the road like before getting to the point of releasing the debut?

. Calvin Richardson – It was a long road to my debut. The album changed hands a few times. When I first started working on it I was signed up to Uptown Records, by the time it came out I was signed to Universal Records. It took three years to get the record out.

03. Matthew - What are you personal high lights from ‘Country Boy’?

. Calvin Richardson – The most memorable was on September 9th 1999, was actually the date ‘Country Boy’ was released.

04. Matthew - What are your child hood experiences like?

. Calvin Richardson – I grew up around singers and musicians but no real writers and that I just developed.

05. Matthew - Would you say your Soul? Or R&B/hip hop?

. Calvin Richardson – I’m without question R&B.

06. Matthew - ‘2:35 PM’ has a personal meaning, correct? Please let me know the story behind it?

. Calvin Richardson – ‘2:35’ PM was the time my son Souljah was born and I was with my girlfriend in the delivery room. I didn’t have a title for my album but his delivery became the most important thing in the world to me since there has been nothing or no one to compare to that.

07. Matthew - What makes you most soul satisfied?

. Calvin Richardson – It satisfies me to reach my goals.

08. Matthew - Talk to me about the creative process for ‘Country Boy’ and ‘2:35 PM’?

. Calvin Richardson – The creative process of both ‘Country Boy’ and ‘2:35PM’ were very important to me as I was involved in both but more on ‘2:35PM’ since Hollywood Record’s didn’t have a clue.

09. Matthew - How did the Angie Stone situation happen, when she covered your Soul song, ‘More Than A Woman’?

. Calvin Richardson - The Angie Stone situation came about because she was bitter because she wanted something (me) that she couldn’t have. So she re-recorded the song with Joe out of spite ultimately to have it back fire in her face.

10. Matthew - How do you go about writing lyrics?

. Calvin Richardson – Most of my lyrics are about either present or past experiences of mine.

11. Matthew - What do you do to unwind?

. Calvin Richardson – Motorcycles is my escape now, my four year old is riding and I love it.

12. Matthew - Who are you listening to in modern soul music recently and do you like any UK Soul music, apart from Omar!

. Calvin Richardson – I try not to listen to other artists during my recording process it has a way of influencing your work.

13. Matthew - You said your visiting London to perform this year; do you have any more information to share?

. Calvin Richardson – I’ll be in Central London, March 24th for a show at The Coronet Theater.

14. Matthew - What have you been up to since your last album release as you’ve kept it quite quiet?

. Calvin Richardson – I started recording my second album for Hollywood Records, in April 2004. Babyface was executive producer and we wrote some great songs for that album before I decided leaving the label was best for me.

15. Matthew - How would you like to be remembered?

. Calvin Richardson – I would like to be remembered as the number one artist of my time who brought back the movement of real music.

16. Matthew - What can we expect from Calvin Richardson in 2007 and beyond?

. Calvin Richardson – Expect me to keep doing what I’ve always done but more just making real music for the world and most important my fans and potential fans that appreciate it. Like it or not ‘C. Rich is BACK!’

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved

Interview w/ Nuwamba 07

Interview: Nuwamba (Phone)

Nuwamba, whose name means November in the Nigerian language Hausa, speaks to Feel The Soul about his debut album, 'Above The Water'. And why he is an underground artist that everybody should know about.

01. Matthew - What have you been currently up to?

. Nuwamba - I've been working on this new project that will be released either the third or fourth quarter of 2007. I also have an EP that I want to get put out. It's just an EP of the first album, of some remixes, and its house, down tempo and drum and bass music.

02. Matthew - Are they all remixed by you or other remix people?

. Nuwamba - Actually, there remixed by some different guys; Ron Trent, Earnie G, and other guy's that don't really have a name for themselves, yet. It should be real exciting, as far as this EP. Were doing it just because; its something fun before I put the next album out.

03. Matthew - What was the creating aspect like for you, with 'Above The Water'?

. Nuwamba - It was pretty hard, man, to be honest with you. The fact is if you haven't ever really made an album be fore, you really don't know what to do. If your trying to make a good album. You have a lot of mistakes to be made, which is basically what I did but we tried to create a different vibe and different idea's. I think we did a great job. I don't know if you got a chance to get the album?

04. Matthew - Oh yeah! I think it's a great album!

. Nuwamba - Thank-you, man; we just tried real hard to get a feel good vibe for our album. We tried to use some original instruments; to be exact we tried to capture that whole feel good vibe, man. Instead of having Electronic music because to be honest modern music has a lacking of real instruments. So, we used live drums, live strings, live everything! It was hard because while doing that, we had to get everybody in the studio, all at the same time. We eventually did the album, and we knocked it out!

05. Matthew - Good! How long have you been producing music and are you involved in the music industry?

. Nuwamba - Well, I've actually been producing professionally for about three years but I've been making music for about twelve years. I am currently involved in the music industry, working with T.V Commercials and MTV. Basically, that album pushed the envelope for me, you know what I'm saying? It kind of helped me get out on to other things. I've been doing music the whole of my life but professionally' I'd say for about three years.

06. Matthew - Before you started on your 'Above The Water' record did you go into music education to develop your skills? Or did you just have natural talent?

. Nuwamba - I played the French Horn from when I was in eight grade all the way to musical theory. Other than that man, it was pretty much just natural. I began being in Church Choirs but it's mostly natural, you know? Most people say they went to this or that University but I went to University; but I didn't even study music there. All for the art, you know what I mean?

07. Matthew - Have you ever wanted to write somebody else's song?

. Nuwamba - That I wish was mine? Well, I can't say that (laughs).

08. Matthew - Since the release of that record has life changed for you for the better?

. Nuwamba - Yeah, it's changed tromendously, like I say I I'm not trying to be like a John Legend or one of those big cats like that.

09. Matthew - It doesn't really matter because I don't like him any-way...

. Nuwamba - (laughs), I'm like one of the underground scene artists that people should know about.

10. Matthew - You do honest modern soul music...

. Nuwamba - Yeah, straight honest music man, and ever changing music. This latest album has had a really big change since what I did back in the day. Things are changing, I'd say from the first album I am more comfortable where I am now. I've gone through things but I am able to also challenge and express myself more. About things that were going on back then asd well. So, it should be a good album, this next album.

11. Matthew - Is there a title yet for the album?

. Nuwamba - Yeah, the next album is going to be called, 'The Naked Truth'.

13. Matthew - And have you got a record label releasing it?

. Nuwamba - We haven't got a record label for it yet but you know how we do on the underground (laughs). We do have our own company though called Chocolate Soul Entertainment and if I don't get a label to distribute it, I'll be distributing it like I did with the first album with Chocolate Soul. We'll just distribute it again, because we got some pretty good love, all the way out there.

14. Matthew - They sell it in the UK as well, in Soul Brother Records, so you've obviously done well...

. Nuwamba - Yeah, we've also been on some different compilations. An album that has Omar, Common and others on released 22nd Jan last year in Japan, through P. Vine Records. And Soul Brother Records compilation 'This Is Soul 2006'.

15. Matthew - And what are you like performing?

. Nuwamba - I've had a lot of people saying I have great stage presence. I haven't had the challenge yet to really show case that. I've performed for some opening acts, and people are like 'Wow I didn't know you could perform like that!' And I'm like yeah, well I can and I'm trying to get more shows (laughs). Once I get more shows I think my popularity will expand and I'll get the chance to showcase my talent.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.

Interview w/ Adriana Evans 06

Interview: Adriana Evans (Email)

'El Camino' is Adriana Evans latest record, which is released through Expansion Records. She creatively digs deeper into her more soul and jazz side, birthing one of her finest recordings to date.

01. Matthew – What is your greatest source of inspiration?

. Adriana Evans – Everything. Life is the greatest inspiration. My life and the lives of ordinary people around the world, I marvel at the way human beings can suffer through the most tragic circumstances and still believe that something out there loves them. I’ve seen children in Latin America in the most horrific condition’s laugh and play as if they were in a Mansion in Beverly Hills. That is what inspires me, the truth of who we really are; love.

02. Matthew – Talk to me a bit about your child hood and the sights and sounds?

. Adriana Evans - As a child, music was my life. My Mother was a jazz singer and I always remember music in our home. The sounds of jazz, soul, Salsa, and Brazilian, permeate most of my childhood memories.

03. Matthew – Do you feel that you have musically progressed with ‘El Camino’ since your debut album?

. Adriana Evans - I’m not the same person I was when that record came out. My music has grown with me; I mean it’s apart of me, so it is an expression of personal growth.

04. Matthew – Would you ever do any collaborations outside of the current collaborations you are currently doing?

. Adriana Evans - The whole collaboration thing is not really my vibe. You’re not really going to see me doing a guest appearance on a Busta Rhymes record. I love working with Dred Scott. We’ve created our own little sound that work’s for us. I figure if it ain’t broke why fix it!

05. Matthew – You released a few records after your debut album such as ‘Kismet’ and ‘Nomadic’. How were those recordings like to create?

. Adriana Evans - Actually, ’Nomadic’ came out before ‘Kismet’. It has more of a sixties blues/rock influence, a la Led Zepplin and soul rock sounds like Rufus and Chaka Khan. It was a fun record artistically; I was completely free of industry politics.

06. Matthew – Did you ever get into music education before entering the music business?

. Adriana Evans - I went to UCLA and Long Each State before getting into the business. I was a History major with a concentration on African and Latin American History.

07. Matthew – And what are your views on today’s music industry?

. Adriana Evans - The truth? I think it’s a mess. The majors have kind of killed music, as we know it. It’s all about marketing individuals as a product. They don’t really think about the music. They have stopped signing artists. They sign marketing ideas. To be an A&R person doesn’t mean you know about music. I mean the genius that decided to give Paris Hilton a record deal? Most records on majors don’t really sell. They waste a lot of time on meaningless products that just sit in the stores. The whole industry has been affected. Not only are established record labels like Arista, and MCA have to close their doors but also you have chain stores like Tower Records going out of business. You have independent artists who are selling out major recording artists. I believe that the independent music movement is the only bright spot in a dismal arena.

08. Matthew – Do you have any advice for people trying to break into the music industry?

. Adriana Evans - This road is not for the faint of heart that’s for sure. But I can’t really complain because I have been very fortunate. To be able to do what I love for a living is a true blessing. I know so many people who are living their lives where they merely exist. Music has enabled me to truly experience the fullness of living.

09. Matthew – What is the most valuable aspect of your musical experience?

. Adriana Evans - I have travelled the world and seen so many things because of music. The experience’s I have had around the world make up for the unpleasant nature of the business aspect.

10. Matthew – Have you been to London? And what do you think about it?

. Adriana Evans - I love London. My Uncle actually lives there. I had visited him there last year. Hopefully I will do a few shows there sometime in the near future.

11. Matthew – Have you got an IPod? And if yes what is stored in it?

. Adriana Evans - I listen to a lot of Brazilian music. My IPod is filled with a Brazilian artist from the seventies and eighties, called Djavan. He is a genius; no one comes close to him. Stevie Wonder really admires him. I also love the way the Brazilian women singers use their voices, very simplistic and no ridiculous runs. They just sing the melody, and so sweetly at that. I don’t really listen to contemporary music. Quite frankly a lot of it is self-aware rubbish. It doesn’t sound like folks these days have much fun creating anymore. They are too concerned with being ‘deep’. For god’s sake I wish they would just have a little fun and not take themselves so seriously. Also an incredible record that I have played to death is, ‘Inspiration Information’ by Shuggie Otis. An incredible artist from the seventies and he was so ahead of his time.

12. Matthew – Please talk to me about your latest album ‘El Camino’ and anything else that is exciting?

. Adriana Evans - I just finished a record that will be released in Japan in the Spring, called ‘El Camino’. I’m really happy with it, it’s more of a proper soul album, no real rock influences like ‘Nomadic’. It’s pretty much a soul thing. It was really a lot of fun to make.

13. Matthew – What do you do besides singing?

. Adriana Evans - I am an actress and a writer.

14. Matthew – Lastly, any life advice that you could give to people that you may like to share?

. Adriana Evans - Be patient. Life is a marathon and sprinters don’t usually make it to the finish line. Enjoy the time when the sun is shinning on you and the time when the moon covers you in rest. You need both, and it is all about balance.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.

Interview w/ Eric Roberson 06

Interview: Eric Roberson (In Person)

Meeting Eric Roberson at Camden's, The Holiday Inn, was more than cool. Yet, with all his independent success and talent recognition, Eric Roberson or commonly known as Erro, showed no signs of ignorance. Instead he was intelligent, graceful, friendly and honest.

01. Matthew – How would you describe your music?

. Eric Roberson - I would describe my music as none compromising in what I feel at that time. Its complete art, meaning: some people may like it, some people may not. I'm satisfied in just giving my all and hopefully finding the people that enjoyed it. I call it 'honest music', and that kind of ranges from, not only the process of how its recorded but also the stories and where they came from, if you were telling me something that might have happened in your life or what you’re going through right now. It may show up on a pad or on a microphone.

02. Matthew - You are going to soon be releasing your new album, ‘Left’, please talk to me about that?

. Eric Roberson - Really, the fact that we have a new album out called 'Left', its still not out yet, but we are finishing it and mixing it, so were almost complete. It’s like my baby baby.

03. Matthew – Is there anything you’d like to accomplish that you didn’t manage to, with your previous releases via ‘Left’?

. Eric Roberson - It’s the record that we want to take to the next level. People kept asking me so many questions. We have so much music; we have our own label (Blue Erro Soul) and everything like that. I had some other songs that I really cared about but didn’t' have a plan on releasing any so it really was an appetizer. It was supposed to be like chicken fingers and spin age, or something like that, something to warm people up for the main course. So we were able to do things that were looked at as, what I'd put on a main album. Especially, the freestyle I did with Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry.

04. Matthew – I love the song you recorded with Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius, ‘N2U’. How was it to collaborate with her?

. Eric Roberson - Oh thank-you. I mean, it was fun; we wanted to show some other sides. I wanted to release some other stuff, 'The Moon’; I recorded when I was nineteen, which was thirteen years ago. I just was really trying' to show people more. Marsha, she's an amazing vocalist, an amazing songwriter and a beautiful person; you know. Very easy, I call her my musical twin, so I'd love to work with her more. It's actually very easy because she challenges me as well as I feel I challenge her but we also love music, so we have a lot of fun. I look forward to building with her, if she so willingly has me.

05. Matthew – Would you ever do an album with Marsha?

. Eric Roberson - Yeah, I think it would be great. I think it will be tricky, because of course she is quite busy and I'm quite busy; so the main thing is if we have the time and dedication to stop and do it, we would but I think she's doing a solo record, with Dr. Dre. So I think it would be something special if we did it and it would be something different as well.

06. Matthew – Do you have any music industry views you’d like to share with me?

. Eric Roberson - Your tape will pop with all the stuff I have to say (laughs) and you know really, I think it's something that is in bad shape right now. The majors, with how nothing is really balanced anymore and everything are based on fitting into certain demographics, a younger demographic. Were neglecting a lot of other music forms.

07. Matthew - Do you think it’s safer to go independent than major?

. Eric Roberson - It's actually quite funny what is happening, because there starving the other people out, so there having to find the meaning of making the music, or having there music. So were at a big crossroads, right now because independently you have more opportunities to do more than you've ever done before. Some people are realizing that the major's are not always the right way to go for everybody. I would never talk somebody out of doing a deal with the majors but I would tell something that, that's not the only way to go. Obviously, I'm not going that way, I'm very content and happy with my life and were my music is at, and how it's rewarding me, I'm a fan of balance that everything musically, should exist but it should all co-exist. Just because one record sells five million, and the other sells five thousand copies, doesn’t mean the other one shouldn't get any attention. Or that it can't sell copies, so that's the interesting part.

08. Matthew – You also did another great collaboration with Raheem DeVaughan, and V, on ‘For Da Love Of Da Game’. Please explain that situation?

. Eric Roberson - The song initially was a DJ Jazzy Jeff record, a rap song. Were just a remix of that version DJ Jazzy Jeff had the idea of having a singing version because it's another part of what we can talk about. At the end of the day I'm still an MC, I may not rhyme but I can sing and rhyme. I rhyme sing. I live my words, you know, words are my life. We love what we do and where addicted to the game of it. It's interesting because we wrote our verse separately, I wasn't in the studio when Raheem DeVaughn and V did their vocals, and I was the last one to get on. I walked in the studio and was like very intimidated. (Laughs), so I was like wow! But you know, there cool. I have known Raheem for a long time and V for even longer. The three-headed duo is what I call it because all two of those guys are extremely talented as well.

09. Matthew – Also, what is the whole ‘Blue Erro Soul’ thing about? Is this your own company?

. Eric Roberson - Yeah, that's the label that we set up to release my own records. We are on albums, and soon a live DVD/CD, called 'Erro Live: Volume DC'. We shot five shows in Washington DC, and put them all together. We have two hours of live footage of the show and like behind the scenes footage. It's the fourth record on 'Blue Erro Soul', and really I'm the genie pig, were in the hopes that in the future we can put out other records, you know, by other artists but right now we have to figure out how to do this independent thing. My father who's now retired heads off all the shipping/distribution. Through the people who buy online or at the stores, Elsa Lathan who you spoke with is my publicist. I also have Andre Walk who helps me with assistance, so it's slowly building, you know, I'm really really proud of what we've accomplished.

10. Matthew – Who were your first musical influences and which musical genres influence you the most?

. Eric Roberson - The funny thing is, is hip hop, soul and R&B almost defined my influence because there is a gospel group named the Commissions, and I think I heard them when I was like thirteen years old and they were a major influence on me but I've been in love with the power of words and what they can do to people. So really, it would be the Commissions, Stevie Wonder, and A Tribe Called Quest. I was born into hip-hop.

11. Matthew – Not George Bush then (laughs)…

. Eric Roberson - Oh no, I wouldn’t say George Bush (laughs). He's probably the least, my parents, the fact that my Father was a music-lover and has put so much love and energy into giving. Then my Mum is the exact same way; she is a person who, with strong conviction, left corporate America to pursue a career in fashion, like thirteen/fifteen years ago. To this day she's done that ever since, and doing quite well. So, it's not a surprise that I would venture off and do music. Ya'nameen? They like go for it! (Laughs), they loved, embraced, and encouraged me to sing when I was broke performing in front of three people, they still loved it and they do right now, instead, I'm performing in front of hundreds of people.

12. Matthew – And which songs do you enjoy singing the most by your favorite artists?

. Eric Roberson - 'Love Isn't Love' by the Commissions. I've sung that song more than I've sung that song more than I've sung any other song in the entire world. I probably sung that song in the show for about ten years, it was my daily ritual, Lather up, and sings 'Love Isn't Love', I like to sing 'Little Boy' by Omar. That song as a man touched me on re-evaluating where I was, what I was doing and how I was thinking about certain things. A lot of times I write a song but I can't take full credit for it because it comes from a high power.

13. Matthew – What do you to that makes you relax or at ease?

. Eric Roberson - I'm a Libra, I believe in balance but I'll say singing and song writing first and foremost. When I was in College I was doing a lot of beats but I also noticed that you become like a, what is it? A jack of all trades but a master of none and I didn't want to become that. At one point I sopped producing and focused on song writing. That was when my song writing flourished, I was always performing, and I’d be in theatre or at church. Performing is like second nature; it's just like apart of my life. I'm just doing my part and the audience is doing there's. It's really like living and breathing. To me, if you prepare what you are performing, you got to share it.

14. Matthew – Have you ever experienced a bad show? And are you satisfied with where your career is at the moment?

. Eric Roberson - I mean, you always have bad shows; there was a point when people didn't know any of the songs. I'm so grateful to what we have achieved and accomplished.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.

Interview w/ Glenn Lewis 06

Interview: Glenn Lewis (Phone)

Glenn Lewis made a name for himself with his debut album 'World Outside My Window'. Released through major label Epic Records in 2003, now in 2006, with the help of his manager, Glenn Lewis speaks to me. He calls me during a shoot for an Adidas commercial in Canada.

01. Matthew – What was it like working with Andre Harris and Vidal Davis for ‘World Outside My Window’ album?

. Glenn Lewis - We were just really having fun. Working with Andre and Vidal, they were real easy. It was just a lot of jokes and we played a lot of pranks in the studio. Trying to create a really light atmosphere and basically referred back to personal experiences, different thing's, and making it into a song. Often that's what creates the most honest work, talking about life. Stuff that you go through from joy and pain in life.

02. Matthew – What do you get up to outside of music?

. Glenn Lewis - I love playing basketball. Since the hiatus of the album, which is like three or four years ago. I have been taking things in because it was a long road to get to the point of doing my first album. So, it was nice to just fall back a little bit. Enjoying ball, watching ball, hanging out with friends. And in the meantime and between times, staying creative. I guess, accumulating new experiences so that I can pour it into this new project. The most important thing in my life is family. My spirituality and family, they pretty much run parallel to each other. That’s pretty much why I do what I do, for the love of my family. Yeah, I'd probably have to say that those are the two most important elements in my life.

03. Matthew – What was it like co-writing with Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius?

. Glenn Lewis - Oh Marsha? That's my homie! She's like super talented, super easy to work with. She gives her everything in what she does. She's the kind of artist that. When you meet her, you just know. That this is what she's meant to do. She has a lot of love to give, and she puts all of that into her work. She's a true in every sense of the word artist.

04. Matthew – How do you manage to keep in such good shape?

. Glenn Lewis - I eat a lot of bullshit man. I eat dumb stuff, like junk or fast food, stuff like that, you always on the go right? So for me, I'm always running around. I cherish the moments when I could have a good home cooked meal. Usually, I'm eating a lot of fast food. I wouldn't recommend anyone to be on my kind of diet, if your expecting abs or whatever else.

05. Matthew – And what do you think of London? Anything you dislike?

. Glenn Lewis - For starters the women, as much as it is to you, it's not an accent, but I just love how people from London and from the UK, how they speak. It's very eloquent and very proper. I like that. The only bad thing that I can think of is sometimes I go out and we'll go eat. And there's like fried bread or something? That's always weird to me; I'm like fried bread? What the hell? But that's the only thing I don't like.

06. Matthew - Have your family supported you from the beginning in your music career?

. Glenn Lewis - Yes and no, my Mom and my Dad, they both did music before me. So, I guess needless to say the influence was around but they could see the talent in me, so they were supportive from that standpoint. They encourage that. Like my Mom would teach me songs. My Dad would take me to the studio with him to see what the process was like. Funnily enough, I didn't really want to do music until a little later on. Maybe fourteen/fifteen. Then it became discouraging because the music industry was hard. It can be a shitty business. So, they didn't want me to go through some of the thing's they went through.

07. Matthew – What can we expect from Glenn Lewis in 2007 and beyond?

. Glenn Lewis - Well, life for all of us is a process; it's all about growth and experiencing different thing's. I've had a lot of great experiences but also some tough ones. They've all contributed to me, and just being the artist that I am. I'm always looking for new challenges. The expectation is, in a very short space of time. I'm in the process of working on this new classic. Working really hard to put together another classic, you know? It's been a while from the spot light. Right now, the focus is putting together another heater; that people will be able to appreciate.

08. Matthew - Is there any obvious musical change on your latest recording?

. Glenn Lewis - It's going to be a little different but the soulful aspect is me. That's just apart of me regardless but as far as the sound and the musical approach, it's changed a little bit. I've been stretching out and trying different things. It's like variety is the spice of life, I just want to try some different musical approaches. For the most part the essence of what the first album was, you'll still hear on the second one but it's going to have a lot more growth.

09. Matthew – And How about your vocals?

. Glenn Lewis - Vocally I've become a lot stronger in my delivery. I've become a lot better as a vocalist. Even the kinds of things I'd be directly talking about, it's still real life but at the same time it's a lighthearted approach. A lot of the song's that were on the first album, lots of people gave me feedback. That it was very introspective, in the way that it was approached. It was extremely personal and I guess it was like an autobiographical album. This one is still going to have a personal touch but it's more about connecting. The first album was about bringing people into my world. This new album is about connecting and reaching out. Sharing things that I feel that people would be able to relate to. The music will have moments where it will be a bit more aggressive, almost a bit of an R&B touch to it but its still soul.

10. Matthew – What have been the highlights so far in your career?

. Glenn Lewis - The best part of my career is to have the opportunity to be around other phenomenally talented people. I've had the pleasure of meeting people that are tremendous talents. They inspire me in there own way. Now, for them to be appreciating me and I'm there peer? And were able to interact with them on a human level? When I can see the human side of them, and they are able to see me, and were on that level. Some of the things that they might share with me, and that I'm in ways and inspiration to them, it's pretty amazing. I think that's the best part, being able to meet different walks of life. Some that I have deep admiration for and respect what they do, like some of the younger cats that a coming out, that's just probably the best part, just being able to interact with other creative people.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.

Interview w/ Vikter Duplaix 07

Interview: Vikter Duplaix (Phone)

Vikter Duplaix is certainly one of todays most experimental underground artists. In this exclusive interview he speaks from his home in America about the collaborations with Jazzanova to his latest record. Released through UKs BBE Music, 'Bold & Beautiful'.

01. Matthew - Recently we have all been enjoying your latest album, ‘Bold & Beautiful’. What was the creative process like for that record?

. Vikter Duplaix – Oh well, that’s such a broad question. In general? I mean; I was just inspired to make something that was soothing but fun, and also not too sleepy but still very relaxing. So, I just wanted to make a listening experience from beginning to end that was consistent and took you on a bit of a journey. But didn’t really make you too excited or make you too mellow. You know? Just finding a couple of different moods to play with was really the goal.

02. Matthew - How did you go about each song? Were they all personal to you?

. Vikter Duplaix – It’s hard to say because I don’t really have a formula for creating. I just kind of go with the flow, some of them I did with other people and some of them I didn’t. They’re all personal, meaning that they’re all based on a thought or an idea of mine. It’s just expanded upon by either the musicians, what I’m doing or going through. It’s really difficult for me to go back in time to paint a picture of each record. Over all it was just a process of being honest at that moment.

03. Matthew - You’ve been singing for what seems like forever now. When did you get your first big opportunity to show case your vocal skills?

. Vikter Duplaix – Well, I didn’t really set out to be a singer in my career. I was really a DJ/Producer/Songwriter, at first. As I was recording songs for people to sing, the other artists were like, ‘Yeah your kind of cool, you should develop it’. That type of thing, so actually I give the other artists props for recognizing that there was potential in what I was doing. I think the validation from a record I did with the Masters At Work, called ‘The Messengers’. Was the beginning of recognizing that people liked how I sounded and then I continued to explore after that.

04. Matthew - You’ve collaborated with the likes of 4 Hero and Jazzanova. Were they good experiences?

. Vikter Duplaix – Yeah, they were all good because you always learn from something or someone. I’m the type of person anyway, who learns from every experience, from personal experiences like Earth, Wind and Fire to doing things with Jazzanova. At the time they hadn’t really worked with any artist, they were only programmers. I was the first actual artist they produced. So, it was definitely a learning experience for both of us because they were so used to being in front of laptops. I had never really been used to working with people who were exclusive to that. It was like a meaning of the mind, so to speak.

05. Matthew - You’ve done a few impressive songs with Jazzanova. Which stand out or come to mind?

. Vikter Duplaix – Yeah, I did three songs with Jazzanova. I did, ‘Soon’, ‘Last Night’, and ‘Wasted Time’.

06. Matthew - How was the experience with Jazzanova?

. Vikter Duplaix – Oh, it was great. I like them as people, I got a chance to go to Berlin, it was a beautiful experience and they are a great bunch of guys. I really appreciate what they bring to world music culture.

07. Matthew - What is the most important thing for you, in general?

. Vikter Duplaix – (Laughs) you mean, in terms of when I wake up in the morning?

08. Matthew - Yeah, just in general. What keeps you going?

. Vikter Duplaix – I look forward to every single breath until I take my last. That’s my objective in life; enjoy it as I go through it.

09. Matthew - How do you remain balanced or at peace?

. Vikter Duplaix – Well, my lifestyle is very demanding but I do Capoeira, which is weight training and other stuff like that. That is what I do for my physical side. Mentally, I just like to hang out, be normal and go to movies. Not really think about too much or too hard all the time.

10. Matthew - Do you visit London? What do you think about London? And it’s music scene?

. Vikter Duplaix – I love London, minus the fact that the dollar doesn’t really work that well (Laughs). But the music scene is great. It’s not even just the music scene, it’s the over all perspective of art, culture and how they work together. I think England in general is still very appreciative of soulful things.

11. Matthew – What do you do to start your day on a positive note?

. Vikter Duplaix – Well, I wake up, and I slap my face to see if I’m still there. And I sit there for a second and think about what I’m going to do next and then ask the question, what? Because there’s always something different everyday.

12. Matthew - Have you ever wanted to write somebody else’s song?

. Vikter Duplaix – No, never had that sensation.

13. Matthew - Is there anything you’d like to change about the USA music industry?

. Vikter Duplaix – Yeah, I wish there was a radio format or a mainstream radio format that was more exclusive of new things and took more chances. It’s very, very repetitive and that’s very boring and it makes the social culture very boring.

14. Matthew - What do you get inspired by and is there anything in particular?

. Vikter Duplaix – I get inspired by good people and beautiful experiences. I’m just typically paying attention to everything that’s going on around me. I try to be somewhat of a reporter in my music, and I try to sing what I’ve experienced through sound.

15. Matthew – What and who has helped you the most during your musical journey?

. Vikter Duplaix – Oh, I’ve had so many people help me through out the years. Kenny Gamble, King Britt, Jazzanova, 4 Hero, the West London crew, BBE guy’s, so many people. I’ve been very fortunate in lots of ways.

16. Matthew – What can we expect from you in 2007 and beyond, any surprises?

. Vikter Duplaix - It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.

17. Matthew – True. Are there any performances that you’re going to do in London, soon?

. Vikter Duplaix – Well, hopefully I’ll go over there in Spring when I get a lot more work, do a few remixes and keep the ball rolling forward.

Words by Matthew Daniel

© 2007 Feel The Soul. All Rights Reserved.