Hiya Chris thanks for joining us in the virtual RGM lounge today, grab a brew and take a seat.
Q: What made you decide that music is a thing for you?
A: I can’t remember deciding music was my thing… I grew up surrounded by music in the family home starting with my Mum and Dad being choir masters. It was cute, they were at the church, and then they made me… the rest is history.
Q: Name your 3 favorite Albums?
A: Kanye west College dropout , Drake More Life, and Jyellowl 20/20 vision ( which I executively produced )
Q: What was the first song you heard that steered you into a music path?
A: Kanye West – Through the wire
Q: The music industry is the hardest industry in the world to progress in, How do you feel you are doing?
A: I think I am doing okay, I’m big on “not letting my mind control me” or let the pressure of the industry’s expectation dictate my decision making so I try to find a balance in between which is not always the easiest thing to do, but I manage it. Having a good solid team around me also helps. It takes a village. For me, it is about the craft, the drive, the creation of music. Music is cathartic for me. When I write music it’s my story, process and therapy. People who are creative… we are also very spiritual. We think deeper than just the obvious because that’s where we pull out our resources. We don’t waste time to just chit-chat and dreaming of fame, if we reach that destination, so be it, but we go to the studio and create and whatever comes from that is up to God.
Q. I’m seeing a lot of debate about women not feeling safe at music gigs, any thoughts on what we need to do to help?:
A: I think the industry needs to shed more light on women (and anyone who identifies as female) entertainers and give them an equal opportunity to express their creative thoughts and work – exact same as the opportunities afforded to Men. It’s that simple. Equality aint hard and it’s not rocket science.
Q: As you develop as an artist and develop using socials what ways do you get new ears on your music? Any tips?
A: Every now and then I make sure that I listen to random sounds. I just press shuffle and keep my mind open to a new sound, that’s how I get inspired. I am loving this new AI world that’s about to open up… imagine we live in a time where we can collaborate with artificial intelligence. How cool is that? I wanna hype that.
Q: Tell us Two truths and a lie about you?
A: “true” I can’t swim, “true” I am the only boy in my family of all sisters, “Lie” My dog died at 14.
Q: What’s your thought on Spotify’s monopoly on the music industry?
A: In my opinion, I think Spotify is trying its best to provide a good and positive experience to the listeners and music creators – they are doing their best to give creators an equal opportunity to promote our music to the masses including new potential listeners. We can reach more ears than ever existed in history. What a time to be alive. Should they pay the artist more royalties? Yes.
Q: Do you sign up for any conspiracy theories?
A: ….sometimes…. I have my days…
Q: Did you buy anything you don’t need during the pandemic?
A: I bought so many new things out of boredom, just to keep my days going. I woke up one day, I didn’t like how my couch was staring at me and I ordered a whole brand new couch and a new diner table. Now when I look back I ask myself why did I do that. Lol!
Q: What was the worst experience on stage?
A: When the mic aint working properly and the sound engineer don’t understand basic hand signs.
Q: Tell us something about you that you think people would be surprised about?
A: When I feel down or bored I buy random things. No shame. I love fashion too. I buy loads of clothes, and I sing loud as I can at my house until I start to feel better.
Q: What makes you stand out as a band/artist?
A: Everything.
QL I hear you have a new music EP coming out, what can you tell us about it.
A: This EP is personal to me. It took me over 3 years to work on this project. In the process, I have produced over 400 songs, and had to cut it down to 100, then 50, to 10 now 7 (5 tracks plus two remixes). I also got to work with the late and great Coolio who inspired me and promoted me to finish my won project. I was working on his new music and then he passed. It really was heart-breaking but his energy was a pure vibration. It spurred me on to chase my own goals and ambitions again. For that I am forever grateful.
The songs I selected for this EP are specifically aligned with my recent and current life situations, so they in a way are a reflection of a post covid world and how we survive via love, hope and music as a healing tool. I wrote and produced most of the songs except one “Good Bad” I had my brother JyellowL as co-writer.
The EP is titled Y not ( Why not ) based on a mindset of a winner, that if anyone can make it to the top I can do it too, Y not, I have what it takes to become great so Y Not? That’s the message Coolio gave me and I wanted to send to the world.
Q: Talk me through the thought process of the new tune/s.:
A: I’m fortunate enough to have my own home-built studio and have invested fortunes to build… my process it’s pretty simple: I get inspired at random places and time and once I get home the music is flowing down to my head. When it’s uploaded and made sense, I stop whatever I’m doing and jump to the studio and try to bring that idea to life by using my piano, at first to create the melodic concept then it grows from there.
Q: What was the recording process like?
A: I start by recording vocal mumbles and once I’m comfortable with the mumbles then I re-record the actual vocals. That’s the truth brother.
Q: What was the biggest learning curve in writing the new tunes?
A: If it doesn’t connect with you don’t force it to leave it or give it to someone else.
Q: Would you change anything now it’s finished?:
A: Hell nope I am 100% happy with the results and quality of the EP. I know in my heart that I gave it my all.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with the world?
A: Be Kind – Be authentic – Follow your dream.
FOLLOW HERE