second run through of mag

EAR CANDY

Sweet Like Soul music

Page 05

Ear Candy Interview Exclusive

with Lalah Hathaway

“I have been great” says Lalah

Hathaway. “Touring the country and

going to§ Tokyo to support my latest

release. 2012 seems like science

fiction!” What can your fans expect

from Lalah Hathaway in 2012? “I

hope that they get a chance to come

experience the music live! That is the

best part of my job. I am really looking

forward to touring Europe!” “Where

It All Begins” is Lalah Hathaway’s

latest album release, she says, “It’s

going well! We are coming up on the

second single now! We are still very

much at the top of the record”

And in terms of what collaborations,

“I am featured on 3 records which I

know are going to be pretty great!

Robert Glasper, Esperanza Spalding,

and Frank Ocean!! The years is young

though – I suspect some others will

come up!” Have any music critics

written any bad reviews, “Not a

one!” And Lalah, I have to tell you

that I am a huge fan of your music

and your Father’s music Donny

Hathaway, say something for the Ear

Candy Magazine fans of yours…”I

really appreciate your support! My

last name is a brand that hopefully

people associate with excellence. I

hope that my music and my Fathers

music is always with you” What’s the

best advice you’ve ever been given?

“Get a great attorney. That comes

straight from my Mom” What’s the

best advice you could give to budding

songwriters-producers-composers?

Lalah Hathaway advices, “My advice

to all musicians is to always be aware

of the music around you: whistling in

the trees, cars driving by…try and

tune into the music that is the planet.

It will make you a better musician.

Also allow yourself to be vulnerable.

Everybody feels exactly like you do”

Which albums have you bought in

2012 so far?

“So far, Brandon Coleman,

Thundercat and James Blake’s

debuts – all of which I love!”

Page 04 Page 05

Ear Candy Magazine thanks Lalah for

this exclusive interview and to Steve

Ripley for setting it up of Soul Food

Promotions, UK. We wish you the

best! Lalah, “Thank you!!!!! Hope to

see you soon!!!”

Check out Lalah Hathaway’s latest

album “Where It All Begins” on iTunes.

Or visit her online at: lalahhathaway.

com

Lalah Hathaway

Page 05

Exclusive Interview with Ledisi

Hey Ledisi, how are you? “I’m good

thanks”

Ledisi is a world-wide known soul and

jazz singer, with her big voice she has

gone on to touch millions from all over

the globe since her jazz debut album

“Feeling Orange But Sometimes

Blue”. “Thank you for having me and

congrats on everything”. Ear Candy

Magazine compliments Ledisi on her

latest album “Pieces Of Me” And asks

how the creative experience was,

“Fun and therapeutic”. What have

you been listening to most musically,

“Lorenzo Johnson “”Things Are

Looking Up”, and Abbey Lincolns “A

Turtles Dream”.

We’ve all witnessed singers do

embarrassing things on stage, but

what is this highly professional artists

most embarrassing moment on

stage? “Tripping over a monitor while

singing. Luckily people were dancing

and didn’t notice. Well, a few people

did” Also, how would you most like

to be remembered as, “Someone

who really loved people and worked

very hard”

Name your top ten favourite Ledisi

songs, she says, “That is such an

unfair question. Hmm, this is in no

particular order. “Pieces Of Me”,

“Answer To Why”, ‘This Christmas

(Could Be The One)”, “Knocking”, “So

Into You”, Get To Know You”, “Simple”,

“I Need Love”, “In The Morning”, and

“Love Never Changes”. Ledisi sheds

some light on the millions trying to

make it in the music industry, “Know

the business you are in. It’s called the

Music Business for a reason”

Ledisi

And the last question for Ledisi is

how do you cope in today’s music

industry climate? “Put God first and

stay balanced and excited about

what I love”

Again, many thanks! Ledisi, “Thank

you for making time for me”

To check out all the releases from

Ledisi visit iTunes music store or go

to her music website at: ledisi.com

Vivian Green

Page 05

Ledisi Vivian Green – Sings For

Freedom!

The fantastic Vivian Green has sung

back up vocals for the exceptionally

gifted Jill Scott. She grew up in East

Oak Lane, Philadelphia and is a

classically trained pianist and vocalist.

She wrote a song for Boys II Men titled

“Dear God” on their platinum-selling

record “Evolution”.

Hey Vivian, how are you? Vivian

replies, “I am well thank you!” Green

has released three albums including

2002’s A Love Story to her second

album Vivian to her last album

Beautiful. Recently, Vivian Green has

released a song called “Oh Freedom”

inspired by the film A Soundtrack For

A Revolution. She says, “It is a negro

spiritual. The movie A Soundtrack

For A Revolution has an official

soundtrack, which strangely releasing

two years after the film. It is a Civil

Rights Documentary about the music

that drove the movement. I did a pretty

contemporary version of the spiritual

“Oh Freedom”. The soundtrack has

amazing artists and it is inspiring”.

And with regards to what we can

expect from Vivian Green in 2012?

Vivian says, “A new album definitely.

I am finishing it up now. In the studio”

And what is Green’s sound for 2012?

“I’m still an R&B singer, that’s what

my fan’s want. My “Beautiful” album

definitely had a lot of pop in it, but I’m

not doing that this time. I loved that

album!” Vivian Green has worked

with some of the music industries

most talented soul artists. And here

she says whom she would love to

work with, “Kanye West…probably

never will though!” On that note,

the interview comes to an end, Ear

Candy Magazine thanks Vivian Green

for taking this short interview, and she

says, “Thank you so much!”

Make sure you check out her latest

song “Oh Freedom”! Viviangreen.com

Vivian Green

Don Cornelius – Dies With No

Notes Left Behind

75-year-old Don Cornelius was

found shot dead in his home in Los

Angeles, February 1st 2012 at 4:

00. It is known that the Soul Train

Awards producer and television

host committed suicide. A passer

by called the police after hearing gun

shot’s in the Mulholland Drive area

from Don Cornelius’ house. When

the police arrived at the scene Don

was scene lying lifeless on the floor

and with a gunshot wound to the

head that appeared to be self-inflicted.

Music News

Page 08 Page 09

Dezaray Dawn

She is an exciting new artist included

in the future soul genre. A voice which

possesses both emotion and depth,

Dezaray Dawn is the real deal!

Dezaray Dawn, is German born but

Southern-raised and is an army brat,

a self-described gypsy, having lived

in two countries, four states, and six

US Cities by the time she was sixteen.

In twelve years she attended sixteen

schools.

Mr. Cornelius was taken to Los

Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical

Centre, where he was pronounced

dead at 4:56 a.m. Music was very

important to Don, he was beloved for

his creation of the Soul Train Awards

and it became the longest-running

syndicated show in television history

and spread the word on the great

black American music such as

James Brown, Aretha Franklin and

Michael Jackson. Superstar singer

Quincy Jones says to NY Times, “I

am shocked and deeply saddened

at the sudden passing of my friend,

colleague and business partner Don

Cornelius”

Don created the famous Soul Train

Awards in Chicago in 1970 on WCIV-

TV and served as its writer, producer

and host. The show quickly beams

a success; it was first broadcasted in

1971, starting a 35-year run.

Music News

Page 08 Page 09

Conya Doss – New Music To

Be Released!

A Cleveland native, this US songbird

has come a long way! With five full-

length studio albums under her

belt, she is pretty much on her way

Born to two military parents, the

one firm foundation of her growing

up was music. Her Mother was a

part-time nightclub singer and her

Fathers family includes Anthony David

(cousin), Sean Stockman of Boys II

Men, and Tiny of Xscape. Her parents

divorced and moving became more

permanent what with her Mothers

alcoholism. After graduating, Dawn

stuck it out on her own; she decided

to settle in Nashville, known as the

Music City.

She spent a lot of her time being a

DJ. Artists such as D’Nell, Silhouette

Brown, and 4Hero inspired her own

music. Now, with an EP out titled

“Chameleon” available online Dezaray

Dawn is now based in Atlanta, USA.

Dezeray Dawn is soul music at its

finest!

to soul stardom. Inspirations of her

music about love and life are from

Chaka Khan, Betty Wright, Natalie

Cole, Me’shell N’Degeocello and

Alanis Morisette. Conya has been

singing since she was the age of five.

First grooving to the likes of Stevie

Wonder and Angela Winbush. She

attended the Cleveland’s famed

School of the Arts, where future

stars such as Avant would also

cut their teeth. Ironically, in working

with underprivileged children in the

public schools, Conya Doss has

learned much about her students as

they have from her. These lessons

were painted in broad strokes on

Conya’s candid debut album in

2002 A Poem About Ms. Doss.

Most label her as the new sound of

neo-soul music, but she likes to be

respected as those of Lauryn Hill and

Mary J Blige. A singer in her own

right, Conya Doss captivates the

listener with her musical twists and

turns on loves ups and downs both

lyrically and musically, all with a heart

felt touch. She co-wrote A Poem

About Ms. Doss and co-produced

the album and whose title was first

inspired by a letter to her from a

student in her classroom.

Music News

Page 11

Full Crate

From Amsterdam, Netherlands

born 22nd June 1985 Full Crate

has studied classical piano since the

age of five and also started DJing at

a young age. Over the past several

years Full Crate has been working on

his composing and production skills

for different projects, vocalists and

MC’s and DJing at the best spots

around the world.

January 2010 saw him release

“Conversations With Her” an EP on

Vinyl and available digitally together

with vocalist Mar. They became

known to the independent soul music

scene with their soulful production

and melodies as Full Crate & Mar.

After that, the HiHatClub Vol. 5

Eggs and Pancakes together with

FS Green that dropped in October

on vinyl and digital, worldwide.

Kilawatttmusic record label then

released The Barb’ 7, which is a

London based record label, which is

a fresh and up-tempo release.

After a busy year with different

International shows and gigs he is

now focusing on a full-length album

with Mar, an EP with Jesse Boykins

III and lots of new tours and shows

For more information please visit

fullcrate.net

Colie Williams

Colie Williams is a singer-songwriter-

educator and actress. She is striving

to grow and be the best Colie

Williams, daily. Born and raised in

the Bronx, New York City, real name

Colette Williams (but friends call her

Colie) took the stage after her junior

high school teacher recognized her

vocal talent. She was encouraged

to attend Music & Arts High School

in Harlem, where she majored in

vocal studies. After graduation, Colie

continued her studies at Syracuse

University where she participated in

their musical theatre program.

Colie Williams then headed to

Washington, D.C. She began

touring and performing with several

professional theatre productions,

most notably, the Kennedy Centre

for the Performing Arts. After

establishing her theatre work she

turned to her solo artist side to focus

on developing her own unique jazzy

soul sound. She says, “I’ve always felt

a strong connection to legends like

Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Stevie

Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Roberta

Flack and Sade”.

This inspired her to hone a melodious

style all her own.

After experiencing the education

system, theatre world, and

developing herself as a ready solo

artist, she collaborated with Soul For

A New Day band to perform timeless

covers and enticing originals. Often

compared to songstresses like

Jill Scott and Teena Marie, Colie’s

musical style uniquely blends sounds

of sultry jazz and classic R&B with

spiritual and therapeutic elements

that speak to the mental, emotional

and spiritual wellbeing of her listeners.

Her aim and ambition, musically, is

to inspire and uplift and when she

went to perform internationally she

was able to share her vision with the

audience. Since arriving in the District,

Colie Williams has gained popularity

by often visiting the in famous U Street

corridor venues that include Bus

Boys and Poets, The Islander, and

Jo-Jo’s. Her audiences frequently

request her original material during

her performances. Melodic originals

such as “Angel” and “All You Need”

Music News

Page 10

Grenique

This particular singer-songwriter grew

up in a very creative and musical

family. Her name means something;

her Fathers name Greg and her

Mother knew she’d be unique.

Together, they made Grenique listen

to and absorb the sounds of Prince,

Patrice Rushen, Cindy Lauper,

Madonna, Chicago, Phyllis Hyman,

Sly and the family Stone, Marvin

Gaye, Cameo, and Chaka Khan.

These artists all influenced her into

her own approach to music.

embody the human spirit and soul.

Co-written by The Crank Bros, Colie’s

style is unique, it fuses Go-Go, Latin,

Classic R&B and Jazz in order for her

to create a fresh air to the urban adult

contemporary music scene.

Colie’s strong influences from Ella,

Sarah and Billie inspired her own

music but her messages lyrically

reach audiences on a global scale.

www.coliewilliams.com

Grenique started performing with

vocal groups as a teenager but felt

strongly that her ideas would work

better as a solo artist. Little did she

know that all was to soon come! She

went to New York City for business

meetings and to she got introduced

to Dahoud Darien who connected

her with Kedar Massenburg the

president of Motown Records as

well as Chico Debarge!

This led Grenique to grace the

front covers of Seventeen, Vibe,

Essence, Ebony, and many more

magazines. Her next career step

is to team up with producer Bone

Crusher, Grenique’s new music is

certainly a game changer. Grenique

has been ignored by the mass of

global super star artists. Her beautiful

debut album “Black Butterfly” could

have taken the music industry by

storm having given her track record

with hits with The Game and the

Rush Hour soundtrack feature but

the music industry doesn’t want to

be appealing to organic and natural

music that Kedar Massenburg and

his team make. Neo-Soul music is a

term not every artists appreciates but

Grenique fits into that perfectly. “Black

Butterfly” is eleven stunningly soulful

songs, all with strong production that

should have scored her at least one

or two hits. But sadly, this unwanted

album was a hit and miss even

though widely appreciated in the

underground and independent soul

music scene.

For more information visit:

Grenique.com

Music News

Page 13

Sharlene Hector

Acer Maple is a great band consisting

of all UK musicians and singers. Here,

Ear Candy interviews lead vocalist of

Acer Maple, Sharlene Hector.

What inspired the formation of Acer

Maple? “Acer Maple is a project I’m

very proud to be part of. It was started

by Danny Fisher and Dave Austin, two

guitarists who both teach music. I’ve

known Dave for many years as we

used to play together at Michelle

Escoffery’s night, ‘Kindred Spirit’

back in the day. Dave introduced

me to Danny and we started gigging

my stuff together performing various

acoustic sets around London”. She

ends, “Dave and Dan asked me to

vocal some amazing songs for them

which I was really excited to do. These

songs became ‘Early’, their debut EP,

available on iTunes!”

She continues to discuss the writing

process and that Ear Candy thinks

Sharlene has a beautiful voice, with

stunning backing vocals, “Thank you

very much Matthew! It took about a

year to write and get it produced

and finished. It was a lot harder

and a lot more expensive than I

thought it would be! I finished it in

November 2010 and re-released it

on iTunes this March with the help of

a photographer friend of mine, Alex

Winn”. Have any labels approached

Acer Maple? “I didn’t make the project

with hope of getting signed to be

honest. I had something to say and

just felt this was the best way to get

it out there. I wanted people to know

they weren’t alone, whether they felt

happy, sad, lonely, or whatever” She

says, “It helps sometimes to know

someone else feels the same way

you do”.

We go on to discuss if its getting

tougher to sign to major labels or

even independent labels? “I think

being signed can mean different

things these days. It really depends

on the objective of the company

wanting to sign. Back in the day you

got money to make an album, now

you have to have a finished product

before you approach a label. I’m not

sure being signed is all it’s cracked

up to be. People have released their

own projects successfully using

Music News

Page 12

YouTube, iTunes, and MySpace so

who knows? Where there’s a will,

there’s a way!”

Ear Candy Magazine’s favourite

song’s off Acer Maple EP are This

Is and Keepsake. Who are the

musicians involved in the band? “Acer

Maple are Danny Fisher and Dave

Austin. My friend Richard Spaven

played drums on the project too”

Have you ever had any vocal training

or are you self-taught? “I had a few

lessons as a teenager and a couple

as an adult because I damaged my

vocal chords a few years back. I think

it’s always good to keep learning”

The UK soul scene is on it right now!

Femi Temowo, Michael Kiwanuka,

Marcina Arnold, Eska Mtungwazi,

and so on. “I’m always up for a

collaboration! My friend Brendan Reilly

has an EP out very, very soon!”


http://www.sharelenehector.com

Robin Thicke

American-Canadian R&B singer-

songwriter-musician-composer and

actor is an Award winning artist who

has penned hits for popular artists

such as Jennifer Hudson, Usher,

Mary J Blige and many others.

Robin Thicke started out his music

career when he released “A Beautiful

World” under the name of Thicke. To

date he has released (in no particular

order) The Evolution Of Robin Thicke,

Love After War, Something Else, Sex

Therapy: The Experience, and has

had hits with songs such as Magic.

Born March 10th 1977, Robin Thicke

is the Son of Gloria Loring (actress

and singer) Alan Thicke (actor). They

divorced when he was seven, but

throughout his childhood his parents

enabled him to listen to Whitney

Houston, Luther Vandross and Bruce

Springsteen.

Before his days as a solo artist, Robin

Thicke wrote “Love Is On My Mind”

for Brandy’s self-titled album and a

number of songs for 3T’s “Sexual

Attention” and collaborated with

Jordan Knight, Jimmy Jam and Terry

Lewis on severeal songs for Knight’s

1999 album Jordan Knight.

Later that year “Love After War”

became Robin’s fifth studio album

on December 6th 2011. The album’s

lead single is “Love After War” and

the second single is “Pretty Lil’ Heart”

featuring Lil’ Wayne.


Robinthicke.com

Kim Hill

Page 15

Interview with KIm Hill

01. Ear Candy – How are you?

Thanks for doing this interview with

Ear Candy Magazine?

. Kim Hill – I’m really good these days.

Living in NY after 17 years of living in

LA. I’m in a really solid place in my life

and it’s great to be back on the east

coast close to my tribe. That said,

thanks for having me. What a way to

kick off 2012!

02. Ear Candy – What do you

think of Ear Candy Magazine?

. Kim Hill – I love it! The layout is that

of a printed magazine with an eco

friendly edge. The artists featured

range from underground to ground

breaking. Being fly while helping the

environment is all to the good!

03. Ear Candy – What

have been your recent musical

endeavours?

. Kim Hill – I’m working with

Rubbertracks Studio in Brooklyn on

a few songs with Twilight Tone from

Chitown. I’ll be mixing my record there

and tweaking my music from 2004

to now. Spinning has also added a

new texture to my production and

beat making. Kim Hill is the singer.

Kim Hill is the deejay and together, a

visceral connection occurs. It’s been

an amazing opportunity to learn more

about myself musically; as if I’ve found

a missing piece of a puzzle. And finally

after more than 3 years, I’m doing my

first live show on Feb. 4th 2012 in San

Fransisco, which will be hosted by

NeNe Leaks of The Real Housewives

of Atlanta. I’m so delighted to be part

of this event, empowering women is

near and dear to me.

04. Ear Candy – Are you

planning on releasing any more

music?

. Kim Hill – Ahhh the age old question.

Hell NO! Sike, the answer is yes.

When? Who knows. But soon, pinky

swear! It will be well worth the wait. My

life has been a collection of moving

chapters scribed with love, loss,

suicide, motherhood and (drums

please) amazing shoes. It’s all been

documented and it’s the right time to

release it. WORD!

05. Ear Candy – What have

been your latest releases to date?

. Kim Hill – I actually took some time

away to from music to do some other

projects. I’m working on an indie film

slated to shoot this spring called, In

The Morning by Nefertite Nguvu. I

shot a rockdoc that chronicled my first

year of motherhood and the kidney

transplant I did with my brother. But

most importantly, becoming a mother

has been life changing and I wanted

to sit still in that new space for a while.

My pregnancy came as I was putting

things in motion to release some of

my material. Now, I’m ready to drop a

mixtape and see what my supporters

respond to.

Kim Hill

Page 14

06. Ear Candy – Do you have

any advice for up coming artists etc?

. Kim Hill – You have to make music

you REALLY love! Music is like a sex

tape; once it’s out there, it’s out there,

forever! I encourage people to make

music that is sincere, so no matter

where you arein your life, you can

stand firm on your word and your

work. I try to imagine myself (the age

of some of my hero’s) like Lena Horne

and Diana Ross and think would they

be singing this at Carnegie Hall when

they have grandchildren? Have fun

making your music, while keeping

in mind it will be the imprint of your

legacy.

07. Ear Candy – How can your

fans contact you best?

. Kim Hill – I’m on Facebook, Twitter,

rarely on MySpace, and old faithful,

KimmyKim.com. I have people

contact me all the time regarding

bookings, to and ask me for advice,

to bridge the gap in copious BEP

(The Black Eye’d Pea’s) stories and

to encourage me. I love being in

touch with my fan base, they keep

me grounded. This aboutme link is a

one stop shop for all things Kim Hill.

About.me/iamkimhill

08. Ear Candy – If you could

be a square or a circle what would

you choose and why?

. Kim Hill – A square. I have to be

able to visualize myself wearing

amazing shoes and corners make

that possible. Besides…it’s hip to be

square.

Check Kim Hill like she said out online

at kimmykim.com

Meemee Nelzy Up & Coming

Page 17

Meemee Nelzy

Meemee Nelzy comes from Paris,

France and is an independent

neo-soul artist who fuses all

different genres of music. Here she

discusses what it was like growing

up in France. “It was natural for me,

I was born in Paris! My parents

explained to me very early that I was

French but also West Indian. And I

had the chance to visit the French

West Indies since my childhood. I

was a bit different from other children

at school but I felt very nice in my

head!” She continues to express

her strong influence in Caribbean

music and black music, “At home

my parents stayed connected with

their respective islands (Martinique

and Guadeloupe) and they used

to listen to a lot of music. It could be

James Brown, Bob Marley, or great

Caribbean groups such as Kassav

or Tabou Combo for instance. I grew

up with all that! Those rhythms always

stay in my head when I create even if

I make Soul music”. Back in the day,

Meemee Nelzy joined a world-wide

collective called Urban Soul Collectiv,

she expands on the subject matter, “It

made me realize that our world could

be marvellous if people too the time

to know each other and understand

different cultures. We were able

to build together, respecting each

others”

She continues, “All our influences

were mixed and it was giving us a

huge energy while composing or

performing on stage. This experience

made me a better person and I keep

some good memories of all my

partners-in-crime! We now live in

different countries all over the world!”

And how has hip-hop influenced your

music? “Hip Hop is the energy of my

life, a real part of my identity. I danced

a bit, I make beats. I like the spirit of

Hip Hop. And naturally you can hear

that in my music. Don’t need to rap

for that, it’s stronger than that. Today,

I keep on working with rappers, graffiti

artists, dancers, I automatically feel

close to them”

And when did you begin listening

to Jazz music, Meemee says, “I

was listening a bit with my parents.

I also went to Jazz because of Hip

Hop and sampling techniques. But

I really realized that I needed it when

I discovered Soul and Jazz Funk

fusion. It wasn’t good only for my

musical education; it was good for

my spirit too!” She furthers, “Now

and then, I listen to jazz music when

I want to relax or when I want to be

production” And who were the first

jazz artists that appealed to you?

“Miles Davis! When, as a child, my

Mother came home with “Tutu”…

But many years later I began

listening to John Coltrane and Wes

Montgomery. I prefer post 50s Jazz”.

You self-produced your debut Album

“Ame Nouvelle”, which means new

soul and you sing it in French and

Creole. What type of artist do you

consider yourself to be? Nelzy

replies, “I am a crazy person who

used to think that with a good spirit

and some motivation I could go very

far. I produce, I sing, I write, and I do

many collaborations because of

my self-determination. I am one of

those artists who think that Art is a

Meemee Nelzy Up & Coming

Page 16

way to grow and to reveal oneself

as a living individuality!” What is your

Ear Candy for 2012? “One of my

favourite artists is Eric Roberson, I

didn’t take the time to listen to his last

release, I will definitely cop this very

soon I also heard about the Robert

Glasper Experiments “Black Radio”,

which is coming soon. I am sure that

2012 will be a great year for my ears

and my heart!!!” Thank-you Meemee!

“Thank you so much and a big

shout out to the readers of the Ear

Candy Magazine!” myspace.com/

meemeenelzy

Diggs Duke

On his Twitter page he says he

is a: “Eccentric Realist Insomniac

Soul Musician”. Well, we all need

one of those in our lives! Having

released through BandCamp.com

his two projects that are both dope:

Gravity and Black & Gold. Gravity

is a collection of music composed

by Diggs Duke. It offers five songs,

hence why he calls it an EP and then

Black & Gold is his second EP, which

has another give songs. He says,

“This collection of music seeks to

expand on the musical concepts and

vibes that were presented to you on

Gravity”. Make sure you take a listen

to the vibes of Diggs Duke @ www.

diggsduke.bandcamp.com

Wayna

Grammy nominated soul artist

Wayna is the first choice of the Soul

Of 2012 for Ear Candy Magazine’s

first issue. Having been given a

Grammy nomination for “Lovin’ U” for

Best Urban/Alternative Performance,

this Ethiopian-born singer-songwriter

possesses pure and sweet voice

that is also honest and passionate

like Patrice Rushen or Minnie

Ripperton. Not only that but Wayna

was crowned Miss Black Unity at

the University of Maryland in 1995!

This beautiful songstress has had

music magazines loving her from the

word go! Such music magazines

as Billboard Magazine, Essence

Magazine, Music Monthly, Nu Flav

Mag, Dusty Groove America and

World Pulse Magazine to name a

few. With simply two recorded debut

albums under her belt; Wayna was

to date released Moments Of Clarity:

Vol. 1 and Higher Ground. 25 songs

of loves ups and downs. Wayna is

a modern day star child and has

opened up for in concert Fantasiam

Amerie, Common, Bobby Valentino,

Jaguar Wright, Kindred and Chuck

Brown. http://www.wayna.net/

Gregory Porter

Page 19

Gregory Porter

Page 18

Exclusive Interview with

Gregory Porter

Gregory Porter had one heck

of a year in 2011. He was on the

Later…With Jools Holland show

many times, and was featured a lot

in UK’s Jazz Wise Magazine. Here

he talks exclusively to Ear Candy

Magazine thanks to US press officer

Cary Goldberg of gomediapr.com.

“Donny and Aretha influence me

without a doubt”, says an honest

Gregory Porter. He continues, “The

connection between the heart and

voice is so close with these masters

all else is secondary and it was and is

still effective”. Ear Candy Magazine’s

Matthew Daniel loves the songs

“We’re Still Friends”, “I Love You More

Than You’ll Ever Know” by Donny

Hathaway and Aretha Franklin’s “Spirit

In The Dark” album. And Gregory’s,

“Donny’s “For All We Know” and

“Compared To What” by Les

McCann Swiss Movement”. Having

watched Gregory’s appearances on

Later…With Jools Holland, he reflects

on his time on the show, “It was

amazing! I appreciate the way Jool’s

and his producers have no problem

mixing genres. Playing alongside and

with masters that I grew up listening

to was a sweet experience. Betty

Wright put it down for all generations

and Cnydy Lauper was so great

singing and reinterpreting her iconic

music. Jazz and blues and soul can

survive in a place that puts them on

equal footing. Most people listen to

music the way Jool’s runs his show,

just good music”

2011 was a highly successful year

for Gregory Porter and his debut

album “Illusions”. What is your key

to success? “Listening to the inner

voice. For me that’s been the key. I’ve

learned that my personal stories are

more universal than I once thought,

people see themselves in any art that

comes from a grounded real place.

Also a team of people that are willing

to work to put your music to the ears

of people will and wanting it. I had pent

up energy to release and I’m glad I’ve

had to good fortune to be heard” On

a totally opposite subject matter, what

is your favourite kind of food? “I’m so

open when it comes to food, when

I’m on the road it often became a

food tour as well as a concert tour

because I love good food and flavour.

In Mexico, in Mexico City I had some

of the best tasting tacos I’ve ever

had in my life. I hit up three rolling

kitchens in one lunch break” Gregory

continues, “In a small town in Austria

near the German border I had this

beautiful local fish baked withi butter

and herbs, wow, I told the chef it was

the best I’ve ever had in my life and I

gave him three CDs!”

He expresses his thoughts and

feelings on what’s the best advice

he’s been given, and turns out quite

an emotional one “My Mother, in the

last days of her life told me, propped

upright by pillows with oxygen

machine on its maximum setting,

she told me in a quiet voice; “Gregory

keep singing baby, you do many

things well but it’s the best thing you

do, so sing baby”. She also told me

always to sing with an understanding

of lyric, not just using lyric as a vehicle

to carry a note” And what are your

plans for 2012? “I’ve had some

success and I’m so thankful but I

know I have so many places and ear

that have never heard me or my name

or my songs, I’ve said all along that I

just want to be heard, let the listener

reject if they don’t like it, but let it be

heard” And how do you think the

Internet has affected soul music? “It

has taken that sound to all corners

of the world, that sound that has its

roots in the American South in fields

and in churches and juke joints has

influenced top pop acts to restaurant

singers in Siberia. I hear soul in every

language now” Matthew founder

and editor of Ear Candy Magazine

is a songwriter-composer, Gregory

Porter sheds some words of wisdom,

“Carry a device for recording your

ideas. Don’t dismiss any thought

musically speaking. You don’t know

how it’s going to finish itself. Have

more unfinished songs than finished,

it suggests that you are still on the

search”

Sadly, the talented Gregory Porter

has to leave but Ear Candy Magazine

thanks him for his time as he has an

incredibly busy schedule! “Thank you,

I’m more than appreciative that people

want to know my story”

To buy Gregory Porter music visit your

local iTunes store or see him online at:

gregoryporter.com

Gregory Porter

Lianne La Havas

Lianne La Havas is new to the music

scene but already she is being

compared to Erykah Badu and

Sade to name a few. This young

singing sensation has won the BBC

Sound Of 2012: A BBC Sound Of

2012 Artist. At 22 years of age, this

Londoner has captivated the hearts

of quite a few impressive professionals

and music lovers alike. In 2011 La

Havas took the stage on Later...With

Jools Holland, to a wowing audience,

this South London born and raised

singer-songwriter has an EP out

called Lost & Found, with the most

popular song being “Age”, in which

she performed on Later...With Jools

Holland back in 2011.

Lianne La Havas was born to a

Jamaican Mother who played music

such as Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige.

Her Father was a multi-instrumentalist

who gave her the basic skills on how

to play the guitar and keyboard. Her

musical influences currently greatly

appeal from Soul music and Folk

music.

Now at the age of 22, she has

been making music since she was

handed a keyboard at the age of

7. South Londoner, Lianne realized

her talents and so did her family, also

influences such as Nina Simone and

Lauryn Hill where key to her musical

development.

However, it’s taken quite a while for La

Havas to be noticed, while she has

been singing background vocals for

artists like Paloma Faith it wasn’t until

she stepped forward with her own

material for online sessions for Black

Cab Sessions and French website

Lianne La Havas

second run through of mag

Documents

lalah hathaway page

soul music page

lalah hathaway advices

music critics

fathers music donny

ear candy interview

ear candy sweet

exclusive interview