DaRome Bentley
Interview 5 April
2005
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Hey daRome, how you
doing, thanks for doing this.
Hey man Thank You!
Tell me about the album, how long it took to get together, how you
feel about it.
The album took about 6 months. I feel good about the album.
It's a very smooth flowing, soulful and mainstream album.
How long has it been out, what’s the initial reaction been like
Online I had it available in Late december. But decided to push
the retail physical album until March. The intial response was incredible
and still is !
I think R/B soul is in a bit of a recession with the global
domination of HIPHOP today. However Soul and R/B are back on the rise! I
am glad to be one of the artist doing it!
What tracks are getting attention,
Brown Like Hennesy! fo show! Everywhere loves that one! Beauty You
smile has gotten a lot of play as well!! Also it's dance remix produced by
london production team Soulversive!
For me it’s Back When with props to the Old Skool, Trust’n’Me
which is a bit more neo I suppose and Brown like hennessy with some great beats
and is more R’n’B – so there’s a whole lot in there?
Yes like I said Brown like Hennesy it has been gettin alot
attention in the States, especially on the East Coast. I love "Back
When". It's my second favorite song. Collide is my first!
And the ballads are good to and Beauty (your smile)
is the kind of track that the Uk might like
Actually it has been doing the best over there.
And again you add differing vibes with Spiritual healing
and Aboutchu – does that illustrate better freedom as an independent.
Yes! Each producer was so different to work with. Intially
it was difficult to make the project cohesive. I kept recording and things came
together. The producers would listen to what the others were doing sometimes.
How difficult is it as an independent
I feel true talent can't be kept hidden for too long. It
helps to surround yourself with important people that believe and support you.
Also to have a business mind and a sense of artistic direction both musically
and image wise. I've learned from the best working with some of my friends who
interned with Super Producer Dallas Austin. I learned alot hanging out at
D.A.R.P studios in Atlanta. I got to do some writing and learned about the
business and marketing an artist.
Where can it be obtained?
Whew! Too many places to name.
You can literally go onto any music site and find me. Online
everywhere!
Cdbaby.com has been an extremely popular site. But all the major
retailers online have me too like vh1.com & towerrecords.com and if it's
not in your local record store it can be ordered from their.
Who out there influences you from right now and old skool,
Oh man! New Skool would be Kenny Lattimore, Eric Bene't, Maxwell,
Musiq and Rappael Saddiq. Old skool Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder to name
a few. There are so many!
How do you feel about Soul Music right now – are we moving back in
a positive direction?
I think R/B soul is a serious
recession HipHOP has got Global Domination now. Soul Music
is however definitely back on the rise big time!
And where do you fit in to all this
I think I am doing what no one else yet, which is taking soul
music to a mainstream audience. Alecia Keys has achieved this. But no male soul
artist has taken soul music to a huge mainstream audience. Maxwell almost did
it. John Legend may come closer. I think with soul music and r/b they are
afraid to reach for wider audience with the fear of being called pop. Hmm
Does that genre even exist anymore?
Tell me about your songwriting, what you draw from
I draw my experiences and from life not always my own. I have so
much going around me. There are so many resources.
“Artist, actor, writer, producer and vocal arranger” –
which comes first? What acting
have you done
Music of course. I've done a few independent films in the
past. No major films as of yet. However I just signed to do commericials
for the new FORD FOCUS. On the radio commercial ad I sing. That
was cool to do. I plays in the baltimore market first and the spread to various
U.S. Markets. Maybe it'll make it over there.
Any interest from the Uk or elsewhere, what’s the hook up with
Vijay at 2 funky
Vijay has really been promoting the album over there.
The Clubs over there I hear have really recieve the album well!
That makes me feel good! Europe and Japan dates are in the works. Japan,
Germany, UK ,Spain and Italy have recieve the album very well! I get so
many emails from music lovers from those places!
What do you know about the UK scene,
I hear UK music lovers are very open minded. They actually play
the entire album on some radio stations. R/B Soul is very appreciated
there. That's much different from the States.
Tell me about the people around you,
I keep a tight circle of business associates
and friends.
I have great manager, Aaron Martell at Sky Management.
Do you use the same ones live.
I perform the entire album live. The band I have is incredible!
What’s your show like, do you do much live work
Yes It's another whole experience live. It gives me a rush. It's
very emotional live! I have pecussions, keyboard, bass, drum, acoustic guitar
and some of the baddest background vocalist you've ever seen!
It's a great show!
Whats it like getting stuff out and heard as an independent?
Again I feel true talent just can't be kept a secret. It's gonna
get out!
Tell me about yourself,
where you from, your family, what you like to do.
I am originally from Kansas City in the Midwest of the
State. I was born in Oklahoma.I move to Atlanta Georgia about 3 years
ago. I came from a good family. I have 2 brothers and 2 sisters. I am the
only one that sings.I feel I had a great childhood. My father always encouraged
me to follow you're path or will live to on to regret it. I always took those
words with me. I love the outdoors, horseback
riding and traveling. And I Oh am a XBOX fanatic! I love video
games!
When and where did you start singing, church?
I started writing songs at 12 and singing in church and audiences
at 13
When did you move to Atlanta, has it been good to you
I've been down here about 3 or 4 years. It was tough at first!
From a small city to Atlanta can be life altertering. I was trooper. I
packed my bags and loaded my car with only $500 in pocket and I made it in
Atlanta. Whew! That alone I could write a book about! Producers gave me a
hard time a first but once people see you've got talent and drive they are all
over you!
Lots going on in Atlanta right now? Who else do you connect with
as I’ve featured quite a few on my website.
My cousin is
GRIFF a well know Morning show COMEDIAN and Morning Show personality on
Atlanta's 107.9. With him I've met a few celebs down here.
At what point did music emerge as the thing you wanted to do
I wanted to entertain all my life. Ask anyone who knew me since 9
or younger!
Are you in music full time?
YES
What other things have you done in music. You’ve worked with Kci & Jo Jo,
Next and Joe – all great vocal talents?
Yes I was in a group when I open with JOE, KC-JoJo and Next. That
was in 99 It was cool!
Who else have you worked with? Soulversive production team.
They help start Floetry's Career. Alot of the producers I
used are not well known but have worked in either Dallas Austin,Jermaine
Dupri or La Face's camp.
What’s next on the agenda.
I will be on tour in August in the states with John Legend and few
other artist on the HOODSTOCK 2005 Tour. The tour is sponsored through Infinity
Broadcasting Group and Urban World Entertainment.
Currently I am doing spots in Atlanta,Baltimore, Las Vegas and Los
Angeles.
And what are you looking to achieve
Being the well rounded Entertainer!
I want to grow in the industry. So many things I want to do
eventually like a Label,own a Film & Recording Studios, Clothing and
Colgne, Television and Multimedia. So much I want to do.
Anything else you’d like to say
I want to thank you so much Mike for this interview!
I truely appreciate all the support! This is just the beginning!
Pick up the album!!
Good luck, thanks for your time,
e
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