Heston

Interview 28 October 2004

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1. How are you doing?
   I’m doing fine, Mike. Thanks for asking.
   
   
2. Tell me about yourself, where you’re from, what kind of music were you exposed at that time, or through your family, all the great Philly stuff? I was born in Dominica (British West Indies) and moved to Philadelphia when I was 10. I grew up between New York and Philadelphia for most of my teenage years. And moved to Atlanta five years ago.
   
   Honestly, Mike, Philadelphia didn’t really have a big impact on me musically. I pretty much focused on school. I wrote songs, but was too shy to explore my musical ability. It’s through my mom and dad’s record collection that I got my musical influences, which began when I lived in the Caribbean.
   
   
3. Who were your influences both growing up and now. You like your old soul from the 60’s up? My biggest influences were artists such as; Elton John, Marvin Gaye, Al Green (Gospel), Michael Jackson (first and second solo albums), Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Bee Gees (a huge influence), and Bob Marley and Berres Hammond, of course. These people were pivotal in my development as a songwriter and a singer. Currently, I totally dig artists like Brian McKnight, Donnie, Van Hunt, of course India.Arie.
   
   As far as soul from the 60’s, yes, I love lots of it, but mostly my influence came from soul artist in the 70’s, like Sam Cooke’s 70’s material, Stevie Wonder, and Marvin Gaye.
   
   
4. Tell me about the album, the live cuts and the studio ones. Well, the EP was an experiment. Fortunately for me, people responded and loved it. It took me just about a year to complete due to producing it as an independent. But, every single song means everything to me. I don’t do “filler” songs. In my opinion, my music is a direct representation of me. True artists and songwriters are like an open book – what you hear in my music is me. It’s my feelings, my thoughts, my ideas, my loves - it probably reveals more of me than I do personally. I like the honesty of my music. When I write, all of my varied influences subconsciously work their way into the music.
   
   Live or recorded, it’s all me. I love the camaraderie of live instruments and a live audience. There’s a connection with the audience that you don’t get in the studio. I love the interaction with the musicians on stage – there’s so much give and take, that each experience is unique, and pushes me to different places vocally.
5. I think the studio cuts are terrific. I first came across “If” on the Soul Lounge thing. In fact, those five cuts are all very strong. You wrote them all? Yes. “Radio” was co-written with Billy Odum, “If” was co-written with Leroy Dunbar, and the rest are all mine. I produced the EP along with Phil Davis, Grammy award-winning producer for Boney James.
   
   
6. How did you get picked up for the Soul Lounge? Terry Bello is a nationally re-knowned promoter and host of a syndicated show called Groove Nation. I participated in several showcases that he promoted and hosted in Atlanta. He liked my music and asked me to be a part of the compilation and rest is history.
   
   
7. The Liquid Soul, groovenation, neo-soul thing is all very in Atlanta, some great artists. What’s it like round and about, do you all help each other? Yes. There is a tight-knit music community here in Atlanta. We all know each other and support each other and sometimes collaborate.
   
   
8. Got some reaction from the UK too? Yes. More than I expected. Richard Searling, one of soul music’s most influential DJ’s in Europe, named “Angel” to his Top 50 list for 2003. A huge chunk of my record sales come from the UK and Europe, in general. It’s been added to radio through word-of-mouth from Spain (Canary Islands) to Guam to Australia, and beyond. Come January, I will be featured on two compilations – Organic Soul 4, on Soul Brothers Records, and on Unisex: Atlanta Soul, on Demon Music Group, with my song “If”, which has just taken on a life of its own. I was quite honored because of the artist featured on the compilation are the likes of India.Arie, Cee-lo Green, Usher, and Outkast.
   
   
9. Do you have a team around you, the same people in the studio as on the road? I have a wonderful team around me - people who actually believe in me as an artist and work hard at presenting me in a manner that I am completely comfortable with. We’re like-minded in our goals and beliefs – realizing that the main goal is to spread the music as far as it can go, while staying true to what has made me successful thus far.
   
   
10. Tell me about your show. I’m a great fan of live music, but not a great fan of live albums, but your vibe is quite well captured on yours. The musicians that I record with are also my touring band. I am fortunate to say that if I had to pick a new band, I’d pick the same guys.
    
    The band that I play with, I’ve worked with for a while. Through playing show after show, they get it – they get me and my music. I’m fortunate to have musicians that respect the art of music, more than just a paycheck. And that comes across in the live performance. As for me, the greatest high is that hour or so on stage. I’m a songwriter, so everything that I deliver is honest, so it’s very easy to convey my message and emotions through the performance.
    
    
11. Tell me about your songs and how you put them down. Every song is different. Every song is written differently. Sometimes the music comes first, sometimes the lyrics, and sometimes it’s just an idea. But, no matter what, I don’t force lyrics, music, or ideas to complete a work. I may carry an idea around for as long as a year before it’s complete. It will naturally fall into place. It should come more from inspiration, not perspiration. Separate parts of the song may come at totally different times. I don’t try to force them to fit with each other; they just flow together naturally to complete the song.
    
    
12. Is this your first album? What else have you done? Yes, this is my first album.
    
    
13. And what’s happening next? I’m currently working on a full-length album, due out in the summer of 2005. I’m quite confident with the material and can’t wait to share it with the world. I’m also getting ready to go on tour with Donnie (Motown) at the end of the year on a “Men of Soul” tour.
    And what’s the big plan? The big plan is to have a successful long-term music career, spanning decades, like some of my icons. I want to put out music that I’ll always be proud of and that fans will always want to listen to, even twenty years from now – classic music. I want to reach audiences young and old, black and white, male and female, and so on. Music has no boundaries. I want to be successful at the one thing that I love more than anything else – music.
    
    
14. How difficult is it as an independent, or do you need the freedom that it gives you? At this point, it is difficult because I’m not able to do everything that I want to do in the time that I want to do it. However, if there’s one thing I believe in is my music, and with the right strategies, the right team, and one common goal, there’s no limit to what can be achieved.
    
    
15. Anything else you’d like to add? I’d like to thank all of the fans, radio DJ’s, promoters, internet radio sites, and the grapevine for spreading me and my music to the world. As an independent, my music is not as easily accessible as major artists, but because people have believed in me and my music, they have spread the word, and people have actively sought me ought from both near and far. Thank you, wherever you are! And thank you Mike for your time and support!

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