honeybrown

Honey Brown

Interview 17 January 2005

Click on small image for CD purchase and soundbites

http://www.platinumrushmusic.com/

Hey Honey, thanks for doing this. How are you

I'm great! Thanks. Happy to be talking to you.

Tell me about the album, the concept, what you hope to achieve and what you feel about the end product.

The concept of the Album is the sweetness of life, alluding to the name Honey Brown. Honey is sweet, and brown is an earthy color representing life. I really hope to touch people...make them reminisce, laugh, cry...you know, feel something. I think everyone will find something to relate to on the finished product. It's about experiences, and how you either grow or don't grow from them. I'm excited about it.

How long has it been available and how is it available, cdbaby, anywhere else.

It's been available since October on CD Baby.com and Tower Records.com, Amazon.com, and is now available on Wegotnext.net. It's also in stores at Tower Records in Buckhead, and Earwax of Atlanta. Folks in the Virgin Island can purchase it at Sam Goody.

You wrote most of the songs. What do you draw from and who are you’re influences.

I draw everything from experiences, whether my own or someone elses, or from my imagination. As a songwriter, I'm influenced by people like Diane Warren, Stevie Wonder, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and even R. Kelly. I love all kinds of music.

What reactions are you getting. I hear you’re getting some attention from major label scouts. How’s it all looking - is that the way you wanna go.

It's a little crazy. The response has been awesome I'm just looking for the best situation. I'd love to stay somewhat independent and get a good distribution deal. A record deal would be great, with the right label. I'm also open to a project deal for my album. There are a lot of options right now.

What tracks are getting attention.

It's hard to say. Many people like different songs. I can say that Kiss, Co-star, Never Again, and Sweet November seem to be all around favorites.

My favourites I think are Co Star, Serious and Never again

I see that for the most part, you are with the majority! ;0)

Sweet November and Serious especially I think would be suited to the UK.

Awesome! I hope we're able to test that theory pretty soon.

Where did the love go is a bit Alicia? Go On Without you is a bit Aretha, great track too. Are you getting comparisons wit these kind of people and how does that feel.

I do get a lot of comparisons, though this is a first for Alicia and Aretha. I'm compared a lot to Faith Evans, Kelly Price, and Mary J. Blige. I also get Chaka Khan, and even some Brandy comparisons, too. I have major respect for all of the phenominal women, so any of these comparisons is an honor.

It’s very much in the mould of old skool soul and current R’n’B – do you feel that R’n’B is generally getting a more soulful groove…………in which case you fit in! You’re calling it New Urban Soul?

Yes, I think R&B music is getting back to it's essence. There are some pop R&B artists that are out right now having big success. Looking at Usher and Beyonce you probably can't tell that for the most part, R&B is getting back to it's roots. I think Alicia Jill Scott are doing a lot for that. I love the new artists like John Legend and Lyfe Jennings. Even Usher had a lot of soul music on the same album with pop R&B smashes. More artists are bearing their souls now. That's what this kind of music is all about.

Tell me about the crew you used on the album, do you have a regular team.

I have been fortunate to work with some great guys. I have been working with most of them for years now, and their close friends of mine now. Dwight "Lil' Skrapp" Reynolds, who has written songs for Whitney Houston and the group 702, is the producer of the songs Sweet November, Co-star, Never Again, and Go on Without You. His work is awesome. He's been doing big things in the industry for quite some time now. We also have Cedric "Tigga Bounce" Wright, who's worked with some of the industry's major hip-hop artists. He has very unique, soulful sounding production that has him in great demand with a many artists in Atlanta. Complimenting them, is Rodney "Rio" Allen, the producer of Where Did the Love Go. His production provides the soulful street edge that we need to complete the sound of we call Newurbansoul.

Do you use the same people live, whats your show like.

I have a band and background singers that performs with me during shows. We have a lot of energy on stage. We like to engage the crowd...get them into the show with us. I really try to make friends with the crowd, so it's a more intimate performance than many may be used to.

Do you do much live work – you’ve played round Atlanta I believe. Y

Yes, I do perform around Atlanta. I'd like to be out a lot more, though.

Do you have a good fan base locally?

Yes, there are lot's of people who support me locally. We keep them informed about all Honey happenings via email, so they don't miss me when I'm out. The love is really cool.

Atlanta seems to be a good place to be right now?

There's a lot happening here. It's a great place to network and get work done.

Are you going to release the Cd in it’s current format independently, or are you still honing the product. There’s plenty of tracks and it’s pretty solid, but if you stay Independent you’ll be working on a budget I guess.

I am still refining the project. We're changing the line-up, switching some songs. We're trying to make it as close to perfect as possible. We want the best possible product to get the best possible deal. I think the budget is going to depend on how hard we work. I'm not really worried about getting a deal right at this moment. I'd like to get the project out some more...raise the stakes. A deal is the ultimate goal.

What are you doing now, promoing the CD? What’s happening

Right now, we're promoting through performances, email, chats and message boards, and other internet resources.

Do you know anything about the Uk, you getting any feedback from the UK or elsewhere

A vast majority of my internet sales have been from the UK. My biggest response on the net overall has been from the UK or somewhere else in Europe. I think that is crazy hot! Besides Canada, I've never been outside of the US. I can't wait until I get to visit London and do some performances.

Tell me about Platinum Rush, how they fit in and what they’re doing.

I started Platinum Rush to put out my album. It's my baby. I'm gonna have fun seeing it grow with this project and more projects to come.

Have you done anything prior to this

In college I was lead singerin a 3 girl group called The Whole 9. I've been doing a lot of songwriting and producing since then, before working on this project. I guess I was preparing for this moment.

Are you from Atlanta, I note your family are from Texas.

I'm originally from Dallas, TX.

Tell me about yourself, what do you like to do, your family.

I'm such a kid. I love amusement parks and rides and video games. I also love fast things...sports cars, bikes, jet skis. Put me on a jet ski at the beach, and I'm coooool. I'm also cool if you give me some money and drop me off at the mall. I love to shop and style. I don't get to see my family in Texas a lot. The music keeps me so busy, I mostly only get to do business travel right now.

You’re named after a beer?

Yes, it was a joke at first. People always talked about how well it fit, and the name just stuck after a while.

Are you full time in music.

Yes, though I do have other project that provide income.

What are your ambitions, whats the master plan

My biggest ambition is to take my label Platinum Rush Music to the highest level that a record label can reach. I want my album to be a huge success and set the tone for a great career in music for me. I want to create an outlet for independant artists like myself, looking for deals. I want to make it possible for the best undiscovered talent to be seen. I also want to take care of my family.

Anything else you'd lik eto say.

I just want to tell all the undiscovered artists to keep holding it down. Never give up. It's hard work, but it will eventually pay off.

Thanks for your time.

...And thanks to you for taking time to talk to me today. I enjoyed it.

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