ingar

Ingar Brown

Interview 29 March 2006

Hey ingar, thanks for doing this. How are you

I: I'm fine and yourself!?

Tell me about yourself, your background, your family, your from Harlem right, where abouts

I: I was born and raised on 135th St. and Lenox Ave. Spent the majority of my life there until I went to Boston College after high school. Family is still there and doubt they will ever leave :-) Then went to Berklee College of Music to

enhance my knowledge of music and graduated from there as well!

Has music been in you from an early stage? You grew up on the old skool,who were your heros

I: Music has always been a part of my life. My grandfather played guitar and sang in blues bands in the south (Florida, Georgia area). My dad sang in R&B/Motown cover bands in his younger days. I guess you can say music is in my DNA!

As for my heros, I'd have to say Prince, Al Green and Alexander O'Neal. Each gave me something. Prince taught me how to be a stage performer and to take risk musically, Al Green taught me to sing with my soul, Alexander

O'Neal showed me how to sing with a bit of tenderness.

You tought yourself music, how did it all develop and when did you realise that was what you were going to do.

I: Honestly, I sort of tucked music, at least the performance of it, in the back of my head. My folks wanted me to focus on my

education, to which I did. I was also a pretty good athelete in high school. I was a sprinter and ran pretty decent track times. When I got to college, I made the track team as a walk on. When I realized that everyone around me was not only

running much faster than me but were also on scholorships for track, I thought it best to use

my other talents!

And you studied it at college – did you come across marlon saunders along the way?

I: I actually don't know who Marlon Saunders is to be honest with you.

are you in it full time, or do you still have a day job

I: I still have a day job. The music business is tough as you might know. I have a family that I love being with. Going full

time would mean not being around so, I do it part time.

Tell me about the album ‘words and beats’, the concept, how long it took toget together…..and what do you think of the

result.

I: "Words and Beats, not just something to move your feet". One of my favorite lines from the song. For me, as a person who grew up listening to great lyrics, real instruments and musicians who could nail a song in one take, I felt that I needed

to create a project that was true to the idea and concept of the song rather than radio airplay. I could have easily created and "Usher" like song, but that's already been done. I also wanted to not over process the album. So much music today

is filled with doubling effects and pitch correction software that you don't know what real musicianship sounds like anymore. Overall, I think that there is still more in me. I did the album at my home studio. It took about a year to complete between going to work and singing in my other band, Busta Groove.

How’s it going down , what tracks are getting attention

I: It's actually going well. I've gotten a great response internationally. SOngs that are doing well are "More Than Your Lover", "What's It

Like", "Beautiful Places" and "A Stray"

Who are the key people who helped you pull it all together

I: My family. They allowed me to stay up to the late hours of the evening to finish the project.

What do you draw from in your writing.

I: I love talking to people. This is where I get most of my ideas from. A friend will tell me about a hard time they are having, or share some great news. I simply feel compelled to write about it.

But you’re also with Busta Groove, tell me about them. They’re an old skool band aren’t they

I: Busta Groove (www.busta-groove.com

) is one of the hottest party bands in the United States I'm proud to say! :-)

We perform a variety of music. From classic Motown to Top 40 chart toppers. We'll go from Aretha's Respect

to Beyonce's Crazy In Love. We've performed at many events ranging from Weddings to Half-Time shows at Pro-Basketball

games.

Do you have a show or do you just work with busta groove? Whats it like,are you doing gigs to promo the album.

I: I just work with Busta Groove now. I sell my CD at my Busta Groove shows. Every now and then, we'll play a song from my CD.

Whats your following like locally, getting radio plays?

I: It's okay. Locally, most people know me as "Soul" from Busta Groove. Which I'm completely

fine with. When they buy my album, the really like it and become more of a fan.

Any chance of getting to Europe? What do you know about the European soul scene.

I: I would love to come over to Europe. With the family and day job, it would be a bit tough,

but would probably go if there was a great interest in my music. I don't know much about the soul

scene there.

What other things have you done

I: In college I sang with an A Cappella group called the Boston College Heightsmen. We recorded a CD, my

first album. The group is still there. It's more like a fraternity now. A great brotherhood of guys who like to sing.

Who out there right now are you feeling

I: Right now, I like Kem, Chris Brown, Prince's New Album 3121,

And being independent what benefits and challenges does this give

I: Probably the biggest challenge is getting my music heard. The benefit is that I can record when and what

I want without a bunch of people telling me what to do musicially.

And whats next?

I: I do plan on working on a 2nd album. But I also want to write a book. I'm a true Gemini! Too many

sides of Ingar Brown.

And the master plan?

I: My master plan is to simply be a musician, an artist, to simply create. I feel that everybody on

this Earth has something to share. Whether what I have to share will make me

millions or pennies, at least I am doing what I love to do.

What other things do you like to do.

I: I'm a bit of a techy. I design websites and manage eMarketing campaigns for my day job. Anything dealing

with gadgets or computers I love.

Anything you’d like to add.

Nope, just thank you for the opportunity to share my music with people. I hope folks enjoy the music, feel

the beat...then repeat!

Thanks for your time.

Mike

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