JL Cotter
Interview 29 August
2005
Interviews Menu interviews
Hey JL how you doing, thanks for doing
this.
Im doing good. No
problem.
Tell me about yourself, your from Long Island, New York,
background, family,
Yes I am from Long
Island, born and raised. My family is from here also. I come from a
real musical family, my father had record deals when he was my age and my great
grandfather was the first African American to perform at the famous Carnegie
Hall. Im very proud of my family's heritage.
Tell me about the album, how long it
took to get together, and the concept behind the idea. Your putting together old skool flavas,
with current hip hop and R’n’b beats?
The album was an idea
that my manager and myself. Its called "The Album Before The
Album" because it the album that Im doing before I get signed. Old
Skool is a big part of where music today comes from so I try to always bring
that flavor to my music.
Tell me about your songwriting and what
you draw from, personal experience and observation.
With my writing
inspiration comes from anywhere. Whether its a personal experience or something
that Ive heard about. I try to put myself in someone
elses postion and tell a story.
How’s it going down – what tracks can
we look out for/do you like
Im very active in the
studio and always have new songs. I wont be releasing anymore albums until I
get signed but stay tuned for tracks all around the internet and on mixtapes.
Tell me about your style, what you do and what do you add to
the rest of the stuff out there
My style is bringing
real music back into the fold. There has been a lot of watered down R&B
lately and Im really looking forward to being out in the world marketplace.
Whats your show like, what gigs are you
doing.
I love performing live
and seeing people react to my music,
Im actually performing tonight for a benefit in NYC.
Do you
use the same people live as on your recorded material.
Ive used different
band members for my live shows unless I have a string of shows to do at one
time. I work with producers in the studio to record.
Tell me about the team of people around you.
I have a great team.
My manager is Abim Ettu with help from Ralph Obas, and my promoter is Marc
Jones. Together we meet and plan next moves, songs, and anything
creative. Im very blessed to have those good people around me along with
my friends and family.
Whats it like getting yourself heard,
and getting stuff down as an independent.
Its not easy
especially in a market like New York. There is a lot of competition. And also
Ive reached a little bit of success Im constantly having to prove myself. Its
very frustrating bit the work has to be put in.
Who are your influences, currently and from back in the day
My influences today
are actually business people as opposed to artists. I look up to Diddy, Russell
Simmons, and Jay-Z for what they have accomplished for themselves, their
companies and music. I look up to voices like Alicia Keys, Donny Hathaway,
Brian Mcknight, and Stevie Wonder.
Who else have you worked with
Ive worked with a lot
of people and currently Im working with Joshua Thompson who has reached a lot
of success with Joe as writer/prodicer of "All The Things Your Man Wont
Do" and with Case on "Missing You". I learn something new each
day and we have made some really good music. Other than him Ive worked
with Andre Deyo, Rob Fusari, Reggie Hamlet, and Teron Beal to name a few.
What else have you done, how have you got where you are now
Im constantly networking
to get my name and my music out there and its always important to have really
good material. Not just material that you think is good but that a lot of
people think is good. I try to play stuff for people who dont know me at
all and that's how you get honest opinions.
And some of the collaborations you’ve
been involved with
Ive been a a few good collaborations with Mos Def, LL Cool J,
Erick Sermon, and Scarface. All of which were great experiences.
Has music always been in you from an
early age, tell me about your parents and grandparents.
Ive sang for as long
as I can remember my parents are musical people and have always had music in
the household. My family in general are real music buffs and my
Great-Grandfather started the history as I mentioned earlier.
Are you in it full time,
Yes, this is what I do
24/7, 365! HaHa
What other independent artists are you
feeling.
Im
really feeling this band out here called Focus, a rapper named Kasual, and
phenomenal singer by the name of Brightnie.They will all do big things. We'll
be sitting next to eachother at the grammys.
What is
your following like locally.
I get a lot of love
locally. Its really a blessing and it humbles me everyday when people know my
name.
What do you know about other markets, UK, Europe, Japan etc
Im learning a lot
about other markets and am trying to make more contacts all over. Do you
know of any? HeHe
What are
your ambitions
My ambitions are just
to be the best artist and businessman I can be. Once Im where I want to
be, I wanna be there for a long time.
Whats happening next, promoing or looking to the next phase
The next phase and the
only thing Im working on is to get signed by a major label that's gonna give me
the distribution and backing that I need. Im really looking forward to it
cuz its coming soon!
Anything else you’d like to say
I just want to thank
you Mike for the interview and thank you to all the supporters and haters for
keeping me going. Be on the look out for the future of r&b!
Good
luck and thanks for your time
Thank
you, No problem
Mike
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