The MUSICIAN’S Corner
3
JONATHAN SINGH NFLUENTIAL MUSIC GROUP CONTEMP. CHRISTIAN ARTIST www.jsinghmusic.com
Welcome back man! Tell the people where you’re from and what you do. Thanks for having me again! Well, for those who don’t know, I’m from New York City, but I live in Orlando (FL) with my wife and son. I’m the Worship Pastor at Deeper Life Assembly Church, here in Orlando, and I’m also a singer-songwriter / record producer.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Jonathan Singh, The Roys
So, talk about your latest EP, Here To Stay, and what’s the goal with this release? Here To Stay is my debut EP release on NFluential Music Group. My goal with this new EP is to just introduce myself to everyone! I wanted to get a little bit more personal and share some of my shortcomings as a Christian and even in my personal relationships. To also show how I have been redeemed and how grateful I am that I get to live this life. It was also the first time I really got to write and produce a lot of the songs too. It was an amazing experience! If you could make one change about today’s music business what would it be and why? One thing I love to do is go on iTunes to check out new music. When I hit that home page all I see is music and not necessarily genre’s. All different types of artists are placed next to each other. That allows consumers to check artists out without discriminating. I wish the business would do that and stop labeling artists to certain genre’s and just allow us to make great music! If it’s a great song it shouldn’t just be forced to stay in one lane. That’s why we’re starting to see more and more artists starting their own labels and taking control of their brands. They could have more say over what they put out. iae Where can people connect with you online? www.Twitter.com/JonathanSingh www.Facebook.com/JonathanSinghsMusic www.YouTube.com/JSinghTV
4
THE ROYS
BILLBOARD CHART TOPPING COUNTRY/BLUEGRASS DUO www.theroysonline.com
Where are you guys from and what got you interested in doing Country and Bluegrass? We were born in a small town called Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Our parents are French Canadian and after we were born, they decided to move back to Canada where they were from. We were raised in a small town where our mom is from called, Coal Branch in New Brunswick. Our family is very musical. Grandma played the fiddle, and our aunt and uncles sang and played the guitar; so we were always around music. They loved Bluegrass, so that’s what we grew up on and it’s what we sing today. How has being siblings helped you guys, both creatively and professionally? I think being a brother and sister tandem brings about that built in harmony, so our way of thinking is connected. Not sure if other families that play music together are that way, but for us, we are very much alike when it comes to music and what we aspire to accomplish. It makes it very easy when you have the same focus and same goals. Elaine and I have had, pretty much, the same aspirations since childhood. You don’t have to find someone to come in and blend harmonies with, because we already have that built in. Tell us a little about your latest release, Gypsy Runaway Train. Why are people drawn to it? It’s the past of THE ROYS and the future of THE ROYS. The past, meaning we incorporated some standards that we were raised on and, in our own way, wanted to pay homage to those who helped pave the way for artists like us. Whereas, the originals on this record represent the future of THE ROYS. We are very excited that people get to see who helped shape our sound; from Merle
Haggard to Dolly Parton. Also, to let people see where we’re taking our music in the time to come. It’s been a real blessing working with Andy Leftwich of Kentucky Thunder on this record, as well as working with our band on some of the originals. For Gypsy Runaway Train we did things a little different. We didn’t try to go for perfection because music is not supposed to be perfect; it’s suppose to be melodic and grab people’s heartstrings. Emotion and perfection are not the same. Emotion is really what people are drawn to, not perfection. So, we went with emotion on this record. We did a little more roots and ‘grass’, and so far, it seems like people are gravitating to it. From a business perspective, what do you wish you knew then that you know now? Someone asked us, “What if you would have released Lonesome Whistle 10 years ago and gotten your career started then?” The only thing I could say is, I don’t think we would have had the career we’re having now, 10 years ago. We had to do everything the way we’ve done it to be able to get to where we are today. I’m a firm believer that the steps that we take in life are meant to lead us to where we go next. I don’t think short cuts and different avenues that we could have taken would not have done any better for us. I’m really excited for the way our career is unfolding and it has been a long hard road for Elaine and I. I think it’s those hard times that have kept us humble and appreciative of every stage, every interview, every TV appearance, every time we walk into a restaurant and someone recognizes us. Everything that happens to us right now we take it with the utmost humility because we know that it can all be gone tomorrow. iae JUL-AUG ‘13 | I Am Entertainment
34