MUSIC Q&A
Musiq Soulchild
06
Q: You titled your debut album Aijuswanaseing (I Just Want to Sing), so, eight years later is it safe to say that you’ve accomplished so much more than just that? Musiq: Yeah, definitely. I’ve released three other projects, I’ve had some very, very successful singles. I can do shows, even when I don’t have an album out, that will consist of my core audience - which is a lot of people – that I’m really grateful for. I’m just honored that I have a career that always does me good, and I’m doing something that people love and care about musically. Yeah, I like to think that I’ve done a lot. Q: ‘On My Radio’ is going to be your fifth studio album this decade. Does that statement amaze you, or did you expect to be five albums deep only eight years into your professional career? Musiq: No, I didn’t necessarily expect that, however I did make an attempt, or I did intend to put out as much music as I possibly could at any given time. It wouldn’t have surprised me if I put out more than that in 10 years, ‘cause I just have a whole lot of music that I’d like to put out. I’m always inspired, however I had to learn that the music industry has their own schedule of doin’ things, you know? Q: How have you gone about prioritizing the evolution of your music? Musiq: I think true artistry promotes progress. Redundancy doesn’t infuse new life into your artwork. I’m not the type of person who thrives off of redundancy; I thrive off of progress. I’ve maintained a certain pace through my career so far because I know that there’s people out there who might be shocked by the leaps that I could have taken in the name of being progressive, so I’ve honored that, but I’ve gotten to the point, also, that I feel as though I’ve accumulated enough of a core audience that they’ll be willing to go further with me. Q: Is there ever a worry that, in the process of trying to appeal to a broader fanbase, you might abandon your loyalists, who have followed you throughout your career? Musiq: The thing about that is, if you say that you’re loyal, then you’ll be willing to follow me, whatever I do. But I don’t have a worry, I don’t have a fear. Not to be overconfident, not to sound cocky, but this is what I do every day. I take what I do pretty seriously, and so when I do it, I put a lot of thought and work into it, and consideration, not just my own feelings about music and making music for myself; I can make music for myself somewhere else, but what I do, I do it for the people – whoever’s willing to listen - whoever’s willing to invest in it. Check out myspace.com/ musiqsoulchild
Greenwich, London, SE10 Doors 7pm Price: £27.50 - £40 Ticketmaster 0844 844 0002 www.ticketmaster.co.uk www.theindig02.com
20 March
19 March The Heptones
Biz Markie
Biz Markie is a Hip-Hop legend and part of the first historic Rap supergroup ‘The Juice Crew’ including Big Daddy Kane, and has gained a global reputation as one of the greatest acts ever to have graced the stage. Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London, NW1 Doors 7pm Price: £18.50 Adv Ticketmaster www. ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 2514 (24hrs) Info: 020 7485 6834 www.jazzcafe.co.uk www.bizmarkie.com
Heather Small
Heather Small is one of Britain’s most recognised voices and best female British soul singers of recent years. Known for fronting the hugely successful 90s band M People, Small’s career has spanned over seventeen years with hits including One Night In Heaven, Moving On Up and Search For The Hero to name but a few. Never afraid to challenge herself, Heather also appeared in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. IndigO2, Millennium Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 Doors 7pm Price: £20 - 35 Ticketmaster 0844 844 0002 www.ticketmaster.co.uk Ticketline 0870 444 5556 Info: www.heathermsmall.com www.theindig02.com
The Heptones performing with original members Leroy Sibbles and Barry Llewellyn. Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London, NW1 Doors 7pm Price: £18.50 Adv Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 2514 (24hrs) Info: 020 7485 6834 www.jazzcafe.co.uk
21
March Pucho & The Latin Soul Brothers In the 1960s, no one combined equal elements of jazz, Latin music, soul, and funk as well as Henry “Pucho” Brown. A somewhat forgotten figure until recently, Pucho never achieved the wide recognition of some other Latin jazz performers exploring similar territory, such as Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo, and Cal Tjader. Jazz Café, 5 Parkway, London, NW1 Doors 7pm Price: £17.50 Adv Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk 0844 847 2514 (24hrs) Info: 020 7485 6834 www.jazzcafe.co.uk
22 March
Musiq Soulchild
For years, the Philadelphia singer has brought his own unique sound, fusing together the essence of soul music with funk