***INTERVIEW:

1. You recently completed your first album, in which you wrote your own music and sing your own vocals. How long have you been working on this album, and how would you describe the mood or atmosphere of this album?

I actually worked on the album for about a year and a half. “Everyday” and “Reelize” were written in 1997 and 1998, though. And “Accessories” was written and recorded within the last two weeks of the project. Getting the album completed was a huge milestone for me. It has opened so many doors and windows. Having something tangible has been extremely beneficial to my growth. The mood? Well, it really does have a little bit of everything. The actual recording has a hint of an adult contemporary vibe, which I am coming to terms with. Like it or not, I am an adult contemporary. But, truly, it’s soul and funk. It’s driven, energetic and a bit sultry, as well as painfully and joyfully honest. But, the music is made to be live. It’s designed to make you sing along and shake a little booty.

2. You have a strong background in dance and performance. Do you see yourself incorporating your dance and acting experience into your vocal performances?

My performance absolutely incorporates all aspects of the performing arts. Dancing, singing and acting. It’s interactive with the crowd on every level. Like I said before, it’s soul and funk. And soul and funk comes from all avenues of expression. You just got reach all the way, deep down inside and get to it. It’s a good time – for me, my band, and the audience.

3. Raised in the South, and transplanted to the West Coast, how have your influences changed over the years?

My influences haven’t changed over the years, really. If anything, they’ve only been “accessorized”. My core is the same, my morals are solid, and my roots are my roots. My life experiences have been dramatic, drastic and impacting, yet only “relative to what I know”. My influences are all based in people who persevere, despite their personal platform. The more I learn, the more I passionately embrace my past. And for the record (pun intended), musically I just adore Chaka Khan, Tina Turner, Lou Rawls and Lionel Richie. Delicious.

4. What is your process when you are writing music? Do you have a ritual that you follow when developing your lyrics, or is each vocal conception a different experience? Do you think of the instrumentation that goes with the lyrics as you are writing the song, or do you work with someone who writes the beat patterns that go with your lyrics.

I must admit that I prefer most things in my life to be completely structured and organized. My sister tells me I am “The Queen of Arbitrary Law”. But, when it comes to music, dance and theatre – I am much more free. Every conception has been different than the others. I tend to write most of my melodies in the car – you gotta love those acoustics – and most of my lyrics sitting in bed at night. But the lyrics tend to come to me with a melody and I polish that while I’m driving around and record it into my little hand held recorder. Then, I take it to the musician that I think can feel what I’m feeling and that’s when it starts to take further shape. But, the process is always different in one way or another.

5. What advice can you offer other struggling vocalists and performers?

Ok, I really don’t mean to sound cliché, but DISCIPLINE. I whole-heartedly believe this is the way. My father told me to put a sign up over the light switch in my room that reads, “What did I do today to get me closer to my dream?” That way, if I go to turn my light out at night and I haven’t done something, then it is not yet the time to rest. I live by that law. And that law allows me to enjoy the journey, which is really the ultimate goal. It’s a process. If it weren’t, there would be no appreciation or gratification for the steps made along the way. If I don’t acknowledge and enjoy those steps, I haven’t got a path at all and I wouldn’t comprehend the outcome anyway. Besides, what is life if it isn’t a journey?