Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Wvters
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remember when I was 9 or 10 years old being the youngest of four siblings (all sisters). I would clean my room as a hobby & attempt to “get away”, all the while writing songs in my head to the smooth jazz channel WNUA95.5 that very rarely had words. Most recent memory was breaking into the industry which wasn’t easy or beautiful. Interning for the word smith Ne-Yo, i remember living in south central LA, working at the JCC in the miracle mile, and the internship being in Burbank. Many nights I spent sleeping on the red line train because i didn’t have a car or dozing off on the 720 bus to make sure i was sharp for the kids i was teaching how to swim. This was a time I learned that I was built for this line of work. I was tested on every side & had no idea how I was going to make it. Somehow my faith in God and the game kept me going.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I met loss early on in life. After my parents got a divorce and the traumatic experience of my cousin being murdered. Writing songs and music became a powerful outlet for me to express my emotions.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Something I believe everyone can relate to is finding love or the idea of it, losing it, having moments of uncertainty about it & trying again. That in essence is what Volley is all about. I found a girl I was enamored with, she fit in my world life a glove. She knew how to talk to me, empower my vision behind my creation. Only for me to find out none of it was real for her, she was using me. Which is fine because I was using her also. Thing is, when it’s time for you to grow, it’s impossible to do it alone. So I was blessed with the opportunity to be taught, more so about myself in the context of romantic relationship. Which i hadn’t seen before because i’d dedicated my life to making something of myself. Deciding to sacrifice that part of life until I could provide something.
Long story short i fell in love for the first time in life (Obama & La Brea), wild out a bit after it fell apart due to disrespect and distrust (Shasta cir). Gathered myself after dealing with the fact that no one is a friend, no one is an enemy but everyone is a teacher (Hart st). Then I decided to try again by shooting my shot (Bristol Pkwy).
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music
before?
I would say it is Hybrid R&B. Since I began my career as a writer I have the ability to not only sing but rap as well so my sound is unique. My environment growing up plays a role as well, having done so in the suburbs but had experiences of the city due to my ethnic background that were unfavorable, my message and sound is different to say the least.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
You have to be authentic and true to yourself. Following the crowd won’t get you closer to your goals or happiness in the end. I am joyful regardless of the outcome of my music because I know I was myself in the creation of it. You can’t lie to the audience they can feel when they are being lied to. So I learned that if I am going to be of service to my community by way of music and entertainment I must do so by telling my truths.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Nature. I have to be outside, I have to hear the stories of others, know what drives people, and what mankind deems important in the world as we know it today. I love the piano, bass & the saxophone though I am mediocre at piano & do not know how to play the sax at all, those three instruments speak to me the most in my creative process. As far as software is concerned I need pro tools & as many plug-ins as possible.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I really enjoy the song “Soft Lady” by Joy Green,
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I would say it has influenced my music a lot. I think the fun part about it is thinking of writing it all down in creative ways to keep the audience spellbound and guessing what really happened.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
forgiveness, progression & love for sure. I believe a lot of us struggle with forgiving people, not truly understanding their position in our lives but wanting them to be what we think we need them to be for us. When that isn’t love, that’s control. Love is the most powerful act we can embody, in my opinion we can not truly love until we have forgiven. That doesn’t mean we forget, we just move on after healing and processing, giving honor to our teachers for the gift of knowledge. We can move forward, knowing that we gave everything we could and had some fun on the way.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
That if you don’t study & practice you can expect nothing from it. Our industry is built on consistency so if you don’t work it (without expecting to get paid) it will not serve you. And you can’t lie to it, if you’re not built for it you’ll know.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Dream venue is my home town (Chicago) soldier field, that place is iconic for me in so many ways, as far as festivals go, Glastonbury & Camp flog gnaw. I believe that these festivals are what make artists who they are.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Marvin Gaye for sure. He had a way with words that transcends time. Id love to sit back and just listen to him give game.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
All social media is @longliv_wvters
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical
journey?
I would love to go on tour and find my true fans and supporters. Invest time with the people around the world that listen to my music daily.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
That true to my gemini nature. I am not afraid to speak my mind and tell the truth from my perspective.
