Interview: KRAVE – “Ghetto Pop” Trio

Date of Interview: 02/25/2010

KRAVE is an up-and-coming female trio from Atlanta, Georgia.  The group consists of “Jazzy” (Jasmine Kearse), “Shan Q” (Shanquilla Robinson) and Chanel Ross, all of whom were discovered and molded by Devyne Stephens, one of the industry’s well-known talent groomers.  In 2010, KRAVE plans to infuse the world with their unique brand of “ghetto pop” and establish themselves as one of the music industry’s premiere vocal groups.

In the midst of radio promotion for KRAVE’s latest single, “Go Krazy” (featuring Flo Rida and Pitbull), Jazzy, Shan Q and Chanel took some time out of their busy schedules to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on the group’s founding, focus and first performance.

Interview: V.V. Brown – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 02/19/2010

When beauty, brains and business savvy are mixed together, life graces us with the presence of “total package” artists like V.V. Brown. A native of Northampton, England, Brown’s musical journey brought her to the United States on the heels of several massive accolades, including a listing on BBC’s Sound of 2009 poll, whose three previous winners include: Adele (2008), Mika (2007) and Corinne Bailey Rae (2006).

Inspired by a failed relationship, V.V. Brown crafted the bulk of her debut album, Travelling Like the Light, after writing “Crying Blood,” a doo-wop kiss-off to her ex-boyfriend.  Follow-up singles include “Leave!,” “Shark in the Water,” and “Game Over,” all of which have impacted the international music scene.  On April 10, 2010, Brown’s debut album will be released in America via Capitol Records.

In the midst of a series of promotional concerts, V.V Brown managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Grace Jones, “360” deals, and the inspiration she finds in Nintendo’s video game music.

Interview: Shelby Lynne – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 02/17/2010

Shelby Lynne is one of country music’s most-venerable stars.  Since 1988, she has pushed the genre to its limits—transcending the industry’s mechanical categorization of pop and rock music.  Shelby’s musical diversity and internal battle for artistic integrity would bounce her GRAMMY-winning career around several record labels, however: Epic (1988-1992), Morgan Creek/Mercury (1993-1994), Magnatone/Curb (1995-1996), Island (1998-2002), Capitol (2003-2006), and Lost Highway (2007-2009).

Taking full control of her artistic vision, Shelby Lynne founded Everso Records, an imprint distributed by Fontana, and the label’s first release, Tears, Lies & Alibis stands as her eleventh studio album.  In the midst of a promotional tour for Everso’s grand debut, Shelby Lynne managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on her departure from Nashville, her newfound independence, and the 10^th Anniversary of I Am Shelby Lynne.

Interview: Jay Fenix – Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 02/17/2010

Jay Fenix is an up-and-coming producer, who gained massive industry notoriety, when Melanie Fiona’s #1 hit – “It Kills Me” – received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.  As the single spent seven weeks atop Billboard’s R&B summit, Fenix’s musical fortunes rose as well.  Currently, he is working on projects with Fantasia, Musiq Soulchild and Chrisette Michelle.

With the future looking ever so bright, Jay Fenix managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his childhood hoop dream, Quincy Jones’ legacy, and his classical training at Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Interview: Tyler Glenn (of Neon Trees)

Date of Interview: 02/12/2010

Tyler Glenn is the lead vocalist and keyboardist for Neon Trees, a band whose musical roots lay in Provo, Utah. Along with Chris Allen [guitars], Branden Campbell [bass], and Elaine Bradley [drums and backing vocals], Tyler has taken the industry by storm, with recent appearances at SXSW [South by Southwest] and ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.  The band’s first single, “Animal,” has also been featured on VH1’s Secrets of Aspen and CW’s Melrose Place.

On April 10, 2010, Neon Trees embarked on a 25-city tour with 30 Seconds to Mars and MUTEMATH. In support of the tour, as well as the release of the band’s debut album, Habits, Tyler Glenn managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on the band’s Webisodes, “musical agenda,” and penchant for practical jokes.

Interview: Scott Sanders – Director of “Black Dynamite”

Date of Interview: 02/11/2010

Scott Sanders is the director of Black Dynamite, a film that premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.  By crafting a comical spoof of the blaxploitation genre, Sanders time-travels to the 1970s and takes his audience along for the ride.  Along with Michael Jai White, who plays the film’s lead character, the cast includes a host of up-and-coming actors, as well as special cameo appearances by Arsenio Hall, Tommy Davidson and Nicole Sullivan.

Upon the release of Black Dynamite on DVD, Scott Sanders managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Afro-zodiac posters, special filming techniques and humorous moments on the set.

Interview: Edwin “Tony” Nicholas – Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 02/10/2010

The production discography of Edwin “Tony” Nicholas reads like a “Who’s Who of R&B” – Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Regina Belle, Gerald Levert, Tamia, and Joe Thomas, along with The Backstreet Boys, L.S.G and The O’Jays.  And with two decades of experience, the veteran songwriter and producer has became famous for his entrepreneurial talents as well.  Since its inception, Nicholas’ Cleveland studio, The Reel Thing, has become an oasis for established singers long-neglected by the contemporary music industry.

Taking a break from a studio session, “Tony” Nicholas managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his songwriting partnership with Gerald Levert, the enduring power of a ballad, and the future of R&B music.

Interview: Tamela Mann – Singer, Songwriter and Actress

Date of Interview: 02/05/2010

Interview: Justin Tranter (of Semi Precious Weapons)

Date of Interview: 02/05/2010

Justin Tranter is the lead singer of the provocative glam rock outfit Semi Precious Weapons.  Classically-trained, yet socially-deviant, Tranter and company have quickly emerged as the faces of an international movement to resuscitate rock and roll—by telling the world to “put a diamond in it and bite down.”

As the opening act for the North American, European, Oceanic and Asian legs of Lady GaGa’s critically-acclaimed Monster Ball Tour, “S.P.W.” has skyrocketed out of the underground scene and landed smack-dab into mainstream music culture. So, if Cole Whittle, Dan Crean, and Stevy Pyne have their way, Semi Precious Weapons will carve a sizable niche in the musical landscape, with Justin Tranter as their guide, while Geffen Records tirelessly promotes their self-titled EP.

After a four-night stint at Radio Music Hall, Justin Tranter managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on the band’s greatest “rock and roll” moment, the inspiration behind “Magnetic Baby,” and the lasting influence of his Berklee experience.