Interview: Emeli Sande – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 08/23/2012

Emeli Sande is the 2012 winner of the BRIT Critics’ Choice Award. Sande’s debut album – Our Version of Events – became the year’s biggest-selling new release in the United Kingdom, as well as the fastest-selling since Susan Boyle’s I Dreamed a Dream (2009). The critical and commercial success of the Scottish-born singer led her to play a crucial role in the 2012 Summer Olympics – performing Henry Francis Lyte’s hymn “Abide With Me” during the Opening ceremony, “Read All About It” (Part III) during the Closing ceremony, and a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” exclusively for BBC’s coverage of the Games.

“Wonder” – Our Version of Events’ fifth single – will be released on September 30, 2012. In support of the Naughty Boy-produced track, Emeli Sande managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on life as a medical student, the “science” behind music-making, and her emotional attachment to “Heaven.”

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: Priscilla Renea – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 11/06/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

Several years ago, Priscilla Renea made her grand debut on YouTube – posting home-made videos from the comfort of her home in Vero Beach, Florida. And through the use of several innovative marketing techniques, Renea amassed a sizable online following and landed a recording deal with Capitol Records. Her debut album, Jukebox, was released on December 1, 2009.

Like the album’s title suggests, Priscilla Renea is an eclectic artist.  On Jukebox, she masterfully fuses elements of rock, pop, and R&B, with select tracks evoking the spirit of contemporary artists like Katy Perry (“Dollhouse”), Rihanna (“Lovesick”), and Keyshia Cole (“Pretty Girl”).

In the midst of a promotional tour for Jukebox, Priscilla Renea managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on her YouTube experience, the inspiration behind “Rockabye Baby,” and the video shoot for “Dollhouse.”

Interview: Jaicko – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 08/20/2009

© 2009 Clayton Perry

As the summer turns to fall, American radio has taken an unexpected trip to a tropical island in the Caribbean.  Seeking something exotic and new, Jaicko, a Barbadian native, serves as the perfect musical tour guide.

As the nominee of several Barbados Music Awards, his music is widely known throughout the island.  In fact, amongst the country’s 300,000 residents, Jaicko is literally a “household name,” since his work receives constant rotation on the major Top 40 radio stations.  One particular track, “Oh Yeah,” Jaicko hopes will explode on American airwaves really soon.

Upon the release of Can I, Jaicko’s international debut, the artist managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on Rihanna, breaking into America, and his professional relationship with his father.

Interview: Avant – Singer and Songwriter

Date of Interview: 12/15/2008

© 2008 Clayton Perry

In the world of R&B, Avant has turned out to be one of the genre’s leading “new school” balladeers.  The key to his success: consistency.

Staying true to the traditional elements of R&B, Avant has underpinned his repertoire with songs that speak to the universal human experience.  It is no wonder, then, how he racked up a long string of timeless hits that stretch back to My Thoughts, his 2000 debut.

Upon the release of Avant’s fifth eponymous album, the singer managed to find time in his busy schedule to settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on Christopher Cross, “When it Hurts,” and his move to Capitol Records.

Interview: Katy Perry – Singer, Songwriter and Producer

Date of Interview: 07/18/2008

© 2008 Clayton Perry

Every summer, artists of all stripes engage in an intense battle for radio domination.  The summer of 2008 was no different, but it was decisively ruled by Katy Perry.

On June 26, 2008, “I Kissed a Girl” became the 1,000th chart-topper of the rock era, after only six weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100.  The rapid ascent of “I Kissed a Girl”—from the 76th rung—was fueled largely by digital sales, but its stay in the top spot was the product of online buzz and extensive promotion.  Interestingly enough, “I Kissed a Girl” climbed to the number-one spot just as she was embarking on her first major tour.  As a performer on the Warped Tour, Katy Perry traveled to 46 cities during the months of June, July and August 2008.

Although such success is often hard to replicate, Katy Perry’s debut album, One of the Boys, is jam-packed with potential hits.  A decade removed from Jagged Little Pill, female angst has rarely tasted (or looked) so good.

Upon review of One of the Boys, Katy Perry managed to squeeze some time out of her busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry — reflecting on life, Lolita and the long road to success.