::BEHIND THE SCENES:: WITH MALI MUSIC

::BEHIND THE SCENES:: WITH MALI MUSIC

Interview & Post by Kike Aluko
Video by Mansa J.

The Soulcialista team was lucky to have the opportunity to sit down with Mali Music before his show at The Howard Theatre on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 to learn more about the journey of this talented musician. In support of his latest and first major album release, Mali Is..., released in June of this year, it was a real pleasure to witness him in his element on the stage.

The show kicked off with several opening acts, including the DMV's own rising star Mannywellz, who gave a great supporting performance. As Mali came on to the stage to start the show, it was evident that he has an amazing love for what he does, as he poured everything he had into both the show and his interactions with the audience. In addition to performing crowd favorites from his new album including "Ready Aim," "Heavy Love," "Beautiful," "Fight for You," "No Fun Alone," and his charming and endearing "Johnny & Donna," he also took it back to his gospel roots and gave all the glory to God with "Yahweh." He also took time out of the show for a moment of silence and prayer for several black men who have been killed as victims of police brutality, appropriately placed against a backdrop of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues":

1. Kimani Gray, NYC (2013)
2. Kendrec McDade, Pasadena, CA (2012)
3. Ervin Jefferson, Atlanta, GA (2012)
4. Sean Bell, Queens, NY (2006)
5. Oscar Grant, Oakland, CA (2009)
6. Trayvon Martin, Sanford, FL (2012)
7. Michael Brown, Ferguson, MO (2014)
8. Charles Smith, Savannah, GA (2014)
9. Eric Garner, Staten Island, NY (2014)

Mali Music carried that same passion and enthusiasm for his craft into the interview, full of energy and ready to share his story. Check out the interview video below to hear about Mali's expansion into mainstream music, how Ephesians 6:12 made its way into one of his songs, and what he wants his legacy to be.

Background music: "Ready Aim" & "Beautiful" from Mali Is... -- Available now!

Special thanks to The Howard Theatre and Mali Music's team for the access!

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::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CALEB HAWLEY

::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CALEB HAWLEY

Interview & Post by Kike Aluko
Video by Joshua Berrent
Photos by Leo Wilson

For this week's Get Familiar Friday, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Caleb Hawley at his intimate show at Ebenezers Coffeehouse last week. Caleb recently released 2 EPs this year (Side 1 & Side 2), which each reflect the type of music he was listening to while creating them. Check out his engaging interview below, and find out about his journey as an artist, what drives him, and why touring is so important to him.

Special thanks to Caleb and his team (Krista & Garrett) for the interview access!

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::BEHIND THE SCENES:: WITH LUKE JAMES

::BEHIND THE SCENES:: with Luke James

Interview & Post by Kike Aluko
Video by Joshua Berrent

The Soulcialista team had the distinct pleasure of witnessing Luke James grace the stage at The Hamilton Live on Friday, September 26, 2014, and it was definitely a treat. Right on the heels of his debut studio album release (self-titled, and available NOW!), he showed his love for the DMV area with a double-show set at The Hamilton after performing at another location in Virginia the very same day.

After working for many years behind the scenes as a songwriter for the likes of Keri Hilson and dancing for Destiny's Child and Beyonce, Luke James came into the spotlight when the world heard his amazing voice on his GRAMMY-nominated first single "I Want You," released in 2011. Since then he's released two EPs: #Luke in 2011 and Whispers in the Dark in 2012, all leading up to his debut studio release last week.

To open the show, Luke James came out in a refreshingly casual red plaid flannel shirt and started with a lovely acoustic stripped version The King of Pop's "The Way You Make Me Feel" (á la This is It). Setting the tone for the evening, he asked the audience to just have a good time and groove with him, reminding us that "You can think when you're at work, but right now I want you to FEEL." He then went on to perform several of our favorites including a slower rendition of "I.O.U.," a crunk mix led by "Make Love to Me" followed by a mashup of Marvin's "Sexual Healing" and ScHoolboy Q's "Studio," and of course his beautiful cover of Sam Smith's "Stay With Me." He was completely down to earth, and related to us as if it was just family time, taking opportunities to come dance with members of the audience and expressing a deep appreciation for his band, who he introduced as his brothers. It is clear that he is right where he is meant to be, as he closed the show saying, "I'm at peace as a man with myself and what I'm doing -- Life is too short to be unhappy."

Check out our interview with Luke James to find out what it was like recording his new album, what he brings to the industry today, and who's in his music rotation.

Background music: "Exposé" from Luke James debut album -- Available now!

Special thanks to The Hamilton Live and Luke James's team for the access, and The House Studio DC for the support!

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::BEHIND THE SCENES:: WITH ERIC ROBERSON

::BEHIND THE SCENES:: WITH ERIC ROBERSON

post by Gypsy
photos by Daria Johnson and Nocturnal Charm
video by Nocturnal Charm

Photo by Daria Johnson

In six years of existence, Gypsy Soul has always supported Eric Roberson after falling in love with his music with the initial listen of The Vault 1.5; but we have never sat down for an interview...until now! He and his team were gracious enough to let us behind the scenes at sound check at The Baltimore Soundstage for an interview and look at his preparation. With a fun loving personality that was very welcoming and genuine, Eric certainly made us excited, overwhelmed but very comfortable when engaging with him.

Eric sat down with us before his show promoting his new album The Box. We talked about perception and using it to find opportunities and blessings, his longevity and a few of the facets to his success, and the art of collaboration or rather the accidental art of collaboration among many things.

 Photo by Nocturnal Charm

We were very surprised to learn that Music Fan First was written in the bathroom...but just click the video to find out more tidbits in our first (hopefully of many) sit down with Eric Roberson.


         



To view more photos from that night click HERE

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::BEHIND THE SCENES:: with Teedra Moses

::BEHIND THE SCENES:: with Teedra Moses

post by Gypsy

Teedra Moses recently made a trip to Washington, D.C. and while here we were able to catch up with her to get her thoughts and to get even more familiar with this artist that Gypsy Soul loves. It has been ten years since the release of her debut album Complex Simplicity with knock out single "Be Your Girl." Loved by many for not only the skill of her song writing but also the substance and ability to connect the content of her releases to the lives of her listeners. Not to mention her vocal arrangements and layering of intricate harmonies over beats is sublime.

Since then Teedra has released a few mixtapes including The Young Hustler compilations to Royal Patience...A Love Journey and Luxurious Undergrind. Push play on the tracks below to listen to some of our favorites from over the years.

 

 

Graciously, she and her management, allowed us access to their sound check and show, along with a great interview that touched on her writing process to the new artists she has on her radar.

Click the video to go behind the scenes with Teedra Moses.

             

Make sure to follow Teedra at http://www.teedramoses.net/ and comment below to let us know what you thought of the interview!

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::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH COLUMBIA NIGHTS

::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH COLUMBIA NIGHTS

Post by Kike Aluko
Video by Mansa J. 

For this week's Get Familiar Friday, we had the great opportunity to go behind the scenes with Hayling Price, John E. Daise, and Jason Edwards (known collectively as Columbia Nights) at their show at the Black Cat last week. Check out the video interview below to hear more about this group's very distinctive approach to music-making, how they work together, and what songs they just can't get enough of. You will also see some footage from their show, which will give you a sneak peek of their "soultronic" flavor. And, if you're feeling Columbia Nights, they have also given us some great suggestions for who else we should check out, giving us some bonus artists for this Get Familiar Friday:

-- Aaron "AB" Abernathy

-- B.jamelle

-- Gabriel Garzon-Montano

-- Nick Hakim
-- Diggs Duke

-- Vaughan Octavia

Special thanks to Hayling, John & Jason for the interview access!

Make sure to also check out Columbia Nights's feature on Gypsy Soul's Aural Advocacy Campaign HERE

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::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH AARON "AB" ABERNATHY

::GET FAMILIAR:: BEHIND THE SCENES WITH AARON "AB" ABERNATHY

Post by Kike Aluko
Video by Mansa J. & Brittany Mays

For this week's Get Familiar Friday, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to go behind the scenes with Aaron "AB" Abernathy at his Soul Session show with band Nat Turner at Bohemian Caverns last week. Check out his insightful interview below, and find out about his journey as an artist, where he gets his motivation from, and what really matters to him. You will also hear some soulful snippets from the band's soundcheck, which sounded just as awesome as the real show. And for another extra treat, check out some of the other artists mentioned in the video -- just in case Aaron's voice leaves your ears wanting more new musical talent:

-- Muhsinah

-- Alex Isley

-- Rashad

-- Lolah Brown

-- Black Milk

Special thanks to Aaron and his Abernathy family team (Anthony & Anise) for the interview access!

Make sure to also check out Aaron's feature on Gypsy Soul's Aural Advocacy Campaign HERE

     

           

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::BEHIND THE SCENES:: HOLYCHILD at Rock & Roll Hotel

::BEHIND THE SCENES:: HOLYCHILD At Rock & Roll Hotel
Post by Kike Aluko
Photos & video by Broady Brown

We can't get enough of HOLYCHILD here at Gypsy Soul, an up & coming brat pop band that got their start right here at George Washington University in DC. They were kind enough to let us talk with them after their set at the Rock & Roll Hotel this Saturday where they gave us some more insight on their band, their inspirations, and what this thing called "brat pop" is. Check out the awesome interview below, and be sure to stay on the lookout for this group. With SXSW and CMJ already under their belt, they are going places! Many thanks to Seth & Beth on HOLYCHILD'S team for the interview access!

Gypsy Soul Chats with HolyChild from NocturnalCharm Media on Vimeo.

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BEHIND THE SCENES: NAS ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

BEHIND THE SCENES: NAS ALBUM RELEASE PARTY

Post and photos by Nocturnal Charm

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This Tuesday marked the release of Hip Hop living legend, Nas’s tenth full-length album, Life is Good.  Ten albums in the tumultuous world of hip hop by any artist can be seen as an admirable feat, but not many careers have dealt with as much public drama and strife as Nas has in his 18 years in the biz.  The “Hate me now” debacle, a nasty public divorce from fellow artist, Kelis,  and a lil rap beef with “you know who” are just a few of the troubles that has accompanied the spoils of the Rap Gods’ success.  However, on Monday, Nasir Jones and a who’s who of hip hops finest, gathered at Bagatelle in NYC’s popular Meat-Packing district to celebrate not only his finest offering since 2001’s Stillmatic, but to lionize resilience and triumph despite what hardships life has to offer.

 

ATCQ’s frontman, Q-tip manned the 1’s and 2’s as industry tastemakers, musicians and other cool folk mingled and partied in the posh Manhattan supper club.  Among the attendee’s we’re radio personalities, Miss Info and Angie Martinez; supermodel, Tyson Beckford; producers, Tony Touch, D-Dot, Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupree and NO-ID; singers, Anthony Hamilton, Eric Benet, Miguel, Teyana Taylor, Beyonce, Adrianna Bailon; rappers, Jay-Z and Wale; and some fashions “it” celebs like Vashtie and Dee and Ricky, among many others..

Even with a crowd full of megastars, Nas shined the brightest as he held court, politicked with fellow artists and friends, greeted well wishing fans and bathed in the praise of his current effort from his peers.  As the venue emptied, Nas rushed past this photog as I yelled, “yo Nas, one more pic!”.. “no more pictures, no more pictures” he replied.. I assumed he was making a beeline for an afterparty elsewhere in the city, but he simply began walking throughout the streets of Chelsea greeting fans and well-wishers. Gladly posing for cell phone pics, handshakes and hugs. At first I felt a little slighted but then it all made sense to me. Nas has always represented the people.. the struggle.. the underdog.. He was simply paying respects to those who’ve stuck by him in even his darkest days, the fans. His exuberance showed that despite all the bullsh!t, he’s still here… and Life is indeed, Good.

Life is Good, marks Nas’ tenth studio album, and features guest appearances by Mary J. Blige, Rick Ross, Miguel, and the late Amy Winehouse. The album is available in store now so go get it!

Check out more pics below from Nocturnal Charm of the red carpet.

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