Interview: St. Paul and Susannah discuss the new Family project

http://www.soulsandsounds...amily.html

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I also toured with Kenny Loggins once.

Anxiety said:

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The full article. (Anxiety you beat me to posting this. hehe)

The Family is back!
That’s right, one of the groups that helped cultivate the Minneapolis sound in the 1980s has regrouped and is ready to drop that funk once again—this time, on their own terms.

The Family, headed by St. Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin, came out of the breakup of the Prince assembled R&B/dance band, The Time.

Headed by the charismatic Morris Day, The Time covered the dance and r&b charts with many hits still considered dance floor movers today, including: “The Bird,” “Cool”, "Ice Cream Castles" and “Jungle Love”.

In the mid-80s, Day went on to pursue a solo career and with the "ok" from most of the remaining members of The Time, Prince reorganized the group which would now be called--The Family, with St. Paul now assuming the role of lead vocalist.

With the addition of singer-songwriter/keyboardist, Susannah Melvoin--along with Jellybean Johnson (drums) and Jerome Benton, The Family released one self-titled album that showcased 8 tracks of funk and jazz fusion in 1985.

The group disbanded shortly after this debut release when in an effort to express his own creativity, St. Paul went on to pursue a very successful solo career himself--working and touring with Kenny Loggins, Oleta Adams and others.

Over the years Melvoin, a very successful singer-songwriter in her own right, has worked with many artists including: Eric Clapton, Madonna, Roger Waters and her twin sister, Wendy Melvoin (former guitarist for The Revolution and member of the duo 'Wendy & Lista').

But what brought Paul & Susannah back together to create the beautiful sounds we all know and love after all these years?

Souls & Sounds (and guest interviewer Emma Haring), sat down with them to find out what influenced this reunion, recording a new album their own way and more!

This is one Family reunion you won't mind attending!

We are pleased to welcome Paul Peterson and Susannah Melvoin to SoulsandSounds.com!

S&S: How did you decide to get The Family back together after all these years?

P: We’ve always kept in touch. But I guess the first time we really took a peek at it was when we got back together to help Sheila E. out for her foundation in 2004. Then we were thinking about maybe doing a reunion tour then--not necessarily recording. But then Susannah found out that she was pregnant with her baby, El. So we got back together a few years later at a pre-Grammy party for The Roots and Questlove asked us to come and perform. We did and decided that we should really start thinking about doing this. So Susannah and I have been spearheading this whole thing and we’ve been traveling back and forth--she to Minneapolis and me Los Angeles. We’ve been working on this CD for the last couple of years in between other things.

S&S: Is the new CD just about finished?

S: Well we’ve got about 80 % of it done....we've got a few things that require a lot of money to finish. We’re doing this grassroots style and we're doing it on our own. We’re not about going bankrupt or putting our houses up for collateral--we’re trying to do it smart and the good news is that it’s ours to enjoy, have a really good time without having to answer to anybody respectively--except for each other....

P: (laughs) .....right! You have to answer to me pal! And don't you forget it buddy....(laughs)

S: ...yeah, I have to answer to him and he answers to me....(laughs)....but it is about 80% done. We have to mix and then master. We're trying to figure out if we'll get to use this orchestra on it right now which we'll probably be able to do--it's just taking a few minutes to get everything sorted.

P: People have waited 20+ years for this and we want to make sure that it's right. We're definitely having a blast doing it.

S&S guest interviewer Emma Haring: With the streams that you do and the Twittering, etc., you guys really surf the cutting edge of self promoting your music. What made you want to do it this way and keep current with it all?

S: Well it's the name of the game now. If you're doing this on your own; social media, the Net, that's the way you're gonna reach folks...there's no playing around. You have to throw yourself into the deep end. And Paul is a magical multi-tasker, so he can get on the computer and just make it happen. I just follow his lead and make sure we're doing it constantly so that we keep in touch with the people that are supporting us. There are alot of people out there who are up for the 'cause, so we just keep them involved at all times--that's the only way to do it.

S&S guest interviewer Emma Haring: Speaking of Net-working with your live streams, a few days ago there was a random fan who'd come on your UStream that was fascinated with your new music and what you were doing. It really isn't only reaching people who've been fans for over 20 years, but also newer fans like myself. And the new music is so cool! With "The Vigil", I literally sat there holding my breath listening to the tones.

S: Oh Cool!! YAY!

P: Great! We realize that it's been such a long time since we've done a record and a lot of people are gonna go "oh, you actually were a band before?"
We're expecting to have a bunch of new fans, so that's why we're basically tipping the hat to the old ,but definitely not trying to rely on that sound. We have lived a whole other life since then and we've had alot of great times and successes on our own. Susannah's a fantastic singer-songwriter and has cuts with Eric Clapton, Madonna, to name a couple.

S&S: Will all of the original members be included in this Family reunion?

S: We're hoping so! Right now we've got Eric, Paul, myself and Bean's gonna be putting some drum tracks down next week....

P: .....in fact, we'll be doing a UStream on that as well.

S: We're all doing it, but the main writers are Paul and myself. Hopefully, they're all gonna be up for it.

P: I've played with Jellybean for years. I haven't done a lot with Jerome, but he was up for it when we did the show with Questlove--those few dates that we did have. So we're hoping he will jump on board when the time comes.

S&S: Nice! I heard your new track "@8". Awesome! It still holds that old school "Minneapolis sound". Are you guys planning on adding any new artists or guests to the album?

S: We are. We've got Wendy & Lisa on this record, Doyle Bramhall II, we've got some really amazing, amazing players….

P: ...and don't be surprised if we add a couple special guests here and there, but we’ll keep that a surprise for ya.

S&S guest interviewer Emma Haring: In co-writing these songs, as far as your writing style--what comes first? The lyrics? The melody? How do you work that out together?

P: Well, I’m more of a melody and music guy. I’ll usually gravitate towards that. Then Susannah will come up with the lyric handle or melody (or both) that is so complimentary and not necessarily what I had in mind. But that’s what makes this a band. What she comes up with is so incredibly perfect for what we’re doing, it totally brands this thing as our own--and it is a true collaboration as far as I’m concerned.

S: From the beginning , Paul and I said that we really wanted to make a record that complimented the first record in a really dramatic way. We weren’t specifically going out to do a “Paul record” or a “Susannah record", we were trying to make a band record and the band represented something in our history so we paid homage to that. That’s what we had in mind in approaching the songwriting on this record. We’d come up with a groove and then start singing melodies together on it, then one line would come...then it just evolved into this beautiful experience that began to take musical shape and experiential shape. We have an absolutely beautiful sound on this record. It’s organic. I think it’s the best time I’ve had in the studio. Paul is my brother and the funniest man on the planet! How can you go wrong? You laugh, you work, you laugh, you work and then you get up and you laugh and you work!

S&S: That's the best way to do it! As far as touring, will there be shows in support of the new album soon?

P: We’re in discussions with Wendy & Lisa about possibly doing some things together. But we’re really concentrating on getting this record done.
That’s #1. But in due time! Believe me, we’ll be all over Twitter, Myspace, Facebook and our website (which is in the works right now).

Well, I'm not exactly excited, but I suppose I'll give it a listen when (if?) it comes out.

FREE THE 29 MAY 1993 COME CONFIGURATION!
FREE THE 1994 CHAOS AND DISORDER CONFIGURATION

Susannah's looking kinda ragged---I guess that's what kids do to you.

Rebelution said:

scififilmnerd said:

Well, I'm not exactly excited, but I suppose I'll give it a listen when (if?) it comes out.

Rebelution said:

scififilmnerd said:

Well, I'm not exactly excited, but I suppose I'll give it a listen when (if?) it comes out.

ernestsewell said:

scififilmnerd said:

Well, I'm not exactly excited, but I suppose I'll give it a listen when (if?) it comes out.

Let me fill you in on things. The album WILL be out this year. They have a live camera in the studio and let the fans watch and listen as they work on songs. They also interact with the fans in the chat room while the cam is going answering questions or responding to whatever. I've heard "@8", "Drummers and Healers" (FUCKING KILLER), "Vigil", "Leed Lines", and "Satisfied". Those songs alone are worth the price of a full CD.

Paul initially put string parts on the songs, but then on the last live Q&A session they had on cam from Susannah's house Brent Fisher showed up. They had an appointment with him about doing strings. Brent is Clare's son. Brent usually will transcribe the songs sent to Clare then Clare works on the parts, and Brent transcribes that back to the artist. Brent is also Clare's manager, and has been for ...well a long time.

Paul and Susannah and the gang set out to do a new record, and NOT revisit old Family stuff, sonically. However, they learned (as have us fans) that as time went on and new songs were written, the songs are a perfect blend of current and old school. I am not exaggerating when I say "Drummers and Healers" is a song that will make you MOVE your ass! People are already raving over that song. Doyle Bramhall II did a solo on it....in ONE take. That studio session (at Doyle and Susannah's house) was streaming live. It was KILLER to see Doyle just sit down between working out, and rip this solo. Paul said "You can do it again, but I'm not erasing that one. That was golden." He was right.

This project is inspired by the fans, for the fans and it's going to be fantastic. I cannot wait. This is going to trump Lotusflow3r. Yeah, I said it. Flame away. hehehehe

Anxiety said:

ernestsewell said:

Rebelution said:

Susannah's looking kinda ragged---I guess that's what kids do to you.

I think you're beyond rude with your statement. I've seen Susannah in the live studio streams they have opened up to fans, plus a two hour live video Q&A. She's far from haggarded. She's still gorgeous. And Paul has lost a lot of weight and gotten in shape. He actually did the P90X thing and swears by it. He's ripped nowadays.

This ain't haggered.

Photo credit: Doyle Bramhall II
[Edited 5/14/09 9:23am]

Rebelution said:

ernestsewell said:

Rebelution said:

i didn't say "haggarded" (is that a word????)---i said ragged, and that's solely my opinion.

Semantics. I felt it was a very rude, and dismissive comment, when you've seen ONE picture of the girl. I am not sure of your age, but Susannah and Paul are in my age range, differing only a couple of years at most. People grow up and change, and a lot of 40 somethings don't look 40 something at all. NO ONE looks like they did 20 years ago. Prince doesn't. Susannah doesn't. No one does. I just hate that people go to some dismissive and disrespectful place when they see pics of someone, instead of just saying, "Oh good pic of them all together again" or something, ya know?

I'm certainly not trying to convince you of all things great about The Family. To each his own with that sort of thing. But let's at least be human about it.

ernestsewell said:

Rebelution said:

i didn't say "haggarded" (is that a word????)---i said ragged, and that's solely my opinion.

Semantics. I felt it was a very rude, and dismissive comment, when you've seen ONE picture of the girl. I am not sure of your age, but Susannah and Paul are in my age range, differing only a couple of years at most. People grow up and change, and a lot of 40 somethings don't look 40 something at all. NO ONE looks like they did 20 years ago. Prince doesn't. Susannah doesn't. No one does. I just hate that people go to some dismissive and disrespectful place when they see pics of someone, instead of just saying, "Oh good pic of them all together again" or something, ya know?

I'm certainly not trying to convince you of all things great about The Family. To each his own with that sort of thing. But let's at least be human about it.

contrapposto said:

ernestsewell said:

Semantics. I felt it was a very rude, and dismissive comment, when you've seen ONE picture of the girl. I am not sure of your age, but Susannah and Paul are in my age range, differing only a couple of years at most. People grow up and change, and a lot of 40 somethings don't look 40 something at all. NO ONE looks like they did 20 years ago. Prince doesn't. Susannah doesn't. No one does. I just hate that people go to some dismissive and disrespectful place when they see pics of someone, instead of just saying, "Oh good pic of them all together again" or something, ya know?

I'm certainly not trying to convince you of all things great about The Family. To each his own with that sort of thing. But let's at least be human about it.

okay--i know when i'm beat when the "moderator" (so to speak) chooses sides. well done, ernie!!!! Bravo.

Rebelution said:

just one more comment....i make a living rescuing animals from cruel, ruthless owners...how could I be more human?

Rebelution said:

Anxiety said:

Rebelution said:

Rebelution said:

Rebelution said:

meanwhile back to the thread. I'm excited at hearing the new record. i was asleep at the wheel back in the day regarding "behind the scenes stuff" and didn't know anything ABOUT susannah until the surprise cobo arena birthday show in detroit for the Parade album. she's intrigued me ever since. she's like a sexier Wendy. of course The Family record became a legendary one and done. I think its gonna have a domino affect of some sort of reunions, and if not TOURS, spot dates and collabs. Can't Wait! (naysayers, i'm impervious to your negative energy!!). I don't even wanna hear the stuff they're streaming online, i want to experience the finished product in its entirety at once.

datdude said:

JustErin said:

Rebelution said: