Is Producing Prince Impossible? Ask Joshua Welton [INTERVIEW]

THE CHICAGO NATIVE CO-PRODUCED PRINCE’S ‘ART OFFICIAL AGE’ AND NEXT MONTH’S ‘HITNRUN.’ WELTON SPEAKS FROM PAISLEY PARK STUDIOS

EBONY: How did you meet Prince?

Joshua Welton: Through my wife Hannah. It was three years ago. She came out one time and I came

out the next. We met and it’s been a wrap ever since.

EBONY: What first put Hannah on his radar? Were there already 3rdeyegirl gigs going on?

JW: They kinda came one by one. Ida [Kristine Nielsen] was already here, the bass player in 3rdeyegirl. Hannah came because Prince found her. I think was always excited about new young musicians. He was Hannah’s talent and was like, “You know what? Have her come out here.” And then Donna [Grantis] came through Prince reaching out to Hannah and I and saying, “We need to find a guitarist.” So we searched for her and found her.

Complete interview:

http://www.ebony.com/ente...z3kC2kIeLV

Another journalist who didn't do his homework

"Between 1979’s For You and 2014’s Art Official Age, Prince had never had an outside producer for his studio albums."

Yeah well how about Kirky J. in 95-98? What he was doing back then was more or less what Josh is doing now: not producing in the classic sense of the term but bringing contemporary sounds and beats to the mix.

"Prince hasn’t had a new band since the New Power Generation."

I can't even believe that one! Prince has had half a dozen bands, not counting God knows how many little reconfigurations and change in bandmembers, since 1991, but just because there was no name change "he hasn't had a new band since 1991"? Give me a break

I have a hard time believing this "producer contest" ever happened, too, but if Josh saiz it...

The oddest thing about that article is that Josh says he got the job because he was the funkiest of the 3 producers competing for the job. I haven't heard a single Josh track that was funky.

databank said:

Doozer said:

databank said:

Another journalist who didn't do his homework

"Between 1979’s For You and 2014’s Art Official Age, Prince had never had an outside producer for his studio albums."

Yeah well how about Kirky J. in 95-98? What he was doing back then was more or less what Josh is doing now: not producing in the classic sense of the term but bringing contemporary sounds and beats to the mix.

"Prince hasn’t had a new band since the New Power Generation."

I can't even believe that one! Prince has had half a dozen bands, not counting God knows how many little reconfigurations and change in bandmembers, since 1991, but just because there was no name change "he hasn't had a new band since 1991"? Give me a break

I have a hard time believing this "producer contest" ever happened, too, but if Josh saiz it...

. For You didn't come out in 1979, either.

Oh I'd missed that one. Even better

funksterr said:

The oddest thing about that article is that Josh says he got the job because he was the funkiest of the 3 producers competing for the job. I haven't heard a single Josh track that was funky.

the most alarming thing is that Prince doesnt

even make decisions anymore.

"whoever wins"about his

CO PRODUCER.

having Hannah find his bandmates.

he seems 100% jaded and lost.

SignOthetimes1987 said:

the most alarming thing is that Prince doesnt

even make decisions anymore.

"whoever wins"about his

CO PRODUCER.

having Hannah find his bandmates.

he seems 100% jaded and lost.

An associate told me in a private convo once that Prince will often take the most convenient option, i.e. whomever is there and/or easily available when he needs them, at least as long as he's comfy working with them. Josh is there. Josh is available. They get along. End of story.

i think josh's input on the albums has been great. personally, i like his type of funk. i'm hoping he sticks around a while longer