Though Beck last released an original album in 2008, he never stopped recording and writing. Aside from various one-off singles and a song collection released ...heet music, Beck reportedly has albums of unreleased material just sitting around. But at the beginning of 2012 he got more serious about putting together a record, laying down the skeleton of Morning Phase in just three days in Los Angeles. Then he spent the rest of 2012 tinkering with and fleshing out the songs until he had something close to a full album. But Morning Phase was born before then: a number of the tracks date back to 2010, when he spent time recording for Jack White’s Third Man label in Nashville.
The Sound
Beck has dubbed Morning Phase“California music," comparing the record to bedrock artists like the Byrds, Crosby Stills & Nash, Gram Parsons and Neil Young. In the tradition of California, you can feel a soft glow radiating off its early singles. He also has called the record a “companion piece of sorts” to his chilled-out 2002 album Sea Change.
The Players
To nail that idea home, Beck recruited much of the band that helped him record Sea Change, including bassist Justin Meldal-Johnson, guitarist Smokey Hormel, keyboardist Roger Joseph and drummer Joey Waronker. Beck fans might recognize that group as his backing band on tour.
The Singles
Lead single “Blue Moon” rumbles, but quietly, with pounding bass drums grounding the softly-strummed acoustic guitars. It sounds assured, but Beck sings of insecurity: "Oh, don’t leave me on my own / Left me standing all alone.”
The newly released “Waking Light” is Beck emerging from the other side. “When the morning comes to meet you / Rest your eyes in waking light,” he sings over radiant piano chords.
The Delay
Beck said Morning Phase would have come earlier, but he's spent the last few years recovering from spinal damage. “I had severe damage to my spine, but now it’s improving so I’m back in the music," the singer said. "It was a long, long recovery. Lately I concentrated on playing guitar. Do not think I can move again as before, although I can give a lot onstage."
The Reaction
Time Out Londongives the album four stars, describing it as "warm, expansive, richly textured and thick with shimmering vocal reverb," all of which sound like very nice things. But it's Sasha Frere-Jones of the New Yorkerwho has given the strongest praise thus far, calling Morning Phase a "triumph." "After listening to Morning Phase almost 50 times," Frere-Jones says, "I can't find a single thing wrong with it." The album is scheduled to be released on February 25, 2014.
The Tracklist
1. Cycle 2. Morning 3. Heart is a Drum 4. Say Goodbye 5. Blue Moon 6. Unforgiven 7. Wave 8. Don't Let it Go 9. Blackbird Chain 10. Phase 11. Turn Away 12. Country Down 13. Waking Light
Philiadelphia R&B duo's second single features a sultry finger-snapping style.
Philiadelphia R&B duo, Jeremy Lloyd and Samantha Gongol made a big impression as Marian Hill with their “Whisky’ debut track. ‘Lovit’, their second track finds them going for a sultry finger-snapping style with a jazz trumpet sample undercutting the track. They have an EP on the way. I look forward to that after hearing these two songs. The video is directed by Charlie Polinger.
Blackburn-born singer Charlotte OC was signed and dropped by record label Columbia in her late teens and the album she recorded never saw the light of day. Now aged 23 and with an EP out, she is being hotly tipped as a face to watch in 2014.
Few singers have been through the industry wringer before they are even out of their teens but Charlotte OC sees the experience of being signed and then dropped by a major label in nothing but a positive light.
"I'm so proud of it and I'm proud of what I made but it was me when I was 16," explains the young artist who was then known by her full name Charlotte O'Connor.
She admits that, at the time, she was devastated the music was not going to be released by Columbia, but adds firmly, "The next day it felt like a weight had been lifted. I'm happy that it happened. It was an amazing apprenticeship."
Charlotte took two years out, going to work in her mother's hairdressing salon, before starting to write music again.
Now, with her shortened name, her music is a sultry blend of minimalist bluesy soul with funk-edged bass lines and synths.
In songs from her new EP Colour My Heart, she pleads with an ex-lover: "Don't colour my heart blues and greys, Don't tell me that I'm not ok."
On another track, she sings: "You're pushing me sideways but you won't let go, And I know you're sorry but do the right thing, cut the rope and let me fall."
"I think it's just growing up and I think you can tell the earlier music because its so happy," she explains.
"I hadn't gone through pain or anything really tragic and you can kind of hear it. If a song was about heartbreak, it wasn't mine."
Miming debut
A native of Blackburn in Lancashire, Charlotte's first brush with music came when she was in the school choir, when "this priest came in and he gave us these songs and I started singing and I thought, 'Is that me?'"
Not being the shy retiring type, she decided to become a singer. "I had that much confidence, that's the beauty of going to an all girls school, I thought, 'I can do it'."
Charlotte's father was a musician, ("he was in the Merseybeats for at least three seconds," she laughs) and her first performance was in front of her parents. Although technically she didn't actually sing.
"The first time I performed I was miming. I watched Wayne's World for the first time and I heard Bohemian Rhapsody and I thought, 'This is the best song I've ever heard', I was only eight. Instead of singing I mimed the whole song. It was really weird.
"But they could see I was a performer."
Aside from the theatrical stylings of Freddie Mercury, Charlotte counts Leonard Cohen ("he's just unbelievable... I don't have the words"), Lou Reed and Joni Mitchell among her influences. Her Facebook page is plastered with lyrics from other people's songs.
"My dad surrounded me with with folk music and my mum surrounded me with the soul music... Aretha Franklin, Billie Holiday and Marvin Gaye."
But one of the first artists who made a live impression on her was Alicia Keys. "I think that's where the soul really got imprinted on me," she says.
Role model
If, in musical terms, Keys was an influence on Charlotte, so too was her sophisticated image.
Early in her career, Keys successfully navigated any pressure that might have come to 'sex up' her image and, in the current climate of Miley Cyrus's twerking and the overt sexuality of artists like Rihanna, Charlotte insists her clothes will remain firmly on.
The singer plans to record her album in LA in the new year
"As far as I'm concerned in what I'm doing, I don't feel like I'm pressured into anything that I don't want to do but I won't be getting my boobs out anytime soon."
She stops short at any suggestion she could be a role model for young girls but admits "I suppose it's about knowing who you are and as young girl you don't do you? And you do look up to people. It's about what you put out there and I just want to keep it cool."
Charlotte's EP, out on 25 November, shows off her powerful, Stevie Nicks-style vocals. The standout track Hangover mixes obsessive love with alcoholic dual meanings: "But the spirits won't wait, I always hear them calling my name. 'Cause I'm numb with 'em, day or night, And as the whiskey raise I sip your love"
Unsurprisingly, the song was the product of a self-inflicted belter behind the eyes.
"I was horribly hung-over and I've never done that, turned up to a session hung over, and I kept apologising to Tim (producer Tim Anderson) and was about to leave and he sang 'hangover' to me and I sang back '... in the morning'.
"And we said, 'Oh my God, there's a song' and I ended up having to stay for the next three hours. It was really tough but totally worth it."
Charlotte plans on heading over to Los Angeles to record her debut album in the new year with a view to releasing it next summer. She claims to find the chilled attitude of California productive.
"Also, I think its something about the 10 hour flight it takes to get over there. I think, 'This better be good'."
Charlotte O’C :: Interview
Charlotte OC
Charlotte O’Connor is a beautiful 21 year old from Blackburn. Well I can say that she has been in the media many times, not to mention the February 2012 edition of ‘FHM’ and ‘Look’ magazine. Also her charm, and sweet sense of humour is what makes Charlotte adorable.
Did I mention she is a talented acoustic folk & soul singer too, and has opened for the likes of Ben Howard.
If you’re a fan of Norah Jones or soul music, then you are in for a treat here with her romantic voice and tantalizing lyrics. Recently I caught up with Charlotte to find out more about her life and music career.
What inspires you in life, that you put into your music?
Recently I went through a break up, with the new stuff I’ve been writing its been mainly about that and dealing with it. With My early tracks I was young and I didn’t have much to write about, I didn’t know about love or anything. I used to listen to my sisters arguments with her ex boyfriend, I wrote it all down and I’d write songs about it.
Recently you were in the south of France at Quiksilver studio’s, tell me about that? I was with a good friend of mine Ryan keen who’s also a musician and a few of my other friends too we had a really really good time. I was recording some of my new tracks there, hopefully it will be ready for release in 2013.
Tell me about your debut album ‘For Kenny’. It was released in March and I wrote it when I was 16 and I hold it dear to my heart, its an album full of songs about my childhood , but with my new stuff I feel it’s more where I’m at now.
I hear you want to move to Liverpool? I’m not but I’d love too, it’s my team I support Liverpool and my father was brought up there. I did a gig there and its got music built into it like no other city. It’s a totally inspirational place to be.
Was your Father involved in music? Yes in the 60′s he was in a band called ‘The Merseybeats’.
Can you remember your 1st gig? I was 15 at the time at a place called Barzuka and I was singing Damien Rice ‘The Blower’s Daughter’. The feeling that I got and the reaction from the crowd made me think I want to do this for life. Looking back I’ve always known that I can do it if I work hard at it.
What track do you love to perform? Right now it’s ‘Cafe Latino’ because it’s really raw for me at the moment, when I’m singing it it’s really emotional. It’s about a past heartache, and that’s exactly how I felt.
Charlotte O’Connor
What makes a good crowd? I love it when they’re giving love back to me and they are well up for it. Crowd participation.
What’s the most memorable performance? It was when I was supporting James Morrison in Bath in 2010, it really was brilliant.
What’s going on for you in 2012? Finishing the EP, doing loads of festivals and having an amazing time.
What is the track listing for the EP? Girl Who Cried Wolf, Cafe Latino, I Hate You and Not Leaving Tonight.
Final words of encouragement! Stick to your guns, don’t ever be swayed by anything if your gut don’t feel right. Stay true to yourself and don’t turn into something you’re not.
If you listen to ‘Shine On’ or‘Addicted’you will be surrounded by an array of emotions that seldom make themselves known, and wonder why you haven’t heard more about Charlotte O’Connor until now.
WITH NEW SINGLE ‘DON’T STOP’ RELEASED THIS MONTH, DRAFTED CAUGHT UP WITH SCOTTISH SENSATION NINA NESBITT TO TALK CHANCE ENCOUNTERS, INSPIRATION AND CAREER CHOICES LONG FORGOTTEN…
Words by Matt Russell
Fortune favours the brave, as the old saying goes. In certain cases, though, it favours the talented. Having learnt to play guitar, piano and flute from a young age, Scottish songstress Nina Nesbitt built up a loyal following by uploading her performances on Facebook and You- Tube. However, it wasn’t until a serendipitous encounter with Ed Sheeran ― who, after passing her a guitar to play a song invited the singer on his European tour ― that her career really started heading skyward. Another twist of fate then led to a support slot with Example on his Arena tour after he heard her cover of his track ‘Stay Awake’. Her second EP ‘The Apple Tree’ received airplay on BBC Radio One and soon reached Number Six on the iTunes download charts and Number One on the iTunes singer/ songwriter charts.
Nesbitt’s next single ― a cover of Fleet- wood Mac’s ‘Don’t Stop’ ― is set for release on the 30th of September. With it almost instantly being picked up by John Lewis for their hugely successful TV campaigns (in which previous stars to feature include Rita Ora, Bastille, Labrinth, Conor Maynard and Iggy Azalea), one could be forgiven for thinking that fate is slightly enamoured with the young Edinburgian. But it hasn’t always been this plain sailing. “Before [I met Ed Sheeran] I was very unsure about how it was all going to go,” Nina remarks humbly. “I had a bit of a following online ― probably about 50,000 views on YouTube ― it was an alright amount, and Facebook was still growing but doing that was definitely the start of getting into the industry rather than just floating about online. It was kind of one thing after another from then on.”
Even with the elements of good fortune, Nesbitt’s reputation has grown rapidly. The success of her early EPs along with tour stints supporting some of the biggest names in British pop has seen the half-Scottish, half- Swedish singer rack up an astonishing 10million hits on VEVO and YouTube. Yet, things could have been very different for the young musician. “Well, initially I wanted to be an author,” Nina admits. “But then I discovered that it was really difficult to get into and I hate reading. I thought, ‘Why would I want to be an author if I don’t even like reading books’. I always felt like they were too long so I started writing music. I got this keyboard when I was ten and started putting my words to songs. It was really the writing that came before the music but now it’s the other way round, the music comes before the writing for me.” Making the decision to concentrate on a career in music is never an easy one. In an industry saturated with talent show hopefuls and ‘almost made its’, the chance for real talent to shine is slim. The trappings of success are indeed tempting ― especially at a young age ― nevertheless, the overwhelming majority that sacrifice a more traditional path never make it to the heady heights of chart success. “When I was at school it was very much like, ‘If you don’t go to University you’re a failure’,” Nina explains. “That’s what it felt like, and that was quite difficult for me coming from Edinburgh ― where it’s not like London with loads of opportunities for up-and-coming musicians. It was very much, ‘I’m completely on my own here’. All I had was the internet and it started going really well so I thought I’d just keep going and put my all into it. If you don’t ever risk anything you’re never going to get major success.”
Songwriting, like any art form, is a subjective process. Some believe that the best art comes from those who think outside the box. However, the necessity to create structure within the process, and to use your influences rather than let them overwhelm you is what separates the pros from the rest. The nature versus nurture aspect of song craft has been a perennial debate amongst musicians for many years and Nesbitt’s mind is firmly made up. “It’s definitely something that’s in you,” Nina tells us. “I once did a music course for two months and one of the sections was a songwriting class. The teacher was there going, ‘This is how you write a song’. But that’s not how it works. You either can write a song or you can’t. It just comes out somehow. With any art there are no rules. People can say, ‘You’ve got to do it like this because this is the technique’, but it’s not going to be different and new and exciting if it’s done in the way everyone else has done it already. You’ve got to find your own way and do it yourself.”
As previously mentioned Nesbitt’s breathy cover of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Don’t stop’ will soon be emanating not only from radio but from televisions across the country. The next step is, of course, the widely anticipated debut album which she’s currently putting the finishing touches to; albeit a little slower than she predicted. “It’s all written,” Nina smiles. “The recording is taking a lot longer than I thought but we’re hoping to have it out in January. It’s got a lot of elements to it. There are some upbeat songs, a few ballads, a duet and a few experimental ones as well. I didn’t really know what it was going to sound like until I got into the studio. I was kind of experimenting a lot but I’m really happy with how it’s sounding.”
By Tricia Despres For Sun-Times Media February 19, 2014 4:34PM
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Kacey Musgraves | HANDOUT PHOTO
Lady Antebellum with Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves; 7 p.m. Feb. 26. Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim Rd., Rosemont. $35-$59.50. (847) 635-6601; allstatearena.com
Updated: February 19, 2014 5:21PM
Taking the stage at the Grammy Awards last month with a flowing gown of blush pink, Nashville-based singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves made a tearjerker of an acceptance speech for best country song (“Merry Go ‘Round”) and best country album (“Same Trailer Different Park”). Minutes later, the 25-year-old Texan ditched the flowing gown for a country-western get-up featuring illuminated boots.
In just a short time, Musgraves showed the world that she truly does follow her arrow, wherever it points.
“[Laughs] Yes, I saw a lot of people in that crowd a bit wonderstruck by our electric suits,” says Musgraves of the Grammy performance of her latest single, “Follow Your Arrow.” “Getting up on that stage was a full-circle moment and very humbling and flattering. I mean, it’s the highest honor you can receive in music. But I don’t know if it changed my life. It’s hard to get the perspective on that. If anything, it’s going to allow me to stick around and do what I love a lot longer.”
In the year since her debut album was released, Musgraves has gained a legion of fans who find themselves drowning within the lyrics of her songs and keeping her album at the top of the charts — from girls that got “bored and got married” to guys who found the “straight and narrow a bit too straight.”
“I loved watching the album go back to number one after the Grammys,” says Musgraves of “Same Trailer Different Park,” which made her as the first solo female country artist in five years to open at No. 1 with a rookie release. “It’s cool to see a project that means so much to me continue to have life. You only get to make your first record one time. So I want to hold on to it as long as I can.”
With a tour schedule that has Musgraves sharing the stage this summer with everyone from Willie Nelson to Katy Perry, all indications are that the album still has a lot of life and inspiration left to share.
“I could not ask for a more dream career right now,” says Musgraves, who also goes into April with a slew of Academy of Country Music Awards nominations. “The range of people I am touring with pretty much sums me up musically. I am so into traditional tried-and-true classics, but I’m also into a lot of other things. It’s all about bridging those gaps.”
In fact, Musgraves says “Follow Your Arrow” originally had its eyes on Perry, who passed on the song because she thought it sounded more like Musgraves.
“Katy has been a huge champion of mine, whether in terms of my songwriting or my record,” explains Musgraves. “Even when ‘Merry Go Round’ came out, she was already a huge supporter. We have stayed in touch and truly are mutual fans. It’s all about supporting all kinds of genres. It’s the music and the songwriting that is always the common thread there. Plus, I think it’s going to be cool to see a whole different side of music that I haven’t got to see yet.”
Coming into Chicago Feb. 26 alongside Lady Antebellum and Kip Moore, Musgraves says she is no hurry to start, or try to “one up” her last album anytime soon.
“Everything goes downhill when you start doing that,” she says. “You have to keep doing what you have been doing, no matter how many people like or don’t like it.”
Linda Rondstadt’s duets album will be released April 8.
Linda Ronstadt, who will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame April 10 is releasing an album of duets she’s performed over the years. The album, titled Linda Ronstadt Duets will feature 14 previously released duets from throughout her career, as well as one previously-unreleased track with Laurie Lewis.
Other artists included on the album are Frank Sinatra, Aaron Neville, Ann Savoy and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt has won 12 Grammys and two Academy of Country Music awards throughout her storied career. Last year, she released a memoir, Simple Dreams, in which she revealed she had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease which has rendered her unable to sing.
Linda Ronstadt Duets will be released April 8.
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Linda Ronstadt ‘Duets’ Album Due 4/8 – Collaborations with Frank Sinatra, Don Henley, Dolly Parton, and More (Details)
Linda Ronstadt will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10, and as a celebration of her career a new compilation album will be released that week as well.
On April 8, two days before the induction, Rhino will release Duets, an album featuring many of Ronstadt’s most notable collaborations throughout her influential and long-lasting career. Collaborators include Aaron Neville, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, James Taylor, and more.
The album also includes a previously unreleased song recorded with Laurie Lewis entitled Pretty Bird – unearthed for the first time for Duets.
The track listing:
Adieu False Heart with Ann Savoy
I Can’t Get Over You with Ann Savoy
Walk Away Renee with Ann Savoy
The New Partner Waltz with Carl Jackson
I Never Will Marry with Dolly Parton
Pretty Bird with Laurie Lewis
I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love With You) with Emmylou Harris
Hasten Down The Wind with Don Henley
Prisoner In Disguise with J.D. Souther
I Think It’s Gonna Work Out Fine with James Taylor
Don’t Know Much with Aaron Neville
All My Life with Aaron Neville
Somewhere Out There with James Ingram
Sisters with Bette Midler
Moonlight In Vermont with Frank Sinatra
Here’s Hasten Down the Wind, Ronstadt’s hit collaboration with Henley:
Estelle serves up the third and final installment in her Love & Happiness series.
The British songstress serenades the R&B lovers with five free tracks including the seductive single“Make Her Say (Beat It Up),” “Drunk and High,” and “Anyway.”
The EP follows last year’s Waiting to Exhale and Love Jones.
She is also in the studio working on her fourth album to be released on her indie label, Est. 1980 Records.
How Stella Got Her Groove Back Tracklisting
01. “Stella Intro” 02. “Make Her Say (Beat It Up)” 03. “Drunk & High Convo” 04. “Drunk and High” 05. “Anyway”
The latest offering from Maxine Ashley has been described as a marriage of alternative jazz and R&B. Krucial Noise and her friend Pharrell produced her new EP Moodswings.
With her soft vocals and crisp melodies, Copenhagen musician Lisa Alma is a fresh new breed in the Scandinavian pop flora. With her brand new Oh Darling, Let’s Be Adventurers EP out today, we spoke with the young musician about visual expressions, inspirations, and dreams.
The frame of her aesthetic universe, Lisa Alma’s music is a combination of personal experience and artistic expansion. With a Master’s degree in Theatre and Performance Studies, she is interested in the interface between music, theatre, and performance art, something that becomes visible in her intriguing videos and artistic artworks. Last year, she made her debut with a dreamy and delicate self-titled album, and today she unveils her brand new EP Oh Darling, Let’s Be Adventurers. We caught up with the young musician to learn more.
When and with what did your interest in music start?
– Growing up, my dad played the trombone and my brother played the drums, so I have always had access to music instruments. I started playing the violin at the age of seven. It’s a difficult instrument and I was too impatient. Instead I taught myself how to play simple chords on the piano and the guitar. I began to write melodies when I was around 14. I remember how music could change my mood. When I was 18 I moved to London, and it was here I started producing my own stuff.
What did you listen to as a child? And do you think that has influenced the music you’re making today?
– I mostly listened to pop, soul, and r’n'b acts like Lauryn Hill, Destiny’s Child, and TLC. I could relate to their sound. Later on its was Marvin Gaye, Beth Gibbons, Sade, Sinead O’Connor, and Moloko. They all have a vibe and a “soulness” that has influenced me – if not directly then indirectly.
You have studied and worked with theatre, performance art, and photography. How do you think that has influenced your music making?
My visual expression – through image or video – opens an intimate room and is part of my music. It’s a natural extension. The experiences I’ve gained from working with theatre and performance is important to me in the process of making music and videos. And the other way around.
Music as a medium have almost become part of everyones life. It’s not the same with theatre or performance art for example. These art forms demands your physical presence in another way and therefore it takes more effort to connect with them. But the interface between these art forms interest me. I don’t know how it influences my music making. But I know that I like to manipulate with reality.
You’ve said that “what I like about making music these days, is that you can combine all sorts of artistic expressions into one output.” Can you tell us more about your thoughts on that?
I get to play with words, sound, still images, video, and performing bodies. I’m shaping it the way I like and the output of it all is music. It’s just like painting – I imagine. I have created a channel and people can tune in if they like. My music frames my aesthetic universe.
Tell us more about your new EP, Oh Darling, Let’s Be Adventurers.
The overall theme of the EP is: “nothing’s as it seems” (from the first track Oh Darling). It’s a storyabout daring to take more risks. Life goes by anyways… I’ve been more focused on the overall production compared to my debut album. Touring across the US in October inspired me to write. I’ve listened a lot to Solange and Blood Orange lately. I’m really down with their style, so I guess they’ve inspired me.
Do you believe that your music has developed since the release of your debut album?
I’ve developed my production skills. I have been more determined on what I wanted from the beginning in terms of melodies and soundscape. I wanted to create a bigger sound and then put my vocals more up front in the mix. Also I wanted to integrate a more intense sound at some point so I worked with the amazing cellist Rubin Kodheli who I met in New York last year.
What is it that you want to convey with your music?
I never felt this way about music before. The other day I received a private message from a guy from Russia. He described how my song J.Tmade him feel and why. It was a crazy and wonderful story. I never thought my music was able to reach people on the other side of the world… I want to tell stories and create a world where people are more open minded.
Can you tell us more about the video for your track Magic Power, that you’ve directed yourself?
The song is inspired by a dream I had over and over again. In the dream I met a weird woman in a purple landscape on a desert road. In the video I wanted to show a woman who is trying to hold on to a dream.
But dreams are like ghosts – they will disappear. I shot the video in the barn of my grandmother’s farm and it was a freaking cold day to ran around naked. But I was very clear on what I wanted. From time to time the meaning will change.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future?
My future is of course filled with a lot of challenges that I can’t foresee. But I have an idea. I want to be a bad ass producer and songwriter. I also want to experiment with new musical expressions and collaborations. In March I’m going to SXSW in Texas and hopefully I will have some time to focus on Europe in the spring.
Check out Pharrell's newest project! Boricua Maxine Ashley is ready to take the music world by storm, with a hot new mixtape dropping this summer.
By Krystyna Chávez
Vivian Luxx
I recently had a chance to sit down with Pharrell's latest musical find, gritty shot-caller Maxine Ashley. The nineteen year old Boricua hails from the Bronx, and her fashion and attitude let you know she's a badass.
Maxine was originally discovered on her YouTube channel, way before YouTube was a popular hub for discovering new artiists. At age 13 she went to live in London to work on her musical career, writing and singing daily. At age 17 she came back and Pharrell came knocking along with record company Interscope.
You may remember her from the chorus of Summerjam or Cookieman, but she's ready to let you hear more of her voice. Maxine is currently working on an album that will be out later this year, but will have a mixtape out this summer.
How was it living in London?
I'm in love with London, it's so different. The people dress so different and the culture is really cool.
What was it like to be scouted by Pharell?
At first I didn't believe it! I thought someone was just messing with me, but it was real.
What is it like being Latina in the music industry?
It's 2013—no one cares about race. I just want people to hear my music.
How would you describe your music?
It's a mix of different influences together. You've never heard anything like it.
Who are some of your music favorites?
I love Beyonce, India Arie, and Alicia Keys to name a few.
You can take a black guy to Nashville from right out of the cotton fields with bib overalls, and they will call him R&B. You can take a white guy in a pin-stripe suit who’s never seen a cotton field, and they will call him country. ~ O. B. McClinton
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