Who or what was your first musical influence?
My mother’s cousin was a backing singer for Smokey Robinson for 25 years, so my first memory was backstage at one of his gigs when I was five. I then got to see Michael Jackson live when I was nine or 10.
What was it like growing up in Texas?
My parents divorced when I was young so I moved to Dallas when I was eight or nine. I was an African-American in a predominantly white school and I got exposed to the likes of Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks and U2 as well as country – I think there’s a strong parallel between soul and country – and folk music. It is a musically rich place and my early experience developed my idea of songwriting.
Tell us about your experience in New York…
I went to a performing arts school with the likes of Erykah Badu. Texas is pretty conservative whereas New York is a cornucopia of fashion and cultures. When I arrived in New York I had to grow up quickly because you have to come up with your own individual thing.
How would you describe your personal style?
Soul-meets-rock-with-a-twist. When I went back to the US after first being here people said my style had changed – I’m a Portobello boy. I’m influenced by places and style rather than regurgitated fashion. I don’t shop off the rack, but love buying things that no one else has. I love manipulating old pieces – I like the creative process.
What brought you to Notting Hill?
I first came to London for meetings with EMI and Polydor and didn’t like the city – I thought it was cold. But a friend told me to go to Portobello Road. I got off the tube and thought that this is where I want to be. It’s got that village mentality similar to New York. There’s a good mixture of individuals who are doing their own individual thing here and they look after each other. I’ve been to a posh all-boys school and lived in the ghetto, so the mix of Portobello suits me.
Where do you like to hang out in the area?
Mau Mau Bar [265 Portobello Road, W11] which is where I played my first gig in London along with the Cobden Club [since closed]. I like Notting Hill Arts Club (I know the managers there), Ruby & Sequoia, Supperclub, Westbourne Studios – it often depends on who I know is going to a particular place. Plus, a lot of my friends are artists so I’ll often see them perform.
What was the last show/play you saw?
I saw a friend perform in a music-skit-play at The Poor School in Islington recently.
What’s been your most memorable gig?
Performing at a packed-out Ronnie Scott’s was amazing because it is such a legendary venue, plus we received extremely good feedback.
Who would you most like to work with and why?
Wendy & Lisa [award-winning musical composing duo who worked with Prince in the ‘80s]. I love their later stuff – very funky and cool. They follow me on Twitter and have given me good compliments.
With record sales at an all-time low and the popularity of talent shows such as X Factor, what’s your view on the future of music?
Music has become so multi media-based, immediate and visual with the likes of YouTube and Twitter. The days have gone where you hear a band on the radio and wonder what they look like and wait for their album to come out. The only real way to make money [in music] now is through live performances, so I believe that’s the future of music – seeing good live performances. The extremity of that is Lady Gaga, who takes you into her world of music. I think the likes of X Factor will fizzle out because not enough time is given to the artists to allow them to develop. The importance of music today and in the future is to be real and connect with the audience.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Sitting with mates and drinking a bottle of red wine.
What’s your philosophy on life?
A line from one of my tracks: ‘That which you judge will one day become’. I think a lot of people judge people too quickly out of fear. Judging limits the potential of human beings.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing up the album; ensuring it has continuity. An album should be in the right order and flow like a book. After a couple of months in the studio I’ll be doing a tour.
