If you have been in the business a while, you will know that is a bit of a legend. Much loved by her peers and critics alike, she got to where she is the old fashioned way. Hard Work.
In admist her busy schedule and on a plane to the USA, she managed to fit in ten questions for GIITTV. With only a slight distraction from D’Angelo being on the same flight as her [ladies, I can hear you swoon from here!] and in between jetlag, breaking down on a trip to The Hollywood sign, and hanging out in New York, she spoke to us about her influences, where she sees the UK music scene going, her bonding over a glass of wine with Paloma Faith…oh, and not playing any festivals this summer! [UK Festival organisers…you will be hearing from me!] As Miss Baby Sol said “HALLO FROM LA!”
You grew up in The Congo for the first 7 years of your life, how do you think this influenced you even though you were very young?
They say that you develop your personality within the 1st 5 years I think? So yes, my birthplace has intrinsically affected my current self. How? Culturally, my understanding of the world that I live in mostly and my appreciation for the life I live. Musically as well of course but I don’t think I would have had to be born there for that to have been a part of my growth as my parents still would have listened to the same music! But would they have been in a touring band? Hmmm, perhaps not…
You seem to have moved up in the music business the old fashioned way, with just a lot of hard work and talent, but tell me about some of the key moments in your career so far?
Wow there are loads! Key Landmarks? My mother’s death, releasing the Before I Begin EP, Glastonbury… I’ve kept it to 3 so I don’t have to think too hard! I’m in a hotel room in LA being jetlagged at present haha! xxx
You were actually Paloma Faith’s backing singer, how did that come about?
I am her backing singer! She’s about to go out with her 2nd Album and I plan to go with her for as long as I possibly can! We met through a mutual friend, Jnay, at a gig in Dublin. I was doing Bv’s for an amazing band called Barefoot and she was doing her cabaret thing. We bonded over a wine glass… literally the glass. I checked out her myspace and became a fan! Then we became friends and when she was ready to follow her path, she chose me as one of the people to travel with her :)
I’m really interested by your musical influences, one of them in Aerosmith! [Who I have adored since I was 16!] So your influences are very eclectic, which I love, can you tell me a bit more about it?
PINK is my favourite colour! LOL
Erm, I just love music! If it sounds good to my ears then I’m on it, simples :) I love a good 80’s power ballad. Love a bit of Latin… also enjoy a bit of Jungle/DnB/Garage and now Dubstep… why not? Country/Folk/Reggae/Dub/Ska… LOVE IT ALL! xxx Also I think the fact that I was well travelled at a young age contributed to that. My mum was a tremendous influence musically. I was listening to The Police, Boney M, Bob Marley, Tracey Chapman before I knew of Brandy and Monica.
The ‘She Cries’ EP came out last year. Not only is it a beautiful song, but the remixes were some of the best I have ever heard. Can You tell me a bit about the song, what it is about, and how the remixes came about?
The song is inspired by the Rwandan Genocide. It’s about a woman who manages to overcome despite great adversity. It’s my reminder that life is never as hard as I may feel it is. It’s my song of hope. Strength. My homage to the woman. She is powerful indeed. The remixes happened as a result of my manager. She’s a great ideas person and generally extremely involved when it comes to how we put out/forward the work we do. It was a tactic designed to open the track up to different audiences. Also, Jon Hockley aka Riffioso expressed an interest in remixing the track at an earlier stage and that idea sort of set the ball rolling. The song and its remixes are now out for purchase with all proceeds going to Amnesty International. The Rwandan Genocide that the song was inspired by was inherited by my home country DRC. There is still now civil/political unrest. The problems are immense from the illegal mining of precious minerals fueled by the slow invasion of neighbouring countries. Rape and mutilation are common, a way of subduing communities… there’s a lot more to it than that of course. Its all about Money and power but the people are the ones to suffer in the end. It’s very sad. Amnesty are one of many working towards justice for the Congolese people and I’m very honoured to be working with them. Check out Art For Amnesty!
You have basically grown up in London, can you tell me how you see the London music scene at the moment, and where do you think it’s heading?
The London Music Scene… hmm. There are different factions of the music scene. I grew through the spoken word/soul/jazz/open mic side of things. That scene has weakened in the past 10 years which is a shame really. Singers used to have outlets like The Spot in Covent Garden and Music Box Live on Air Street. And the Soul scene used to be vibrantly led by Kindred Spirit. There used to be a soul scene. Now not so much although you still have UK Soul Jam, Soul Family Sundays… and ONETASTE but they’re most alternative/eclectic in content. I think the indie scene, bands and all that, are striving more nowadays. It’s very much a singer/songwriter scene at the minute with it being beneficial if you play an instrument. Usually guitar. I’m learning as I type!
For someone who has been in the business for quite a while, what advice would you give young people trying to break into the industry?
Don’t stop. It can take a while. If you know you have something, and more importantly, if you can’t see yourself doing anything else then it’s worth it. Hang out with like minded people. singers, musos, people that inspire you to create. I got into bv’s when I was seen doing vocals at open mic sessions. I started with singing a cover then started slipping in with the house Bv’s and the rest is, almost, history!
What are you working on at the moment, when can we hear some new music from Miss Baby Sol?
Ah yes! Well! I am pretending to write an album, I have some songs but not near enough in terms of what I want to say right now in my life. It’s coming slowly but I’d rather that than it be rushed. I’m gonna start gigging a bit later this year, testing songs out, fleshing them out, building a band that sort of thing… these things take time though, it’s all a journey! I hope people will be patient enough to bear with me :)
Festival season is upon us…are you playing any music festivals this summer?
No, no fests this summer! At least not as Baby Sol the Artist. I’m concentrating on work at the minute, doing bv’s and writing songs. But you never know, I often surprise even myself!
And finally, what are you listening to/ being inspired by at the moment?
At the moment I am solidly listening to Paloma Faith and The Noisettes as I am learning their material for upcoming gigs! My surroundings are my inspiration at present. The people that I am working with. Stinkahbell and Mr Soundz are in my ears a lot cause I’m doing some writing with them… O it’s all so exciting!! :D Amnesty have been great! Also the producers on the remixes are Mr Soundz, Nutty P and Riffioso (Jon Hockley). Please hyperlink them too!
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/she-cries-remixes-ep/id473240043
She Cries – Video
