Published: July 13, 2008 1:19 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight
L.U.V.
L.U.V.
Junior’s Cave is proud to introduce to the pages of our online publication the musical talents of L.U.V. (Lovely Uplifted Voice). LUV is being featured as one of our hot music spotlights for the month of June.
Isaac: Briefly describe how you entered into the music industry.
LUV: A dear friend of mine heard me humming and singing a tune one day and asked me who originally sung it. I told him I wrote it and when he finally believed me; he persuaded me to take vocal and theory lessons by saying he would pay for them if I would at least attempt it. I did and needless to say, I have been hooked ever since.
Isaac: We are glad that you did too.
Isaac: What is the most rewarding aspect to making music currently for you?
LUV: I love expressing myself and verbalizing my loves, hates, passions and reflections through music. It is purging, which is probably why I have such a positive outlook and a love for life despite a rough upbringing.
Isaac: What has discouraged you the most about making music?
LUV: The fact that people don't seem to care about the art aspect of music any more. It used to be about what a person had to say and contribute and now it is all about who is hottest in a mini skirt and if the tune sets well on the dance floor. Don't get me wrong, I love a good dance beat as well as the next person, I just think music should reflect the human experience with a multifaceted approach. There is a time to dance and time to think seriously about life and where we are headed as a race. It's all needed--right now, music is lopsided.
Isaac: Do you have a personal philosophy about music? If so, what is it?
LUV: My philosophy is that there is no wrong way to create a song or make music. If you think music is hitting a pot with a stick, have at it. Most people won't get it and you probably won't make millions and that is fine--as long as you enjoy it and feel freed by it that is all that counts. As a musician, I have learned to do what I feel--so many people will tell you that the way you want to express yourself is wrong, but in the end, if you do what speaks to you and are honest about your process, people will respond.
Isaac: When you are performing live in front of an audience, what are the thoughts that are running through you head?
LUV: I am almost always nervous--no matter what your private philosophies are you do hope people will like what you have to offer. However, once I step foot on stage-- I just think to myself, "You love doing this, show that side and people will groove with you," and they generally do.
Isaac: Why is being an independent musician important to you?
LUV: Of course there is the creative freedom aspect and the idea you can be more "you". In the mainstream world, people tell me all the time "Black girls shouldn't do rock; it doesn't sell!" in the indie world, I can do rock related instrumentals with bellowing whale music and there are people who will vibe with it!
Isaac: Do you think the Internet has altered the path of music as an industry? If so, how?
LUV: Yes, it has made it possible for people like me to get a voice--but with the millions of other artists shouting with me, that voice can get lost in the crowd.
Isaac: Any advice for other musicians out there when it comes to using the Internet as a medium for getting their music heard to the masses?
LUV: Don't have a "If I build it they will come" ideology--if you want people to hear about your music, you still have to get out there and play as well as invest quite a bit of money in realizing that dream.
Isaac: What kind of recording software do you use?
LUV: I use Sonar-Cakewalk--I am not a recording aficionado, so I like to build basic pre-production tracks at home and expound on the tracks when I get into the recording studio.
Isaac: I know that everybody has his or her idea of a dream artist, someone who for whatever reasons that person would just love to listen to and admire. As an entertainer yourself, if you could play with one of your "dream" musicians, anyone at all, who would it be and why?
LUV: OMG--HIM, HIM, HIM hands down--I think they are amazing, underrated, and under appreciated talents, with a unique voice and an honest ideal of who they are. They get so much flack for how they present themselves, but Ville Valo and the gang keep trucking on, no apologies. They exemplify everything I want to be as an artist. Yes, if I could pick any band on this planet to play with, it would be HIM!
Isaac: What are you hoping to gain from your experience of being a musician and making music?
LUV: Just the idea of spreading joy or fun or even an idea--there were so many insightful musicians whose lyrics ended up being the quotation for so many of my own life experiences -- music should be fun and help us escape some of life's more horrid truths, but we also have a responsibility to one another to try to use gifts that are given to us, whatever they may be, to help and guide others.
Isaac: What are you hopes for your music in the year 2009?
LUV: That more people will "get" what I am trying to do and say--and that HIM hears my music and loves it so much they have me go on a twelve-city North American tour as an opener....oh yes--I would then die a happy, happy girl...
Isaac: This is our Shout Out time. Please give props to anyone and everyone that matters the most to you.
LUV: My sexy and talented hubby Michael and my gorgeous baby girl Gabrielle, I adore you! To the Roach family who has become a second family, you seriously rawk! To my Mother--I am so glad you are back in my life again--and my sister, Marilyn her kids, Jasmine and Spud, and hubby Danny-- one LUV to you all!!!
Isaac: This is Shameless Plug time: Give us some updates on new releases and other projects in the works.
LUV: My new CD UNCONDITIONAL LUV is due out on my website www.iwantluv.com in Late Summer (Think August). We had a few hiccups, but we are back on track. There are also free downloads from my love legacy EP, but if one wants a hardcopy of the three tunes, they can have them for $2.99 (available soon). Also, please feel free to write if me if you stop by the site!
Isaac: Final Thoughts:
LUV: I just want to give my love to those who reach out and understand the message -- it is about the good and the bad of life and how we still have to be loving and positive in spite of the negatives. I wish my love to all and hope that they find peace in their homes and in their lives...many blessings.
