Interview with N'Dambi


Q: In 2004 you've spend some time in Europe/The Netherlands. How influential was this time for you? And what struck you as very different over there compared to life in the USA?

N'Dambi: The difference I noticed with life in Europe/The Netherlands compared to life in the USA was no one seemed to be in a rush. I mean, there was a general hustle and bustle in the streets but people were mingling amongst friends and family during the day when most Americans are tending to the daily grind of work. There seemed to be a real sense of value in cultivating community and while work was important, it did not appear to be more of a priority than family/society.

Q: I guess you have a good insight what it's like to be with a major label through your collaboration and touring with Erykah Badu. Your releases so far were very successful for an independent release. So I think there certainly were a few major labels interested in signing you. Yet you're still an independent artist. Where do you see the advantages and maybe disadvantages of being idependent?

N'Dambi: As with anything there are advantages and disadvantages to being an independent artist. I think one of the more rewarding reasons why artists choose this option is for creative freedom - the unabashed ability to put down whatever moves one to fancy without explaining and having to defend its importance. Another reason is the reality of owning ones master recordings does not seem so far fetched. There are no time lines that one has to adhere to so, one can make an album when they are inspired instead of in time for a deadline. However, not having the financial resources may be the biggest reason why many artists are discouraged from trying this approach. Having to pay for producers, writers, graphic artists, photographers, marketing etc. from ones own pocket up front can be a big hurdle. That means you have no set budget given by a label to work from so sometimes, records can take longer to make. However on the bright side, if one uses their own means to pay invest in themselves they can rest assure they don't owe anyone. Not having the ability to affect a certain music market all at once may not be realized quickly as an independent. You usually don't have the access to major radio and you rely heavily on word of mouth to get you to the people. At the end of the day, the choice to be independent or a major label artist must be something as an artist you can live with.

Q: When can we expect new music from you and what will it sounds like?

N'Dambi: We are planning to release new music in May. The sound of this album is very obviously different from the two albums prior in tone and tempo. I must say this album is more up tempo with hints of funk, rock, and blues. I must also say this record may be the most personal yet.

Q: Who or what turned you to music in the first place and made you become a singer/songwriter/musician?

N'Dambi: I think I always have been attracted to music my whole life. Nothing happened to or for me without music being a soundtrack. However, I will say that after trying to write my first novel I fell into the natural ebb in flow of being a singer/songwriter/musician.

Q: Most of your songs have a rather unhappy, sad story to tell like Broke My Heart, Bitter, Bitter Blue, See Ya In My Dreams or Soul From The Abyss. Was it personal experience that let you wrote these songs and who or what inspires you to write songs in general?

N'Dambi: I've never realized how many sad songs I have written. The new album has some more of them as well. I think I am inspired by my experiences and what I see rise to the surface in people and their experiences. God knows I don't want people to think I am depressed all the time. Maybe that's why this new record houses so many up tempo songs. Maybe I am a modern day blues writer. Who knows...

Q: What artists you would like to work with on future releases or live in performance and why?

N'Dambi: I would like to work with any artist who still has a real passion for music and still loves it in the purest way they can. That means I am open and willing to try many things.

Q: What do you think of the current soul music scene in your hometown Dallas as well as in the USA and the rest of the world?

N'Dambi: I think that major music labels and the abandonment of major radio support has inspired many soul artist from my hometown and elsewhere to push themselves to create and make music independently. That trend seems to be even more on the rise since the major label music scene seems to have turned a deaf ear on music of this kind. With that, I expect that we will see more independent music become even more infections until the major playing field will no longer deny it.

Q: The bio on your website says that you also write short stories, poems and novels. Please tell me more about it. Is this just something you do for yourself or do you plan to release it as a book or on your website?

N'Dambi: I have been writing for as long as I can remember. My vivid imagination made for many elaborate "tall tales" of which I received my fare share of punishment from. I received a Bachelor's of Arts in English with emphasis in creative writing from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Somewhere in my heart, I feel a strong novel coming out. I have every intentions of writing this book and releasing it. As for my poetry, I don't think it is the best. I tend to do that for me. I guess the most evident visual one could have of my abilities are in my songs. I tend to write songs that are stories. I am really fascinated with finding a new way to say the same things over, just so one doesn't get bored.

Q: The visitors of jazz-not-jazz (and me) are always open for suggestions about new artists. Who can you recommend?

N'Dambi: Some new artist to be on the look out for are Anthony David, Hope, Keite Young, Carmen, Geno Young, Algebra. Check them out.

For more infos visit ndambionline.com and read my review of Tunin Up & Cosignin.