Interview with Steve Harvey


Q: You've worked with/wrote songs for an impressive number of artists. Especially in the nu/neo soul genre you've worked with what looks like a who's who: Donnie, Frank McComb, Trina Broussard, Impromp2, Kindred, Brigette (McWillimas), Ledisi, N'Dambi etc. Are there still some artists you like to work with?

Steve Harvey: Sure, there is an enormous amount of talent out there, I am trying to link up with, Rahsaan Patterson, Anthony Hamilton, Leela James, Bilal, Amel Larrieux, and see if we can work together on my band project. Hopefully we'll manage to connect with some of them. I also would like to work with Rachelle Ferrell, Chaka Khan and Lalah Hathaway some day.

Q: Regarding the list of artists mentioned in the first question you were/are very influential for bringing soul back to life in recent years. What do you think of your contribution and in which direction would you like to see soul music evolving?

Steve Harvey: I was lucky to come up in an era where the art of music reached a high point. Whatever genre of music you were into whether rock jazz soul blues funk. The music created in the 70's set the bar extremely high and was the foundation for everything I bring to the table in this era. At this point in my career I am following my instincts allowing myself to create and utilize the gifts I have been given without being effected too much by whats going on in the mainstream. Hopefully I can contribute something back to the music that has enriched my life.

Q: Please tell me more about upcoming projects. What can we expect from your collaborations with Brigette, Ledisi, N'Dambi or the Southern Belles?

Steve Harvey: Quality product. Each artist brings their own unique style and gifts to the table.

Q: You also have your own band Everyday People. Please tell me more about the motivation to establish this band. What kind of music do you want to release with Bobby Watson and Jimmy Macon?

Steve Harvey: I wanted to form a band around the musicians that have become like brothers to me, Jimmy and Bobby and myself have done so many records together and we have toured as a unit with Brigette and several other artists, so it only made sense that at some point we should do our own thing. I view the band as sort of "Funk brothers" vibe. We will use various singers up front for the first album, but its a very flexible thing. We are going out with Ledisi to do some shows and in January 2006 we are doing an entire weekend of shows with Ledisi/Maysa/Lenny Williams (Tower Of Power fame) and Adriana Evans in Blackpool England. The band name we have to change actually because there is a band in San Francisco that have ahad the name for years. We are in fact in search of a name.

Q: Your bio tells us that you've started with listening to jazz, then rock and finally discovered soul through the music of Stevie Wonder. What kind of music and which artists do influence you today?

Steve Harvey: Truthfully, I listen to a wide array of music today, very ecclectic World Music, Brazilian, Jazz, African, Persian etc. but there's not too much in the commercial market that moves me much. So when it comes to soul I refer to mostly classic works of the past. Hip Hop has definitley had an influence on me overall as a producer, I like Dr Dre. To me he is the Qunicy Jones of Hip Hop. I do dig Coldplay, Van Hunt , Me'shell N'degeocello and a few other contemporary artists. I can appreciate all sorts of music and I think it opens me up when I sit down to write.

Q: You've worked mostly with artists who either release their music on their own label or on independent labels (The Temptations and Trina Broussard on Motown seems to be the exception to the rule). Personally I think that major labels today are no longer interested in the quality of the music and in establishing and nurturing an artist. It seems all about hit or miss with the first record. What do you think of the music industry and the politics of the majors these days?

Steve Harvey: I am currently doing a project for Universal but otherwise I am mainly dealing with independants. I am happy to say that there seems to be a growing market for the latter. My experience with major labels over the years has been one of frustration. I have little respect for most of the individuals that run the labels but it seems like finally the chickens are coming home to roost and the writing is on the wall for many of the excutives (pimps) that have gotten fat off artists for way too long. I myself have had to give up chasing royalties that were due for records I've done, knowing that the system is set up to screw us as a community. The projects I am doing now don't need to go gold to make money. 50,000 records can bring in more revenue than you'd see from a major lable project that has gone gold, because the split is fairly and promptly distributed. And there is no more waiting a year to get paid any backend money due.

Q: You mention on your website that you'll offer songs for 99 cents for downloading soon. How important is the internet for you to promote your music?

Steve Harvey: I think it will become key as the medium develops even further. It's a way to reach all corners of the globe and its instant gratification for people wanting the music immediately and not wanting to wait 10 days for a CD to be delivered. I have alraedy gotten rid of my CD collection in favor of the iPod and I am a regular shopper at iTunes.

Q: In my opinion there's an overall lack of social conscious lyrics these days. Compared to the music of the 70s where people like Stevie, Curtis, Donny or even Marvin weren't afraid to address injustice or to criticise politicians, we seem to live in a happy and peaceful world. But of course this isn't so and we're living in trying times again. What's your opinion and why do you think there are only a few people willing to share their political view of the world in their music?

Steve Harvey: Dissent is not popular in these times, its almost veiwed as unpatriotic. Maybe artists have not been motivated to write about current issues because they are insulated by the mainstream news media more nowadays, I think politicians have learned from the past what happens when the people have too much information in times of War. Donnie's "Colored Section" was brilliant to me in the writing because of its message. (Ii can say that because I did not write it )

For more infos visit steveharveymusic.com.