Interview with Val Watson


Q: 1. It's been a long time since I've heard from you before the release of your Urbal album. And that was on the Club Nouveau album from 1995 Everything Is Black. Please tell me what have you done in the meantime.

Val Watson: Well, pretty much I've been having babies - my first son was born April 1996 - and recording Urbal. Gerald and I finally finished mixing Urbal late in the summer of 1999. It had to be then because when we were doing the photo shoot for the artwork, I was pregnant with my third child. She was born in February 2000. In June of that year I toured with United We Funk (band consisting of S.O.S. Band, Gap Band, Barkays, Dazz Band, and ConFunkShun. That was a blast! It was also intimidating because Charlie Wilson (Gap Band) does not play. He expects perfection on stage. I toured with them off and on for about three years. Club Nouveau also did some shows with them after Gap left. Speaking of the Club; I've been doing shows with them also. During the years since 1995, I've also had the honor of working with some of the best musicians the industry has to offer. I've toured with the West Coast All-Stars and performed with musicians such as Tom Scott, Eric Merianthal and a host of others. I've had the opportunity to perform the Urbal material and hone my skills as a solo artist. Completely different bag. I had been so used to performing with Club Nouveau and as a background singer. I'm still getting comfortable with being at the front of the stage on my own. Not so much the singing; it's the talking part that gets me. I'm not the one for idle chatter. I like to get to the point and be done with it. For me, the point is the song. Anyway, in 2003 I gave birth to my fourth child (third son). He is the joy I never expected. Currently, I am prepping my next album; writing songs, choosing tracks, brainstorming concepts. In betwixt all that I'm caring for my children and contemplating going back to school to finish my degree in Mathematical/Computational Sciences. Fun stuff! I'm a little nervous, but excited at the same time!!!

Q: What does Urbal mean and why did you create that word?

Val Watson: Urbal is "urban alternative". We created it because we felt that the kind of music we're doing is a viable and relevant alternative to the urban music that is currently being pushed onto the consumer.

Q: Although you've been in the music business for years, you've only come up with your debut album Urbal last year. Why did we had to wait such a long time for you to record a full-length album under your own name.

Val Watson: It took soooooo long to get this solo project because frankly, the stars just weren't aligned. I had tried for years, working with different producers, pounding the pavement, trying to get my songs shopped to different record companies. They were not feeling me. I met Gerald. He saw that I had a style all my own. I wasn't a cookie cutter. He was willing to take a chance on my unique qualities to produce the Urbal project. For a while there, he believed in me more than I did. I was pretty discouraged at the time. I always felt I had something to offer, and if given the chance I could do significant music. Gerald allowed me to explore and find who I was as an artist.

Q: Please tell me how you've met your producer Gerald McCauley and how important he was in creating Urbal and the live album?

Val Watson: I met Gerald through my group mate Jay King from Club Nouveau. He was always telling Gerald that he should do some stuff on me. That was while Club Nouveau was in its heyday; like 1987 or so. It wasn't until like 10 years later that we met up at a Studio in LA and we've been working together ever since. First as a background singer; then his signature artist. And regarding the creation of Urbal, Gerald is the Man. He came up with the concept which he will tell you was inspired my my lyrics and singing style. He sees me as this funky free spirit that ready to fly and explore. Urbal was that vehicle.

Q: Your bio on your website tells us something about a song you've recorded with Davina (Caught Up) and other songs like V-Bop, Black Butterfly, Days Like This or a duet with Howard Hewett (I Wanna Change The World). What happened to these songs? Why weren't they on the official release of Urbal? And will we ever get a chance to hear them?

Val Watson: Truth be told, what happened to those songs was that the label would only pay for 12 slots on the official release. So we decided to allow them that but to maintain our original version to be sold on the website as the Bootleg version. These songs can be heard on the Urbal Bootleg CD which is available for purchase on valwatson.com.

Q: What was it like to work with all the great funk heros like George Clinton, Bootsy Collins or Sugar Foot from the Ohio Players? And how did you meet them the first time?

Val Watson: Let me tell you, I grew up partying to George Clinton and Bootsy and Sugar Foot, so do I have to tell you I was in Funk Heaven? Ok, I was in Funk Heaven! George Clinton is a big ole sweet teddy bear. He is a blast, for real! Bootsy is just cool...I mean he is just chill. Sugar Foot? Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to meet him, but Gerald always tells me about the session he did for my record. When he plays, he kicks out that foot and what you hear is sweeeeet; just like sugar!

Q: With neo soul there has been some kind of rivival for classic soul songs and although there are promising contributions from the likes of Mark De Clive-Lowe to breath new life into (P-)Funk, it looks to me as if this music genre isn't as relevant as it once was. What do you think of the music scene these days?

Val Watson: Boooooring!! Maybe soul has had its day; maybe not. All these young folks got to get old and they're not going to listen to current urban music all their adult life. They will reach back...No, this genre isn't as relevant because back then it was the music of that era's youth. Just like Billy Holliday or Sarah Vaughn. This music is not the hip stuff recorded today, but it is relevant. The industry just has to allow listeners the chance to experience artists who are dedicated to past genres; other than what's currently the music of the youth.

Q: What can be expect from you in the future? Are you already working on a new record?

Val Watson: The future holds for my another solo project. We're planning it now. The concept will be more my creation. The music will still be funky, thought provoking and...relevant!!!

For more infos visit valwatson.com and read my reviews of Urbal and Live At The Funk Lounge.