SANDRA ST VICTOR

Interview 26 September 2001

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'The Family Stand was a relatively long thing. Say something about this period, the successes and what happened at the end.

- that period was and is one of the most prolific times of my life as far as growth and enlightenment. Peter Jeff & I have something very special together. Something that can not be replaced our repeated. So needless to say, ending it was not something that we wanted to do, but that we felt we needed to do at the time. It's difficult to explain how deeply we felt about what we did, and why we couldn't continue to do it then, but I do regret it sometimes. We felt like the industry was set on killing us, and I guess we decided to commit suicide instead. I don't know... regrets are useless...

What were you doing prior to Family Stand. Tell us something about your upbringing, and your early career. You were born in Dallas, right?

Well, I did lots of background singing directly prior to The Family Stand, with Chaka, Roy Ayers, Freddie Jackson, Glenn Jones... yes I grew up in Big D, went to an Arts High School, been singin' sing I could play handball with the curb. I was an adopted kid and no one else in my household had any artistic leanings so I was the 'different' one. ;-0

Who were your influences and heroes? I guest there will be some gospel and jazz. What about the soul era? Tell us about your opera training.

Wow... so many influences! Ella fitzgerald is my favorite, Sarah Vaughn coming in second. Of course Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Elton John... I could go on & on with that!
In high school & college I studied to be an opera singer. A mezzo soprano in fact. I loved the tones and some of the songs, but I wanted to create, to write. Of course you cannot rewrite Bizet or Mozart. I think I would've gotten bored doing the same thigs over and over.

What happened next leading to 'Mack Diva saves the world'?

After Family Stand, I worked on the solo project for a few years, actually recorded a CD for Elektra records that was never released called "Sanctuary" The song itself was revamped and used on Prince's "Emancipation" CD. But I eventually went to Warner and came up with the whole new concept of Mack Diva.

You met Roy Ayers. How did that come about? You traveled the world with Roy?

This question is a bit out of sequence... I've moved on in my head, so now I have to rewind my mind, so hold up a second....
ok...
I'm there now. BWhen I lived i Dallas, I worked with a band there thatdecided to move to Port Arthur Texas and play in this rinky dink club called The King Of Clubs. We met Roy because we played at a club that he was playing at once, and he used out equipment. He gave me his number and asked if I wanted to move to NEw York. I didn't. But the band talked me into it. So myself and the band leader, Zachary Breaux, moved here, and eneded up touring with Roy very soon thereafter.
Roy was professional musician college for us! Whatever we didn't know, we learned in a hurry!It was great though. We went to England, Africa, and all over the states, mostly in a station wagon! Hard... but worth every sore back muscle!

Any experiences to share?

I have some great stories to tell, but I don't know what kind of newsletter you're putting out, so I'll keep 'em to myself for now! ;-o

Similarly, tell us about working with Chaka. Did you come to the UK with her or at any other time.

Chaka was graduate school. I grew up real fast with her. Thats my gurl!!
She is probably one of the strongest yet most fragile spirits I know... love me some CK!
Yes, I came to the UK a few times with Chaka, we recorded a live show at the Hammerstein.
I learned so much about the business as well as about life in general just by being around this strong sista. It was invaluable.

Tell us about the other people you have worked with and projects you have been on, either in the studio or on the road.

Most of that we've discussed already, but for me the pinnacle of my work as a 'side woman' as it were, is the duet I did with Curtis Mayfield on his New World Order Cd. The song is called "I Believe In You. He is one of my all time favs and I respect him immensely. I miss his heart and his love inredibly.

Mack diva - You have pushed at the edges with first Family Stand and then your first album. Tell us about your album, and what it achieved and what you hoped it would achieve.

I'm very proud of "Mack Diva Saves The World". It was the first CD by a female that in the neo classic soul vein. D'Angelo was out, but sistas were only doing anything different on the alternative pop tip, i.e. Des'ree & Dion Farris. I believe Mack Diva was the beginnig of women reaching back, soulfully speaking.
Again I was hurt by the lack of support it received from the label, but for the love that I've garnered from fans worldwide, I'm forever grateful. I was just doing what I grew up doing, which is singing songs that I felt from my gut, writing what I saw, and things I wished I would see. I always try to tell stories, and I think when you're songs are sincere, theres always someone that can identify.

Were you disappointed that it did not get the exposure it deserved?

Again I was hurt by the lack of support it received from the label, but for the love that I've garnered from fans worldwide, I'm forever grateful. I was just doing what I grew up doing, which is singing songs that I felt from my gut, writing what I saw, and things I wished I would see. I always try to tell stories, and I think when you're songs are sincere, theres always someone that can identify.


Tell us about your song writing. Do you write for others - or with others in mind or do you prefer to do your own material?

I enjoy writing songs for other people... I've written songs with quite a few people in mind. They don't always do them ;-o
...but I write 'em!
Though the most fulfilling thing fo me is to express my innermost thoughts and vibes for my voice. That's what I feel I'm hear to do.



Chaka has recorded your songs, hasn't she?

Yes Prince produced one of my songs on her Come To My House CD. It was entitled "I'll Never Open My Legs Again", but Prince felt that was to blatant! Can you believe that?? The man himself, Mr. "Head", Mr. "Jack You Off", Mr. "Soft And Wet"! I respect him to the utmost though, so whatever he wants he gets. He changed the title to "I'll Never Be Another Fool"
Curtis Mayfield, a legend and a particular hero of mine, that must have been great. Prince also- that must've been something. Did you actually work together?

oops... I guess I kind of answered both of those questions already, but having been in the presence of these genuises is something that I still can't quite believe I've done. To have them validate what I do to my face, just leaves me speechless. They both put the rubber stamp on my career that the industry never could. Life affirming experiences.


What's the relationship with Profyle?

Those are my babies! These guys have such great voices! I'm almost like their God mother I guess. I brought them into this crazy ass industry, and now like a mother, I've kicked them out of the nest to fend for themselves. But also like a mother, they can call me anytime for comfort and love.

The new album? How long has it taken to construct and are you happy with the result?

I'd been working on it for a couple of years, I just didn't know I was working on it. I was just writing and recordng what I was feeling and going thru with no real direction as to what was going to happen with the songs. I knew Warner Brothers was not an option, and I wasn't sure I wanted another deal. I just needed to sing. I'm overjoyed with how it came out! I noticed when I was knee deep i songs that I had songs that spaned the gamut of emotions, that's why I decided to break it down into two sides of my Gemini personality.

It's quite a concept album with some deep lyrics, emotion, and things close and personal, but also with some heavy social comment...... and your take on this Any comments?

I was gong thru a lot at the time... and this is my way of releasing my own feelings, as well as my way of giving voice to what I saw other people going thru. My desire is that this offering will be a kind of acknowledgement for the listener that we are all sharing & living in the same space and time, although our perceptions are different according to our choices. But we truly are part and parcel to one mind one heart and one energy.

Any more comments in view of the recent atrocities?

Most of us here in New York feel drained and surprisingly lost after last week events. Decent people worldwide are hurt, but the difference is that we are living in almost a martial state at this point, and we do NOT desire to see more of it! Or see our fellow human beings go thru what we've gone thru! Lower Manhattan is a graveyard! If we decide to strike back like kids on the blacktop, then the entire point of this tragic excercise is lost. The reasons for this, is the pain that THEY have been going thru for years. Pain and only pain causes people to feel this is their only recourse. The masterminds behinds these plots may be mad, but they garner support from the masses because of the hopeless situations that the people find themselves in. They live these nightmares daily! Some of them have only known nightmares! We are not prepared in our nice lil comfy homes and lifestyles, to weather the atrocities that an all out war would bring to our doorsteps. We need to not be pushed into the war that this sems to have been designed to cause, and re-think the strategy for peace.

The Roots? Do you follow hip hop closely?

I dig hip hop quite a bit. I'm probably more of an old school head though. I dig Rakim, Chuck D, and early L.L., I love when these guys have that serious flow with it, like Pac & Biggie, even Jay-Z.
yeah, I'm a fan.
The Roots brought real instruments and chords to hip hop! You gotta love 'em! They're off the hinges!

How's the album being received? It's being critically well received here

I am so fortunate to be able to be true to myself artistically and have so many people feeling it... It's been received quite well here and abroad!

Are you coming over to Europe?

Ralph Tee at my UK label, Expansion is hooking that up as we speak. I hope to be there very soon.

I note you link to Corey Glover on your website. Can you tell me something about him. Over here a track by him called 'Little Girl' is extremely popular.

Corey is of course the lead singer from Living Color. He's one of the baddest male vocalists out there. He's an awesome performer, so if you have an opportunity to see him live, it's not to be missed. On top of that he's my friend, he's a stright nut job like myself and I love him!

Any more comments you would like to make?

Just to say thank you so much for hanging in there with the ups and downs of this artists' career. It ain't easy continuing to do what we do when it feels like you're screaming in the forest to the trees. So the fact that so many beautiful people have reached out to me to say please keep doing what you do, is intregal to my spirit. Let 'em know that I can be reached at www.sandrastvictor.com, and yes I do answer my emails personally.
love, light & blessings,
ssv

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