Kelli Sae

Interview 30 May 2003

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Hi Kelli


In terms of structure if we break this down into a number of sections, starting with your solo stuff, then we'll do a bit about Incognito because that's now and current, and then we'll drift back into other stuff you've done, and then anything else.


Tell me about the new album, how it all came together, who worked on it and what you're tying to achieve?

Wow, the new album was such a journey for me.  I'm very happy with the end
result.  I can truly say that I made the album I wanted to make.  I really
wanted to give the audience a closer look at me and what I'm about.  And I also
tried to record with the same feeling I would give if I were doing a live
performance.  I also wanted to dig a little deeper into my Latin heritage.  I have
always mixed the Spanish in for live shows, but this time I wanted it on record.
 

What is Kwurk and OGW - is that you or who else is involved? Skoota seems to be fairly prominent in it all? 

Kwurk is my own company and OGW was a company that Skoota started and I
became a partner in.  Skoota is an integral part of my music.  He just has such a
clear understanding of what I want and sometimes knows what I want even before
I do!  He is also great at pulling it all out of me and making me go the extra
mile when I'm ready to stick a fork in it.  He's an amazing producer and mad
drummer and can program his ass off.  He can sometimes be extremely rough
though, which angers me - then makes me work even harder.  I seem to be twisted
that way.


You wrote or co wrote most of the songs, how does all that come together?

Well, I love to write.  It's my way of getting it all out.  Most songs are
true to life.  Not always my life though.  Many times it's something I heard on
the news or stories of friends of mine.  Many being my own lived experience. 
So instead of boo hooing about it, I find comfort in writing a tune about it. 
On the co-writes, it's kind of the same.  I do like collabo's - it's always
very interesting to me to see what two or three heads can come up with together.

Early days yet but what kind or reaction are you getting at home and overseas?

Yeah, it's still early - but the response has been really great.  I seem to
be moving many units and the fans seem to appreciate what I've done, overseas
and here at home.  I'm very pleased when someone digs what I've done.  Cuz I
really feel it and hope that others get it too.

Seems like most of what's happening is you, your control, tight budgets eh?

LOL.  Yeah, tight budgets.  It does take a bit longer for things to get done
sometimes.  But that's cool.  At least I know it's what I really wanted.  I
also have to work extremely hard to get things done.  You know, work, work, work
- just to be able to finance my label and project.  Not complaining, just
stating.  :-)

What you doing to promo it?

Mainly the web right now.  And looking into more adverts and reviews, etc. 
Some airplay in few different places. But radio can be a tough nut to crack. So
I'm looking for the people that support indie artists and get the project.

Do you have a band, are you gigging with them for the album. You're show is lively and raunchy yes?

Yes, I do have a wonderful band.  Everyone is well seasoned and just great to
play and be with.  Not many gigs scheduled at the moment.  We had the record
release at Joe's Pub on May 2nd.  It's a little difficult for me cuz I'm in
the middle of also promoting Incognito's latest album.  So I have to gig around
those gigs.  It's tough.  The show can be racey and raunchy.  Just how I like
it.  It's just an extension of my mad personality.  I'm still me on and off
the stage.  I raunchy in real life, so why act different in front of the people.
:0 )

Lot's of influences in there, plenty of Latin of course, bit of old school soul (aretha), uptempo and mellow. Where do you draw from and who are your influences, both old and new? I'm not sure that I'd necessarily classify it
as neo - what is that anyway-maybe some of the tracks like 'can't let go' - but you seem to be more structured in an old skool kind of way?

You are probably right about the neo soul thing.  It's just what people seem
to understand better.  You know here in the US it's all about categories,
boxes and labels.  I know it's not just straight up R&B nor is it old school
either.  It's a mixture of soul, Hip Hop, R&B and Pop with a Latin twist.  So I
thought neo soul which is supposed to mean new soul would kind of categorize it
in a box. LOL.  I dunno I just write and record.  As for my influences, wow - I
have so many.  I listen to everything literally.  From Hip hop to Rock, Salsa
n' Jazz and R&B.  I go from Bjork to Mavis Staples in a heartbeat.  I just
love good music. Doesn't matter the style.  Although I must say, I'm going
through a big Electronica mood these days.  Love Jazzanova and Vikter Duplaix.  I
would love to work with those guys some day. 

I like some of the beatier tracks like 'yesterday and 'can't wait' particularly.' 'Goodbye' is a great ballad and the vocals are strong on 'Mi alma'. Almost drum and bass on 'thank you' and again some strong vocals. What do you like?

Hmmm, I like different things each week.  Today I'm really into "Yesterday"
and "Aware". 

What about current r'n'b - are you staying clear from that kind of thing.

Umm, I don't really try to stay away from or head towards anything in
particular.  I just sit at the keyboard and start to play.  Then whatever comes out
of my mouth sets the tone for the song.  I don't say, those chords sound like
Pop or Blues.  I just go with how the music is making me feel.  I guess that is
to my detriment.  This kind of thinking will never make me a pop star, and I
don't mind.  I wanna make the music I feel inside, whatever flavor.

You've done two solo albums, is that right? The other being the self titled Kelli Sae from about 4 or 5 years ago.
How did that one do?

That one did and still is doing well to my surprise.  It was never really
meant to be an album.  It was one of those things where I had recorded a bunch of
demos in search of the almighty record deal.  Then I would perform them live
with my band and people would come up and say, "is there a cd of those songs,"
 and I'd be like "no."  Then I got to thinking, I should press it up and see
how it goes.  And it's still selling today, more than 6,000 already. 

That one is mellower, and not so varied, some nice grooves particularly Life goes on. Say something about how this one came together. Did it take long to do?

Nope not long at all.  It was demos that I was presenting while trying to get
a record deal.  And it is more mellow cuz since I was trying to get a deal, I
was trying to keep everything sounding the same and non-threatening.  Then I
thought, since I'm gonna release this myself, I'm gonna put all the songs I
want on it.  So I did.

Except the rockier 'Vacant' which I have to say doesn't do much for me!

It's funny you feel that way.  Here in NY it's my cult song.  I can't do any
gig without the audience shouting out "play Vacant."  I dunno, it just drives
people crazy.  I'm so glad though, cuz I'm a big rock fanatic.


With this one or the later one did you get any interest from the majors?

Yes, I have gotten some interest.  But it hasn't been the right kind of
interest. 


Tell me about Bluey and Incognito - you're part of his family?

Ah yes, Bluey.  He's great.  It is like a family and I'm very happy and proud
to be a part of it.


How did all that come about - and you've toured worldwide with him haven't you - been doing Incognito off and on for what 2 or 3 years?

Yup, 3yrs and counting.  It came about cuz in the making of the last album
"Life, Stranger than Fiction," I think he was looking for an American girl to
round out the rest of the team.  So he'd heard of me through some NY musicians
and I phoned and sent in some of my work - the rest is history.  We are still
touring.


On the latest album you did Where Love Shines and one of my favourites People at the top.

Thanks for saying that.  I like People at the top too.  It's very special to
me that song.  I really tried to pay homage to Curtis Mayfield.  I was really
trying to capture a little bit of his flavor.  I adore him and his style.  I
even opened up for him before his accident and had the chance to meet him and
sit down for a real nice long chat with him.  Such a beautiful spirit.  I miss
him.


Bluey told me that you were great live and that he tried to capture you're 'Raw Edge' in the studio?

Hmmm.  I find it hard sometimes to record in the studio.  I'm a person who
really draws from the crowd.  I also have a difficult time recording to full
programmed tracks.  I love live music and respond better when it's all live or at
least many live instruments mixed in.


You were in London recently (now) - I was gonna try and get to the show but I've not been well this week unfortunately. How did it go?

Hey, it went well thanks.  A bit grueling though.   6 straight nights with no
breaks, nearly 3 hour shows.  I gotta say I was starting to feel it after the
4th night.  But the audiences were so warm they made it possible to pull
through.  Just when I thought I didn't have anything left to give, I'd find 2
notes LOL.

You're also in New York soon on your own I think I am right in saying. Bit of jetsetting at the moment?

I'm home now.  Just returned from an Incog. stint.  We are on a short 13 day
break.  Feels good to just chill in your jammies and play with the dog!

We came back from New York in February and will probably be back next February. We'll have to hook up or somethin. We saw Na2 this time with Karen Bernod and N'dambi. Who out there right now do you like?

Hmmm.  I must say - not a lot going on in the singing dept.  Aside from
Brandy and Christina,India Arie, Justin and Musiq Soulchild.  There isn't alot of
new stuff with real substance these days. So I'm listening to a lot of old
stuff.  I feel those productions back then were so thought out and well
orchestrated.  These days its 2 or 4 bar loops and that's that.

Now looking back you've done a lot of Dance and Acid Jazzy kind of stuff. Tell me something about some of the projects - I guess Count Basic and Defunkt were the biggest? How much control did you have in those things and did you like the output?

Hmmm. Yes and no.  Something's I can never listen to ever again.  But I vowed
I would never record or do song I really didn't feel or like.  Not for money
or to keep someone else happy.  I have done 4 Count Basic albums.  I only like
this last one "Bigger and Brighter."  The others I didn't really have much
say on.  I might have done a small co-write or something - but they were really
not my style.  This new CB album, I had a little more say on the songs and
production, etc.  That makes me feel a little more connected to the album and
project.  On the Defunkts, those are hard to hear sometimes too.  Just cuz I
listen to stuff I did and find like 100 things wrong or that I feel I could have
done so much better.  I'm so rarely satisfied with what I do anyway.  I'm the
hardest critic on myself.

You also did something on Easy Street - I know Mike Gusick - but that was some time ago now wasn't it.

Lord have mercy, that was ages ago.  It was fun though.  I was just thinking
of that tune the other day "It's too late, don't need your kind of love no
more, it's too late, pack your bags and hit the door, ooooh" LOL.  Jesus.  I was
still finding my voice then too.  It's so weird hearing that stuff.

More house stuff with Bobby d'Ambrosio - that was pretty big.

He's terrific to work with.  He's such a nice
guy.  We just did something new. A Sounds of Blackness cover of "Optimistic."
 Should be coming out soon, if it hasn't already.

You worked with Eric Gadd as well? I've got a thing by him called Do you believe in me? Was that you? 

Not sure.  What was the album it on?

What did you do with Arrested Development?

Oh, I did the MTV unplugged and then they made a cd out of it.  It was fun.

Ryuichi Sakamoto, must have been an experience

That has to be the most dynamic and challenging experience of my career to
date.  I learned so much and had to stay on point.  He's truly amazing! I loved
it.

And you've backed and supported a whole lot of people. Tell me about some of that and where it's taken you.

Yep, over the years I have done my share of backing up folks.  I like doing
that.  It's a whole different hat singing and blending live with others. 
Sometimes I wish people would phone me up now to do some back up stuff.  But they
don't.  They see me more as a lead.  Or they just invite me to do some guest
stuff on albums.  That's cool.  I do enjoy doing that.  Where it's taken me,
LOL, here.  Well I think it prepared me for a living as a NYC artist.  You kind
of have to be able to be very versatile to survive here as a working musician. 
So I'm grateful for those times.

I assume you're full time in music, how long have you been able to do that.

Yes sir.  I am happy to report that I'm a full time bonafied
musician/Independent Record label owner.  I've been supporting myself as a working musician
since 1989 and a running my own label since 1997. 

The Pfunk thing must've been crazy.

Wow yes it was.  I'd look around the room and be like "whose life is this"! 
Then I went on the road with Bernie Worell and that was a mad fantastic
experience.  He's so crazy and cool.

And Curtis Mayfield? When was that?

I think Curtis was in 88 or 89.  Not sure.  I used to keep a book of all the
gigs and things.  Then I stopped.  Wish I hadn't.

Corey Glover?

Oh, you mean cuckooo.  He's so crazy.  We are very tight still.  Pals
forever.  I think he's a phenomenal singer and is underrated.


M'shell Ndegeocello?

We too are still pals. That's my girl.  She's awesome and I'm thinking to ask
her to do some stuff on my next solo effort. 

And some reggae - Inner Circle

Those guys probably don't even remember me.  I did keep in touch with 1 of
the members for a while.  But then it faded.  You know how that goes sometimes.


You been all over the world with some of these guys?

That is true.  I never in my life imagined that I would get some of the
opportunities I've had.  Even the other day in St. Lucia, we opened (Incognito) for
E W & F and Fourplay with Bob James.  I was just backstage in awe.  I had
that feeling of a dream and did I really belong there with such greatness. 
Sometimes it seems so unreal and I am so grateful for everything.

Where you from Jersey, Brooklyn,

Well, I was born in Manhattan. Then we moved to the Bronx.  So I'm really a
Bronx child.  Later I moved to Brooklyn which I absolutely love.  Now I live in
New Jersey.  I wanted a more quiet sedate life. 

Say something about your roots, your family, you're background, you're upbringing

I'm part Puerto Rican, Native American Indian and African American.  I was
brought up equally Latin & Black.  Lot's of salsa and R&B Motown, etc.  Got 1
sister and 3 brothers.  I come from an extremely loud family where craziness and
madness are encouraged.  There would always be live music being played in my
house.  Congas, timbales, cow bells & pots and pans.  Everyone danced and
everyone sang.  I was originally a gymnast/dancer.  Singing was more to get on my
sisters nerves. She was the singer and I was trying to show her that anybody
could do it.  Basically trying to be a pain in the ass little sister.  Then I
found I really liked it and it was natural to me........and where music took over.

What else might you have done?

I'm really into fitness and nutrition (holistic stuff).  So I always thought
I'd be some kind of yoga or aerobic instructor.  And I love children and often
considered going back to college for a degree in education.  Then I'd be a
phys. ed. instructor.  Hmmm.  LOL.  Maybe I still will!

What else do you like doing

I'm pretty boring.  I love running and fitness.  Theater, movies, exhibits
and all things creative.  Knitting and most of all shopping for anything!

hey and thanks for your time and good luck.

No, thanks for your time.  I appreciate your interest.


Mike