LASONYA GUNTER

Interview 27 June 2001

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New pictures taken in New York on 16 Feb 2002, with Mari Green

Hello Mike,
Thanks for taking the time to give me an e-interview. It has was well
appreciated.

Black Gerl, the album - when was it released and how has it been thus far - what kind of feedback are you getting both at home and overseas.

The CD Blakgerl was released March 1, 2001. Thanks to Echoes Magazine, Soul 24-7 and CDBaby, sales are steady and seem to be increasing every month. The response has been great in the US as well. I have a nice following when I do my performances. It does always seem that you have to leave your country to ceate a buzz, then come back to your country to get more of a buzz.

Blak Dol is your label isn't it - is it just you or is there any other talent - such as Funk Stew perhaps.

BlakDol is my own label. I am the only artist at the moment.
Funk Stew are on the album but are they also your gigging band - how did you hook up

Funkstew is comprised of four talented muscians who are Nelson Pinero, Irving
Sanchez, Lionel Sanchez and Jose Cantu. Funkstew is their production name.
We do gig together, but I like variety so I have various muscians that I use
depending on the show.
We met at one of Maxwell's first appearances in NYC. We found that we
all had a common love for music. We decided to work together.

How many live appearances do you do - are they predominantly in NYC.

I perform 2-3 times a month. At the moment most of my shows are based in
NYC. Last February, I performed at showcase in LA.

Tell me about the album and how it came together - what do you hope to achieve with it - any interest from the majors?

My songs come from my observation of people, life and the things we all go
through for the pursuit of happiness.
I put this CD together independently because at the time majors labels
weren't feelin' me. I knew that I could do it myself.

I want people to have timeless music that they can enjoy over and over
again wherever they are whenever they want . I also want people to know that
they are not alone with some of the things that life deals them. I also
wanted to see how far I could go as a independent artist.

Lamont Caldwell - say a few things about him on the album - writing - producing etc

Lamont is an amazing and talented musician. We started working together in
a Blues band. Although his first love is Jazz, He felt that I had a voice
which needed to be heard, so we got together and worked on this project. I
believe at this moment he is on tour with Bilal.

You co wrote all the songs on the album and the lyric content is obviously important because some of the lyrics are quite strong. Tell me a bit about this side of you. This is how we livin I assume is personal experience put into a wider context.

Lyrically, I wrote all the songs, except for " Endlessly" which I co-wrote
with Funkstew. People simply don't love each other enough to want to help or
work with each other. Everything has become a corporation, even the music
industry is corporate.
" This is How We Livin' " was inspired by a neighbor who was abusive to his
wife. I would call the cops on him all the time, but it wasn't working. He
complained that his job and all his frustrations made him beat on her. I was
working 2 jobs at the time and I had frustrations, But I felt that his excuse
was poor. The only way I could get justice was to write a song because it
really bothered me.

What songs do you particularly like? I like I ain't asking - what's the deal with track 8!

My favorites? well I like all of them because they came straight from my
heart and spirit.
" As the Days go by" - I like to to sing this one because I feel that
everyone struggles with themselves and the goals that they wish to achieve in
life.
'This How We livin" - My justice for that neighbor
"Blakgerl"- to anyone who was ever been a playahater to me
( that means anyone who was not trying to help me get my vision out there.
They just talked alot of crap).

Track 8 - the two hidden remixes.
I felt that it would be nice to give the listener a surprise. It's like
you leave the CD on and you forget it's playin' then boom to songs that you
have not heard.

What other things have you done in the past and what do you aspire to. You're a Detroit girl aren't you?

I was on a TV series. (It lasted for a season)
I did small independent film.
I want to continue to do good music.
I was born and raised in "The Motor City"( which is what Detroit is known
for, Makin' cars).

Do you have any particular projects at the moment ? Are you touring at all? Do you still have to hold down a day job?

Because I am an an independent artist touring is a little difficult at
this time financially, but who knows.
I am a make-up artist by trade.

Have you got any international deals and what are the prospects outside of the UK
visit

There maybe something in the works . We'll just have to wait and see.

Who are your influences both in the past and now - I understand Donny Hathaway is a big influence, is that right? Do you hook up at all with Lalah Hathaway.

Yes, Donny is a big part of my inspiration. I like Sarah Vaughn, James
Taylor and Sade. I love eveything she does.
I haven't met LaLah personally. I love her voice. Her sister Kenya Hathaway
did sing back up for "This is How We Livin' " for me at the performance in
LA. She is wonderful person with an amazing voice.

I was most inspired by my Granddaddy who was in my corner for anything that
I did . After his death, I knew that this CD had to be done.

Any more comments you would like to make?

My final comment: If you have a desire to do something, ask god to grant it
and have faith that he will help you achieve you goal.
Do it yourself if you have to!!!!
There is something for everyone on this CD to enjoy.
God Bless
LaSonya Gunter

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