Seek – Freddy Luster and Lisa Terry

Interview 30 September 2003

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Hi guys

1) The Dome promo contains Talk about it, Ever after and Right Here remixes. They are all perfectly suited to the UK Soul scene. What do you know about what's going down in the UK.

Freddy: It seems to me that, like the states, there seems to be people that are “champions” of the music and keeping it going. Constantly pushing the music to the public feeding the scene with new music. I don’t have a solid gauge on it yet, but I would imagine that soul music there has the same obstacles that it does here. Not to sound grim, but it can be an uphill battle at times. But we love what we do and we’re just trying to grab as many people as we can on our musical journey.

Lisa: The only gauge I have is the example of the artist that have come out of the UK and introduced to the states- artist like Incognito, Sade (of course), Seal, Jamiroquai - the influence of american Soul and Jazz music from decades past is evident ,but the eclectic result is so intoxicating! These artist have, in turn, been very influential to the soul scene here in the states - giving me the overall impression that the soul movement there is much more progressive.     

2) And how did your relationship with Dome come about.

Freddy: Our relationship with Dome came about actually a couple of years ago when I met Peter and Santosh at PopKomm in Germany through Russell Johnson, who manages Cooly’s Hot Box, Angela Johnson and DJ Spinna.

3) Things looking good?

Freddy: Things seem to be looking very good. Dome is very excited about our album, as are we. So that’s good. I have always respected what they do and we’re glad to be a part of it. We’re excited to be coming behind an Incognito release, since they are definitely an influence. I have great respect for Bluey, not only musically, but just in terms of his longevity in the game.

4) Tell me about Journey Into Day - What's going to be on here. Your first European release isn't it. Does it differ from what you've put down before.

Freddy: For me Journey Into Day is simply a continuation of our musical journey (no pun intended). It represents a growth from the song writing, the production, the performances… I’m very proud of the record and what we were able to do. We never have the most optimal circumstance when recording, so it’s tough to stay creative, while trying to survive… dealing with the things that life throws your way. But we’re a good band and I believe we have a lot of talent and that shows. We definitely persevered.

Lisa: You really must hear the earlier recordings to fully understand where we've come from, and to fully relate to what "Journey Into Day" is all about. There is definately growth there, and an innate sense of who we've become as a band. Regardless of what critics or the general public are going to say- we know what we've done, and what we've gone through to get it done. We're proud of what we've accomplished thus far- though we still may have further to go...we do hope that everyone vibes with the CD , but I think you really also have to know the roots to properly appreciate it.         

 

5) How long did it take to put together, what influences are in there. From what I've heard it's mellow yet upbeat, jazzy and soulful.

Freddy: This record took about 6 months to put together and as far as influences go, that’s a tough question. I don’t know that there are any specific influences… We’re sort of influenced by each other and we go from there. We’ve become quite comfortable in who we are and what we do, which can be something very organic and pretty in the mid tempo range, to something organic and pretty at 120 BPMs . You are correct in saying that we’re mellow yet upbeat, jazzy and soulful. I personally am very influenced by dance music and disco songs. But I like a good song no matter what the genre is…

6) You've worked with Angela Johnson on the album, how was that and what has she told you.

Freddy: Working with Angela was great, and you know, to be honest we utilized technology to make that song happen. Angela does a lot of tracks as a producer, so because we’re all close, I had a CD with some of her tracks. I gave it to Lisa and she vibed on this track that Angela had done. So I called Russell, her manager, to make sure they hadn’t sold that track yet. So then I got with Khari Simmons (bass player for India.Aire’s band and Jiva produce) and Lisa and we had a vibe session and replayed the music, and arranged it SEEK style… Angie’s version of the music was a bit more drum machine and keyboard oriented… very cool, but I play guitar so I approached it from that standpoint. Then I brought the band in around Lisa’s vocal arrangement and vision for the song which was pretty clear. She knew she wanted flute and beautiful vocals, and a bit of musical drama, so that’s what we went for. The whole time I was shooting MP3s to Angie and Russell to see if they liked it… It was a very cool process.

Lisa: We've been big fans of Angela since the early Cooly's Hot Box days. I'm excited about the idea that "Journey.." was such a collaborative effort.These people have been extended family for a long time.

7) Also a connection via Paige Lackey to Incognito. Quite a Dome family building?

Freddy: Paige is like an extended member of the group. She sings background with us quite often. Her and Lisa sing well together and she’s very easy to work with… plus she’s a great songwriter.

8) How do you work together as a team........Lisa does the words and Freddy does the production......tell me about the synergy, the vibe between you.

Freddy: We’ve been together for a long time… we know each other very well and push each other… push each other’s buttons too, but at the end of the day we make great music together. I leave her alone as far as lyrics and melodies go… I trust her instincts as a songwriter and we she has an opinion I respect it… In turn, she lets me do my thing. Billy Fields is also a part of the production team, but it’s generally Lisa and me in the studio for the long haul getting the songs recorded and finished.

Lisa: We do push each others buttons! I like to have a say in every aspect of production of certain songs...some songs are just very personally meaningful, and I may have a distinct vision for lyrics and melodies I write. Freddy has come to understand that about me and the creative process for us has become very give and take. It's definately built on trust. Billy is a 'mad scientist' type in his process- he'll spend all night alone in his studio putting down layers upon layers of tracks, creating these masterpieces of multi-flavored ear candy- only to give it to me and have to hear me say something like "Uhh, could you give it to me with just the guitar and bass?" Drives him crazy!!        

9) Although Lisa and Freddy, you haven't really been together that long have you. How did you come together.

Freddy: We have actually been together since 95’… We just met on the scene in Atlanta when Lisa used to rap and sing in the same song… I really fell in love with her voice and what she said … She’s a special person, but the world just doesn’t know it yet.

Lisa: Awwww, so sweet! I think your lovely too- but if you ever tell another soul that I used to rap I'll have to silence you - it was a faze! Truly though, Freddy and I were just so on the same page musically when we met. We were both  looking for something different that expressed our personal diversity. We've sort of grown up together since then.  

 

10) There are 6 of you altogether, how do the others fit in, is that just live or in the studio too.

Freddy: We are in fact a band. Everyone contributes to the songs, though not everyone writes songs… I think you can hear a strong band element on this record, which was deliberate.

11) What's your show like and when do we get to see it.

Freddy: Our show is very lively and not as mellow as the record… We tend to keep the tempos up on stage. We like to make people dance… Hopefully, we should get there sometime early in the new year.

12) Tell me about Atlanta and where you fit into that. Some stuff is or has really crossed over India, Donnie and so on. Is it a good place to be.

Freddy: Atlanta is a great place to make music in… We have a very strong music scene here with some really talented people. And the camaraderie is good.

 

Freddie, you owned I think, the Yin Tang, this is where it started for a lot of people wasn't it? Tell me about it. It's no longer though is it, are you full time on the music side now? Has anywhere else taken over?

Freddy: Yes I was a co-owner of Yin Yang Music Café. It was definitely the shit. It was the incubator and the conduit for the soul scene here… Donnie, India, Seek, Jiva, Sirius B, the Chronicle, and various individuals all started there. It was just the hang spot for the soul and jazz scene here… I am full time on the music side now.

Tell me about the other Seek stuff the first album Venus and Mars and then Surrender. They were pretty successful weren't they. Some dance mixes got quite big - do you like the Dance arena and did you like the remixes?

Freddy: Venus & Mars was our first record and was basically done in a garage and mixed in my living room. It was our first record and there wasn’t much thought put into it… It was simply the songs we had at the time as we were growing. Surrender took a different direction as we got better in the studio, and we ventured into the dance arena a bit. I personally love the dance world… It’s very sexy and you can really see how music moves people. Hearing music in a club, with a great sound system and a sexy vibe is really stimulating. The remixes were very cool and inspiring… It’s interesting to see how someone else interprets a song…

Lisa: The first album "Venus and Mars" was very experimental for us I think...everything was like "Can we do this?" "Let's try something here..." - it was really fun, and we were open to letting the 'eclectic' factor steer the project. "Surrender" was more about refinement I think. We were hearing from labels that they didn't know how to market our sound- so we set out to find or create a more defined niche. They both did well considering the obstacles and our limited resources at the time. Ironically, we built and maintained much of our fan base from the release of "Venus and Mars". Listening to it in comparison the sound is very raw. We definately embrace the dance scene, as it has embraced us. It's a blast to do remixes or hear someones  else take one of our songs and morph it into something else- That's when you can say: "Cool, look what we've started!"    

Didn't you start on your own label and then to Giant Step. Are you still there. Do you still have your own label? Recorded in a former garage I hear, is that still the case?

Freddy: When we did Venus and Mars, I had the club so we released it under that moniker. Surrender was released under a different called Soulestial Elements and backed by a magazine in the States called Rolling Out. Giant Step only released our vinyl dance cuts. We were supposed to do a deal with them, but due to limited financing based on their other projects, the deal never worked out. As far as recording goes, we’ve graduated to the bedroom now, and run wires to the old garage to record the drums and percussion and those things… It’s very interesting … We mix in a very adequate facility… so it works.

Lisa: I love my little coat closet with the blue light (that's where I record my vocals) I wouldn't change a thing...I've got a picture of a butterfly on the ragged walls- it's very real and grounding

You've done some work in Japan..how was that?

Freddy: Japan is amazing… We work with a label there called Village Again Music. The label owner, Takeshi Matamura, is an influential cat over there and he has been very instrumental in our development there. We toured there last summer and should be going back again soon. The Japanese market has been very receptive to our music. It’s been a great experience

Lisa and Freddy, can you tell me individually about some of the things you have worked on before..........and anything planned for the future.

Freddy: We are currently working on a dance album called “Seekronized” which will include many of our dance songs, remixes and a few surprises… we will include other producers on this project, for remixes. It will be ready in the beginning of the year.

Lisa: I'd like to learn to be more sociable..actually, I've put my all into this (Seek), it's really all I've ever done (musically)..I would like to extend myself-but I'm learning to be more 'mindful' and 'of the moment'...so, right now, I want to nuture this seed until I can see the roots breaking out of the pot- then I'll know it's time to re-plant.  

 

What are you heading for ......what do you aspire to be......and are you now on that road.

Freddy: We just want to make our musical mark… and become a relevant entity… It’s very difficult nowadays to last past 1 album… so I think, we’re off to good start… Now it’s just about connecting the dots.

Anything else you'd like to add

Lisa: Life's a journey...all you've got to give is love and compassion…

Good luck with the new project and hope to see you soon.

> Lisa> Thanks Mike, I've enjoyed the questions!  

Freddy: Thanks a lot for your time and your ear.

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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