Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Music Clip of the Month/ 10-10
Kreesha Turner's "Dust in Gravity" (2009) (with Delerium)
EDMONTON-born & bred Kreesha Turner broke into the music business after winning a singing contest on local radio station The Bounce (91.7 FM), which in turn led to a trip to Vancouver to record four tracks with Hipjoint Productions (Kelly Rowland, Shiloh). One of those songs, "Bounce with Me," caught the attention of music manager Chris Smith (Nelly Furtado, Fefe Dobson).
Soon enough Turner had inked a deal with Virgin Records and an accompanying R&B album in Passion resulted soon after, featuring singles in "Simple," "Shattered," "Lady Killer," and "Don't Call Me Baby." The latter broke into the Canadian Top 10 (#8) in '08, and even crossed the border to top the Billboard dance charts.
By 2009 Turner had earned a pair of Juno nods, took home the Canadian Radio Music Award for Best New Artist, and even appeared in a Kit Kat commercial with her hit "Bounce with Me." During the year Turner also appeared with alt-pop group Delerium on their "Dust in Gravity" track, which also topped Billboard dance list down south. Check out the video below.
Kreesha Turner - Interview
Posted by chris ON Nov 23, 2011
I was very lucky to meet this week with Kreesha Turner, the same one who had a major hit with the single «Don’t Call Me Baby back in 2008, a song that has remained in our heads since for being so heartfelt and catchy.Kreesha was kind enough to make a little space for us on her tied-up promo day in Montreal. The lady was of the most charming and is even prettier in person on picture, if you ever wondered. Canada's very own R&B goddes showed up wearing a total rock-and-roll outfit, anything to make eny girl in the place feel shabby: gold high wasted leggins, a black sequined jacket over some cropped funky-spangled top, tinkling bangles and gold and black killer boots. When time to face-to-face, let me tell you that no one could help being mesmerized Kreesha's signature afro hairdo, her drop-dead-gorgeous emerald eyes and this incredible sense of intelligence emanating from her. Here is what the lady singer would tell us about her new album and new look.
IX: Kreesha, you’re a Canadian Pop/RnB recording artist. How did you first fell into music ?
Kreesha: I guess from the first, I would not know how far to go back I didn’t start singing . I am from a Jamaican heritage, so I was sent to Kingston when I was 16 and went to highschool there for a year. I did not started to sing seriously until 16. I cut the bug when I was in Jamaica but when I came back to Canada, I finished highschool and I started being involved immediately after graduating. I guess that you could say that for a number of years, I was very active in the underground urban music scene.It wasn’t 2005-2006, through a competition that I won that I met my now manager, Chris Smith. From there, it just continued to build.
IX: Therefore, singing was not something you always wanted to do ?
Kreesha: When I was younger, I started off as a dancer. So, I always had a love for music. As a dancer, you react to the music. You know how music affects you and your response to it is in movement. Before that, I did not think I could sing! But you know, I still love music just as much. How I ended up singing, it was actually a bunch of my friends who peer pressured me into joining the church youth choir, because I was like «No, I don’t sing!» (laughs). But they were like «Yes you’re trying out, you have to!» So, I ended up doing it and I got in. One of the first sunday, when the youth choir got to sing in front of the congregation, I remember the audience reacting. I’ve always had that association as a dancer that you are a reaction, but for the first time of my life, as a vocalist, I was the action causing the reaction and I remember feeling this sense of power in a sense. It’s like «Wow», I’m creating this reaction through my voice.
IX: Do you write all your music ?
Kreesha: This second album, I had creative control, right from the jump. So, I was involved in all the creation, some of the songs are were also co-written, so of them. But for everything prior to my records all I did was writing and performing my own material. But as you go along, you get more and more input so this album, Tropic Electric, I definitely had far way more control than on the previous one.
IX: You’ve had a major hit with the single «Don’t Call Me Baby», which came out in 2008 and played on every radio in the country. Did that success take you by surprise?
Kreesha: I don’t know! I guess some people ask you «did you know you had a hit?» and I’m like «no!». But I guess, as an artist, all you can do is create the music and hope that people will like it. But you know, some people have that ear to know that they have a hit, but that’s just not me. (laughs)
IX: Can you tell me about your new album Topic Electric, which came out earlier this week ?
Kreesha: One of the most exiting part about Tropic Electric is that it is a double album, one disk being «Tropic» and the other one being «Electric». Like I was saying earlier, I worked the underground urban scene before and everything I did was R&B, reggae and a n blend of that. For me, the «Tropic» side is an evolution of what I used to do when back in the days. The «Electric» disk is about pop, which right now is stricly dance music, the DavidGuetta sound and it’s everywhere. The «Electric» disk is an evolution of my first album Passion, which was very pop. I feel like I have a product where for the first time, I have music for both fanbases and did not have to alienate either of them. In this sense, the title even started off as this musical concept where we wanted to create a fusion between the tropical Jamaican dancehall reggae sound and the dance, electronic sound of today. We didaccomplish it in some songs. Throughout the recording process, some lead more towards the Tropic sound, some more towards an «Electric» sound, so the choice to split it into a double album was actually later on. It lets the listener understand what is going on. Also, for both CDs, there are these few songs where we couldn’t decide what side to put them because they did have that mix. It’s is sort of scary in the sense that with this album, people are getting to see who I am, how I write naturally, how I write music in my head. So, it’s a bit like I’m more exposed. At the same time, it’s still exiting for me. All I can do is create music that I love and that I’m passionate about, and I can only pray that people will enjoy it as much as I do.
IX: You’ve spent a lot of time in Jamaica working on the album. How went on?
Kreesha: We were in recording in Jamaica for 8 months - I must admit that I was a bit spoiled right here! If you are in recording in L.A. for example, you have studio time booked and there is a lot of pressure coming from the people around to do everything correctly in time. In Jamaica, the ambiance was way more relaxed. Let’s say we would show up at the studio in the morning, someone could be like, do you feel like working today? No ? Well let’s go to the beach ! It was mostly about feeling good.
IX: Now, you’ve got yourself a new sound and a new look - your hair speaks for itself! How did you decided that you wanted to be more connected to your roots?
Kreesha: My mom was teasing me the other day because when I performed in the underground scene, this is how I used to wear my hair! I would have it braided, or I would have it all natural. So, everything seems to be commingfull-circle. I guess with having naturally curly hair, we all go though that phase where we want to have it straight, but now I really enjoy being able to rock my natural hair again. In the same sense, with going back to Jamaica, I like to say that I’m going back to my roots, sonically with the music and then literally with the hair. But it me, it is simply a representation of what I’ve been doing since the beginning, which is really more exiting. I was look at the magazines and I noticed that most of the time, the ethnic woman or celebrities always wear their hair straight. Apart from Jill Scott or Erykah Badu, but they’re more from a niche market, so they’re not even on mainstream path. It’s not sending the best message, it’s telling anybody who has kinky hair that to be beautiful, you have to have straight hair. You know, that’s not true.
IX: Kreesha, you have graced the cover of a few fashion magazines and have a really great style. What are your favorite places to shop ?
Kreesha: One of the main designer that I collaborate a lot with is Angel Brinks, who makes fabulous bodysuits and sequined pieces. I also get clothes from American Apparel. Then, I have become a professional online shopper, I find the most amazing deals online. One of my favorite thing is this industry is fashion. I like to follow fashion and find new things.
IX: I guess that you’re not much of a jeans a t-shirt person ?
Kreesha: I’m a shoe person! I also like bags and accessories like belts and jewelry a lot. Most of the time, I just wear a pair of American Apparel leggings with a tee, killer boots, a bag and the hair does the rest. Sometimes, that is all you need and it still looks good, you know.
IX: You’ve graced the cover of a few fashion magazine, and you’ve got such a great style. Where do you usually shop ?
Kreesha: One of the main designer that I collaborate a lot with is Angel Brinks, who makes fabulous bodysuits and sequined pieces, like these I’m wearing right now. I also get clothes from American Apparel. Then, I have become a professional online shopper, I find the most amazing deals online. One of my favorite thing is this industry is fashion. I like to follow fashion and find new things.
IX: If you could get collaborate with any musical personality, dead or alive, who would that be ?
Kreesha: That is an interesting question ! Let me think about it for a second. I guess they are some great act I would love to collaborate with. Let’s say Nicki Minaj I would really like it. I do know that one of my favorite songwriter is Jill Scott. To be able to sit down and write with her would also be amazing. And then, I’m a great fan of David Guetta, so that would be amazing for a collaboration as well. Let’s keep our finger crossed!
IX: I heard that you spend a lot of time here in Montreal. What do you like the most about the city ?
Kreesha: Montreal is one of my favorite places. I come here for food and fashion. Unfortunately, I haven’t done that many of shows here but I feel that people here are the most receptive to music. They make a great audience and you can tell that they actually love music. I feel like their is such an appreciation for the arts here in Montreal. I just like the energy of this city.
IX: Now that your record is out, what is now next step for you ?
Kreesha: Me and my band started a bit of rehearsal in the last months, trying to prepare a full live show. I hope to be touring in the new year. I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind missing the winter! I’m exited to be back on stage, I really miss the stage. I will definitely be on touring within the new year, hopefully during summertime because I would really like to escape the winter (laughs). I love the stage and I do miss performing live a d I can’t wait get back to it.
Tropic Electric
Now in stores
IX: Kreesha, you’re a Canadian Pop/RnB recording artist. How did you first fell into music ?
Kreesha: I guess from the first, I would not know how far to go back I didn’t start singing . I am from a Jamaican heritage, so I was sent to Kingston when I was 16 and went to highschool there for a year. I did not started to sing seriously until 16. I cut the bug when I was in Jamaica but when I came back to Canada, I finished highschool and I started being involved immediately after graduating. I guess that you could say that for a number of years, I was very active in the underground urban music scene.It wasn’t 2005-2006, through a competition that I won that I met my now manager, Chris Smith. From there, it just continued to build.
IX: Therefore, singing was not something you always wanted to do ?
Kreesha: When I was younger, I started off as a dancer. So, I always had a love for music. As a dancer, you react to the music. You know how music affects you and your response to it is in movement. Before that, I did not think I could sing! But you know, I still love music just as much. How I ended up singing, it was actually a bunch of my friends who peer pressured me into joining the church youth choir, because I was like «No, I don’t sing!» (laughs). But they were like «Yes you’re trying out, you have to!» So, I ended up doing it and I got in. One of the first sunday, when the youth choir got to sing in front of the congregation, I remember the audience reacting. I’ve always had that association as a dancer that you are a reaction, but for the first time of my life, as a vocalist, I was the action causing the reaction and I remember feeling this sense of power in a sense. It’s like «Wow», I’m creating this reaction through my voice.
IX: Do you write all your music ?
Kreesha: This second album, I had creative control, right from the jump. So, I was involved in all the creation, some of the songs are were also co-written, so of them. But for everything prior to my records all I did was writing and performing my own material. But as you go along, you get more and more input so this album, Tropic Electric, I definitely had far way more control than on the previous one.
IX: You’ve had a major hit with the single «Don’t Call Me Baby», which came out in 2008 and played on every radio in the country. Did that success take you by surprise?
Kreesha: I don’t know! I guess some people ask you «did you know you had a hit?» and I’m like «no!». But I guess, as an artist, all you can do is create the music and hope that people will like it. But you know, some people have that ear to know that they have a hit, but that’s just not me. (laughs)
IX: Can you tell me about your new album Topic Electric, which came out earlier this week ?
Kreesha: One of the most exiting part about Tropic Electric is that it is a double album, one disk being «Tropic» and the other one being «Electric». Like I was saying earlier, I worked the underground urban scene before and everything I did was R&B, reggae and a n blend of that. For me, the «Tropic» side is an evolution of what I used to do when back in the days. The «Electric» disk is about pop, which right now is stricly dance music, the DavidGuetta sound and it’s everywhere. The «Electric» disk is an evolution of my first album Passion, which was very pop. I feel like I have a product where for the first time, I have music for both fanbases and did not have to alienate either of them. In this sense, the title even started off as this musical concept where we wanted to create a fusion between the tropical Jamaican dancehall reggae sound and the dance, electronic sound of today. We didaccomplish it in some songs. Throughout the recording process, some lead more towards the Tropic sound, some more towards an «Electric» sound, so the choice to split it into a double album was actually later on. It lets the listener understand what is going on. Also, for both CDs, there are these few songs where we couldn’t decide what side to put them because they did have that mix. It’s is sort of scary in the sense that with this album, people are getting to see who I am, how I write naturally, how I write music in my head. So, it’s a bit like I’m more exposed. At the same time, it’s still exiting for me. All I can do is create music that I love and that I’m passionate about, and I can only pray that people will enjoy it as much as I do.
IX: You’ve spent a lot of time in Jamaica working on the album. How went on?
Kreesha: We were in recording in Jamaica for 8 months - I must admit that I was a bit spoiled right here! If you are in recording in L.A. for example, you have studio time booked and there is a lot of pressure coming from the people around to do everything correctly in time. In Jamaica, the ambiance was way more relaxed. Let’s say we would show up at the studio in the morning, someone could be like, do you feel like working today? No ? Well let’s go to the beach ! It was mostly about feeling good.
IX: Now, you’ve got yourself a new sound and a new look - your hair speaks for itself! How did you decided that you wanted to be more connected to your roots?
Kreesha: My mom was teasing me the other day because when I performed in the underground scene, this is how I used to wear my hair! I would have it braided, or I would have it all natural. So, everything seems to be commingfull-circle. I guess with having naturally curly hair, we all go though that phase where we want to have it straight, but now I really enjoy being able to rock my natural hair again. In the same sense, with going back to Jamaica, I like to say that I’m going back to my roots, sonically with the music and then literally with the hair. But it me, it is simply a representation of what I’ve been doing since the beginning, which is really more exiting. I was look at the magazines and I noticed that most of the time, the ethnic woman or celebrities always wear their hair straight. Apart from Jill Scott or Erykah Badu, but they’re more from a niche market, so they’re not even on mainstream path. It’s not sending the best message, it’s telling anybody who has kinky hair that to be beautiful, you have to have straight hair. You know, that’s not true.
IX: Kreesha, you have graced the cover of a few fashion magazines and have a really great style. What are your favorite places to shop ?
Kreesha: One of the main designer that I collaborate a lot with is Angel Brinks, who makes fabulous bodysuits and sequined pieces. I also get clothes from American Apparel. Then, I have become a professional online shopper, I find the most amazing deals online. One of my favorite thing is this industry is fashion. I like to follow fashion and find new things.
IX: I guess that you’re not much of a jeans a t-shirt person ?
Kreesha: I’m a shoe person! I also like bags and accessories like belts and jewelry a lot. Most of the time, I just wear a pair of American Apparel leggings with a tee, killer boots, a bag and the hair does the rest. Sometimes, that is all you need and it still looks good, you know.
IX: You’ve graced the cover of a few fashion magazine, and you’ve got such a great style. Where do you usually shop ?
Kreesha: One of the main designer that I collaborate a lot with is Angel Brinks, who makes fabulous bodysuits and sequined pieces, like these I’m wearing right now. I also get clothes from American Apparel. Then, I have become a professional online shopper, I find the most amazing deals online. One of my favorite thing is this industry is fashion. I like to follow fashion and find new things.
IX: If you could get collaborate with any musical personality, dead or alive, who would that be ?
Kreesha: That is an interesting question ! Let me think about it for a second. I guess they are some great act I would love to collaborate with. Let’s say Nicki Minaj I would really like it. I do know that one of my favorite songwriter is Jill Scott. To be able to sit down and write with her would also be amazing. And then, I’m a great fan of David Guetta, so that would be amazing for a collaboration as well. Let’s keep our finger crossed!
IX: I heard that you spend a lot of time here in Montreal. What do you like the most about the city ?
Kreesha: Montreal is one of my favorite places. I come here for food and fashion. Unfortunately, I haven’t done that many of shows here but I feel that people here are the most receptive to music. They make a great audience and you can tell that they actually love music. I feel like their is such an appreciation for the arts here in Montreal. I just like the energy of this city.
IX: Now that your record is out, what is now next step for you ?
Kreesha: Me and my band started a bit of rehearsal in the last months, trying to prepare a full live show. I hope to be touring in the new year. I have to admit that I wouldn’t mind missing the winter! I’m exited to be back on stage, I really miss the stage. I will definitely be on touring within the new year, hopefully during summertime because I would really like to escape the winter (laughs). I love the stage and I do miss performing live a d I can’t wait get back to it.
Tropic Electric
Now in stores
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