13.6.08

Sharon Jones (of the Dap Kings) interview

2 Ιουλίου στο θέατρο Βύρωνα, οι εξαιρετικοί Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings σε μια συναυλία που δεν χάνεται με τίποτα.
Με αυτή την αφορμή, μιλήσαμε με την κα
Sharon Jones, μια γυναίκα με φωνάρα που δούλεψε επί χρόνια σε φυλακές(!) μέχρι να καταφέρει να πραγματοποιήσει τα όνειρά της στην μουσική.

On performing
When I am up there, I do not think of anything. Sometimes, it's like a religious thing, I lose myself, words come out from my mouth, I sweat, I jump around, I take my shoes off, my earings off, I don't know. It's like, I am there and this is the true thing and it's all about you and us being here together, for the music.

On old-school soul and rhythm& blues success today and on people coming to see her live in foreign countries.
People understand that this is the real thing. We don't have synthesizers, we have real instruments, we got a horn section and everything, and I'm there, on stage and on the record and I sing my heart out. People understand that is our truth and they are all for this.

On Amy Winehouse and the nu-soul success.
Amy whine-house. It's because of them girls being on a major label. They have the money and the power to make this a success, whereas we are independent and people do not get to listen to our music. If people could listen to our music, I think that we would have success too. Thank God for the internet and college radios and all you guys across the world that look for good music and keep it real.

On lessons life taught her
When I was 20, people were telling me you're too ugly, too black, too anything, so you can't do it. Then, when I was 25, they were telling me you're too old and you can't do it. But I kept there, I sung, I believed I had a gift to sing and I never lost my will. I saw James Brown, back in the 60s, with all his moves and he sung "I'm black and I'm proud", and I thought to myself I am what I am, black is not ugly, I can't change what I am, so I'm gonna do my thing and people should just accept me. So, I have to say to everybody out there, if you believe you have a gift, just stick in there and do it.

On life being fair
Sitting now here and talking to you on the phone, yes I'd say that life is probably fair. I kept going my way and here I am. But if I wasn't here today speaking to you, I'd probably say that life is not fair. I mean, I am 52 years old and only now I get to come over to Greece for a show.

On her biggest dream
Take care of my mother, make enough money to take us out of the projects, stop being poor, as NY has become so expensive. Maybe move to the south (where I'm originally from), have a house with a garden and grow vegetables, go fishing. And sing, as long as I can, with these guys with me.

On other artists that we should look out for.
First time I'm asked this question, I don't think I'm prepared for this: I'd say to everybody to listen to independent artists on independent labels. There is all this talent out there and you just have to look for it.

On being in the movies
I played a small part in The
Great Debaters with Denzel Washington and Forrest Whitaker, I played a singer. I sung 2 songs, but only 1 is in the movie. Go get the DVD with the director's cut, where you can see me more! Denzel is such a down to earth guy, unlike what you'd expect from movie stars. He's great. If I'd get another offer to be in a movie next year, I'd surely do it.

On future music plans
After the tour is over, I'd like to do another album with the Dap Kings in the next year. My manager has some things for me, so we'll see.

On politics and Obama

It is pretty bad these days in the USA: we play abroad and people see you like you're evil, just because you're an American. I didn't vote for Bush, I didn't want him. I'm a republican, so either Hillary or Obama, I would have supported, I just want things to change. I didn't like the mean things that happened in the last months between them two, but I hope Hillary will be vice-president or maybe president one day. And that Obama will get his 8 years and take us out of this mess of today.

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