oh, Buckle up Global Grinders my first blog post! I pull up close to the kitchen table here in my favorite room of the house. I stare at my half eaten breakfast = warm almond croissant + bolthouse vanilla chai + coffee. A few crumbs have fallen onto my mac (this is not something I want to tell but, I do). A thought : do not eat while on the computer enters my mind and leaves. It’s morning. something resonates after having read a New York Times article on Lena Horne that ends : ‘My identity is very clear to me now. I am a black woman. I’m free. I no longer have to be a ‘credit’. I don’t have to be a symbol to anybody; I don’t have to a first to anybody. I don’t have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I’d become. I’m me, and I’m like nobody else.’
It is that level of courage in life & art that slays me. It always has. It takes alot to go where no person has gone prior. True, there’s nothing new under the sun – just interpretation. But, to the person taking the risk, and when it is attached to identity, it’s weighty. The element of fearlessness has much appeal for me. Lena Horne, Nina Simone, Grace Jones, Josephine Baker, Annie Lennox, Phoebe Snow (my influences – the short list. ) had it.
I am Donn T. Philly girl. vOcalist, songwriter, aspiring Astronaut. (just checking to see if you were still with me.) I am considered maverick, progressive, avant garde in my approach. whatever there is of wonder, whatever is quirky about my character was carved and shaped by my parents who were recording artists.
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Dad T did his thing in the late 50’s with a band called Lee Andrews and The Hearts. He was 13yrs when he was discovered. Mom T, a ballet dancer in her youth, was trained to tap by Legends Charles ‘Honey’ Cole and The 4 Step Brother’s – she joined him later. Home was filled with music 24hrs everyday. My parents were free spirits, eccentrics (that should in capitals), social activists as well as music historians who’s music library was filled with soul, rock, country, gospel, classical, jazz, etc. It’s there I was introduced to the women who would become my influences (above).
Kaleidoscopic my debut album on More About Music reveals a bit of that inspiration. Due July 12. An aural trip. A broad bodied surprise. If it were a woman, she’d be colorful, fun and thick. the boys would wanna get wit her + grandma would b sayin, ‘she’s Too fresh.’ (fresh in the way grandma means it. *giggles*). Soulful futuristic House to be exact. London based French DJ producer Simbad (Roots Manuva, Jay Electronica) brought some insanity to the project. Simbad = fiyah (final answer). My label and management are also based in London and have a pretty eclectic roster, a very modern approach. They’re luvin’ house, hip hop via broken beat, nu disco and other underground musical forms. I split my time between Philly, LA and London and when I’m not there physically, it’s not uncommon for me to be in a Skype meeting at 9am London time —-> from Philly (4am). In all my worlds, I’m feeling alot of deep house (Motor city drum ensemble) + soulful house (DJ Spinna) as well as, feeling a lot of the nu-disco movement, with producers such as DFA/LCD Soundsystem, Hercules & Love Affair + dubstep. Hip hop seems to be embracing dance music and dance music has always embraced hip hop. It’s a natural collision destined to occur. On Kaleidoscopic, it’s a 2 car pile up @:) . Plus, there are some pretty dope remixes coming up by Toodla T, Altered Natives, Maddslinky (Zed Bias), Extra Beats and Matthew Bandy. So, check for those in June! We’ll Global Grinders this was cool but, before I go I’m giving you this, a free chune!
