{"id":5597,"date":"2023-07-14T07:19:52","date_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:19:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/?p=5597"},"modified":"2023-07-14T07:22:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-14T07:22:34","slug":"blog-interview-b-k-w-h","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/2023\/07\/14\/blog-interview-b-k-w-h\/","title":{"rendered":"Blog interview: B.K.W.H"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Spotify Embed: Can&amp;apos;t Beat The Weekend\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/0KzGm5bvnLYzqQ9W3xCQRz?si=5J1urWS_ReiKqXFlmsY35g&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-1024x683.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-1536x1024.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-2048x1365.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-450x300.jpeg 450w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/LALA3688-90x60.jpeg 90w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><strong>Hello B.K.W.H how are you?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m good thank you!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>A mixture of excitement, optimism and slight nervousness\u2026.Which I think is<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>fairly normal for a single campaign.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Congratulations on the release of \u201cCan\u2019t Beat The Weekend\u201d how does it feel?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It feels great!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>The reception has been amazing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>People really seem to be into the single.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>We have got a lot of early radio support from the R&amp;B and Soul community and it has been slowly creeping up the pre-order list on iTunes. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s incredibly catchy, what\u2019s the story behind it?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Thank you so much. Well it all began when my last single \u2018Everyday\u2019 hit number 2 on the R&amp;B charts behind \u2018Blinded By The Lights\u2019 and my friend DJ Souldchild made a comment that \u201cYou just can\u2019t beat The Weeknd\u201d which sparked the initial idea for the song.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>In the last three years I have had three, number 2 records on the R&amp;B charts and each time The Weeknd has kept me from being NUMBER ONE!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I called Jimmy Antony (my producer) and told him that I had an idea for this song.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>He wanted to do something a bit different, more soulful than our last two singles together (the UK Top 40 hits \u2018You\u2019re That Kind of Girl\u2019 and \u2018Be There\u2019) and he always has my 100% support, we have a good winning streak together.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I am on the lyrics and vocals with Jimmy on the Production and Talk Box.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What was the easiest and most challenging part of recording it?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When I start the recording process, I usually like to have a demo day at Wave Break which is my local studio in Walton.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>The studio and engineer Paul Hepworth is incredibly gifted and has great sound interpretation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>The hard part is the first 2 hours working out melody and note formation.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I really hate to listen to the dry vocal performance.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I can be incredibly critical of myself. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The best part and the easiest is the next studio session when I am comfortable with the song and have worked it out in my head.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I can usually lay the full song down in 20 minutes on the second day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s also been remixed by DJ Soulchild what was your initial thought on hearing that remix for the first time?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well the remix is in the mixing\/mastering stage right now but the demo is phenomenal and I am incredibly happy with it.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>To have someone as talented and as gifted as DJ Souldchild on the project is a blessing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019ve also got an AI video to support it, what was it like putting it together?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I was not too involved with the video to be honest. Due to scheduling issues it was not going to be possible for me to feature personally in the video so the label went with a more animated\/AI GTA themed video.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>The reception so far has been very warm but I cannot take too much credit for the video.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You\u2019re a singer songwriter from London, how did it all begin for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It began in Teesside in the North East of England.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I was born in Aberdeen, lived in Clonmel and my parents finally settled on the River Tees.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>From an incredibly early age I showed a definite passion for music.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>The family legend insists it was my first ever record (which was bought for me) Candy Girl by New Edition which started my fascination with singing.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I remember buying the Bobby Brown \u2018Don\u2019t Be Cruel\u2019 album (still very young) and reading the liner notes and wanting to write like Babyface and produce like Teddy Riley.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I earned my way and paid my dues as a teenager opening for the likes of East 17, The Backstreet Boys, N\u2019Sync and Alexander O\u2019Neal and when I got my chance to come to London to study music and get a deal, I never looked back.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I packed my bags and knew that the City life was right for me.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What did you listen to growing up?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although my parents named me Jon-Paul (birth name) after John Paul Jones in Led Zeppelin and being exposed to Rock and Blues early, it was R&amp;B, Soul and Rap which captured my heart.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I have been a die hard New Edition fan from as early as I remember.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I remember being a child and buying LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Babyface cassettes. In the 90\u2019s I was obsessed with the male R&amp;B groups, Boyz II Men, Jodeci, Bell Big Devoe, Shai, Portrait.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Too many to mention.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Lots of Hip Hop too, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, Lords of the Underground, Keith Murray\u2026.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Your bio is impressive &#8211; \u201cSometime Official UK chart botherer -Two UK Top 40 hits and numerous R&amp;B top 10\u2019s.\u201d On a scale of 1-10 how mind blowing has the journey been so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Well the UK Top 40 hits blew my mind and were completely unexpected. I was lucky enough to have some relatively big R&amp;B charting songs but when you see your name on the UK Top 40 list, that is something very different.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I would say that the journey started at a 6, getting a record deal early and performing with Alexander O\u2019Neal and Horace Brown, then dropped to a 4\/5 when my career went a little bit quiet but now it is at a solid 9.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Post pandemic, what have you learned about yourself in the last three years?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I have learned to be more patient.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Be more adaptable, more fluid.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Don\u2019t take things too personal and be grateful for everyday.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Did you pick up any new skills?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m not sure If I picked up any new skills but I think that I was ale to get some clarity on who I am, where I want to be and how I should move forward in my life.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I became very introspective during Covid.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Not to get upset or frustrated with the lack of freedom but how to incorporate it to make me better, stronger. <span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>What are you listening to at the moment?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Right now I am listening to a whole different spectrum of music, from \u2018Welcome to the DCC\u2019 by Nothing But Thieves which is kinda rockesque to new R&amp;B music from Alex Vaughn and Leon Thomas.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I also like some of the new singer songwriters like Morgan Wallen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I think in a duet situation, it would be SWV, Caron Wheeler, Easter Bennett from Eternal.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I love soulful voices.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>From a writing and production capacity, it would be Tank and Babyface but I am super lucky as my favourite producer is Jimmy Antony and I get to work with him a lot.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>He produced my latest single \u2018Can\u2019t Beat The Weekend\u2019.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s next for you?<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Finally getting the album out.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>I believe my schedule is \u2018Can\u2019t Beat The Weekend\u2019 to be followed in October by the album, remix album in March 2024 and follow up album September 2024.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>Its going to be very busy but a good busy!<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello B.K.W.H how are you?&nbsp; I\u2019m good thank you!&nbsp; A mixture of excitement, optimism and slight nervousness\u2026.Which I think is&nbsp; fairly normal for a single campaign. Congratulations on the release of \u201cCan\u2019t Beat The Weekend\u201d how does it feel?&nbsp; It feels great!&nbsp; The reception has been amazing.&nbsp; People really seem to be into the single.&nbsp; &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5603,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,39,174,256,143,132,30,185,142,73,150,175,162,126],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5597","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dance","category-disco","category-electronica","category-funk","category-london","category-lyricist","category-music","category-neo-soul","category-producer","category-singer-songwriter","category-songwriter","category-soul","category-uk","category-vocals"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5597","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5597"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5597\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5605,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5597\/revisions\/5605"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5603"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5597"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5597"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5597"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}