Photo Credit: King Paul 1st image and Chenoa Maxwell for the following 2 images!
Black Girls Rock
With her latest album, Black Girls Rock, Res shows that the title is true for so many reasons. First entering the music scene in 2001 with her debut album How I Do, Res has made a name for herself as an eclectic artist—combining soul, rock and everything in between.
Today, as a member of Idle Warship along with Talib Kweli and Graph Nobel—Res is moving crowds with her signature sound infused with some hip-hop—gaining more and more fans, but keeping her same fan base. Here is an exclusive interview with Res, make sure you join her mailing list for exclusive information here, as well.
Bella: you have such a diverse sound—growing up, which artist did you listen to?
Res: Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Intruders, Billy Idol, Lena Horne, A Tribe Called Quest, NWA, and some Broadway tunes.
Bella: What’s so refreshing about your music is how you mix genres—between Rock and R&B, I know at a point, a lot of what was on the radio was respectively one dimensional—how important was it for you to have your music reflect the music that you liked?
Res: It was more natural to have the music I sing reflect me than important. We didn’t think that hard—we just did it. We produced what we thought sounded right and still do.
Bella: And with that being said the mixing of genres— some people are still somewhat naïve to. I remember seeing your video for “Golden Boys,” on VH1 soul from your first album, and was completely drawn in because it was so different from like the Destiny’s Child music that was being played on the radio consistently. With that being said, what did the experience with the record sales and the process in general teach you about the music business?
Res: Well it taught me that record execs, listen to music differently than everyone else on the planet. Having a great album—doesn’t mean anything unless you have a great team behind you and tough skin.
Bella: Deep. Santigold, helped write some songs on your debut album; how is your relationship with her now, and how does it feel to be writing and singing more of your own material now?
Res: our relationship is great and writing songs is very cool—but stressful at times.
Bella; You were an artist on the now defunct MCA, and you were later picked up by Geffen Records who houses artist like Mary J. Blige, and Solange Knowles, what inspired you to leave the label?
Res: For the record, Solange is not apart of that label anymore—but they simply were lagging on releasing my music and I didn’t want to wait anymore. I knew that I was taking a step back, but believed it would be better in the long run. It was after I left that I traveled the world with Gnarls Barkley supporting Cee-Lo on backing vocals for their huge debut album, “St. Elsewhere.”
Bella: Jump to now, you’re a member of Idle Warship, with probably one of my favorite emcees of all time—Talib Kweli, how’d this collaboration come together?
Res: Idle Warship is a duo with Talib and myself, and it started because of two things. First, Kweli had an idea to do Res and Kweli mixtape and two from me wanting an easy way to perform without a band.
Bella: I’ve seen you guys live, and I play “Party Robot” all the time—“Bedroom Lites” is my favorite. How difficult or easy do you find it to be to stay truthful to your soul, while incorporating the other artist?
Res: It’s easy because I have always blended genres in my music. Idle Warship is just the “club version,” in a sense—very upbeat, I love it. It’s a great outlet.
Bella: Then to your latest album, “Black Girls Rock,” which is such an empowering title, especially to me being a black girl myself, what do you think it’s about us that makes us rock?
Res: What makes black girls rock is that no matter what, we always pull through and get the job done, and we have big hearts made of gold.
Bella: This album has some any good songs, like “Bittersweet,” and like “For Who You Are,” what inspired this album writing wise- as well as what made you want to make it a free album instead of a album for purchase?
Res: the writing was totally inspired by my ex-boyfriend, and the things I was going through, “For Who You Are,” hits home. I made it free because music is free!
Bella: How do you believe that music has evolved since your debut, and how do you hope your fans will get from this evolution?
Res: I think my music has evolved a lot and people more than ever, want to be experimental outside the lines—and find it more cool to be different and exciting and unpredictable.
Bella: What music are you listening to today?
Res: Marvin Gaye’s “Vulnerable.” KT Tunstell, Courtney Love’s “Hole.” Faith Evans first album, and loads of 80’s classics.
Bella: Lastly, not only have you made a name for yourself as a musician, but you’ve made a name for yourself as a fashionista. I know when I came to see you and Idle Warship at the Fillmore in San Francisco, a lot of us were saying how pretty you looked, and how your hair was so cute, what would you describe your style as, and what’s one tip you could give to anyone fashion wise?
Res: My style is always changing to the point where I am not recognized amongst people I know who I haven’t seen in a while. It’s really funny to me. I love all sorts of clothes and my mood changes and I just try to match my mood with my clothes. Sometimes I feel very feminine, and then sometimes, I like to dress like a tomboy. The one tip I would give is, dress how you feel and be comfortable. If your friends make fun of you, then dump your friends, they are making what you wear more important then who you are.
