Written by Imran Mirza
The rejuvenated soul movement from the mid-1990s has spawned
many incarnations and branding, from neo-soul, to nu-soul, to electro-soul and
even right the way round to retro-soul.
It has spawned countless artists, some with major-label backing and some
through independents, who have varied from one-hit wonders, some who solidified
themselves as icons in between five and twelve year hiatuses, and some who
plugged away mercilessly in a bid to achieve wider recognition.
In the last thirteen years, Sy Smith has seen many come and
many go. With a catalogue that includes
four studio albums, two EPs, one greatest hits compilation and a live DVD, as
an independent artist, Sy Smith’s name has become synonymous with an unrivalled
work ethic based on an adoration for her craft.
It’s actually so unrivalled that it’s a miracle we’ve been able to track
her down [so it’s only apt that we shout out Chadd Hardy – one of our favourite
people in the world for helping put this together]. We catch Sy just as she’s jetting off to France to tour
with Johnny Hallyday overseas, one of several tours she has lined up over the
next few months, within a year which has also included recorded studio
collaborations with Chris Dave and Zo! on their respective projects.
Collaborations with Sy are key and an indication of how
in-demand she actually is. Aside from
guesting on projects with the aforementioned Chris Dave and Zo!, Sy Smith has
leant her intrinsically delectable vocals to projects by Ronny Jordan, Me’Shell
Ndegeocello, Eric Roberson, Sheila E and Ali Shaheed Muhammad, among countless
others. Taking the spirit of
collaboration even further, ‘Fast and Curious’, in 2012, saw Smith collaborate
with famed New Zealand broken beat and nu-soul producer and musician, Mark de
Clive-Lowe, for their first full-length release together in a massively
well-received project which continues to demonstrate Smith’s resourcefulness
and versatility as an artist.
Hers is an unfathomable and prolific résumé. One this article could never truly do justice
to and one that shines as a beacon for independent soul artists. Over the next thirteen years, many more artists
will come and many will go, but Sy Smith will continue to stand tall.
'Psykosoul' came out in 2000. You've had such an incredible
journey since that time - how were the next 13 years mapped out in your head at
that time?
Actually, ‘Psykosoul’ was never properly released by Hollywood
Records. Only the single ‘Gladly’ was
released in 2000. But Hollywood
released a slew of advanced copies of the album which is what got the buzz
started. I have had a most incredible
journey since then, but I never thought to map out a plan of action. I was just going with the flow. And when Hollywood decided to drop their entire ‘urban’
division from their roster, I sort of took pause to figure out my next step. I had started performing on a regular basis in
Los Angeles
with my band, DeezNutz and decided to release an EP in 2001. The EP was called ‘One Like Me’ and that was
actually my very first proper release.
This EP was so well received that I figured, ‘hey, I can do this without
a label!’. And so I did. Mind you, there weren't as many social
networks, and the internet wasn't as widely accessible as it is today, but I
used every avenue I could to promote my shows, my music, etc. I mailed postcards, I made phone calls, I put
flyers on cars, I hung out in bars and waited for folks to get drunk enough to
spend some money on a chick they'd never heard of! Ha ha! But it was all part of understanding that I
was my own product. So I had to let my
business acumen set in. I embraced that
part of myself full on! To clarify your
initial statement regarding ‘Psykosoul’ though, I bootlegged that album that I
did for Hollywood Records and released it in 2007 with a couple more tunes on
it. That was ‘Psykosoul +’.
'Fast and Curious', with Mark de Clive-Lowe, seems to have
taken your music to the next plateau – are you happy with how the record has
been received?
I am quite pleased. I
realized this album was a departure from my previous works sonically and
musically, but what's the fun in doing something that you know works every
single time? I gain no satisfaction from formulaic work, that's not art to
me. And at the end of the day, I am an
artist. I like to push my own envelope and ‘Fast and Curious’ did that for me.
MdCL was a joy to work with too, he's a phenomenon!
Having worked on American Idol [Sy appeared as one of the
show’s backing singers], what are your thoughts on vocal talent shows like that
and X Factor? Do you think they set unrealistic expectations for artists, or
that they're good for the industry?
Do those shows set unrealistic expectations for artists? I don't know. Seems to me, folks just want a chance to be seen and heard and for some, vocal competition shows are one way of achieving that goal. But let's be honest, everyone who sings isn't necessarily an artist. I'm just sayin...
Do those shows set unrealistic expectations for artists? I don't know. Seems to me, folks just want a chance to be seen and heard and for some, vocal competition shows are one way of achieving that goal. But let's be honest, everyone who sings isn't necessarily an artist. I'm just sayin...
The most recent song I heard from you is the contribution to
Chris Dave's mixtape (Chris Dave & The Drumhedz Mixtape) with 'Slim and
Juicy'. It's such a unique song – how did the concept for it come together?
Well, Chris sent me a slew of tracks and as soon as I heard this one, I nearly fell out of my desk chair! It was so refreshingly strange! And to me, it sounded like two different things happening simultaneously, almost like a track with a split personality. So thought about myself in this regard, about how I often operate like this... on stage I am a completely different monster than I am walking around the crib when I'm doing day-to-day stuff. I felt like giving a name to my own two personalities and the first two names that came to me were Slim and Juicy. And I just started sort of mumbling the phrase, "they live in my head, they run around scared, they wait for the paper come in contact with the lead..." and everything else just fell into place because the story is so completely autobiographical.
Well, Chris sent me a slew of tracks and as soon as I heard this one, I nearly fell out of my desk chair! It was so refreshingly strange! And to me, it sounded like two different things happening simultaneously, almost like a track with a split personality. So thought about myself in this regard, about how I often operate like this... on stage I am a completely different monster than I am walking around the crib when I'm doing day-to-day stuff. I felt like giving a name to my own two personalities and the first two names that came to me were Slim and Juicy. And I just started sort of mumbling the phrase, "they live in my head, they run around scared, they wait for the paper come in contact with the lead..." and everything else just fell into place because the story is so completely autobiographical.
Wikipedia states you were going to be a part of Michael
Jackson's O2 residency. There are so many clips on YouTube of musical tributes
you've made to his music – were you ever able to meet him?
Don't believe everything you see on Wikipedia. Does it really say that? I did meet him though. And that was awesome.
Don't believe everything you see on Wikipedia. Does it really say that? I did meet him though. And that was awesome.
Are there currently any plans for a new album, and what
direction would that likely take?
At this very moment, I'm on tour with the legendary French rock & roll star, Johnny Hallyday. In fact, I'm answering these questions via my iPad on a train from Libourne to Paris! It's so lovely here by the way! I also have a couple tunes on Zo!'s latest release, ‘ManMade’ so after I wrap this tour with Johnny, I'll hit the road again with Zo! Zo! and I might also have a little something brewing later this year. I'm also touring with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti so it'll be a miracle if I can find time to zone out and record a full-length project. But hey, I believe in miracles.
At this very moment, I'm on tour with the legendary French rock & roll star, Johnny Hallyday. In fact, I'm answering these questions via my iPad on a train from Libourne to Paris! It's so lovely here by the way! I also have a couple tunes on Zo!'s latest release, ‘ManMade’ so after I wrap this tour with Johnny, I'll hit the road again with Zo! Zo! and I might also have a little something brewing later this year. I'm also touring with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti so it'll be a miracle if I can find time to zone out and record a full-length project. But hey, I believe in miracles.
How do you feel about the 'electro' tag you're labelled with
regarding your brand of R&B/soul?
I don't mind so much because I understand the purpose of labels and categories. Labels are insisted upon by people who feel uncomfortable with freedom. The freedom for things to simply exist.
I don't mind so much because I understand the purpose of labels and categories. Labels are insisted upon by people who feel uncomfortable with freedom. The freedom for things to simply exist.
The list of collaborations you chalked up is endless – are there
any that stand out as being particularly notable from a fan perspective?
I'm a huge fan of Meshell Ndegeocello. My love for her and her craft is undying. I love Sheila E too! That's my sister, for real. And I'm a fan of the entire Foreign Exchange collective. Phonte, Nicolay, Zo! Jeanne Jolly, Chris Boerner... and all the musicians in that outfit. They inspire me to no end! I just love love love working with them! Goodness, when I think about it, I'm a fan of almost everyone that I work with! Almost... (side eye)... :-)
I'm a huge fan of Meshell Ndegeocello. My love for her and her craft is undying. I love Sheila E too! That's my sister, for real. And I'm a fan of the entire Foreign Exchange collective. Phonte, Nicolay, Zo! Jeanne Jolly, Chris Boerner... and all the musicians in that outfit. They inspire me to no end! I just love love love working with them! Goodness, when I think about it, I'm a fan of almost everyone that I work with! Almost... (side eye)... :-)
Who's left on your wish-list of people to collaborate with?
I wanna collab with Jesus! I sent Him some tracks and called him on the main line, but I guess He's busy. I'm just being silly... I've got cabin fever from this train ride. I'd love to collaborate with Prince and Trent Reznor (from Nine Inch Nails).
I wanna collab with Jesus! I sent Him some tracks and called him on the main line, but I guess He's busy. I'm just being silly... I've got cabin fever from this train ride. I'd love to collaborate with Prince and Trent Reznor (from Nine Inch Nails).
If you had to introduce a prospective new fan to your music,
what song would you play first for them, and why?
Oooh, that's a tough question... perhaps I would play ‘Bruise’ from ‘The Syberspace Social’, because that song really speaks to the heart of who I am... and if someone is to become a fan, I'd want them to know what they're getting into.
Oooh, that's a tough question... perhaps I would play ‘Bruise’ from ‘The Syberspace Social’, because that song really speaks to the heart of who I am... and if someone is to become a fan, I'd want them to know what they're getting into.