On My Purpose In Music And Whether Or Not I Will End Up With A Major Label

Well, it already looks as though I am infinitely better at keeping up with this blog than my other blog(s). Yes, that's plural and mostly because I suck at blogging.

That, however, is not what I am writing about today; though, that would be quite the interesting blog. Today, I am going to write about an interview I read recently that featured one of my major musical influences: Sananda Matreiya (formerly Terence Tren D'arby. If you don't know who he is, you've likely at least heard this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6iHxDoLEz0 It's called 'Sign Your Name' and from his first album "The Hardline According to Terence Trent D'arby." I LOVE this song, but it isn't my favorite song nor favorite album. If I can find some, I'll show some samples from my favorite albums. If not, he can be found on Spotify for free under his former name.

So, why is this guy a big influence on me? Well, first of all, a good friend of mine once pointed out that there were similar qualities between my voice and his, particularly in our vibrato. Thanks for that, Diane, if you ever read this. This perked up my interest in his work even more, though the music from the first record was certainly enough. In any case, I try to make it a habit to collect all of an artist's works. 

TTD, as he was commonly called, also was of interest me for racial reasons. He and I are both, obviously,  Black folk. He is more on the "high-yellow" side of the spectrum, but our heritage is just the same. He was born in the U.S., so there you have it: slave heritage. This also gives us a connection musically. Ours is the race that first produced rock 'n' roll, jazz, blues, which is also known as the base of an overwhelming majority of American music. I am unsure of country's origins, I would say it is probably more European in nature, though. Still, there was Black presence in early country music. As you can see, we were and are everywhere. I want to keep the fact that I consider this "Black" music in mind as I go on.

Now, when I delved into his musical catalogue, I found much more than the neo-soul sound he pushed on his first record. Unfortunately, that record may have pigeonholed him in the eyes of many. His second album, "Neither Fish Nor Flesh," was a bit scattered; but, it was very adventurous. Still, it didn't do as well as his debut. I don't think it was as good, since the other was more cohesive, but it shouldn't have been so dismal. There were plenty of great cuts and enough to sell maybe 5 million. According to his interview, the record company did not properly promote the record and the sales suffered (which gave them the excuse for less and less support). This happened to Michael Jackson towards the end of his career. Since TTD was new, I am sure the record execs thought they could get away with it. Michael, in his prime, was untouchable. 

After the sophomore album, he honed the sound he was cultivating and made great records. Two under-appreciated records. They are called "Symphony or Damn" and "Vibrator." They may be a bit too sprawling at times, particularly the former album, but they are brilliant. If I were you, and you were taking my musical suggestion, I would follow "The Hardline" with either of these two. I think "Neither Fish Nor Flesh" would be better understood in that light.

In any case, the lack of success for these albums and quarrels with his record company left him pretty drained. He had one more album in him as TTD before he became Sananda Matreiya. That album is Wildcard, and I believe it to be its best and the one that has the most influence on the sound I desire for myself. Gems like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj630wY9V2E Litter the record. 

Anyway, that long winded series of paragraphs was actually a preface to help you guys understand that I respect this man quite a bit musically, even if I think some of his spiritual beliefs are, well, CRAZY. So, when he was talking about the industry in that interview, I listened. You see, he explains that the name change was kind of a resurrection for himself. TTD was worn down by his battle and lost his desire as a musician. He now releases his stuff independently and makes good money from that because he is who he is.

Now, for the meat and potatoes. Sananda explains some of the racial issues within the industry and being pigeonholed. This is something that I am wanting to avoid. I am as serious about being an artist as he is, and that picture of the industry makes me wary. Perhaps, I should stay independent, little though I like business. Things are much different in this day and age, and musicians can better afford to be independent. So, I think I shall take his advice for now. 

There was one other thing he said that struck me, and that was this: "I've always considered myself a rock star, not an R&B singer." I could see this in how he presented himself. I also feel the same about myself, I'm an artist and a ROCK STAR. YES, I SAID IT! ROCK STAR! On stage, I hope to cultivate the swagger and same fire that made artists like TTD, Prince, and MJ great. I want a killer show with killer art to show for it. I want to explore different philosophical, musical, and theological ground with my music (and eventually poetry and fiction novels). 

Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that I was right to start modeling myself after TTD, and I hope to cause as many waves in my own rather quiet way.

Hope This Made Sense,

Zaire Kariff

Let's Get Serious

Hey Possible Fans and Accidental Acquaintances,

My name is Zaire Kariff. That is my stage name, anyhow. 

I have created this blog for the purpose of discussing my music, myself, songs and albums I've come across, things that influence me musically, and my dreams for my music. I have another blog where I am going by my birth name. The title of that one is "Thoughts of a Would-Be Monk." That one is for theological, philosophical, and more intellectual pursuits. You may have a look see at it, but you may not always like what you find. 

Anyway, this is the first post, obviously; so, what should I update everyone on? Well, I have been hard at work performing live at various places and writing music, as I should be. I have decided that, in the next year, I will be relocating to either Boston, Chapel Hill, Portland, or Britain for the purpose of finding new digs and grooving with new people. It isn't that I don't like Texas...well, that is partly to blame. You see, I am not a Texan...I just live here. But, that is for another blog post. Therefore, I find it wise to move on.

So, moving on. I am relocating to another area to pursue my musical dreams and I felt it was high time for me to make new recordings. I have come a long way from my "The Government Thinks I Have Kids EP" (for those in the know) and I need music that reflects that. However, until quite recently, I have felt stunted and unable to get what I wanted musically without a band. That has since changed. I've been experimenting with garageband and loops and made enough pleasant discoveries that I think I can make a legit album, EP, and add to my live shows through the use of my gorgeous computer, Whilemena (I know I BUTCHERED THAT, sorry. I should rename here since I cannot spell her blasted name). 

Doing this (and, look at that, this is turning into a long post) has obviously opened up my options and I plan to use them. I hope to finish my record, to my satisfaction, by Fall 2012. The working title is terrible, so I'll spare you all that one. Thus far, I have extremely workable demos for 11 songs and enough pieces of many others that I could probably round out a 15 song album, if I so choose. I do want it kept in mind that creating an album is, or use to be more frequently, about putting songs that work together (even if it isn't thematically). It is a whole body of work. I come at the tail end of the generations that understood that. I'm nearly 25 now, but I remember when albums were more than a bunch of random singles. There was cohesion, right down to the album art. 

I realize not everyone is into the art aspect, and there is a place for that, but I am. So, I won't be satisfied with, whatever I title this album, until I feel that sort of cohesion (even if it is imperfect, this is my first time after all). 

I plan to make available, for extremely cheap prices, my first aforementioned EP. It is not going to be nearly as together as what I am putting together now (we didn't even have drums), but it is a good way to see my growth as an artist. I had only been writing songs a year when I created it and my playing was not as good as it is now. I still need improvement (something I'll always strive for), but I am better able to express what is in my head now than I was then. 

That's why I am going to rerelease it. It'll be cheaper than what I sold it for back then as well. I can't give it away for free because money helps you build even better albums. You understand. 

So, that is where I am, essentially. I am ready to really give this music thing a show and I am growing by leaps and bounds with every song I write, orchestrate, and arrange. I couldn't arrange worth a flip when I started out. Thankfully that has changed. Thus, I deem it good to say that you all have good things to look forward to. I will post snippets from time to time and random thoughts on my progress, while also giving you glimpses to artists I am incorporating into my own style. I'm eclectic, it has to be the Californian in me, and I hope my music will continue to reflect that.

Love and Harmony,

ZK