In a recent interview with VIBE, the ever-eclectic Solange lifted the lid on the recording process for her 3rd studio album (set for an October release), describing its sound as “80s R&B meets new wave dance-rock”.
During the insightful piece (spotted over at Gossip On This), the youngest of the Knowles clan also talked about her critics, Beyonce, the handling of her last album ‘Sol-Angel & The Hadley Street Dreams’, being an independent artist now, Janelle Monae and so much more. An awesome read.
Excerpts after the jump…
Are you ever tempted to put up a middle finger to those fans that said you were just being weird to separate yourself from your sister Beyonce?
I could really care less what Suzie B. fan, who fits a certain profile and only shops at a certain place and only goes to the spots that blogs tell her to go to, thinks. Those people have never driven me. I wouldn’t take back any of the things I did because I gained the people who I needed to have on my side. The people who don’t understand that don’t have the integrity that I want anyway. I felt really good that my songs were at the Best Of The Year-End lists in places like Pitchfork and Spin. I get my love. It may not be what everyone else’s perception is, but I definitely get respect and I feel really good about that.
You surprised a lot of people when your 2008 album Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams was lauded as one of the years most critically acclaimed works. What was your reaction to all of the positive press?
I felt really good about it. I felt like I established myself as an artist with the people that I needed to and I weeded out the people that I never intended to have as part of my fanbase. Being able to tour and actually see and touch the people who are trying to really hear and feel your music is how you actually see what your fanbase is made of. These folks were not just people who wanted a radio song or wanted a particular record just for the catchiness of it. I had the people who were true music lovers; those kinds of fans will grow with me. If I want to do something more adventurous they wont abandon me.
What was the experience like of running the entire show since this project was recorded independently?
It was great. I was really proud of myself because I produced on a lot of the songs as well. I played some drums, keys, synths and all kinds of percussion. That was the first time that I actually really set in the producers chair. I am so serious…I really don’t want to be a drama queen [laughs]. But I feel that there are at least six or seven songs we recorded that really shocked me. And there are four in particular in which we really sound like we are in the ‘80s. But we didn’t try to recreate the sound. We literally applied the techniques of that era. We used all the antique instruments and equipment that we needed to achieve those sounds. But the great thing is we are all young; mostly everyone on the record is under 26. We were all inspired by that new wave experimental music. It’s a whole other level from the Hadley St. Dreams. I knew this go-around what I actually had to do. This time I didn’t have a record label or an A&R.
Were you worried about not having that industry support system?
Absolutely not. If anything I would not have been able to achieve what I did on this record if I was signed to a label. I’m talking about a major or an indie label. I would not have been able to orchestrate things the way that I did. I literally put together the budget. I literally kept control of every dollar spent, of every flight booked. I spent my own money!
So you were more frugal when it came to spending money on this project?
Absolutely. It’s totally different when the money is coming from your savings account and you are watching your savings account just slowly dwindle. It’s an investment just like buying a house or investing in a business. I have to constantly remind myself that this is the most important investment I can make because I would go crazy just watching the money just slowly wash out [laughs]. It makes me sick to my stomach at times. It makes me miss being on a label, but only for two seconds. Right now I’m aiming for an October release.
Wow, you sound like your recording experience was pretty intense?
Well, this new album is my baby. I would love for us to do a part two for this interview because there were so many elements and things that happened during the recording process. I’m talking physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Are we talking about mental breakdowns?
There was definitely a little bit of a breakdown involved. I literally gave up my sanity for a while to do this record. To the point to where I started doing it in Santa Barbara and I had to relocate to L.A. because I was losing it. We literally were waking up in the morning and just making music all day and all night. We left the house maybe three times! It just started to wear on me in so many different ways. I started having these crazy panic attacks. I can say that I totally sacrificed so much mentally, emotionally and financially to get this record the way I wanted it to be. It’s more than an album to me. It’s a transitional time in my life. This is a dance record, but the lyrics can get pretty dark at times. It brought me closer to my family, my dude and my son. My mom, sister and brother all kept Juelz for a week. Everybody canceled work when I was going through it.
Were you happy with the way Interscope promoted your last album?
What I’ll say is I had more control than most artists. But having a lot of control and having all the control is worlds apart. [Interscope] did not spend money on the right things to promote me. They didn’t have the knowledge to understand what I was trying to achieve. This sounds a little unreasonable coming from me. But I don’t think they understood this beautiful marketplace that exist and how to reach out to those people. But I don’t play the blame game. They really pushed the project.
The irony is Janelle Monae is getting that kind of out-the-box marketing that you are talking about.
Right. That is so true. I love Janelle. But I think the mistake that was made with Interscope was that they tried to promote me in both lanes. I can understand music fans being confused by seeing me in an Us Weekly closet piece and then seeing me on the cover of Paper Magazine. It’s really hard to scream at the top of your lungs over and over again that I don’t want to do this. At one point it made me look ungrateful. Now I’m past that. You have to go through those growing pains and come off as a bitch. I’m glad you brought up Janelle. She debuted with the same kind of noise as I did. She had a top-10 record. But no one would ever think of her album as a failure because there is no one to compare it to. I always had to deal with being compared to another artist.
After initially being somewhat sceptical about the validity of Solange’s image, I’m really taking to her as of late. Can’t wait for the new album!
LOOK SOLO,I NO DAT U BEEN N BEYS SHADOW ALL YO LIFE N ITS HARD FO U.
B*** JUSS DONT RELESE ANYTHIN TILL AFTA BEY C** OWT CUZ U NO DAT WEN BEY C** TOO TOWN,ERRTHANG SHUT DOWN N DATS EVIN U SOLANGEI!!!
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CI-ERROR- BASIC INSTINK IN STORES FLOPPIN ON AUGUST 17TH!!!!!!!!!
I LIKE SOLANGE HER LAST ALBUM WAS REALLY GOOD. ESPECIALLY “DANCING IN THE DARK” I HOPE SHE GETS MAINSTREAM SUCEES THIS TIME AROUND CUS SHE DESERVES IT !
CHECK OUT MY NEW ENTERTAINMENT SITE >>>> http://WWW.FRESHURBANENT.CO.UK
I love Solange, she is that chick. & whatever she says she’s gonna accomplish she ALWAYS DONE. SO I’M READY FOR ANOTHER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ALBUM. 80’S R&B, & new wave dance-rock, OMFG!!! I’M ABOUT TO LIKE PASS OUT. LOVE SOLO’S CHARACTER, LOVE HER MUSIC, LOVE HER ARTISTRY. THIS WOMAN IS THE BEST.
Wait she has a brother? Since when?
Solange needs to lighten up a bit, she comes across as such a miserable b**** sometimes. I enjoy some of her music though, her last album wasn’t half bad
@JPCOF
Since her father had an affair and got his side chick pregnant
CAN’T WAIT 4 DA NEW MUSIC!!!!
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CIARA- BASIC INSTINCTS IN STORES AUGUST 17TH!!!!!!!!!
TRENTIA F**** ANIMALS
GO GO SOLANGE
Solange is the truth, love her
Is she referring to Matthew’s lovechild when she says brother, or someone else?
@ everyone who asked, in another interview, it was made clear that she is actually talking about Jay Z when she says my brother, something about calling him brother in law is too much or something to that affect. ????
Yeah, she’s referring to Jay-Z as her “brother”.
GREAT INTERVIEW!!! I can’t wait for NEW music!!!
Please Vote for me on TubeGirlsExposed.com Elease Drennen and add me on Facebook
She’s referring to Jay Z when she says brother of course.
Solange, let me first say that I applaud you for taking a risk musically.
Now that that’s over, let me say that you need to take a step back and be a little more humble. You haven’t paid your dues. What you’ve done is skipped ahead of the line because of who you’re affiliated with. Because of these affiliations, you’re able to change directions with your careet at the drop of a dime, have babies and scalp her noggin while still managing to get a respectable amount of attention. Also, insulting people who participate in the mediums that give you the most amount of press isn’t very becoming of a star and shows that you’re indeed driven by your naysayers to become something totally opposite of Big Sister. I mean…we see and hear the most of you on blogs and twitter…the only forms of media that actually gives a rat’s ass about where you are or what you’re doing at the moment, lol.
Another thing I’m sick of seeing is someone without any musical training or marketing skills solely blaming their record label for their failures. Really Solange? I wonder if Christina, Janet or Mariah’s labels failed to understand who they were or what direction they wanted to take their latest projects too, lol. Or better yet…since you’re being so honest, try being a big girl and admitting that the general public wasn’t the least bit intrested in what you offered or had to say musically.
Lastly…if you really wanted to showcase some inndividuality, how about going back to school and getting a degree in something…preferably something in the music field that would back up your arrogance. Or maybe stick to production or songwriting. Not everyone was born to be behind a microphone and there is a need out there for good songwriters liike Diane Warren or Kara Dioguardi. Just a suggestion……..
<3 Solange
in an industry where everyone is creating dance/electro/pop because it's whats "in" at the moment Solange gives us something different regardless of what is trending !!!
*WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*
*YOU DO MOMMY!*
I like Solange too, Its ashame shes not more successful. Shes like my fav Under dog behind Kelly. Shes just as good as Jonelle Monnie, & actually better to me.
LOL, when she says brother you wouldnt think of Mathew’s love child unless your half illiterate. How is her real (half) baby brother gonna keep her son?? She obviously meant Jay z, her brother-in-law. Her Mom & Sister both kept her son or a Week. Thats Cute.
UGH !
Just like her sis Fatyonce ,,
FLOP
She is referring to Jay-Z as “brother.” I don’t like her. Her personality sucks and she cannot sing.
I LOVE SOLANGE!!! Can’t wait for new music from her and her sister! Her album is gonna be really good!
Can’t wait for her new album!
Now that that’s over, let me say that you need to take a step back and be a little more humble. You haven’t paid your dues. What you’ve done is skipped ahead of the line because of who you’re affiliated with. Because of these affiliations, you’re able to change directions with your careet at the drop of a dime, have babies and scalp her noggin while still managing to get a respectable amount of attention. Also, insulting people who participate in the mediums that give you the most amount of press isn’t very becoming of a star and shows that you’re indeed driven by your naysayers to become something totally opposite of Big Sister. I mean…we see and hear the most of you on blogs and twitter…the only forms of media that actually gives a rat’s ass about where you are or what you’re doing at the moment, lol.
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CO-FUGGIN-SIGN!!!!! OMG! You so read my mind!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Solange but she is way too arrogant and bitchy for someone of her caliber. Yes you make PHENOMENAL music but you still haven’t paid enough dues to come off as you do! It’s not a problem when you address that you have haters but in the way that Solange does it is a little much.
Like “I felt like I established myself as an artist with the people that I needed to and I weeded out the people that I never intended to have as part of my fanbase.” What? I mean come on, like @Kevin said saying stuff like this only ignites more people to think that she is trying very hard to be completely opposite of Beyonce.
Like I’ve said many times, I honestly think she went against everything her sister was doing only so she wouldn’t CONSTANTLY be compared to her (and fail). However, I think she did find herself within that opposition and now it has become HER. I’m not complaining as to why/how she got that way because I LOVE her “afro-centric-ness.” She’s different and unique, unlike much of what’s out today!
So basically, Solange should eat a whole of Humble Pie and leave nothing to spare. So with that I can’t wait for the new album!
H** SIT DOWN.
RUNNING AWAY FROM HER SISTER’S SHADOW AND CALLING IT MUSIC IS WHAT SOLANGE IS DOING.
SHE SHOULD BE AN ACTRESS. IT WOULDNT TAKE MUCH TO DO THAT BETTER THAN BEYONCE. GET A ROLE AND WIN AN OSCAR ON HER ASS! SHE’D BE ILL.
I GET SO TIRED OF THE SIBLINGS OF SUPERSTARS ALWAYS WHINING WITH THE “YEAH, ME TOO” SYNDROME. JUST BE A NORMAL CITIZEN. BE A DOCTOR OR LAWYER, HELL, WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE ENTERTAINERS TOO????
Damn Beydabess
Your spelling hurt my brain are you mentally challenged. Go back to school spelling everything like a 1st grader doesn’t make you cool just annoying.
If you couldn’t read that let me break it down in your own language.
Translation.
Yor spellin hert mi bran R U mintali chalgend Goh bak 2 scol spellin erthang lik a 1st gradr maks U lok lik a foo. Beeeutch
I love all black women who are trying to make and do something for themselves. We should trying supporting each other instead of negativity! WE BLACK WOMEN ROCK SO PLEASE DON’T PUT US DOWN WE HAVE FOUGHT ENOUGH BATTLES INCLUDING RACISM, SEXUAL DISCRIMINATION AND MALE BIAS!
p.s please go to school and learn to spell properly, get off those benefits!