Kim Tibbs – I Need You For Your Love!

By starrymag | April 8, 2018

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) To begin, I would describe my sound as “a modern machine.” Why I describe my music as a machine is because I truly work hard to cover modern styles of music but give it the nourishment that it deserves, and then in the end I am completely happy. My music has been compared to Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Stax Records and the Motown Music Era; but I like to think of my music as just a moment to express something from my heart to those that support my sound. What makes my sound have a totally uniqueness is firstly, that I have a Hammond B-3 Organ out front. Second, I cater to live instruments as a whole and will have everything from live horns to live everything to give my sound a different edge. I always have a totally different vibe from one song to the next and feel like I have something to offer to everyone. That is what my sound is.  It has a heavy Gospel, R&B, Soul, Blues and Folk sound that makes most people appreciate it just because it is unique. Although I have been compared to iconic artists, there are not a lot of people out there that sounds like me.  And that excites me greatly.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Some of my musical influences include Ray Charles, The Bee Gees, Chicago, Van Morrison, Elton John, The Beatles, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Ben Howard, Ray Lamontagne, Bon Iver, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jackson 5, Anita Baker, Stephanie Mills, The Swampers of Muscle Shoals, The Hi-Rhythm Section of Memphis, The Rolling Stones, Erykah Badu, Brandy, The Temptations, Dianna Ross, Sting, Notorious B.I.G., The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Luther Vandross, Fleetwood Mac, Sade, Little Dragon, Bon Ivor, Mumford and Sons and many more. If you can’t tell, I listen to a lot of artists that represent an era of when you could actually turn on the radio and hear something that sounds a lot like my own music.  I appreciate the artists that I have listed as they have allowed me to feel proud of the identity that I have and that means more to me than anything.  I try to pay attention to what these artists sound/sounded like, perform/performed like and write/wrote like as it again is a favorite moment of music for me. Real music and musicianship are qualities that I look for in musical compositions and to be able to share amongst the greatest musicians in the world, I am excited about this completely.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “I Need You For Your Love!”

 

A) “I Need You For Your Love!” is a love song where a person is paying attention to the little things about someone that many do when they find their soulmate. It was written to not really cater to a certain genre, as I feel the song is easily a Pop, Soul, Folk Soul, and R&B based song. I remember sitting down at the piano a few years back and just had a melody stuck in my head that made me smile.  Why I was smiling was because I was envisioning playing this “idea” as a live song with a full horn section, Hammond organ, Wurlitzer and a killer bassline.  In my head, I could see the horn section swaying side to side in vintage 1960’s suits, and myself, big hair, sparkling,and sitting behind a Hammond B-3 Organ.  So, with that image in my head, I wrote the lyrics to the melody…We cut “I Need You For Your Love!” in Studio A of Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama about an hour from my hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.  If you know anything about Fame then you know that I was in the same room as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and many other soulful iconic wonders of today’s and yesterday’s music.  I knew that we had something special, but I wasn’t sure at first as I feel like my sound is something that is kind of unique and not heard really in today’s musical market.  However, I knew that it was special once it topped the Official U.K. Soul Charts and later went on that year to become the Number #4 Song on the Top 100 songs of the Official U.K. Soul Charts that year.  So, this song has some history of causing people to dance, smile and love on their significant other a little more, and to make a person forget about their worries and cares.  I just wanted to hear myself on the radio and when I heard my song on the radio for the first time, I couldn’t believe it because it just didn’t sound like me although the British Radio Announcer kept saying kind comments about the song and my name for the longest.  But this song introduced me to a taste of pure magic as it made room for my gift in music and allowed my sound to come through. For that moment alone, I am totally humbled and grateful.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) The first thing that I think fans connect to “I Need You For Your Love!” is the fact that it is a very well-written, well-produced and well-played song. When you have classic music in the making that features a jam session of who’s who of today’s most iconic musicians, it calls for a celebration during the recording and that is exactly what took place: A party all while recording!  I think the second thing that connects fans to my sound is the fact that it is true authentic music.  We don’t have a lot of musicians or producers going into the studio and actually sitting down behind a piano or a Hammond organ and record.  There is not a lot of live musicianship anymore and what I have noticed is that people all over the world appreciate real music that is live.  I can honestly say that I was so nervous about placing my music out, but the response that I got on the very first song was so overwhelming that I almost cried for twenty-four hours after the first day I heard it on the radio.  Lastly, I think people that love 1970’s and early 1980’s music connect with me because I have that old school flare and feeling.  Those feelings alone give me an edge and the confidence that I have going into the recording process makes me aware of what I am doing at all times.  Knowing what I am doing will allow me to stay in connectivity with the fans as they are the reason why I have a valid name and voice.  So, all of these reasons are why I feel like fans connect with me, but I also feel like they connect because they like my live shows.  I am a true musician first and people realize it once I sit down at my station.  I don’t limit my players and I tell them to play outside of the box so in the end, it all works. Everyone is happy and I am satisfied as I care for each and every person that is in my camp.  I feel this is why people connect with the song.  It was a great masterpiece and I don’t mind saying it as if I weren’t Kim Tibbs and heard the music that I created under someone else’s fingers, I would buy and support it.  Most people that hear my sound instantly connect to it and tell me that they love it. So, it humbles me completely in the end.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The Official Lyric Video for “I Need You For Your Love!” showcases the heart felt lyrics while also spotlights tons of photos of the very message of love. It showcases the different phases that the song has, while also aiding in keeping the viewer connected to the lyrics and the artist. The message is simple:  A person needs love to survive just like plants need water and sunlight to grow.  The official lyric video is very touching as it spotlights the symbols of love, family, patriotism, unity, peace and respect for all as we are all one voice and one sound in the end.  And the video also allows the viewer to be connected with the creative visual process.  So, with the video and the message being aligned up as one, the entire platform is working to saturate the market with feel good, catchy music.  What I do know is that if a song is heard at the right place and the right time, it can jumpstart a person’s career majorly and that is why I wanted the official lyric video to be very fine tuned just for this song.  It has paid off royally where people are truly discussing the song and my sound, in general. Again, the production was so powerful that everyone who hears the song connects instantly.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) My writing process is very simple. I am an early morning person, so I like to sit on the piano in the morning and just begin to play. Most of the time melodies are stuck in my head and I just sit down and start playing some chords and boom!  No longer than ten minutes later, I have a full song written with melodies and lyrics.  And what I have learned to do is to go ahead while the song is fresh on my head and do a rough recording.  Lately though, I have been writing around the clock as my moods have been allowing me to have a lot to say.  Sometimes my words are a little personal, or share personal experiences, but all in all, I have a really connective routine in my songwriting process.  Since I don’t forget melodies often, for the sake of writing my demos, I record them via my IPhone, first.  When I am especially in a happy moment, I write bulk amounts of songs.  When I say “bulk,” I do mean just that.  There are days where I write song after song after song and the process just keeps on going unless I snap out of the writing mode.  I always light a fragrant candle and begin with a favorite pen that I picked up in Camden Town, UK, where Amy Winehouse was from.  From there, I just go into a peaceful moment of just searching my heart as well as my mind.  From that moment, the songs just come. I have so many songs and always allow myself room to make mistakes. Usually, as soon as I have a melody, the lyrics seem to fall into place.  I don’t need music before creating lyrics but recently I have been working a lot with writing task projects in which the musical production has already been completed.  It has been a journey working with already created productions as I have been accepting a ton of productions from different producers worldwide.  So far, I have been truly enjoying the benefits of finding a creative style of voice and writing for other producers and productions than my own and it has been liberating as I feel so much closer to my inner goal of being a sought after songwriter.  Being creative is a daily activity for me.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) As it relates to all of my productions, I have 100% creative control. I physically make every portion of my sound and touch all of my music. I always make all of productions have my true seal of approval.  On the album KIM, I physically did my own pre-mixing and editing before it went to the Mixing/Mastering Service.  When I am producing my own records, I try to think from the mind of a consumer, a musician and a professional in the music business.  I try to make sure that I come from another angle every moment so that I always tap into my outer box and think about a different way of doing my sound.  What I appreciate is the fact that I don’t have to wait on other’s productions and can actually do some things on my own.  It feels good to have creative control over my music and that is something that I truly don’t ever want giveup. I think about female producers like Patrice Rushen and get motivated to think about how cool it will be to be recognized as such.  For me, my creative ability is also a mindset where I set out a goal in my mind, first, but then align the goals with my wishes and desires.  Once this takes place, I am at peace and don’t think twice about that.  I spent several years second guessing myself as I was listening to what other producers wanted my sound to be and not listening to my own head and heart.  For instance, had I listened to a well know producer today, “I Need You For Your Love!” would have never reached radio as the person felt that I needed to re-write it, change the lyrics and work more on changing the production.  And guess what?  His plan was to re-do it.  And I said no.  I learned my voice is the final voice and stuck by my decision to keep the original version of the song and the rest is history.  So, it is beautiful to be able to control my sound and I am confident in what I want sound like.

 

Q) What can fans expect from a live Kim Tibbs performance?

 

A) The first thing that someone will be able to expect from me is a live Hammond B-3 Organ. Fans will also be able to hear major horns, a chest thumping bass guitar, and drums to die for. They will instantly hum the melodies and feel the guitar strings in the air as I have seen many fans do.  I love to see people “air play” instruments to my songs!  Fans will laugh and dance, but will be moved almost like a church service.  I want to leave people scratching their heads and wanting more.  My songs are infectious and are simple so people will be able to really understand my roots. I am from Alabama. Where I am from we are big on live bands, live horn sections and banging production all along the way.  People will come in excited because they will have a complete package of a performance.  Live singing always goes a long way and being able to make people dance, laugh, smile and feel excited will always bring them coming back for more! I engage with my fans so expect them to talk to me and let me know how they feel, but I feel like every time I perform I am performing for another portion of my family.  So, it is the best performance of my life anytime I am able to grace a stage.

 

 

Q) What songs off your album have you been enjoying performing live?

 

A) All of the songs off of the album are unique. However, there are a few standout songs off of the album that are truly dear to my heart. To begin, the very first song that was recorded off of the album, the lead single, “I Need You For Your Love!” was just an amazing song!  When we recorded the song, we did it just once!  We kind of practiced around with it, but you know a song is amazing when you are having fun grooving along and playing alongside everyone else in the room.  I love the way I feel performing it.  I love seeing people mouth the words back to me and watching them dance.  Another song that truly was a major accomplishment was the song, “My Heart Belongs to You.”  When we recorded this song, it was an intricate process as there was so much going on in the song.  Major production, major horns, tons of background singing, but live it is a Jazz lover’s dream.  The piano is the lead instrument that takes its own tempo and everyone around it just kind of does their thing.  And when I have performed this song live, it has taken me to another place as I get to showcase musicianship in the live version that is not on the original version.  Another song that is so amazing to perform live is the song, “Drifting.” The horns on this song alone make it ear candy.  I wrote this song in a dark time where I was getting a person out of my life, but I never imagined that while performing it, it would make me feel like I was almost out of body.  I performed “Drifting” in a very acoustic way at my album release party and it moved not only the crowd but also me.  People were so fixated on the stage at that moment that I almost got sad that the song ended.  The last song that I truly love to perform is “A Building That’ll Last.”  This song was written at a time where I wanted to make sure that every person that ever told me a no, only two words:  “Thank you.” Performing this song live to an audience feels great as everyone can think of adversity along the way.  I have been told numerous times that I have an amazing live show and this humbles me as I am truly amazed whenever I get to perform as I sing with heart and soul. Performing my records live impresses me each time and I spend so much behind the scenes time practicing and truly learning my music that it is almost effortless to perform live.  I just feel at home on a stage and that is the real truth.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to your new album as a whole?

 

A) I think that I would like listeners to take real music away. I hope that people will truly appreciate the intricate parts of the whole recording process and appreciate that I am a real person. I waited so long to release my music and to become the artist I am today.  I spent most of my career behind the scenes and even partially spent it not truly knowing what all I wanted to do.  And since being in the background supporting others so much, I hope that people will find the good as well as the real messages in all the songs; casts their cares away, love a lot, dance even more and just feel compelled to pop my cd in their car and take a road trip.  I hope that people will renew their feelings of love and take a moment to hold someone else’s hands while riding along and listening to KIM. I hope that people will feel inspired to follow their dreams and to understand that I am a girl that had a dream that manifested into a real-life reality.

 

Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?

 

A) Well, performances are always so great to do. I have been all over the world because of my ability as a singer and professional musician. I truly love and respect almost every type of musical genre there is. I understand how hard it is to make a career as a professional musician but feel like I have accomplished a lot as life has not slowed down for me at all.  It feels good to present a crowd with my live performance.  I have a partial love of London, Brighton, Manchester, Birmingham and the coast of the United Kingdom as these places have some beautiful people that I have been awarded plenty of opportunities to perform for…Ironically, London is one of my favorite places to perform as the people that I have met on this musical journey, from there, have been so amazing.  However, the entire United Kingdom has uplifted my entire musical career.  People have been so kind and have been so amazing to me by openly supporting my music, showcasing my sound in such an overwhelming way and just by being friends from a far.  I am quite fond of Europe and Asia as a whole.  Some of my greatest memories have been shared in various parts all over the world and I don’t want to forget them ever.  But truth be told, I love anywhere that I am asked to perform.  I am a traveler at heart, so it doesn’t make a difference of the location as much as I am fonder of the opportunity.  And even more importantly, I have attracted other places, performances and shows for the future where I have never travelled so I am excited about being able to add some passport stamps and to have more adventures.  Hopefully, I will be able to add to the list of significant places of traveling this year and further on…

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Oh wow, this is a difficult yet easy question! There are so many performers from the past that I would have loved to collaborate with such as Prince, Michael Jackson, Bobby Womack, Johnny Taylor, Marvin Gaye, Janice Joplin, Jimmy Hendrix, John Lennon, Amy Winehouse, Tom Petty, B.B. King, Carole Carpenter, and many more. I am a musician and so when you say collaborate, there are so many various forms of collaborating.  I could see myself jamming out on a Hammond Organ while Prince would have been plucking some mean strings.  I feel that my strongest point that I share is my ability to play music and so, for me, I feel like I can hold my own on any stage with any artist as I am confident on what I sound like behind keyboard instruments.  Now if I were given the opportunity to collaborate with some artists and producers of today, I would like to do a collaboration with Quincy Jones, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Sade, Angie Stone, Lauren Hill, Dianne Warren, Little Dragon, Hiatus Kaiyote, Corinne Bailey Ray, Bonobo, Nightmares on Wax, Bad Bad Not Good, Lecrae, Robert Glaspers, Norah Jones, Jill Scott, Fleetwood Mac, Steven Tyler, Eric Clapton, Esperanza Spalding, Adele, Janet Jackson, U2, Cold Play, Mumford and Sons, Bon Ivor, Ben Howard Band, Lalah Hathaway, Lianne Las Havas, Bruno Mars, Michael Kiwanuke, Van Morrison, John Prine, Ray LaMontagne, and so on so forth.  I could go on and on as I listen to a wide range of music and musicians.  For me, I study the makeup of hit songs along with the element of what made it a hit.  A lot of music for me has Quincy Jones’ thumbprint, but there are tons of new school producers and musicians making a new wave of sound!  I appreciate the differences that I hear alongside the nuggets that come and go in music and while there are those that can say that music has definitely changed, I am under the impression that the good stuff is what will be played forty years from now like Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Good music still has relevancy.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) As I previously mentioned, I have a wide range in my style and musical taste buds. I can be very soulfully driven but also have a stripped-down Americana feel. I have been listening currently to Michael Kiwanuke, Ray LaMontagne, Bon Ivor, Mumford and Sons, Bad Bad Not Good, Lianne Las Havas, Esperanza Spalding, Corinne Bailey Ray, Robert Glaspers, Bonobo, Little Dragon, Norah Jones and Hiatus Kaiyote.  All of these artists are doing incredible work, but their music moves me in ways that I am still trying to discover.  Being a traveler, I have come across some local music in various places. However; THESE, artist are somewhere in the midst of everything that has been appealing to me musically both locally and internationally.  From the ears of a true musician, it is something wonderful to hear passionate lyrics, but even more amazing to hear real fingers hitting strings or piano keys throughout the particular records.  It is something to hear live music played to me and most of the artists that I listed, ironically, can play live instruments. I am from a class of musicians where live is where everything is at.  I dig these bands because their live shows are even that much more amazing.  To see them perform is breathtaking and I want people to feel that way about my sound. I want people to feel like they just fell in love for the first time when they hear and see me and my band.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) Social media of today puts artists directly in touch with fans, labels, and musical outlets. Where things used to be so time consuming, and where you weren’t able to connect with A&R Departments or the people who scout the talented music acts to follow, I can have an album mastered at Abbey Roads Studios and be at home in Alabama. We live in a fast-paced society and if you aren’t on social media, you are missing out what all it offers.  Although nothing is perfect, it is important for fans to see that artists are indeed real and lead daily lives.  I am a real person.  I am a mom and a touring musician.  I have days where I am silly and full of laughter, but I also spotlight days where I am in the studio and working on new music.  The process is all that matters in the end.  How you start and how you finish are two different things, but social media is in the middle of that.  It allows people to discover me, hear my live performances, be with me on shows, follow my progress as I place my journey out along the way and, lastly, it allows people to stay in touch with me so that they can know that it is actually KIM talking to them and not someone else.  I have had so many fans to connect to me and support my music.  I appreciate hearing up front what my songs were doing in someone’s life and that is why any successful artist of today has managed to truly master social media.  If you aren’t using social media for your advantage, it is truly a mistake in my opinion as technology is steadily changing every day.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) The first thing that I would like to say to my fans and supporters is a huge thank you! Thank you for supporting me and being patient on my process. I don’t work terribly fast as creating music takes it’s time, but I do believe in practicing placing my best foot forward every time. Every time I place my heart and soul out on the line, I am rewarded with a truly humble blessing.  I appreciate everyone for purchasing my album along with supporting the singles and for making room in your musical hearts for me to run along inside it. I would like to let them all know that I am forever humbled by the amount of love and courtesy shown toward my music thus far.  What I call “noise,” others have called a beautiful sound and for that alone it is so pleasing to know that I entered someone else’s ear as music.  I am a deep down southern soul and I would give the shirt off my back to the next person if it would help them and that is just the way of life in the south.   The support I have been shown is by far the most amazing feeling in the world and I shall never forget the love at all.  I am overwhelmed by the amount of followers and of those that actually have been following my journey.  I can’t shout thank you loud enough nor write it large enough, but I know that people know that I appreciate the love I am shown daily.  This is why I do what I do:  I do it for the love of making music.  I don’t do it for anything or anyone else but for myself and to see the dream manifest all the way to a reality for me, has just humbled me.