The Hamiltones – Watch The Ton3s (The B Side)

By starrymag | June 28, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Anybody legendary.  Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder – they all have influenced us in some type of way.  Also, some of the younger legends like Pharrell and Anthony Hamilton. Also digging musical people like Anderson.Paak.  And we all grew up as church musicians, so the quartet circuit gave us a lot of influence as well.

 

Q) What was Anthony Hamilton’s reaction to seeing how your work together inspired the name for your group?

 

A) It actually started out as a joke and overtime the name grew on us.  It was all very organic.  I can’t say that there was a specific reaction from Anthony. There was so much time between us joking about it until it actually became the group that we were a part of.  Especially after some of the viral moments, it grew its on.  But we think he’s pretty happy with it.

 

Q) What did you personally take away or learn from your time working for Anthony Hamilton?

 

A) Showmanship and friendliness.  Anthony’s live performance has always been a talk of the industry and he always takes the time out to connect with people on a personal level.  I think those are two of the biggest lessons.

 

Q) Initially you began putting a spin on other people’s songs. Did it surprise you how quickly your covers blew up online?

 

A) It did, because again it was organic.  We would just be messing around singing before a show, and the next day were all over the blogs and social media.  You can’t really calculate what’s gonna go viral, it just happens.

 

Q) Your Watch The Ton3s (The B Side) EP is out now. What are some themes that you explore?

 

A) Respect for women and for ourselves.  We talk a lot about relationships on this project, but we put our own spin on it.  On a record like “Serious” we break down how bad a man can want to commit, but the situation just has to be right.  Then in “I See You” we wanted to speak to the women who are out here working hard, doing it all by themselves.  It was like a salute to all of those women doing everything they have to do to make ends meet.

 

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

 

A) It’s always different.  Sometimes I (Tony Lelo) come up with the track. I might send it to 2E and he puts his spin on it from a production stand point.  Or [J.] Vito might have some vocals that he lays first and sends to me.  Then, sometimes we might connect with a producer who already has a full song prepared.  It varies with each situation.

 

Q) What are some of your favorite songs off the EP that you enjoy performing live?

 

A) I think “Serious” is the one we’re enjoying performing the most right now.  “Gotta Be Loving” me is always a good one. It gets people out of their seats.  And “Best Friend” makes the ladies howl. [laughs]

 

Q) What do message do you hope listeners take away from checking out this EP?

 

A) We hope people get the message that there are still true musicians out here, working to create that music that feels good to your soul.

 

Q) You have been a part of three Grammy nominated projects! How did that make you feel?

 

A) It was bittersweet.  We were excited to be in the conversation, but that competitive side is like, “Man, we need to take one home.” 

 

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

 

A) Anybody that is a true artist / musician, that does it from the heart.

 

Q) What advice would you give to up and coming musicians?

 

A) Keep pushing!  There are going to be a lot of obstacles along the way, but if you keep going eventually, you’ll get where you’re aiming to go

 

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

 

A) We all listen to a wide variety of music.  From PJ Morton to the California Honey Drops.  Just depends on what vibe you catch us in.

 

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

 

A) Thank you, we love you and we are going to keep coming with that music from the soul.