By: Karen Steinberg
Photo By René Mosele
Q) To me, your music is a mix of funk, R&B and soul. How would you describe your sound?
A) If we have to label it – definitely building on funk, neo-soul. but adding spices of jazz, hip-hop, modern groove music to take the FUNK into the future!
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) So many…Prince, The Time, Sly Stone. D’Angelo, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, etc.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “MOJO.”
A) I wanted to do something different groove-wise, we’ve been messing with this afro-influenced groove for a while and one day the song came to me almost in full. Lyrically it is the relief after a period of downs and lack of creative juices because of things happening around us and now the power is back! The song came so strong, we had to add our friends doing the horn section.
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) Definitely the groove, the energy, the good vibe!
Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?
A) We did a TNM-classic studio shot – playing as a collective and feeding off of each other is where the mojo gets its power!
Q) Your new EP More Cowbell gives a nod to a famous “Saturday Night Live” sketch. Was that intentional or was it just a great theme for these tracks?
A) We always loved the sketch and “SNL” in general. It’s such a classic, we wanted to pay a tribute, but funky!
Q) “Tear The Roof Off” is one of my personal favorite tracks on the EP. Do you have a favorite and what makes it such a standout?
A) Oh, thanx! Yes, “Tear The Roof Off” is a special one to us. Again, here we wanted to try something different mixing some flavors we like. The track is inspired by our tour on the Canary Islands two years ago. An amazing experience!
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) Almost always music first, yeah. We are about the groove, so the rhythm dictates the lyrics usually.
When we find a good groove, we see if we can make it a song.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) Full control! I produce the music myself and with the band, so we have full freedom in doing exactly and authentically what we want. That is a great privilege and a driving force of our creative expression.
Q) What songs off your EP are you looking forward to performing live?
A) All of them!!! We already write the music with the live show in mind.
Q) What can fans expect from a live The Next Movement performance?
A) Tons of groove, funk, musicianship, but also great vibes, uplifting and entertaining.
We want to combine high level musicianship with a great show and a fun experience.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) It’s usually more the crowd than the venue that makes it special!
Q) With More Cowbell out now, is there already new music in the works or are you focused on these three tracks at the moment?
A) Yes! Our KARMA DOJO album came out September 18th! The album contains three songs and also will be on CD and vinyl as well!
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) A feature from Candy Dulfer would be amazing!
Q) What artist/musician are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?
A) Oh so many… Ben Jones from London is killing it. The groove is so deep. But we do listen to anything funky and soulful from the seventies to today – so much insanely good stuff.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Your support means the world to us! please check out the new Karma Dojo album and most importantly: Come see the live show! Tell all your friends about it!
All Questions Answered By J.J. Flueck