Pancakes or Waffles:
Waffles
What is your artist name?
Tamika Love Jones
Where are you from originally?
Washington, DC
How did you get your start in music?
Playing, cello and singing in the choir at school, first at Shaw Junior High School & School Without Walls. My friends encouraged me to sing for local hit making producer Chucky Thompson who mentored me on the business. I started writing songs and eventually began sharing that music at live open mics and venues, who slowly began to recognize me as the songstress I am now.
How long have you been making music?
The first song I wrote was with my sister when we were about 10. Then I started seriously writing at 17, when Chucky Thompson gave me some tracks and locked me in his studio, until I wrote something. It’s never stopped since.
How would you describe your music?
From the soul. Its viba-liciously jazzy-hiphop-rythm-and-blues..
What do you like best about making music?
It allows me to see clear and communicate with more depth. I can live more in those moments of creativity and truly feel the spirits move through me. It allows me to go to a place where I’d usually feel uncomfortable going.
Who is your biggest influence?
The greats who’ve paved the way. Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Ella, Aretha, Karen Clark, Rachelle Farrell, Lauryn, D’angelo, Jill, Badu
What is your favorite venue to perform at? Why?
Carter Baron because its beautiful, I get to sing to nature and the sound is pristine.
Where do you wish you could perform?
Montreux Jazz Festival. So many wonderful artists have blessed that stage in so many magical ways. It would be an honor for me.
What projects have you been working on/when is your next release?
I have been working on an EP with bass player and producer Warren Peterson that’s more on the mellow soul vibe tip releasing Jan 2012, then I have an upbeat hiphop inspired EP, that Im releasing with producer/emcee Jah I Witness in the Spring 2012. I have also been working on capturing live footage for a live cd and recording material for a full length album, release tbd… Hopefully summer.
What musical goal do you have for the future?
Become a pro at the business part of my operation so that I can build upon my natural gifts to the fullest and have the know how to help others be exposed by starting a label or artist collective where I mentor younger artists. I’d also love to continue my travels internationally and do a world tour. Become a beast on my guitar and learn piano.
How have you changed musically since you started?
I have come out of my shell, embracing me more instead of trying to be perfect or sound like this or that artist. I’ve become more free and on stage I can completely let go and leave my overactive worrying mind out of the mix and just blissfully create. I don’t care about being scared or embarrassed anymore. I go hard when it comes to my music now.
What else are you involved in besides music?
Im working on putting my activist and humanitarian side out to the public. There are lots of issues that I care about such as the health and well being of our people, the freeing of minds from the Eurocentric/corporate mindset and the education of our children and I work with various forces in the community whose missions are the same. Right now, I am working with Bloombars, a non profi,t as an resident artist volunteering in the community to bring about change through several different mediums. We will be starting a Go Veg Eat Healthy campaign in 2012 as I have been transitioning to a vegetarian lifestyle and see it as a key factor in improving health and environment. I also teach in the public schools.
Where can we find you online?
Presently I can be found on Twitter, my newfound love, @tamikalovejones. Also you can catch me on facebook every now and then tamikalovejonesdc. My website for contact and booking and my recent new is http://www.tamikalovejones.com
I also can be found on iTunes, Amazon, CdBaby, myspace, google, last.fm, reverbnation, soundcloud and a few physical and international locations. Lastly check out my latest pre-EP in anticipation of Addicted To Love Jones (Jan 2012) The Love Jones Suite is available for free download thanks to
SoundCloud, The Briggs Report, The Nu-Soul Collective, JOTA FM & Meltdown Radio (UK). The Link for Free Download is http://snd.sc/ufBLMM Stay tuned for more music very soon.
Thanks for your continued support and being a part of my journey
—Tamika Love Jones
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