interview with GORDON JAMES
1. So tell me what this whole 3some thing is about. Well since I started performing my poetry and characters in 2000, audience members and fans have been berating me for not having any product (a book, a cd, a dvd) for them to take home with them. So I decided to create a cd so people would stop yelling at me. I didn't want it to just be me talking on a cd, so I recruited the talents of soulful songstress Maritri and operatic soprano Kanari Haywood to help me with the background vocals. Maritri introduced me to talented producer and dj Ian Friday and the OUTBURST cd was born. I took 9 of the most popular characters from the show and put them to music. Never one to launch anything half-assed, I decided to do an "event" to get the word out and came up with the "3some" idea when Kanari and Maritri told me they would be able to perform live with me on October 7th at Bric Studios in Brooklyn. In essence it will be a special show where I perform with two other talented artists who I respect and who constantly inspire me. As a treat I plan to preview some excerpts from my next one man show BAGGAGE as well to whet people's appetite for my planned spring/summer performances. Like all 3somes, I hope those who partake will bring their own energy and leave completely satisfied.
2. I've seen your work and i must say it's outstanding, how do you plan to wow audiences with this piece? Well for all the people who liked OUTBURSTS, it will still be a new experience in that the characters have never had live music/perfomers with them, so that should bring a whole new flavor to the mix. The excerpts I do from BAGGAGE are, as the name implies about the "weight" we carry around with us around certain topics like race, sexuality, and relationships. The poems/characters from BAGGAGE are not quite as "upbeat" and optimistic as the OUTBURSTS characters so I am hoping the mix of the two types of character types will really take people on a ride.
3. Should we expect new characters, if so, do tell. BAGGAGE will have all new characters and I plan to offer the first preview of at least 3 of them at this show. All the character poems we are performing from the cd will be the same with the addition of the music and vocals in the background.
4. What made you decide to do a CD? I touched on this b4, but I just personally don't think the poems hit home as quickly or as directly as they do when performed. People don't always have time to sit through a show or watch a dvd, so the cd gives you everything aurally at your own pace.
5. Who are some of your influences? My friends and family are my greatest influences as are current events and T.V. Most of my poetry is born out of me watching or hearing about something that makes me go 'hmmmmn"
6. Can audiences expect to see that beautifully sculpted body of yours in this next piece? LOL. Well I don't have any poems on the roster that would demand that I be out of my clothes this time around, so I'll do my best to please the audience with my clothes on. However, if someone requests that certain poem that requires I show some skin (yeah it's on the cd too), I may comply :)
7. What has been your biggest challenge to date, in terms of your performance. I must say I have been very blessed so far with my performances. Some very extraordinary producers have worked with me and taken on the tedious chores that go into bringing the show to my audiences and people are constantly trying to bring me to their cities to perform. I think the greatest challenge is finding the time to do it all. But it's always better to be busy than not, so I aint mad at all.
2. I've seen your work and i must say it's outstanding, how do you plan to wow audiences with this piece? Well for all the people who liked OUTBURSTS, it will still be a new experience in that the characters have never had live music/perfomers with them, so that should bring a whole new flavor to the mix. The excerpts I do from BAGGAGE are, as the name implies about the "weight" we carry around with us around certain topics like race, sexuality, and relationships. The poems/characters from BAGGAGE are not quite as "upbeat" and optimistic as the OUTBURSTS characters so I am hoping the mix of the two types of character types will really take people on a ride.
3. Should we expect new characters, if so, do tell. BAGGAGE will have all new characters and I plan to offer the first preview of at least 3 of them at this show. All the character poems we are performing from the cd will be the same with the addition of the music and vocals in the background.
4. What made you decide to do a CD? I touched on this b4, but I just personally don't think the poems hit home as quickly or as directly as they do when performed. People don't always have time to sit through a show or watch a dvd, so the cd gives you everything aurally at your own pace.
5. Who are some of your influences? My friends and family are my greatest influences as are current events and T.V. Most of my poetry is born out of me watching or hearing about something that makes me go 'hmmmmn"
6. Can audiences expect to see that beautifully sculpted body of yours in this next piece? LOL. Well I don't have any poems on the roster that would demand that I be out of my clothes this time around, so I'll do my best to please the audience with my clothes on. However, if someone requests that certain poem that requires I show some skin (yeah it's on the cd too), I may comply :)
7. What has been your biggest challenge to date, in terms of your performance. I must say I have been very blessed so far with my performances. Some very extraordinary producers have worked with me and taken on the tedious chores that go into bringing the show to my audiences and people are constantly trying to bring me to their cities to perform. I think the greatest challenge is finding the time to do it all. But it's always better to be busy than not, so I aint mad at all.
be sure to check out gordon's website. www.outbursts.net
photo: Michael Scott Jones
posted by C.R. Knight on Tuesday, October 04, 2005
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