Chatting with The Bleus
Interview by Liam Gibbs and Photos by @angel_jhane
Can you tell us about your journey as an R&B artist and what inspired you to pursue music?
As many other artist and listeners can attest to, music has been a part of our lives from the beginning. We grow up with it at our grocery stores, gas stations, or coffee shops. It starts with your family, for example, my mother plays music on Saturdays while she cleans, or Sundays with my dad, we would listen to Lenny Kravitz, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown and slide around the kitchen with socks on. All these moments inspired my direction in music. Not just the pursuit of doing music, but just putting those moments in the music. The experiences fuel me to write and express my emotions. My music Journey has been liberating. There’s been a lot of self-reflection involved, a lot of honesty within myself and who I am, and who I want to be. Preparing, failing, and doing shit scared as hell. But still doing it!
What would be your dream venue to perform at, and why?
Ive never really dreamt of a particular Venue, I’m from a relatively small place, so I more so dream of touring and traveling. It feeds my inner yearning of freedom and exploration. Mostly, doing what I love and letting it take me around the world.
What can fans expect from your upcoming release, and how does it differ from your previous work?
I feel like I can confidently say, that sonically it makes my heart flutter hearing it pre-release. “Forgive Me I Need That” is a live set, King Noli plays the keys like a mad hatter and Drum Smoke throws you in a continuous spin, combining them and myself we created something disgustingly beautiful. It’s filled with this, Neo-Soul foundation and doused in Jazz. I believe oscillating between genres is something I’ve always pursued mastering. So I don’t believe it necessarily differs from my previous work, but is more so maturing with each release. The plan or the expression of music continues to become more intricate. The strategy of how to wield my voice has improved and my ability to trust myself while creating is flowing.
Could you share some insights into your creative process? How do you typically approach writing and producing music?
The most I can really say is never force something. Let things come to you as naturally as they can. Nothing in nature is perfect. The thing you might be insecure about could be your superpower to differentiate you from others. That could also be your experiences. My songs seem direct but also convey a lot of mystery.
Are there any particular themes or messages that you aim to convey through your songs?
Love! Love and hope, and self-reflection. But most importantly self-awareness. To dream is to float, but to be aware is a war within yourself without patience.
Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your artistic identity?
Some of my biggest influences would be Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Green Tea Peng, Anderson Paak and James Brown. They’ve all helped shape the way I write my music. The placements, the feeling I enjoy to embody or portray. Some also pushed me towards live instrument experiment and improved my confidence with stage presence.
Can you walk us through the collaborative aspect of your music-making process? Do you often collaborate with other artists or producers?
I love collaborations! When the vibe is right, that’s when magic happens. A lot of my recent accomplishments and music have come from collaborations. We come together and start having fun, talking, and letting the people behind the instruments work. Finding a vibe that doesn’t only sound good, but fits the integrity of “The Bleus”.
The image and Brand of "The Bleus" is obviously a huge part of you as an artist, what does "The Bleus" mean to you?
I want The Bleus to be past just a name or household brand. I want it to be an atmosphere, a state of mind, a mood. Much similar to the emotion, or the meaning behind Blues music. But I don’t want it to just be about sorrow, or hardship, but about deep self-reflection and awareness and love. There’s no formula for being loved. Everyone is capable of being loved. But sharing love and making sure someone feels loved, and protection when letting someone love you comes from these experiences or lessons. It helps create a better you for you and everyone around you. Not just going through my lessons, but actually facing your own.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations within the music industry, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I want to tour! I want to expand and share what I love with others. I want to be able to make a resourceful income and travel the world. I want to reach millions of people and to continue to grow and I plan on achieving that by being consistent and disciplined with what I consume and how I’m using my time and space so that my creativity stays flowing. Who knows, maybe I’ll make another project before the year is over.
