So Sunday I had an in-station interview with the peeps of the Soulstice Lounge at WCOM 103.5 – Cotton Axiom, Kerisha Roi and Elliot Axiom. What a cool independent radio show! I’m telling you, if you want to hear indie music from talented artists from all over the country, this show is a must…each Sunday from 3-5 p.m. I had the opportunity to come on and talk to them about my upcoming project, the shooting of my video “Fly”, and I sung “Water” live. It was a great interview! I was a bit nervous/excited and forgot to take pictures! Ugh! lol Next time…I will share…

OK…breathe

While at work Friday, I decided to enter for a chance to meet Common at Dolce’s Saturday hosted by K97.5. I didn’t think I would win. I don’t win contests…not even a free drink under those Sprite tops. But I was like what the hell…why not. When I entered, it said the promotion was over. So I’m thinking…ok. This was some plot to get my email address. I was just in that mindframe after my week working with people making me promises but not delivering on their word. But 4:30ish hits and I get an email from Nannette of K97.5 saying “…you have won the Meet n Greet on tomorrow with Common…” After I got past my deadline, I literally stood up in front of my desk and danced! (that is not uncommon for me to do when I get in the mood. Ask my co-worker) HAHA!

Yesterday was an awesome day. First I headed to Beatvault in Greensboro to work on a song. Time went by so quickly that I had to speed down the highway because I didn’t want to be late meeting Common. I got there and there was a long wait. They announced he arrived and I saw that sexy, caramel bald head in the foyer. What a cool brother! He was going to come out in the audience but he couldn’t (pretty sure for safety reasons). We had to line up and meet him upstairs. Again…another long wait. But…it was worth it! =) I FINALLY got to meet him. *hug* “What’s up…you smell good,” he says.
* Note to the Ladies…natural oils… Try Frankincense…love it!
So we get a chance to chat a bit and I told him I am a singer and what advice he could give. He said “find your voice. Your voice is what you want to put out there to the [world]. …no matter if you have a job. …Stick with it and work on it and perfect it every-day!” And he beats his right fist in the palm of his left hand. Beautiful. That was very timely for me. I guess because I’ve been accused of putting myself in a box when I say I am an indie-soul singer. But…that’s what feels good to me and how “I” choose to express myself…my creativity. Telling someone to change how they choose to express themself is like asking a hip hop artist to sing jazz…or an abstract painter to paint stills. Now that’s putting someone else in a box. We should all challenge ourselves from time to time…yes but don’t let anyone try to change you as an artist or how you choose to express yourself. With time, I know I will continue to transform and blossom. Into what? Who knows. But this is me now and Common confirmed that it is definitely a good thing. Here are a couple of pics. I have more that I will be uploading to Facebook when I get them.

Afterwards, I headed over to Ms. Love’s birthday party! I hadn’t seen her since November of last year. It was cool seeing her and part of the old crew from Metro. Man…I had some good times there! The night didn’t end. After hearing music all day, I had to move a little so yes, I hit up a club for a little nightlife and danced for an hour and headed home. Yes…it was a good day…

Good morning!

How’s it going? I have been asked about new material. Yes, I do have some but I haven’t released anything other than “Water”. I have performed originals with the band. So, I’m working on putting together a sampler for you to hear what you have to look forward too. I’m excited and can’t wait to share! I’ll keep you posted.

peace and blessings!

I am so glad to be home!  I got here at 12:30 this morning.  While I was there, I had an impromptu photoshoot with Atlanta’s finest photographer, Batayias Smith.  Here is just a sample of his work.

I hit the stage and just enjoyed Atlanta’s beauty.  There was a snag with my showcase Sunday but it’s all good.  I won’t go into details because I don’t want to bash anyone’s game.  Because it was just that…game.  It was definitely a learning experience.  Everything won’t be perfect each time you hit the stage and the love won’t always be there when you start off.  You have to take those experiences and learn from them in order to grow.  The love for your art has to supercede wanting perfection.  And I LOVE what I do…that’s something no one can take away from me because it’s my blessing!

I stopped through Charlotte to visit family and on my way back stopped in Greensboro to work on a song at Beatvault. So it was a very productive adventure.  Six hours there… six hours back…  Well worth the time…

This weekend I am headed to ATL.  I’m excited!  Unfortunately, my boy cancelled on me a couple of days ago so that means I am making this trip solo.  Luckily, I know some peeps and they can help me out but they sure can’t help me with this 6 hour drive ahead of me! LOL!  But I have plenty of CDs to keep me occupied.   I am ready for a change of scenery and to hit up some open mic spots and of course…to hit up Apache Cafe Sunday.  Man!  There is just something about that place that has me drawn to it like a wasp to honeysuckle.

[Flashback: just remembered actually sucking the nectar from those little things as a kid...sweet memory]

Better get some rest for this trip…   I had to twist the locs up.  I was fortunate to have 6 hands twisting my hair this time so it only took an hour.  Yes…an HOUR! lol I really needed that extra help tonight!

Goodnight!

Hiiiii! =) Thank you for dropping by and reading my first blog on Word Press.  I had one on MySpace but I thought I would try something separate from that place.  lol  Most of you that stumble across this page no little to nothing about me.  Those of you that come to my page intentionally know that I am a singer.  I also write and … I’m a closet poet. LOL  Yeah…I said it and I’m proud of it.  I do have countless pieces of poetry that is just sitting there but I am considering some to song.  In fact, there’s one that I have into song now, but that’s another story.  Sorry…I tend to digress and bounce around a bit.  Back to a little info about me…

My stage name is jai Moi.  (Note I always lowercase the ‘j’)  It is pronounced >> j-Mwah…like a kiss….mmmmmmmmwwwhaaah! LOL!  If you want to box me into a music genre, I am neo-soul.  You may ask what is neo-soul for those that are unfamiliar with the genre or as my buddy M Dot always says does NOT exist – neo-soul is simply a sub-genre of R&B.  It is usually what some consider conscious music that is soulful.  Soul artists like Aretha Franklin paved the way for this genre to even exist.  So … it’s “new” soul.  I LOOVEE it!  The sound…the words…the way it makes me feel.  Mmm!  One minute it makes me laugh…then think deeply…then cry…it makes me feel.  It gives me the same feeling as gospel without the religious theme.

I’m working on my first CD.  So I will be sharing  all of the ups and downs … and trust me it’s like a freaking roller-coaster ride.  If you are an indie artist, you can relate.  But if I did not love music so much…if I didn’t love to sing so much…if I didn’t want to share what I have with the rest of the world soooo much, I’d probably say to hell with it all.  LOL  Because it takes a lot of energy, time and resources.  But I do love it…that’s why I am here and writing this blog.

So this is my formal introduction from me to you.  It is very nice to meet my new friends.  I hope you become a fan. And if you are friend and fan already, thank you for stopping by and joining me at my new spot.

peace and blessings…see ya soon!

jai Moi