Avery Dey Interview: Gwendolyn Collins

AD:  Hi Gwendolyn.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.

GC:  Hi Avery.  It’s great meeting you as well.

AD:  Well this is exciting for me all around because this is my first time hearing about Ms. Gwendolyn Collins and her projects.  So, I’m just thrilled to hear about what you have to share.

GC:  Why thank you.  I’m excited to speak with you as well.

AD:  Great so tell us about who she is.  Please give us the scoop.

GD:  Oh wow.  Well first and foremost, I’m a mother.  My youngest is 15 years old and entering the 11^th grade – takes up a lot of my time, which I’m sure you can understand as well.

AD: Indeed!

GC:  Yes, I’m also a singer, songwriter.  You know there are a lot of people who haven’t heard of Gwendolyn Collins, because I haven’t released my first song until August of last year.  So this is like the 1 year anniversary of out here. (and) A lot has happened since that time.  I’ve put out my new CD this July and it’s doing really, really well.

AD:  Awesome and congratulations.

GC:  Thank you.  It’s going better than I imagined; and I feel so blessed about it.  It’s currently on the top 10 in London.  It’s sold out in Soul Brothers, so I have to ship some more.  CD Baby contacted me requesting more physical copies.  It’s just awesome for these requests and wonderful things happening for your debut CD.

AD:  WOOOW!  So I was listening to some of the tracks on your CD. The song “Peel Me A Grape” is great, and another favorite of mine is “Share.”

GC:  “Share” is a song I released last year before my CD was released.  There were 3 songs total (released): “Share,” “Take a Walk,” and “The Simple Things” (The single I dedicated to my parents). So putting out the CD and people still playing the singles released a year ago, and they’re still feeling it is great.

AD:  When I listen to a song I listen to everything: words, beats the whole nine.  Now the words for “Share”... Ummm please do tell us about this track.

GC:  I will tell you everyone that heard it liked the beat and the chorus; and not really focused on the words.  But then there were a few that were like “Wait did she say what I thought I heard her say?”

AD:  Yes, that was me!!

GC:  You know what is so crazy about that song is, I tell people that I kind of write songs based on the moment that I’m currently in or if I just heard some music.  So my co-producer and I were working on something else, and writing for another person.  And she was just tired and had a headache and she kind of started playing those chords for “Share.”  I just started singing “Once upon a time I was in Lovers Land…” and we recorded it that day.  Honestly, there was nothing that like just happened or experienced personally.   I just felt like that song made me want to just talk about love in that way – with that bass line.  I don’t particularly “share,” that’s not my type of thing.  I’m a Virgo, I’m very jealous and I like to have 1 person to myself.  But the music kind of took me there (to that place) and we recorded it that night. 

AD:  That’s talent right there!!

AD:  I understand you’ll be traveling to the UK soon.  So tell us about that – how did that come about?

GC:  Yeah in like in a month.  I’m still wondering how that happened (both of us laughing).  No seriously, you know I’ve built a number of relationships with a number of DJ’s based out of London – and there are some where I think we have become friends.  However from what I understand, a DJ from the Soul of London radio recommended me or submitted my name for the [MusicConnex] tour.  Then one of the promoters, JM Soul, is actually a distributor for my CD – so they reached out, and I was like “YES!!”  It was like a quick yes, because that’s where my fan base is.  I’m so, so excited to meet some of the people over there that I chat with on Facebook and to know that when I’m singing some of my tunes, they’re going to be singing along.  Yeah, I’m really, really looking forward to it. 

AD:  That’s so awesome.  So we can pick up your album on CD Baby?

GC:  Yes, you can purchase it on CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon, my web site: http://www.gwendolyncollins.com/, and anyplace you can get it. 

AD:  You know I must say (again) your current CD is really, really nice; and I’m mad at myself that I haven’t heard about you prior to this interview. Here it is I thought I was cool.

GC:  (laughing) No worries.  You know I will say in the United States, especially radio play, I don’t believe people really understand the true value of internet radio.  It makes you global.  I mean someone ordered my CD from France recently; and they would not have heard about me if I were only played on 92Q, or something like that.  I mean no disrespect to the local radio stations but this internet thing, I mean it has been able to take me to London, you what I’m saying?  Take me to Paris, you know – it’s so broad and so wide; and I think it’s amazing.

AD:  Wow that’s hot!  So in addition to performing with MusicConnex live, do you have plans to perform in the US?

GC:  Yes, on my birthday August 25^th, I will be performing at Blues Alley Jazz and Supper Club.  I’m very excited and honored about that, because I was out singing and the booking agent just happened to be in the audience and was like “hey are available on this date?”  I just felt good – because as an independent artist, you’re not just out there always begging, screaming to be heard.  It feels REAL good when people hear your music and come to you and recognize your talent and your hard work.  I mean we work really hard!!!  Not having that record label makes it a bit of a challenge.  I’m the marketing rep for myself, I’m business manager for myself, I’m the record label for myself, I’m makeup artists for myself so you kind of have to do everything.

AD:  You’re the client and the president.

GC:  Exactly.  Because when you’re a grass root independent artist, and people recognize the hard work that you do, to me that is gratifying. 

AD:  That’s real talk right there.  2 part question – in 3 words please describe your sound; and what advice would you give to inspiring indie artists?

GC:  First, my sound is Jazzy, Funk, Soul.  Second – I would say don’t let anything hold you back.  I feel there are people who talk the talk and there are people who walk the walk.  And when you really want to walk the walk, and really want to get it done, then Google it, get every resource you can.  Like to me there is no reason, even money, that you should not be able to put your project out there.  So just be very determined as to what it is you would want to do.  Just do it and be very resourceful.

AD:  Amen to that!  Any closing remarks for your current and new fans?

GC:  Yes, hey at the end of the day, I’m go grateful and so thankful that people even take the time to listen to my music – and to not just skip through my music.  I appreciate my fans so, so, very much.  Thank you so very much, check me out on  http://www.gwendolyncollins.com/ and for those overseas, I cannot wait to meet you in person!!!!!

AD:  Awesome!!  You are just a delight to speak with!  Thank you so very much for talking with me today.

GC:  No, thank you, and take care.

Tickets to MusicConnex can be purchased by clicking here