Maya Azucena is a woman of many talents: Singer, songwriter, producer, and now video host! You may recall from an earlier interview I did with her that she is fiercely committed to the creativity on her own terms.  And she's been successful at it.  So, it's no surprise that she teamed with ThisIsRealMusic.com to produce the series, Conversations with Indie, where she sits down with people to talk about various aspects of the life as an independent artist.

We sat down recently to talk about branding, the pros and cons of being "alternative" and why there's a need to for a "black rock evangelist."

Thanks to Maya and to Terrance Wilmore for including me.

Additional links:

• More Conversations With Indie
• Maya Azucena official site
• ThisIsRealMusic.com

Spend 10 minutes with Elias Diaz and Naima Mora, as they tackle several subjects, including their band’s "drum and bass rock thing with crazy vocals."  Then, see what they really mean by that on Saturday night at BAMcafe.

Additional links:

• Chewing Pics’ site
• "Chicharon Begao Lives. . ." from the EP Tarantula

"Hard-edged, soulful, fun and kinda sexy."  That’s how lead singer Rozz Nash-Coulon describes the sound of Saturday’s headlining rock quartet.   Check ‘em out this weekend, and judge for yourself.

In this upbeat 8 minute interview,  Rozz and guitarist Jean-Marx Santel talk about influences, subtlety over raw power, and the importance of community in helping artists be brave.

Mike Mills and Yohann Potico talk about the music and inspiration behind California King, who will be opening the Bold As Love/BRC CMJ showcase next Saturday.  I’m going to apologize right off the bat for any technical glitches in this video.  Remind me never to use Panasonic video tapes again.  In the meantime, sit back and enjoy a laid back, 8-minute ride with California King.

Additional link:

• California King on MySpace

If you were looking for the Black rock audience, they were in effect at the Janelle Monae Summerstage show last month.  Ngozi was one of the people I met there.  For the most part, she’s not really checking for artists in the mainstream.  And of the Black rock artists she does follow, you’ll hear the attributes that are important to her: Artists who play their own instruments, have a vocal range, and give a good show.  On this last point, it seems that her expectations are that most artists won’t give great performances.  To me, that says that Black rock artists have an opportunity to surprise audiences by giving them something that they assume they won’t get: a stirring performance.

She’s also a big supporter of Black alt culture in general.  She’s one of the partners in Brooklyn boutique Harriet’s Alter Ego and, in addition to the clothing and accessories sold there, it’s an alternative space for visual, spoken word and musical artists.  Definitely a place worth supporting, ’cause they do cool events like this.

Additional link:

• Harriet’s Alter Ego
• Harriet’s Alter Ego on MySpace

The singer-songwriter on songwriting, honesty and why artists are their own best assets.

Everything she talks about here are the things that indie artists–and Black rock artists–need to keep in mind, so I’ll let her speak for herself. 

In the meantime, Maya’s another talent to watch.  If you’re not already familiar with her, check out her recent album, Junkyard Jewel, for her soul/R&B/acoustic side, or her new mixtape CD, Taste This, for more of her beat-driven, hip hop work.  You can also catch her collabs with Vernon Reid and his Yohimbe Brothers project.

Additional link:

• Maya Azucena on MySpace

One of the challenges of capturing video is that you’ve got to deal with it, which takes a minute.  This is a quick hit (less than a minute) from the Primordial Punk event.  In between sets TreZure, an up-and-coming artist from the Bronx, and I starting chatting about Black rock and the cultural shift as she sees it.

Check out her MySpace page: She’s got some good songs posted.  Definitely a voice worth listening out for.

I met Monica at the 2007 URB Alt Festival  She’s interesting to me because she’s an example of how the "rock" attitude doesn’t always mean guitar-driven volume.  In this interview, she talks about how she came to her ethereal and experimental sound despite having a father who loved and introduced her to Motown.

Another great example of the range of Black interests.

The track that you hear at the beginning and end of the video is her song "Icon" taken from her new album Synergy.  Check it out below.

MP3 File

Additional link(s):

• Nerdkween on MySpace

The Afropunk founder (and director) reflects on the evolution of the scene and where it’s headed.  All in less than 8 minutes.  Shot on location at the 2008 Afropunk Festival.

‘Nuff said.