Princess Dominique Interviews Levar Thomas

Posted Under: music

LeVar Thomas has such a unique and vintage sound that you can’t help but press repeat and reminisce back to when music was heartfelt and engaging and forget about all of the cookie cutter trends. He takes you back and makes you want to appreciate music and go out and buy albums again. To have a minute to talk with him and ask him a few questions was a treat.

LeVar, your songs have such a tranquil and nostalgic feel that makes me want to hear them over and over again, what kinds of people, places or things inspire you as an artist?

Thank You Princess Dominique first of all. I will have to say I have a large family and I am hugely inspired by them. My Grandma mostly because she is such a giving person and a great singer, my brother who never lets me forget that I can make it and the support from my family and friends as a whole.

In your bio you said that you believe that music needs reform. What did you mean by that?

I was more talking about the music industry. The corporations who decide what is played on the radio are out of touch with the listeners. I don’t know anyone who isn’t bumping their own mix discs in their car as opposed to listening to the radio. I think we deserve better variety and more artists who can sustain long lasting careers as opposed to serial one hit wonders.

Personally I couldn’t agree with him more…

Who are some of your favorite artists? Who is currently in your CD player?

Good question! My faves are the balladeers from back in the day like Luther Vandross, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder. Newer artists that reflect the times like Anthony Hamilton and Erykah Badu and rockers like Prince, Pink Floyd and Journey, all of which have a consciousness in their music. In my CD player are Will.i.am, Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne, Kanye West and some mix discs with the poppin songs right now.

When you write your songs is there a time of day that is more conducive or do you just write when it comes to you? And do you have to experience something firsthand to write about it?

I write songs as they come to me or when I get a track that says something to me. Most of the songs I write are loosely based on my own experiences but I do have a few based on what I witness others go through. Sometimes I spin an idea from another song. I believe once you have experienced the basics of emotion you can write about the emotions in different situations, so I don’t have to experience them first hand.

You said that “Now Get This” is your Mom’s favorite song. It’s one of my top 3 favorites too. Which is or are your favorite(s)?

Yikes! I like them all. They are like kids to me so it’s hard to pick faves. If I had to pick, I think “Ain’t So Bad” because it takes me back to childhood when things were so easy. Also “Gotta Love U” I just remember being so excited about this one when I was writing it because it came as a good solid song when I was going through a writers block. It made me confident that I was the songwriter that I had claimed to be.

Most of the artists I enjoy don’t fit into a particular category or genre. Where do you see Levar Thomas music-wise? R&B, Soul or somewhere else?

I think you will find most artists like myself, don’t like to be categorized. I am inspired by so many artists in every genre and I want to reflect that. Back in the day you had soul music with electric guitar like the Isley’s and Earth Wind & Fire but you rarely see that anymore in what is considered R&B/Soul. Now it seems to fit in a particular genre, you have follow a musical formula and lose some of the art in doing so. I believe I will be classified as a Neo-Soul artist if that genre is still used. I just want to make good music and not be “scurred” to experiment. I think the people will see where I’m going and feel it just the same.

Have you ever thought about collaborating? If so, in your wildest dreams who would be your ultimate collab partner?

h wow, another great question. I think about who I would collaborate with all the time. I would have loved to do a duet song with Luther before he left us. In my wildest dreams, I would like to do a collab with Erykah Badu. She is so witty and clever I would just like to pick her brain and learn from her in the process of making a great song.

LeVar as an artist what are your immediate goals and where do you see yourself in the next three years?

My immediate goal is to get a publishing deal to get my existing songs ready for airplay. I want my music heard worldwide to inspire others to blaze their own musical trail. In the next three years, I plan to be a household name. I am confident that I will be. People are hungry for something musically fulfilling and I believe I can fill that order. Oprah, here I come.

Thanks for this interview Princess. Everything helps and I’m so glad to have your support. There are some wonderful things to come. - LeVar

LISTEN:

Now Get This
Aint So Bad (Radio Mix)
Gotta Love U

You can visit LeVar Thomas at: levarthomas.com or log on to his Myspace page at: myspace.com/lthomasmusic.

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