We were lucky enough to catch up with musician Terry Blade following the release of his excellent album ‘American Descendant of Slavery’. Enjoy now!
How did you first get into music?
For me, it started with journaling. About a year ago, I started journaling in the evenings. I would write down the strongest thoughts, feelings, and statements I could remember during the day and get it all out on paper.
I found it easiest to journal when I put on headphones and listened to music. It was therapeutic. Eventually, I just combined journaling with music and started turning my journal entries into songs.
Who influenced your latest release ‘American Descendant of Slavery’?
I had so many influences. Solange Knowles (especially ‘A Seat at the Table’); Yvette Carnell and the #ADOS movement; Cleo Manago; James Baldwin; Bayard Rustin; Dr Patricia Hill-Collins; Ta-Nehisi Coates; my best friend of 23 years; my mother and grandmother; the #blacklivesmatter movement; the black American community at large; the black LGBTQ+ American community; and quite a few white Americans, including those from the LGBTQ+ community.
‘American Descendant of Slavery’ was Mixed, Mastered and Co-Produced By Vi@ProtiliusProductions, what was that process like?
For me, the process was a lesson in how to be grateful. Vi essentially ‘turned sh*t into gold’. The quality of my raw stems ranked just a hair above horse manure, and yet somehow, he managed to make me hate the sound of my voice a little less, lol.
He also had to deal with the challenge of leaving the quality of the old historic Library of Congress recordings (interludes) I used for the album largely unaltered. He is a genius.
What motivates you to make music?
It depends. Sometimes it’s a mood, thought or observation. Other times, it’s a melody, an artist I admire, a loved one, or a traumatic experience.
If you could open for any artist/band who would it be?
Amos Lee.
What’s your favourite venue to play?
My bedroom
What are your other passions aside from music?
Kart racing or ‘karting’, dance and film criticism, skittles, playing hearts, public policy, and sleep.
If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?
The increasing influence and pervasiveness of algorithms.
What new music are you listening to at the moment?
The latest musical collaborations from an indie artist by the name of The Talking Tears.
What musical plans do you have for the next two years?
I prefer to keep future plans close to the vest, especially since they often change. In the meantime, keep me on your radar.
FV Music Blog February 2021
https://www.terryblademusic.com
https://www.facebook.com/TerryBladeMusic
https://www.instagram.com/t.blademusic/
Twitter: @TerryBladeMusic
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