AVANT

Avant: A Private Conversation About His CD, "Private Room", His Inspirations & His Mission.

By Stephanie L. Ogle
stephanie@soulsis.net

When the phone interview/conversation started off with me hearing a smooth, low toned, quasi-seductive "Hey, Baby!", I knew this conversation with R&B singer AVANT was going to be one for my history books.

Admittedly, I've been a fan of his since the soulful brother's musical inauguration in 2000 with the post-breakup joint "Separated". It was his lyrical content with: "You did me wrong/ I thought you were true/ You ran out of my life/ And now I'm so through with you..." that tugged at my heart & soul because I was going through a breakup situation at the time. This song became my Florida Evans 'Damn, damn damn!' mantra.

Starting off the interview by wishing him a "Happy New Year" and thanking him for taking time out of his schedule to hollar at me. I stated that I hoped he realized that his new CD, "Private Room" was crazy hot and that there were gonna be babies made all over the place because of this CD. He laughed and declared, 'Ya feel me!?" (a phrase he actually said a lot during our time on the phone together). Ahhhhh...I broke the ice. Not that there was really any ice left to break...it all melted the instant he uttered those initial words that still echo in my head.

He explained that the whole premise behind 'Private Room" was for him to let people (the ladies) know who he is as a person...to express himself fully - - something he feels was missing from his 2 previous album releases. This was a more personal project for him. He's been pleased thus far with the feedback that he's gotten on "Private Room" and hopes that it continues to gain praise.

I hit him up with the standard question about his songwriting process - - how he comes up with songs, does he base them on things or experiences that he's going through in his life at the time. He explained that many "different things" inspire him to write lyrics: situations he's experienced, just hearing music for a potential song, etc. More so, he wants to write songs for the ladies to enjoy.

I appointed myself the spokeswoman for all sistahs at that point and told him that we are seriously feeling his lyrics:

Stephanie: "These are things/words we want a man to say or feel for us so I think that's key to how and why you are connect to your audience".

He expressed how "appreciative" he was and how much he loves his fans and their support. Many can attest to the fact that music has changed. I wanted to know what Avant thought was missing (if anything) in music today:

Avant: "I'd have to say the whole love aspect is missing in music....".

He went on to say that while he's a fan of Hip-Hop himself, a lot of Hip-Hop joints are missing that element of expressing love in them. With this statement, he did something unexpected - - he started to SING Marvin Gaye's "Distant Lover". For good measure he then threw in a few notes of Teddy P's "Come Go With Me" (peep how he samples this song on the 'Read Your Mind" remix).

His admiration and love for the roots and masters of the Soul ballad are evident all over "Private Room". The Curtis Mayfield-ish instrumental opening of 'Don't Take Your Love Away", is an example. In one of my favorites on the CD, "You Got Me", he ends the song with the definitive Luther croon:

it's alright, it's alright

Ooh, baby, it's alright, it's alright

Alright now

I used to be sad

But now it's alright, it's alright

He spoke on the pioneers like Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, the O'Jays and fellow Ohioans The Isley Brothers. He shared how when he was younger, he listened as his mother played records by those artists. Naturally, a young Avant would eventually learn the songs from listening to them, then sing these songs, "...not even knowing what the songs were really about!", he laughs, recalling how people would freak out hearing this little kid sing about love, romance & turning off lights and lighting candles.

Stephanie: "I really love the duets between male & female R&B artist, so of course I've loved your collabos with KeKe (Wyatt) & Olivia ("Bizounce")...."

Avant: "I'm goin another song with KeKe for the "Barbershop 2" soundtrack (to be released Feb 3rd 2004) called 'Precious Love'...originally done by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell....". Avant also has a part in the movie as Cedric the Entertainer's best friend in some flashback scenes.

I'm not gonna lie about it...I say "Oooowww, that's my song!" for just about every song on "Private Room" but one song in particular just does me in, "Wanna Be Close". I told Avant that I instantly fell in love with this song and think it would be the perfect song to get married to. Before I could continue my sentence, he did it again...started singing to me. He sang the whole chorus/hook:

I wanna be the smile you put on your face

I wanna be your hands when you say your grace

I wanna be whatever is your favorite place, oh

I just wanna be close

I wanna be the hat you put on your head

I wanna be the sheets you put on your bed

I wanna be the skirt wrapped around your legs

Oh, I just wanna be close

*Is it getting hot in here or it just me?

This brother is "G-double-O-D, good..." (as Krayzie Bone says in the Mo Thug's joint, "All Good"). I was seriously diggin being serenaded to by Avant and maybe he picked up on that because he did it to me again when I asked him:

Stephanie: "So what are you bumpin (musically) in your car or in your crib right now?"

Avant: "I'm feelin Alicia's Keys' joint.....(starts singing)' And it feels like OooOoOoOoOooOooOooo...You don't know my name....' I like that there..."

By this point, how I was feeling was just like Alicia says in that very same song ("You Don't Know My Name"), "...He don't even know what he's doin' to me/ Got me feelin all crazy inside/ I'm feelin like...Oh!..." but I had to get this interview completed before I passed out or blurted out something I'd have to kick myself over....or have restraining orders placed upon me by Avant's camp. Ok...onto the next series of questions. "Quick!", I thought to myself.

Stephanie: "Gimme one word that comes to your mind when I say the following...."

Avant (laughing): "Oh, the 'one word game', huh?"

Stephanie (laughing): "Yeah...the 'one word game'. Okay, first: 'Private Room'?"

Avant: "Exciting"

Stephanie: "Steve Huff (producer)"

Avant: "Brother"

Stephanie: "Cleveland"

Avant: "Home"

*I changed it up on him and caught HIM off guard with my next word:

Stephanie: "Catfish & Grits"

Avant: "'Catfish & Grits?!?' (laughing) Man...(more laughing), I don't eat..."

Stephanie: "You don't eat catfish and grits? What? (laughing)"

Avant (laughing): "I eat grits....sometimes. I don't eat catfish though. I'm not a seafood lover...(continued laughing)"

Stephanie: "Alright...and the last word is 'Avant'"

Avant: "Sweet". (slight pause) "Wait...not 'sweet' like that (laughing) I mean..."

*We were both in giggle mode now

Stephanie: "Oh I knew what you meant...."

Avant: "...as a person"

Stephanie: "Yeah, sweet personality."

I guess it's safe to assume that catfish & grits are definitely not even a menu consideration in his song "Feast'. That exchange right there between Avant & I was one of the most memorable of the entire interview (the various incidents of him singing to me are a given!). His ability to be candid and laugh is a testament that this cat is enjoying himself and life. I even asked him "...what was that blue drink?!", that he's pouring in the "Read Your Mind" video. He laughed, told me the name of the drink and stated that he doesn't even actually drink.

Avant (laughing): "But the blue drink looked good with the blue shirt, huh?!"

Stephanie: "Yes!!! I liked that shirt...it looked really good on you..."

*More giggles from both of us

So is Avant coming to a city near you? He said he'll be joining Jagged Edge, Ginuwine and Joe when they start a tour on March 12th. Unfortunately, Seattle is currently not a destination on the tour.

Avant: "...but we'll see. I've never been to Seattle..."

Stephanie: "Well, despite what people seem to think, it doesn't rain here ALL the time..."

*That really wasn't a lie...okay, maybe just a little white one but remember that record breaking DRY summer we had here this past summer....?

Avant (laughing): "Okay...I'll try to get to Seattle...so I can read your mind..."

*Awww, soockie, soockie now!

Realizing that I could easily just talk to him all day (because he's just that personable)...wanted to talk to him more (because I just wanted to get to know him deeper)...but didn't want to keep him from other obligations (because I was maintaining my professionalism), I ended the interview with my final question:

Stephanie: "10 years from now, what do you want people to think or say about you, Avant?"

Avant: "That I am real...fun...romantic...sexual and sensual. Ya feel me?!".

*Indeed!

He has what it takes to have longevity in the game. He truly loves what he does as an artist and simply wants "to make a mark" in the music industry. With "Private Room", the saying "The third time's the charm" is an understatement for this Prince of Seduction. I haven't dug a CD from start to finish as much as I've been feeling this CD in a long time. There is something for everyone on "Private Room", from the "baby, baby, please" cuts, to the "drop your drawls" joints to the "in da club" bangers, don't sleep on this CD or the talent this man possesses. While his songs and subsequently my conversation with him have left an impression on me as a music lover and fan of his work, I wonder if I was able to leave an impression on him as the girl who asked the 'Catfish & Grits' question?