LOGAN(Going Places)

Rhythm & Blog recenly sat down and interviewed up and coming Neo Soul-Folk singer Logan. In the interview we ask him about his new project, Performing, and his time spent on American Idol.


R&B: What Do You Call Your Sound?
L: My sound is still in the developmental stages, but so far most of them are Neo-Folk, I'm very malleable with my influences and lately i been listening to a lot of oldies and new joints by Gavin Degrew, Usher, and The Roots. I work with one other guitarist now, but in two weeks I'm buying a new Taylor DDSM, and getting more accompaniment( one more guitarist, a bass and a drummer... searching for pianist) all to enhance my sound and provide live production for more writing. I struggle with writing to already finished beats and productions, but writing to repetitive chord progressions truly stimulate my soul.

R&B: Whats One Your Favorite Songs You Made?

L: My favorite songs are always my newest songs, or the ones that people respond the best to. Personally, other than my new stuff, it's the songs that I think sound like me, or what I'm really going for sound wise when it comes to putting tracks on an album later down the road. It's that sound I'm looking for... when I hear it... I like the song more.

When Feelings Get Involved
Just Don't Matter
Wastin' Wishes
Arms Around Me
Favorite Bartender
Devil Woman
Going Going Gone Away
Going Places

R&B: What Artists Do You Most Admire?

L: Artist I admire most... hmmmmmmmm... that's a really tough one!
The only person I'd go on the books as admiring is Josh Kelley. Conversations with that guy were enlightening to me. I also admire my teacher Blake. He is so cool, patient, and deeply in love with music. Learning the guitar for him was such a struggle because he started without having any concept of rhythm. But almost 8 years later, when he comes over to play with me, we jam and it sounds beautiful, making his efforts all more than worth it. LaSean Smith is my real mentor, and I value his opinion so much. He's more than a producer to me, and his words always get my brian going in the right direction on how I should see my career... and what I can do to get it where it needs to be ( : But artist I like but haven't met- Usher, John Mayer, Jason Reeves, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, Dave Matthew. and Craig David. Oh yeah! Plus I met Travis from Gym Class Heroes! He is an awesome writer and pretty good friends with one of my friends that I hang out with, so maybe someday I'll get to chat with him longer than a few secs, but in the few seconds we shared, he seemed to be as awesome as his verses.

R&B: What Keeps You Motivated To Make New Music?

L: What keeps me motivated with my music is my opportunities to be heard. I want to be better each time. People tell me that I'm good, and in my head I say thanks so much, but I'm gonna get a lot better for you.

The other major motivator in my life would be my friends and family, the support is more than enough for my future success.

I'm in a blessed position when I'm able to open up for some pretty good artist near my school, because the manager that books the bands feels that I'm gonna go places with my music. It's my biggest source of luck, but it really came through networking. To put in briefly at what motivates me, the next big show is gonna hopefully be an opening act for Gavin DeGraw. He's an amazing artist who had his first big break when he was 26. And I'm thinking that in two years, with enough hard work, I too will be worthy of some kind of success that I can see being tangible in some form.

R&B: How Was Your American Idol experience?

L: I credit American Idol with reminding me that I'm a good singer. I made top 100 with very little effort. And I got some really profound advice from the judges and from the producers of the show. It gave me thick skin, and got me excited about a music career.

Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

L: In five years, it's my goal to be playing enough gigs to call myself a career musician.

My plan B is to stay in the service industry (restaurant, bar, and nightclub business), but still keep me music as a part of that.

There's nothing that's gonna ever stop me from trying to have a career in music... but I'm positive at this point today that I will get where I'm suppose to be.

A good record/ touring deal is my best case scenario.

Taio Cruz(From London With Love)

Taio Cruz hails from from London, England and was born to a Nigerian father and Brazilian mother. In high school he honed his songwriting skills and began to writer music for local groups. When he entered college he started started taking his musical skills more seriously.

He started his Rockstarr Music London, and in 2006 he released his first single "I Just Want To Know"and it shot all the way up to #29 on the British Charts. After the Success of that record independently Taio then signed partnership deal with Island records. He won a Brit award for the song he wrote called "Your Game" preformed by Wookie and Will Young.

Even though Taio has not officially decided to drop his album in the U.S. yet, his buzz was so strong overseas that his music is starting to get major air play over here in the states on major ration stations such as New York's Hot 97. Sooner or later Taio is going to have to go worldwide because his great songs and flashy videos, he will sure take the world by storm.

He recently released his latest album "Depature" On March 17th 2008 and you hear his music here:

Taio Cruz's Myspace Page

Megan Rochell(Second Time Around)

Brooklyn born singer Megan Rochell got signed by Def Jam back in the 2005 after being being discovered by Boyz II Men's Nathan Morris. Morris spotted her in his hometown of Philadelphia walking down the street and was going to apporach her to ask her for her number. But after conversing with the then teenage Rochell he got to hear her sing, so then he took her understand his wing and became her manager and yea later got her signed to Def Jam.

Soon as she was signed she started working her debut album with some major producers at the time, her first single was " The One You Need" featuring Fabolous and that reached #42 on the billboard singles charts and started getting major radio play and her second single "Floating" charted at #55 on the charts.

After her album being pushed back a couple of times, her Def Jam eventually shelved her album. Megan and her management started to get frustrated so in late 2007, Megan and Def Jam parted ways. Megan is currently signed with Maddtyme Records and getting ready to drop her new single "Hands In The Air."

You Check Out The Latest On Megan Rochell Here:
Megan''s Myspace

Brandon Hines(Look Me In My Face)

When Howard University graduate and homecoming king Brandon Hines was in his dorm room working on his now Cult-Classic album "Love Music" he never that he would get the such positive respond so fast. He didnt just win over the the other students on campus he also caught the ear of Trey Songz who he happened to open for.

When Trey saw him perform he admittedly contacted his manager and friend Troy Taylor and they quickly took young Brandon under their wings and signed him to Songbook Ent. For a year Brandon honed his skills by being in the studio with Trey as his recorded his latest album

For disclosed reasons the deal with Songbook didn't work out and Brandon set out back on his own to get his voice heard on the national stage. With songs like "When A Girl Cries," "10" and the internet hit "Look Me In My Face," he has also been getting lots of profiles features on website such as allhiphop.com and Singersroom. Brandon is currently Looking
for a live band to help intensify his already soulful sound

Check Out Brandon's Myspace Page
Brandon Hines Myspace

Josiah(Mr. Rock & Soul)

This young singer/song writer when he was only 16 he wrote and produced 6 gospel songs for gospel Legend Vickie Winans along with other songs for numerous other artist. When gospel artist Smokie Norful got a hold of him and asked Josiah to help him write and produce his to become Grammy-Winning album "Nothing Without You."
Now at the the age of 22 he still is writing for numerous established artist along with upcoming artist. He admits growing up that when other kids were interested in going out to play, he was more interested in coming home from school and sitting in front of piano and write songs until his bed time came around.
Josiah blends the smooth melodic sounds of his smooth voice over Rockish R&B riffs with a touch of pop to make it touch many different genres at once. Which makes him a very special kind of artist. That explains why major records label are currently in bidding war over him.

Check Out Josiah's Music On Myspace
Josiah's Myspace

Miguel(Taking Music Back To The Future)

What happens when the police come knocking on the Prince's door and accuse him of being behind on his child support payments?

Well this may sound crazy since Prince doesn't have any kids, but if he did have any illegitimate children Miguel Jontel would be that child. Hailing from Los Angeles. This Cali native is on the fast track to super stardom. That the track to stardom was made secure this past year when he inked a deal with record label giant Jive Records.

With songs like "Dig", "Quickie", "Still Try", and the single that is quickly bubbling "Sure Thing", He will have no problem taking over the airwaves this year with his very his futuristic sound but refreshing voice and elegant style.

Check Miguel's Music On Myspace
MIGUEL'S MYSPACE