As a music enthusiast, listening to the journey of this artist is truly inspiring. Their ability to find common ground between seemingly disparate genres like jazz and metal, and their dedication to honing their craft, resonates deeply with me. I can relate to their quest for authenticity and vulnerability in an industry that often values clout over talent.
Willow Smith plans to unveil an extended edition of her recent album titled “Empathogen“, and she unexpectedly maintains a laid-back attitude towards the three additional tracks and associated videos scheduled for release this coming Friday.
Smith expresses his eagerness for friends to witness him being unconventional since he enjoys such behavior, as it brings him joy to entertain others in this manner,” Smith shares with The Hollywood Reporter. “I thrive on the excitement of being unpredictable for others’ amusement.
To some people, Smith’s actions might appear eccentric, but to him, it was an exceptional dedication. As he was crafting the original album, he confessed that he practically lived secluded in his house for half a year, devoting countless hours every day to music practice.
Her commitment to honing her musical abilities truly paid off. Her sixth album, launched on May 3rd in collaboration with Jon Batiste and St. Vincent, not only took the top spot on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart but also gained momentum from an NPR Tiny Desk concert performance of her album’s main tracks, “Symptom of Life” and “Big Feelings.
Empathogen, marking Smith’s debut with Three Six Zero and Gamma following her departure from Roc Nation, is noteworthy as it is her initial album to appear in the jazz category. Despite being recognized predominantly as an alternative R&B and rock artist throughout her professional journey, she has no affinity for these classifications when referring to her musical catalog.
Smith prefers not to label his music based on genres in the future, believing that quality music is simply great music. His focus moving forward is on enhancing his technical skills, honesty, and spiritual connection, aiming for a deeper experience. The type of music he produces isn’t as crucial as the environment from which it emerges.
During an interview, the 23-year-old discusses her delayed tour alongside Childish Gambino, potential collaboration on a rock album by Beyoncé, and addressing concerns about not surpassing her success with “Whip My Hair” from 2011.
What spawned the creation of a deluxe version of Empathogen?
In the initial release, I sensed a strong response from the audience, and it seemed therapeutic for them. I desired to delve deeper into that theme and spread even more positivity. Since there were some songs left unused in the original version, I saw this as a fantastic chance to share those tracks.
Did finishing the initial album with “Big Feelings” imply that you had additional musical ideas you wished to convey?
I chose “Big Feelings” as the final track because I aimed to conclude with a deeply intricate and majestic tone. I wanted listeners to anticipate further music not just from this album, but throughout my career, reflecting the complexity and grandeur embodied in that song.
Talk about each of the new tracks.
Initially, we’ll discuss “Layers.” Prior to releasing Empathogen, I put out a track called “Alone.” The recording of “Layers” was done with my close friend Eddie Benjamin at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, and the creation of “Alone” was ongoing around the same time. Later, “To You” was recorded post-album completion with another dear friend, Antonio Atsuya, in Malibu. The song “Wanted” had me fortunate enough to collaborate with Kamasi Washington. Interestingly, “Wanted” was actually recorded before I even considered creating Empathogen. Its recording also took place with Eddie Benjamin at Conway Studios in Los Angeles. Remarkably, Kamasi Washington joined the song nearly a year after it was initially recorded, significantly enhancing the entire composition. Kamasi Washington is an exceptional saxophonist.
Have you shared your journey towards becoming comfortable working with others, and if so, could you describe your experiences now that you’ve had some practice?
To enhance my technical proficiency and feel more at ease collaborating with any artist in a studio setting, I dedicated myself almost entirely to music practice for six straight months leading up to creating “Empathogen“. This period was intense as I delved deep into a rigorous college course on intervallic structure and harmony. Essentially, I gave it my all. The grueling yet rewarding six months allowed me to confidently step into sessions with musicians of any caliber. Prior to this, I believe that confidence was lacking within me.
Are there discussions suggesting that Beyoncé’s upcoming release Act III might be a rock album? In these conversations, your talent has been mentioned as someone who could potentially contribute to this project. If such an opportunity were presented to you, would you accept it?
Should Queen Bey ever reach out to me, you can bet your boots I’d be on my way. That’s the only condition I have. If she were to say, “Hey, could you grab some snacks from the store and swing by? I’m in Milan,” I’d respond, “I’m in San Francisco right now, but here’s a fun fact – I’ll be there soon enough.” And then I’d ask, “What kind of snacks?” To put it simply, yes, I genuinely hope for that moment.
Upon my initial encounter with Empathogen, it brought to mind my first listen of Solange’s A Seat at the Table, as it seemed like a woman expressing things that are often unspoken but deeply felt. What emotional state were you in while creating this album?
Following my experiences in Coping Mechanism, a challenging period in my life, I found myself at a crossroads, both mentally and emotionally. In this moment, I felt like I had endured much pain, wallowed in self-pity, vented my frustrations, and lashed out in anger – now it was time for me to pause, sit down, and consider how I could truly mend these wounds rather than merely reacting due to them. Therefore, Empathogen was a personal exploration for me, learning the process of healing. I believe that’s a profound question we all grapple with. We often bandy about phrases like self-love, mindfulness, and presence, but we don’t always grasp the effort it requires. We may not fully understand what it takes to undergo personal growth from within and transform deep-seated beliefs that hold us back. This was essentially the core theme behind the songs in Empathogen.
Did you come to any answers?
As a fan, I can’t help but express my admiration for this album that mirrors the journey of life itself. It’s like being a tiny hatchling navigating through the sandy expanse, aware of the dangers lurking around, symbolized by the ever-watchful predators. The song “Symptom of Life” poignantly captures this struggle with its powerful lyrics: “Life is fragile, like a turtle in sand making way to the ocean, almost meeting the end because the birds are in motion.
Why did the style of jazz particularly resonate with you as you explored your thoughts on that subject back then?
Making “Coping Mechanism” was an intriguing process for me, as I found myself immersed in a vast amount of metal music throughout the creation. It might not be immediately apparent to those who aren’t already deep into metal or jazz, but many metal guitarists, due to the complex melodies they play at high speeds, employ dissonant and syncopated notes similar to those found in jazz songs, such as a scat solo by Ella Fitzgerald. If you break down the fundamental elements of these genres and remove stylistic differences, you’ll discover several parallels between metal and jazz. The drumming styles also share connections, with the complex polyrhythms in metal tracks mirroring those found in prog jazz music. This is one aspect that connects them.
But there was one specific moment that really pushed me down this road. I was with a really good friend in Napa Valley, and we were just chilling, watching the sunset, and my homie put on Chet Baker. And I had never heard Chet Baker before, but we just sat there in silence, watching the sunset, and I was almost brought to tears by the beauty of his voice, the beauty of his trumpet playing, the beauty of the progression, and my heart immediately knew, this is what we’re gonna do next. Obviously, the album doesn’t sound like Chet Baker, which is amazing, and I didn’t want it to sound like Chet Baker, but the spirit and the emotion that he brought to the mic was the real inspiration.
Given your evident enthusiasm and mastery of technical abilities, how does it feel for you working within such a vast sector, where not all individuals share the same level of dedication, and those who do are not always recognized as much?
It seems to me that musical skill will soon become the new standard of coolness. The more proficient you are in your craft, the more emphasis placed on both your technical prowess and your authenticity – it’s the blending of mastery with vulnerability that truly captivates an audience. I suspect this is what the younger generation yearns for quite soon, as they have been consuming another type of content for a long time now. They crave sincerity; they seek experiences that resonate deeply. And unfortunately, we may not always be providing them with such meaningful content. So when more people recognize that dedication and genuine passion are the true lineage of this art form, I believe there will be a resurgence, as people realize, “Ah, we’ve known this all along, but maybe we lost sight for a moment.
Maybe, the achievement of your album at the top spot suggests its popularity. How did it feel when Empathogen reached No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart?
Since my hit song “Whip My Hair,” I’ve often felt that whatever followed would seem less significant. But I’ve proven that fear wrong on numerous occasions, and this achievement in particular makes me think, “Wow, you’re truly grown now.” Let go of past concerns and continue to excel while remaining truthful and authentic.
Donald Glover, who’s also known as Childish Gambino, has delayed his tour because of health issues. Any updates about when the performances will start again?
Essentially, I’m urging you, ‘Captain, prioritize your health, as when you’re well, success follows swiftly.’ You understand my drift? It’s time to give our best for the people ahead.
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2024-09-26 22:55