Feature
CONYA DOSS: 'STILL...' THRIVING.
For any artist in any genre today to be releasing their fourth album within six years is an achievement in itself. And so the fact that Cleveland, Ohio singer/songwriter Conya Doss has this month done just that - via her latest LP 'Still…' - is indeed a strong testament to the artistic longevity and international audience-growth involved in today`s independent contemporary soul scene.
Having built a solid foundation with her critically-praised 2002 debut album 'A Poem About Ms. Coss', Conya (who`s previously worked with the late Gerald Levert plus girl trio 3LW) continued to build a steadily-growing fan-base across both the USA and Europe with her second and third albums (2005`s 'Just Because' and 2006`s 'Love Rain Down') while constantly juggling her career as a professional musician around her full-time job as a teacher. Meanwhile, her aforementioned new set sees the soulful`n`photogenic Ms. Doss once more hooking-up with local producers Rodney Jones and Myron Davis; while additionally having one song (the gently swinging 'Emotions') produced by her Dome Records labelmate Angela Johnson. A bubbly yet down-to-earth Conya (who prestigiously graced the front-cover of US trade bible `Billboard` two years ago) meets up with 'B&S' over lunchtime drinks at Central London`s The Heights restaurant.
Why have you titled your new, fourth LP 'Still…'?
“Mostly it`s a reflection of how, despite all the ups and downs that have taken place with my life personally and musically, I`ve still managed to stay grounded and stick to what I believe in creatively and artistically, as well as in my personal convictions. While the ellipsis at the end basically represents how, with every album, I`ve shared with people a little piece of Conya Doss. And that, while I`ve given you a little bit more on this record, after this there`s still more to come!”
So how do you feel 'Still…' represents a progression from your previous three albums?
“Musically I wanted to continue doing what I normally do while at the same time expanding, by going outside what people perceive to be the Conya Doss box. You know, with tracks like 'Something 2Nite' and 'Right On Time' people can now see that there`s more to me than just the offbeat drum-beats with the laid-back vocals. Also, on this album I didn`t have a lotta people buzzing in my ear, so to speak. On my previous albums I`d let people hear them; they`d be like `Oh, you need to do THIS and you need to do THAT`… And so I`d end up going back to the drawing board. Whereas with this record I didn`t let anybody hear anything until after the whole project was DONE! And that in turn gave me a sense of freedom I`d never had before. Because, while I will give homage to R&B, I do think I add an edge and I am always willing to take chances. You know, while I never go TOO far off the norm, I do sometimes venture off a LITTLE bit!”
As you say, one of the quirkier tracks is definitely the slightly gimmicky, uptempo 'Something 2Nite'…
“One day my friend Jay Shawn - who`s worked with me since the 'Just Because' album - was saying to me `You need that killer hip hop track`. So I was like `Here`s a hip hop track - let`s write to it`. And, at the time, we were actually talking about relationships, and how his girlfriend complains all they do is sit at home watching bootleg movies and he never wants to go anywhere! So I was like `Yeah, I can relate to that too!`. `Cause my past relationship at first was beautiful. We`d go out, even if it was just to go for walks. But then all of a sudden it was basketball season, and suddenly we`d never leave the house! So I basically came up with the lyrical theme of `Let`s take it back to how it was in the beginning and kinda keep that and retain it! Let`s DO something tonight!`… The song basically deals with people getting complacent in a relationship, and how just a simple statement like that can shake things up for the better.”
What are the pros and cons of being an independent soul artist today?
“While being independent is a lot of work - because you don`t have that big corporate machine behind you - at the same time you do have peace of mind. You know where your income`s coming from. Plus you don`t have to worry about creating a whole album and then becoming devastated when, after you finish it and you take it to an executive saying `Here it is`, he tells you `We don`t like it - go back into the studio and start AGAIN!`. You know, I wouldn`t want something that I love so much, and have such a passion for, turning into something I despise and I totally dislike doing. I mean, today the internet has opened up a very broad outlet for independent soul artists. But at the same time I do think the radio stations still have a lotta to work to do, because they`re still only giving exposure to the more mainstream music. But I guess we just have to keep grinding and keep at it. Because they are coming around slowly but surely. And right now I do feel we`re making history. So that, even if things don`t improve the way I`d like during the course of MY career, I know we are paving the way for other people to come. We are making it easier for them to become appreciated within this genre of music.”
The album 'Still...' is out now through Dome.
Words PETE LEWIS
