ANGIE STONE: I Ain’t Hearing U + ‘Unexpected’ News

ANGIE STONE has been on my favorite list since Mahogany Soul‘s Brotha and ultimate ‘shitty day’ track Pissed Off.  She’s got a new album coming out (no release date yet) and we’ve got I AIN’T HEARING YOU, a brand new track which will hopefully be included on the release.  Solid sound progression for Angie – still sounds like the soul diva we love with a slick track wrapped around her sexy voice. -Matt

I Ain’t Hearin’ U

Angie spoke with the Detroit Free Press about the new album, Unexpected, read it below.

QUESTION: What can you tell us about the new record?
ANSWER: It’s titled “Unexpected,” and you can expect to be surprised. Pleasantly surprised, I hope. You’ve got some classic Angie Stone there, and some Angie Stone that’s a little adventurous. I feel like I’ve been working long and hard enough that I’m in a position to try some new things.

Q: Such as …?
A: I don’t want to give away any surprises — we wouldn’t be able to call it “Unexpected”!

Q: I’m guessing it’s safe to say you’ve taken on more of a songwriting role. That seems to be the trend over the course of your career.
A: I’ve gotten more involved, but I’ve still got a team that does a lot of the writing with me. To work with me, a person has to come from a genuine space, a reality. I’m not a bubblegum pop chick. Part of what works for my career is that I’ve dealt with subjects that are more real and relatable. People who work with me have to be able to appreciate that.

Q: That’s the overriding philosophy for you, even in concert.
A: Always. You’ve got to remember, I’m 30 years into the game at this point, 10 years as a solo artist. I’m not a track star. I come from the school of hard knocks, so everything has to be real with me. It seems I’ve always been on this budget-style tour that won’t allow me to do pyrotechnics and other stuff that the artists selling millions of albums can do. But I’m in a place where I’m good with who I am. It is what it is. I’ve always been good with me, because I keep it real. So either you like me or hate me.

Q: You got your break a bit later in life than most artists. Do you think that helped your perspective?
A: I got the late break by choice. … I did the solo thing so I wouldn’t have any regrets when I got older. It was my choice to wait. So I think there were things I learned along the way that cushioned my fall. Music and times are always evolving. My advice is to stay spiritually grounded. That’s the only advice I feel qualified to give anybody.
- Source