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New Video: Candice Anitra – “Big Tree”
Artist: “Left-of-soul” singer-songwriter Candice Anitra | Song: “Big Tree” | Album: Big Tree | Genre: pop/soul
Creativity in Motion
Two young fans observe a Katy Perry: Part of Me movie display at AMC Theatre in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, July 14, 2012. (Photo/ND McCray)
I love activity. Though daydreaming inspires a lot of my writing, being on the move, on the go really gets my creative juices rolling. I’m not talking in a social butterfly, “I Love the Nightlife” sort of way –but for me, I need to do things to create things. And that might be going for a short run in the park, finding an unusual art exhibit, visiting a local flea market, attending a concert, taking my dachshund to the dog park, or simply going to a movie by myself. Activity inspires my writing.
Yesterday I went and saw pop star Katy Perry’s Part of Me music doc, and I have to say: She has the concept of creativity and activity on speed dial. I mean the girl performs on stages with gigantic lollipops in the background. I respect that level of originality on and off stage. So while watching Katy Perry in 3D, I had the notion to Twitter-ask an artist or two about their creative and inspirational moments.
Once home, I looked through my Twitter followers and ended up with two creative souls in the spotlight: Musician-producer Hayling Price of neo-soul duo Columbia Nights and “Left-of-Soul” singer-songwriter Candice Anitra. I wanted to know what inspires them to create, be it music and/or writing songs. Here’s what each had to say:
Hayling Price: “I tend to listen to music and immerse myself in music situations that challenge me. Fresh ideas and innovative sounds can always spark inspiration for me. It could be a wrong note, and chord change, a strange sound … but all of that, combined with collaborators who push you and keep you on your toes, get those [creative] juices flowing!”
Candice Anitra: “Love, nature, challenge, gender and sexuality, spirit, art, music, family, depression, social justice, the grey/murky/in between. Often though, in the stillness, the center point, when I am with my breath –the words are speaking to me.”
Creativity in motion is inspiring to me in many forms. Be it watching Katy on the big screen or searching through Twitter and posing a question via DM to Hayling and Candice. For me, exploring different things in different formats is what fuels my creativity. My ideas come from everywhere. So I guess, they’ll always be there to move me.
To find out more on Hayling Price and Columbia Nights’ latest EP Dawn | Dusk, visit www.columbianights.com
To find out more on Candice Anitra and her newest LP Big Tree, visit www.candiceanitra.com
LIVE Review: Candice Anitra, Drom, NYC – 4/5/2012
Candice Anitra held her NYC Big Tree album release party at Drom on Thursday night (Apr. 5) on the Lower East Side. Supporting acts included soul and blues act The Revelations featuring Tré Williams and Singapore hip-hop artist Kevin Lester.
The sound of the self-proclaimed “left-of-soul” singer is hard to define but what her performance at Drom proved, it really doesn’t matter — just say Candice Anitra makes good music. Opening with the title track from her sophomore LP, the Brooklyn-based artist seemed immediately comfortable in the intimate space. Whether singing sweet ballads (“Before,” “I Hear Music”), up-tempo tunes (“Today,” “Love Sick,” “We Are Love”), or tackling a Donny Hathaway classic (“A Change Is Gonna Come”), Candice’s message of love and positive vibes was felt by all. And though it was my first time seeing her perform live in New York, I’m pretty sure it won’t be my last.
Big Tree is out now. Below check out Candice Anitra singing the title track; footage recorded by yours truly.
My Top Music Releases for March
*Lionel Ritchie, TUSKEGEE– semi-country versions of popular R&B songs: “Stuck on You” “YouAre” and “All Night Long.” Most spins: “Endless Love” with Shania Twain, “Easy”with Willie Nelson and “Deep River Woman” with Little Big Town.
