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Last Updated:
Mar 19th, 2008 - 07:43:02 |
DJ Butter
Outstanding Hip-Hop DJ Nominee
by Keith N. Dusenberry
Real Detroit: What are you about musically?
DJ Butter:
I released five albums under my indie label, Crazy Noise Productions:
Kill The DJ, Shithappens and Welcome To Shitsville all by DJ Butter,
Action Speaks Louder Than Words by Wesley Valentine and Big Trouble In
Little Detroit by Young Black Profezzionalz.
RD: Your musical background?
DB:
I dropped over 100 mixtape titles to date. Mixtapes starring Royce Da
5’9", Big Herk, Young Jeezy, Jadakiss, Raw Collection, Tony Yayo and
Street Lords to list. I spin for artists such as Strike, Jim Jones
(Dipset), K-Deezy, The Outfit and Big Herk .... I worked on Abstrakt
Intellekt’s debut album, First Contact, and also added cuts on
Promatic’s (Proof + Dogmatic) track, “2 Way Jackin.’” Check out my
production skills on Strike’s debut project The Freeworld.
RD: Your take on Detroit's music scene?
DB:
We have suffered with the losses of Bugz, Blade Icewood, Wipeout, J
Dilla and Proof. We have to build on our unity and stop taking
advantage of each other. Help each other eat. It’s time to rebuild
Hitsville instead of burning it down.
RD: What’s coming up for you?
DB: Working on new mixtapes ... in the studio working on my new mix album Badussy. | RDW
Dave Feeny
Outstanding Record Producer Nominee
by Jeff Milosevich
Real Detroit: What are you all about musically?
Dave Feeny:
Above all I value passion and honesty in music, you don’t need the best
musicianship to convey energy, a message or a beautiful emotion. I do
my best to capture the artist's vision for their record, I don’t have a
cookie cutter approach to doing things and try to roll with however
folks are comfortable working. I like to think that for the recording
process, I’m sort of an extra member of the band that has the same
responsibility for making a great record. I never lose sight of the
fact that this is all supposed to be fun, so if you were born without a
sense of humor, don’t call.
RD: Your musical background?
DF: I’ve
played in a number of bands since the ‘80s: Hysteric Narcotics and the
Orange Roughies. Currently I play with American Mars and Blanche. I
also was fortunate enough to play pedal steel with the Jack
White-formed band The Do-Whaters on Loretta Lynn’s Grammy Award-winning
Van Lear Rose last year. The studio (Tempermill Studios) has been here
since ‘89, I started doing it in ‘85, working in my parents basement
just doing indie band stuff. I was in bands from the time I was in my
late teens and it was just an extension of figuring out how I can play
music full-time. I had a recording session with a friend’s band in high
school and was completely fascinated with the process.
RD: Your take on Detroit’s music scene?
DF:
Detroit has had unbelievably talented and groundbreaking bands for as
long as I can remember, all the current acclaim is great but there have
been so many others deserving wider attention in years past.
RD: What's coming up for you?
DF:
I recently did records with Thunderbirds Are Now!, The Dirtbombs,
LaSalle, Leaving Rouge, American Mars, The Muldoons, Sunshine Doray,
The White Stripes and many others that I’m forgetting. I’m currently
working feverishly on a new Blanche record. | RDW
Denise James
Performer, 2006 Detroit Music Awards
by Keith N. Dusenberry
Real Detroit: What are you about musically?
Denise James: The depressive sound of Gordon Lightfoot with female vocals.
RD: Your musical background?
DJ:
I started playing piano and guitar at age six. I’m a classically
trained pianist. I got burned out on classical music at some point and
started composing pop songs on my four-track.
RD: Your take on Detroit's music scene?
DJ: I don’t know who’s doing what anymore. I haven’t seen a show in ages.
RD: What's coming up for you?
DJ: I’m thinking of recording some songs in French. | RDW
Rachanee
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Songwriter Nominee
by Keith N. Dusenberry
Real Detroit: What are you about musically?
Rachanee:
Being real about who I am and what I do or may face — while I may be a
Christian artist, much of my music could cross over into the regular
folk/pop/rock area. Being a Christian isn’t always easy or “fun” —
there’s definitely heartbreak along with the joys. I believe my music
should be honest and reflect that as well.
RD: Your musical background?
R:
I’ve been playing guitar and writing songs for about three years, but
I’ve been singing way longer than that. I’ve always had a love of
musical theatre and participated in as many plays/musicals as possible
since I was in middle and high school. In the last few years I’ve
helped out on various worship teams, either as support or as a worship
leader. Currently, I’m constantly touring with my guitar (and now,
sometimes, my band!) as both a featured artist and a guest worship
leader at various venues around the Midwest.
RD: Your take on Detroit’s music scene?
R:
I love it — there’s a thriving music scene, both in secular music for
singer/songwriters and for Christian artists. Both scenes are equally
welcoming and ready to embrace a new artist. I’ve heard some amazing
quality recordings/talent coming from my peers, and I think it’s
awesome that you don’t have to look further than your own hometown to
find such great talent.
RD: What's coming up for you?
R: Currently
we’re working on a national radio promotion campaign ... We’re keeping
busy in Michigan for the summer (especially with my new band), and then
we’re taking it on the road in the fall. A sophomore album is planned
for 2007, but there are no definite dates on it yet. | RDW
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