Good Artists Borrow, Great Artists Steal
I just got home, it’s been a long day and I just popped in their record Welcome to Nu Funktonia as I reach back to the kitchen to grab a snack and prepare to write this review. As I’m pouring myself a glass of water my knees begin to bounce to the opening beat of Phantastik!; in comes PHATT AL with his rap over a set of synths and live drums. By the time I’ve downed my drink and start heading back to my computer to write the review, I’m taking big strides in my steps and shaking my hips. I sit down and the movement shifts from my lower body to my shoulders and head!
I’m not exaggerating and by no means do I call myself a dancer. On the contrary, it’s rare that my body even feels remotely compelled to drop the cross-armed “screwface” (that undecided grin on your face when you can’t decide if you like what you see/hear or not). If I were to pitch their sound in a single word, I’d call it “brilliance”.
Why? Because they lay it on the line… let me explain, let me share what I’ve been watching these past few years before I had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa and PHATT AL of God Made Me Funky.
About two years ago while I was with the Toronto Freedom Festival, I discovered God Made Me Funky and their record Enter The Beat. Their band was huge with several musicians, their sound was all over the map, and their look was left, right and center. Each of them had their own unique flare and for a musician to collaborate with another outside his genre is “laying it on the line”. I for one would doubt the cohesiveness of a band made of members who have such different perspectives on music. I would think that would lead to countless conflicts of interest but somehow, they pulled it off… and today I’d call them masters of their craft.
The interview was booked a few hours before their performance. I arrived about an hour earlier than the interview was scheduled to introduce my new assistant to the facilities and equipment we’d be using. When we walked into the venue, the band was on stage doing sound-check. Seeing them perform a couple songs had me and my assistant excited for the show. What I need to stress here is that the band was doing sound check as “themselves” not as “the band”. Generally speaking, sound checks give away a lot of the surprise in the show, bands often use their opener for sound check, except for God Made Me Funky.
Never before have I seen a band hit the stage after sound check in a new wardrobe with props and coloured clothing. Phatt Al came onto the stage with dress clothes, sunglasses, a cape, and a conductor’s cue… how fitting for the lead front-man… the conductor! Previously during sound check he was wearing a regular hoodie and cargo pants like most other bands. What I think this really illustrates is showmanship. Granted you don’t need to change wardrobe to exert showmanship, but doesn’t it add a whole lot? Kill the speakers and I’m still entertained by the band member interactions such as their choreography… turn the speakers off and I’m still engaged.
Most people on earth are visual buyers. Take clothing, most people buy what looks good versus what feels good. I’d also like to add that most people can digest far more information visually than they can with any other sense. The average listener may not guess that this band has eight members by listening to their album. I mean that as a compliment. The fact that they have eight members and produce such a clean and crisp uncluttered sound with their music is masterful.
Personally I like them better live, not because they sound better live, simply because they have so much more to offer as entertainers. Wearing a cape or wearing a short skirt and not being afraid to flaunt a little sex appeal takes a lot of courage. During the interview I asked the band what quote they thought they should be remembered by, the answer was “Lay it on the line” and I couldn’t agree more. This band laid it on the line when they formed with such scattered musical tastes, eccentric wardrobes and sexual energy both on stage and on their albums.
During the interview I was aroused to ask them to comment on a quote as well. A week prior to the interview a friend of mine and I were talking about musical icons and he mentioned that Paul McCartney said “Good artists borrow, great artists steal”. I later discovered that these are not Paul McCartney’s original words but included it in my interview with God Made Me Funky on the premise that one of their earlier singles (in the span of their four records) is called If You’re Funky and You Know It (clap your hands). So i asked then, “What are your thoughts on the words of Paul McCartney which were ‘Good artists borrow, great artists steal’?” PHATT AL made the response “I thought I said that! It’s true. We have a large repertoire of interpretations we use to break the ice.”
God Made Me Funky has an arsenal of covers that they’ve reproduced that they can pull from any time the crowd gets stiff. It’s a terrific tool for gaining their interest and trust. I’ve always frownd on bands that play covers, but when done well I applaud it full-heartedly. If you’re thinking of using covers, “steal them” that means make them your own. Don’t try and sound like the original creator (band/singer). If you can’t “steal it” by making it you’re own then I’m afraid to fall into the “Good artist” category and will have to borrow it. Then again, perhaps in studying God Made Me Funky records you’ll make that transition as they did from Good Artists to Great Artists. I recommend you start with Welcome to Nu Funktonia.
Buy it on: Amazon | eMusic | iTunes
For more information about God Made Me Funky or to find out where they’ll be next, please visit http://www.godmademefunky.com
