Maxine Jones (Formerly Of En Vogue): Heiress To The Throne

Let’s just hop right into this brand new forthcoming, not to mention highly anticipated, debut solo LP, Do You See Me Now — What actually prompted your decision to title the album this? Conceptually, what does that name represent both to and for you?

It’s just a working title for now and it’s subject to change. I have other titles I’m mauling over. The title is to a song I’m considering for my project, a song I recorded almost 2 years ago with producer Andy Waldeck. It’s a song about bullying, strength and perseverance. When I first heard it, I immediately thought of my 8 year old cousin whose mom had just expressed she was experiencing (bullying) at her school. And the song was beautiful, and Andy suggested that I record it and so I did. I sent the song to my little cousin and that was the end of it, until sending it to my manager Kenneth who really liked it and got great feedback from it. Yes, the lyrics and title seemed ideal for where I am now; solo, standing on my own.

The set’s upcoming lead single is entitled “Didn’t I” — What is the meaning behind this particular track? And, how exactly did this composition even come to fruition?

The track came from overseas, productions in Australia, producing team Ajay Bisht and Tony Knucklez; NRG Sounz. When I first heard the track, I loved it! The music told a story, and I could hear so much in it I wanted to write to it. I got together with my friend Lester Jackson, and he and I came up with the melody and lyrics to “Didn’t I.” …The song is about a woman who has given her all in her relationship and wasn’t appreciated. She doesn’t want to let go, but she knows nothing is going to change which forces her to let go. It’s pretty emotional, very simple, a R&B/Pop/Rock ballad.

Now to finally get to this point in your career, it’d be an understatement — to say the least — that it hasn’t been exactly a smooth ride, especially in the past year or so, however would you mind still catching everyone up to speed as to where you have been? And, what all you have been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, since we, the masses, last heard from Maxine Jones?

It’s been a couple of years now since leaving the group. No, it wasn’t a smooth ride, because I didn’t want to go. I left kicking and screaming literally! *Jones laughs* But, boy, was it time…I realized way after. That’s how God works, you know, when its time to go, sometimes we have to be kicked out! And now actually, I’m grateful for it! I’m finally fulfilling a longtime dream of mine, which is basically to create music and to sing, sing, sing! There was never enough of it for me with the group.

Last year, of course, you started going out on the road and performing under the moniker “En Vogue to the Max,” which ultimately garnered you some legal issues — Curious, has all of that since been resolved?

The legal issues are still going on. And, I’m not able to go into detail regarding it.

Enough about all that! Now let’s get right back into Do You See Me Now — At the present time, what all can you reveal and/or divulge about upcoming said project? i.e., Favorite Song(s)? Producer Credit(s)? Cameo Appearance(s)?

The project is still coming together. Right now, I’m in the studio with producer Herb Middleton and that’s going extremely well. Later this month, I go in with producer James Early, a friend of mine from the Bay Area.

How does Do You See Me Now either differ and/or compare, sonically speaking, to what your fans already know and love you for in hearing your vast catalog of previous work(s) from back when you were still with the group?

Well, my musical influences are varied. I grew up listening to and loving Jazz, R&B, Soul (and) Rock & Roll. There was just so much great music. Those musical influences between the four of us is what inspired the music back with EV, and still that’s my inspiration moving forward.

It is also my understanding that you and another former member of EV, Dawn Robinson, will be embarking on a tour together once your album drops — How did this particular venture actually come together? And for those setting out to attend the Maxine & Dawn show, what would you tell these people can be expected from it?

Dawn and I have been wanting to work together for some time now, and artistically it makes sense. We were both formerly with the group, so we can draw the fans out and we sound awesome together and can easily cover the EV hits together. We also have something unique to contribute individually to the tour; we have our individual projects, too. So much material we can cover together.

Longevity, what do you attribute yours to? And, what do you feel it is that’s going to keep sustaining you in entertainment?

Putting out great music is the key to longevity. That’s my plan.

Do you have any other additional/outside aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

I have many outside aspirations, too many to mention. They have mostly to do with art. I love to create. I do have a business I share with my sister Rose Hill. She’s an artist, a painter, and we have an on-line business called Rose Hill Art [rosehillart.com] and M&R Trading Company [m-r-trading.com] where we mostly sell her original art, as well as commercial merchandise with her images.

On a more serious note, is it fair to say that you are happy with the current state of R&B/Soul? And as an extension to that question, where do you think you fit in when it comes to the overall current sound-scape of today’s music?

As far as being happy or not with the current state of R&B/Soul, I have always listened to a variety of music. There are some great artists out there, and we can’t just listen to the radio anymore to discover them. They’re mostly independent, and you have to go online to find them. So much more music out there than ever before coming from all over the world. The industry is global now. Soul music is still a huge part of it, but it’s coming from all over the world. It’s getting mixed with all the other genres of music, and new genres are being created. We here in the U.S. have to widen our perception now of Soul.

That being said, how has not only yourself as an individual, but the entire music industry in general, either changed and/or evolved since your whole inception into it?

I think the music scene is wide open and now, finally, truly independent, as opposed to back when you had to belong to a label to be exposed. The artist can have complete control if he chooses to, and connect directly with his fans because of the internet. The internet in general has completely demolished the old model.

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from, where do you see yourself?

I see myself still creating music and touring.

Do you have any closing thoughts?

To all the fans, thanks for the continued support!

Interview By: Hype Staff

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