Havok Jones: Four Voices. One Sound

Please introduce for me the members of Havok Jones…

The members of Havok Jones; include, Kea (nee’ Aleis), MaiDai, Aire B and Neiko.

Tell me your whole inception into music — When did you all first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for you all?

We all started out with a vocal trainer who put us together, all together, to form Havok Jones.

Where exactly do each of you hail from? And in having said that, growing up who did/do you all consider to be your biggest musical influences?

Neiko: I’m from Atlanta, Georgia; I had influences from oldies with artists such as Anita Baker and Chaka Khan.

Kea: I’m from Decatur, Georgia; I grew up in church with a lot of my influence coming from gospel and R&B with artists from Beyoncé, Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Mary Mary and En Vogue.

MaiDai: I am from College Park, Georgia; Some of my influences were Stevie Wonder, Destiny’s Child and Fantasia.

Aire B: I’m from Chicago, Illinois: Some of my influences are Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson, Mary (J.) Blige and Aaliyah

When did you all actually opt to pursue music on a professional level?

K: I decided to get professional with music when I was 17.

M: I started taking it serious when I was about 15.

N: I was 15 or 16 when I started getting professional with music.

AB: I was either 8 or 10 when I started getting professional with music.

Initially, how did the four of you even come together to form Havok Jones?

We came together through our vocal trainer.

Where did your moniker originally derive from?

There’s an old saying, “Keeping up with the Jones” [ed. note: it’s spelled Joneses], where you’re following or keeping up with the trends, but we (are) not following the trends. We’re making our own and we’re wreaking “Havok” [ed. note: it’s spelled Havoc] on the “Jones!”

How would describe and/or define the style of music that you all create and perform?

The type of music we make is “Urban Pop” — It’s not too far from Hip and Hop and it’s not too far from Pop, it’s right in the middle; stuff that’s likely to crossover.

Individually, what do each of you bring to the “table,” both personally and professionally, when it comes to the overall “vibe” of Havok Jones?

K: I bring the determination and the drive; I’m the one to push everyone. Like if we’re working out or rehearsing and we’re tired, I’m the one to push everyone and keep everyone going.

N: I bring the spunk and the funk!

AB: I bring flavor, the ‘Unh!’

M: I bring the craziness; I’m the one to more likely to jump off the stage or do something daring.

Let’s talk this brand new single entry, “Who Can I Run To,” a cover of the Xscape hit of the same name — Why did you all opt to re-record this classic selection?

N: In my personal opinion, why not remake such a classic selection for 2014 to love and add our own personal flavor, while paying homage to one of the original girl groups?

“Who Can I Run To” is taken from your soon-to-be released EP, which will continue in, as you just put it, paying homage to 1990’s based female acts — What prompted you all to do this type of project in the first place?

We thought it’d be cool to show respect and homage to them for paving the way for us. They kind of gave the “Okay” to display your talent for the world to see.

For it, you all teamed up with producer(s) Miyk Snoddy and Leon Giles — What particular string of events led to you all connecting with these two industry vets?

Miyk Snoddy is our executive producer and we met him in the studio singing up the stairs to the studio room, and that’s how we connected. And, our management brought Leon in to do vocal arrangements.

What are your future plans and/or goals for sustaining longevity in this grueling business of music?

Our goals are to remain focused on our dreams and remain loyal to each other.

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

Right now, we’re just really focused on being successful as a group.

On a much more serious note, are you all happy with the current state of R&B? And, even more specifically, female music entities, or the lack thereof?

We’re not satisfied with the current state of R&B at all, and that’s why we’re working so hard to bring it back. And, to also bring back the strength of girl power and unity of women.

To date, what has been your biggest career moment(s), at least thus far?

One of (our) biggest career moments was pretty recent at “The Inaugural Homage” event. There were a lot of different people that showed up to support us, and to be paying homage to girl groups who paved a way for us; we did not expect to see Angie Stone who paved a way for them.

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you all see yourselves?

We see ourselves at the Grammys! Years from now, we see ourselves with lots of Grammys, platinum albums, great success! And, while pursuing our music aspirations, we would like to go into other talents with clothing and TV.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Havok Jones?

Finishing our project, continuing to work on our album (and) going on tours.

Do you all have any “partings” words?

We appreciate all the support…Thanks for considering us!

@HavokJonesMusik

Interviewed By: Hype Staff

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