Lady Bain: Rhythm With The Blues

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

My love for music began very early in my childhood. At a time in my life when I had given up on love and music, a childhood friend reached out to me and suggested that I sing again but this time professionally, and I laughed at her. After a series of tragic events in my life, I reached out to my friend when I wrote “Pure Love” and told her that I was ready to sing again and she is now my manager and the CEO of Royal Court Records.

Now you’re a native of Detroit, Michigan, correct? So growing up in “The Motor City,” who all did/do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?

Yes. Of course from the Motor City, the incomparable Aretha Franklin, Martha Reeves, with whom I had the pleasure of singing next to in a choir honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. under the direction of the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, The Clark Sisters…and not so much from that era, but Nat King Cole had a huge impact on my musical career. The list definitely goes on.

Now initially you became a police officer – taking the oath to protect & to serve – in The D as far as your career’s concerned, so at what particular point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional basis?

Talk to me a little bit about that whole shift / transition…

The shift to my musical career, came I believe, as a direct nudge from God himself. I was in a car accident while on duty that ended my professional career as a police officer. During my time of rehabilitation, my fiancé who is now deceased, passed away and it seemed as if everything was going downhill. I was taught by my grandmother to always keep a song in my heart, so singing became my saving grace; something that I had to rely on all of my life. I would sing my way through the day, through the pain and through the setbacks. Although I had written many songs before, when I wrote “Pure Love” I knew that I was ready to break into the music scene on a professional level to share that raw emotion through my lyrics and delivery. I knew I was ready to convey what I had lived through.

With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and / or style?

Without putting myself in a box as far as specific genre, I would classify my overall sound as soulful because it definitely comes from my heart. I have already been affectionately dubbed as the “Queen Of Sultriness.”

In having said that, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?

First of all I like telling a story, that’s if I’m putting pen to paper. Most of the time when I write, I’ll have my voice recorder and I’ll just sing whatever flows from inside of me. Telling a story or painting a picture of something I’ve been through or what I’ve observed from other people’s situations really works for me, too.

Your latest single is entitled “Do Me” — Tell me about this particular composition; how did it even come to fruition?

“Do Me” was written and produced by Bass Heavy, my producer. That song is me telling someone else’s story, and I would like to tell the readers to definitely stay in the loop to see what happens next in this vocal and visual short series.

“Do Me” comes courtesy of your – still forthcoming – “official” debut solo album — What all specific details; i.e. title, favorite tracks, producer credits, cameo appearances, etcetera, can you reveal and / or divulge about upcoming premiere set at this point in time?

Well, what I can tell you is that the title track is called “Limitless.” I barely made it through writing that track, because it is my personal story; I cried like a baby when I had to write those lyrics…the song is definitely not a sad song though, it’s just really real to me. Writing is very cathartic, and I must say that song proved that to be true for me. All of the songs on the album are written by me, with the exception of “Do Me” (and produced) by Bass Heavy.

It is also my understanding, too, that you will be dropping a new offering, “Unwrap Me,” soon, with a full length Holiday project slated to bow some time before Christmas — What all can you tell me about this record?

Yes. “Unwrap Me,” although that sounds a bit juicy for us grown folks, it relates to family as well. That song paints a picture of holiday love…and well I’ll leave the rest up to the imagination, if you know what I mean 😉 I wasn’t really on board with writing a Christmas song at first because how many times can you do a Christmas song, so I had to put some Lady Bain into a Christmas song, with my signature sultriness and still paint a picture for family love during the season. That song is set to come out on Thanksgiving day 2020, and I hope you all will enjoy it for many years to come.

Switching gears here, what exactly do you want people to get from your music?

First, my mission through my music is to convey that the art of real music is still alive. Next, I want people to feel my music; rather they relate to the lyrics or the emotion.

If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Oh gosh, this is a very hard question! I may say Luther Vandross, because I believe Luther will pull it out of me when it comes to singing a ballad.

If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?

I would definitely have to say the Fox Theatre in Detroit, because that’s home; my loves performed there.

In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?

I would liken this to the restaurant business; if you’re known for making a good meal, people will never forget the atmosphere and the food. I want people to hear my music and remember how it made them feel, I want people to come to my concerts and walk away with an experience time and time again. Consistency is key, whether there’s one person in the crowd to 100,000 and beyond.

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

Yes. Acting has always been a second suit to my musical career, and I hope to one day direct.

On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B music?

As a consumer, without bashing someone’s expression of art. I would like to say most of today’s music to me has a rhythm but not enough blues.

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

Being recognized for my art has been very monumental for me. Receiving a musical writing deal with Bravo TV, and receiving awards to solidify the reality of my heart’s desire to be recognized for the seriousness of what I do, and that’s making good music.

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

I definitely see myself more grounded and certified in this industry on more major platforms.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Lady Bain?

There is an offer on the table for another film role and people are reaching out for collaborations. I’ll definitely keep everyone in the loop.

Is there anything I left out, or just plain forgot to mention?

Well, I’ll be releasing my first album Limitless March 20, 2021. I’ll also be having an album release same day, which will be held in Houston ,Texas. Also, I love to connect with my fans on my social media outlets. Lady Bain Music on all platforms. They can also stream my music on all digital platforms.

Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers?

Don’t abandon your gifts and talents because you might not get a second chance in this lifetime to share them with the world, and shine like the light that you all are. Good vibes to you all.