Avery Dey Interview: Algebra

An intimate conversation with acclaimed Indie artist: Algebra Blessett

AD:  Hi Algebra!

AB:  Hi Avery, How are you?

AD: Outstanding! How about yourself?

AB:  Wonderful, wonderful.

AD:  Let me tell you, this is such a blessing for me!!!  I’m such a huge fan of yours! 

AB:  Thank you, thank you.

AD:  So for those who are not familiar with you or your music, briefly explain who Algebra Blessett is?

AB:  Algebra Blessett musically is a melting pot.  I just love talking about myself in 3^rd person (both of us laughing).   She’s a melting pot of everything she ever heard, ever felt, ever sang for folks, you know.  I grew up on so many different types of music.  I was never really fond of genre; I never knew what that meant and how important that was to one’s musical career.  It was whatever my mom played, whatever I was singing – because I would sing around the house.  My mom would be like, “Shut up girl”.  I just remember getting on her nerves with it you know.  (laughing).  I’m just a big melting pot of everything I ever heard.   I just love all types of music; there’s really nothing that I cannot stand.  I’m a an aerial girl, I’m a jazz girl, I’m a gospel and R&B girl.  So I feel like one of those people that will never, ever get all of it.  I’ll never be here long enough on the planet to consume [musically] everything I want to.   So that’s me, always trying to learn and always trying to do stuff  (musically/artistically) feels good to me. 

AD:  I definitely gather that from your 2 projects.  From what I noticed, you and Jill Scott do the same (amazing) thing.  It seems we are hearing your personal diary with music.  Is that a safe assessment?

AB:  That’s a great and safe assessment!  Yeah, it’s very honest; and I’m a huge fan of Jill as well.  With her being such a profound writer as well as being extremely honest with her perspective of whatever the topic of song or poem delivered; it’s real honest.  So, I love it; and thank you for saying that I remind you of such. 

AD:  Oh you’re welcome.  I admire you both!!  In my opinion/question – you put yourself so openly out there – do you feel vulnerable or like a relief as if to say: “Yes, this is off my chest”?

AB:  See I think I’m vulnerable.  But there are people who are really close to me that tell me “You should be more vulnerable”; and I’m like “Yo, I’m giving me”! So I always feel I can give more and my loved ones continues to remind me of that.   From my manager to my mom – they are always saying stay honest.  So it (songwriting) does places you in a vulnerable place.  I mean some songs you don’t even want to sing live because they are so personal, because you don’t know what’s going to happen on stage. 

AD: Yes indeed!!

AB:  When you’re writing it at home and in the studio, you’re like “yeah, I can do this, that, and the other” and it’s easy.  But then those emotions and that energy starts to be transferred onto the stage….. You know it’s not fear - it’s just that sometimes you can’t plan it.  I’ve been on stage sometimes and a song has been yelled out “Algebra do such and such”.   The band doesn’t know the song, because we haven’t rehearsed it or it’s a “pick up” band and it’s like ok “Thank God I know my own words” and I’ll start singing acapella and the audience just goes and start singing and it becomes a feeling I never thought I had.  Then that’s when it becomes a very vulnerable moment for me. 

AD:  Wow!!!  Like I said I listen to the voices and it’s like “man where was she during this period, or what happened here [to her].  You become more and more curious; and I can relate.

AB:  That’s the key because it has to be related to somebody; since everybody isn’t going to like everything.  So, if I’m able to reach whom I’m supposed to reach, then I’m cool.

AD:  Exactly.  When did you pick up the guitar?

AB:  Ooh Avery…hmm let’s see.  My 1^st album was released in 2008 so I picked up the guitar maybe 3 or 4 years prior to that, and it was just for fun you know.  I use the guitar to write with then I was like “I really liked it.”  I always strayed away from instruments.  I just like listening to and want to enjoy them.  Then I picked up that guitar for fun, then I was like “ok, you’re going to have to hold on to this one”.

AD:  Well you definitely surprised us with not only your (guitar) playing skills but also with your aerial performance as well.  I was like “wow, she’s going to get on the drums next….wow!!!”

AB:  (both of us laughing) “ I know she’s going to be a one man show”

AD:  Well you are very talented.  What a blessing.

AB:  Thank you.

AD:  Ok the song “Struggle to Be”on your current project “Recovery” – a duet with 1 one of my Hollywood crushes Q from the group 112.  How did that come about?

AB:  Ok so “Q” and I have known one another since high school – right before 112 was even formed.  Their career took off so big; therefore we lost touch.  Yet, we still saw each other and the rest of the guys every now and then.  However, {once they were established} I sang background for them on their projects.  So we always stayed in touch; then when I started my independent career, we became closer.  We also did a musical together.  We were on stage and before we did the musical, I had already decided whom I wanted to do the song with.  I wanted it to be with a very dapper fellow.  You know a man who understands what responsibility is, who’s married, has children, and would understand what that struggle would be given that situation.  Also handling it in the right way.  I have a lot of guy friends who are married; and all of these guys are of age with so many different nuances to their relationships; and sometimes the past will creep up.  So that’s how the song came about.  I wanted it to be a duet – not just a girl record.  It came out perfect.  Q was perfect; and he’s overall a good dude.  He’s my Aries brother and I knew he would understand the record.  He got down and did his thing.

AD:  Yes, he did.

AB:  I was like “Q, you can’t be outdoing me on my own record, now.”  (both of us laughing) 

AD:  Another duet, which is a smash, is your duet with Anthony David “4evermore”.  Man when that song hit the scene, I was like “WHAT, WHAT?!!”

AB:  Thank you, thank you. 

AD:  (After our “girl chat” about this record and “thangs”, I move forward about her upcoming MusicConnex shows)  So, please do tell us about your upcoming MusicConnex featured dates in the UK?  It sounds so exciting!

AB:  You know it’s just been happening.  People have been waiting for this album for months.  The promoters are excited about it and getting the audience to hear the new music is great.  So it’s by the grace of God that people are enjoying it and being true.  As a result, the remarkable team at MusicConnex has requested for me to perform.  So I will be in the UK on September 28^th; and eager to meet the fans. I’m so excited about it: and so excited about going to the UK!!  I haven’t been to the UK since (I toured with Joe) about 7 years ago. 

AD:   Well I’m claiming nothing but success for you!  And before we go, what message would you like to give to your fans (either if they want see/hear more from Algebra or even start a singing career (like you)?  Any advice?

AB:  Oh yes I do.  I think it’s very relative.  I think whether you are a musician, singer, writer, man, woman, solo artist, etc. I think you have to understand what is you are.  That’s something I really didn’t do in the beginning.  I was just like I’m going to sing, that’s my purpose, I love to sing and I don’t care who likes it – I’m singing for me.  “Mama you like it? Bishop you like it? Then fine I’m going to do it.”  So I would say do the groundwork, and understand what you love about it.  Don’t get turned away.  It’s like with any career you want to start – the difference between a career and a job is: people make more money when you have a job, when you have a career - you’re not really making any money.  Especially in the beginning but you have to have a focus and a goal.   Do it because you love it.  Let it be something you can do no matter where you are in your heart and in your mind.  That’s why I think music kind of found me.  I grew up around it, so it kind of pulled me in.  I decided I was just going to do it and I wasn’t going to fight it, because it was the one thing I wanted to do no matter where I was in my life.  Physically, mentally, Spiritually, if I was sad or grieving or whatever – I knew I could sing a song to make it all make sense.  And that was just for me; so I don’t know what I do for y’all but I’m hoping I can help a little bit. 

AD:  It has been such a pleasure to speak with you; and thank you so very much for speaking and sharing with me today.

AB:  It was my pleasure, and thank you.

Additional information regarding Ms. Blessett

http://www.bbemusic.com/artists/2953/Algebra Blessett - .U_eVJ3j3DnQ

Tickets to MusicConnex can be purchased by clicking here