Photo courtesy: http://www.reverbnation.com/funkkidmusic
http://soundcloud.com/brandonsoul/david-ford-funkkidd-talks
Above, is an edited interview I conducted with producer and musician David Ford (commonly known as “FunkKid.” During this interview, he discusses his music career, musical influences, life, and the challenges of being an independent artist.
It is known that there is a lack of authenticity in the musical landscape today. Artists and producers are typically manufactured and image-driven for popularity and fame. However, there is a newcomer who plans to blow away the competition with his distinctive style and unique skills.
David Ford, commonly known as “FunkKid,” is on a mission to bring back quality music on the radio and in the ears of many around the world with his upcoming album, “BlacksandBeats(Baba Loves Kat).”
“My main goal is to make music that people can feel in their soul … feel in their hearts,” David Ford says. “I just don’t want to make a beat someone can dance to. I want people to feel something.”
Ford considers his upcoming album, “BlacksandBeats(Baba Loves Kat)” to be a true labor of love. With its unique fusion of hip-hop beats, smooth soul, jazz, and electro, the album will be a culmination of Ford’s masterful musicianship and production styles. He also says that this upcoming album emulates music he grew up to admire, with his own originality to match.
“My main influences for doing music are Prince, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Dr. Dre,” he says. “I was influenced by a lot of different people for this project, so there are going to be a lot of sounds on this project.”
The 24-year-old producer was born in Virginia, but his family moved to Washington, D.C., when he was younger. Ford grew up with a heavy musical influence, ranging from Motown to jazz music. He cites his grandfather as one of his biggest influences as a child, as he introduced him to music through his diverse record collection.
“My grandfather was a jazz musician … he was a drummer,” he says. “My grandfather raised me on Motown. In the household that I grew up in, it was hard for me not to get into music because there was always vinyl laying around.”
Ford has also undergone challenges to distribute his music to the masses. As a producer, he has experienced difficulties in being able to gain exposure and become known as a serious musician. With the booming impact of social network sites, such as Myspace, Twitter, and Facebook, Ford says that he found a way to challenge expectancies that people had toward his music and exceeded them all.
“I have had a hard time trying to get my music out there, as far as the online thing,” he says. “The thing is you have to stick with it, you have to be original … you have to be who you are. All I know is I’m going to throw my stuff out there, and do my best to promote it.”
In addition to being a producer, Ford says that he plans to expand his production talents onto other aspiring artists, and possibly start his own distribution company. With his new album, “BlacksandBeats(Baba Loves Kat),” being released via Bandcamp in November, there is one thing for certain: the “FunkKid” has no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Check out FunkKid’s music at these sites:
http://www.reverbnation.com/funkkidmusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/funkkidmusic301
BrandoSoul 