Upon entering a metro Atlanta Barnes and Nobles on one warm, Monday evening to meet with a burgeoning African American female artist who belts melodies in the pop/rock music genre, I was greeted on the second floor by a mild-mannered, pleasant young lady who appeared rather nervous about our meeting to do this interview. Oscillating her attention between her mobile phone and the notes she took just in case she veered off track during the interview, Butta B-Rocka simply needed to sense that I was probably just as anxious to meet her as she was to meet me as she sat on the other side of the tiny wooden table. However, as both of our defenses dropped, positive energy flowed between me and Butta B and the vibe was immediately transformed into a comfortable space where two young women were having a conversation about music, love and life’s ever-pressing demands. It was during this experience that I best understood the yin and yang of Ms. Butta B-Rocka.

Born Oleathia Robinson in Louisville, Kentucky and raised in Tampa, Florida, Butta B-Rocka began her music career around the ripe young age of twelve years old. Once the youngest member of a group called N.O.L.T.  (None Other Like This), Butta B-Rocka has worked diligently alongside many familiar names in the music industry, including sharing the same band used by a mid ‘90s, up-and-coming artist named Usher Raymond as well as competing for a recording contract against a group named The Dolls, who would later change their name to Destiny’s Child. While The Dolls eventually won the contractual battle, the experience inspired maturity in the teenaged Butta B-Rocka, who walked away with an understanding that “everything happens in its own time.”

The true test of faith and maturity came when Butta B-Rocka was in a major car accident shortly after receiving an offer from a record label to be a solo artist. This schism left a physically and emotionally-scarred Butta B receiving nourishment from a straw for six months. Once she regained the strength and courage to return to the limelight and continue along the path of realizing her lifelong dreams, she quickly learned that one-time supporters of Butta B-Rocka had lost interest. Unwilling to simply accept defeat, Butta B took to the background providing vocals for Dallas Austin’s studios until one day she heard someone make a comment about “people needing to stay in their lanes.” This comment inspired her to break from the comfort zone that the background provided, and begin to assert herself as a viable songwriter. Ultimately, pop/rock demos provided by Butta B for other singers were recognized as quality musical contributions, and Butta B-Rocka gracefully stumbled upon her niche. She is now ready to show the world a new hue of the contemporary pop/rock music explosion!

TheRealAtlanta.com: So my first question is where did your name come from?

Butta B-Rocka: Butta came from when I used to live in Tampa. I would get on stage, and I’m real shy. So Butta is real bashful and has a real smooth, sultry voice. When I moved to Atlanta people started calling B-Rocka. And now B-Rocka is aggressive. It’s kind of like a split personality but it’s all one (?); [B-Rocka’s] not an alter-ego. Combined they’re this force, you know? You have the good and the bad mixed in with each other, ‘cause B-Rocka will be like “whatever, I’m gon’ tell you how it is,” and you can hear that in some of my songs like “Man On The Side.” 

TRA: OK. When did you fall in love with music?

I think I fell in love at the age of 4 when I heard “Stop In The Name of Love” (The Supremes)…and I ran downstairs…I went and got my boa, I went and got on this long dress, I went and got my granny’s hat, and I went and got her wooden spoon (laughing), and I started singing, and you could not tell me that I was not gonna be Diana Ross (giggling). And then my cousin, he was in high school, and he put me in a showcase. Naturally the little kids won but I was jammin!’ You couldn’t tell me I wasn’t jammin!’  

TRA: So at that time, I mean, you had actual musical ability?

Yeah! My mom said I came out the womb singing.

TRA: (Laughing) Oh, OK. So do you come from a musical background?

I do. I have a lot of cousins that sing. My family’s all church, pastors in the family…

TRA: Any instrument players?

Well, I play the trumpet and I also play the keys. I can’t sing and play. Something happens with me…I just can’t—

TRA: Is it the coordination? Is it a focus issue?

I get so involved with the singing that I start messing up on the notes, so I’m trying to combine the two, and I’m also starting to play the electric guitar.

TRA: Wow!

Yeah, I think that’s important. I’m doing pop/rock! I need to be able to bring it!

TRA: All right, then. So, your overall music’s sound, it’s pop/rock, yes, but how would you describe it specifically?

Yes, it’s definitely pop/rock. People can compare it to a little bit of Pink, a little bit of Ashlee Simpson, some Rihanna, with a hint of Keri Hilson. I think [my sound] is a little combination of all of the above.

TRA: How did you fall into this genre?

You know what? I do a lot of writing for people, and one of the producers I worked with is from Belgium, so international music is a different kind of sound: some techno and definitely pop. They want that upbeat, they want that real catchy hook; it doesn’t have to be all deep. R&B, the lyrics are so deep, as well as country [music]. Country music is very descriptive. But with pop you can just say a few words and keep repeating them, saying them in different ways, so I started getting more calls for that [kind of music]. And then I engineer my own sessions and I do vocal production, and as people were sending me tracks I would demo the songs I wrote and send them back to them, and they would be like “well, who is that singing?” And then they would say “well, you know, I think you found your niche.” And the one good thing is that it didn’t sound like I was trying to be anything else because I like all types of music…and I think it’s good to be diverse. You know, sometimes people think that because you look a certain way you’re supposed to only sing “this” type of music. I like music altogether. You’ll also find in one of my songs, it’s kind of like a country-type song, and I think that that’s all right. That’s the reason for the title of my album, Switch Lanes. Switch Lanes is about switching genres and it being OK to do it.

TRA: Yes! I love it! OK. Who are some of your musical influences?

Definitely Pink, love her. I love Ashlee Simpson. I love Brandy! I think she’s number one. She’s underrated but she can blow! I love Joe, he’s real good. I’m actually going up to New York in the next two to three weeks, and I’m going to be working on some projects with him. Of course the idols, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston. I like Enya. And, ooh, Rascal Flatts and Chris Daughtry. They are in my CD player right now.

TRA: How does your style of music fit into the musical landscape of Atlanta?

Well, the good thing about Atlanta is that it’s very diverse in its sound. So I think my music fits in perfectly because you can go to Smiths Olde Bar and appreciate my songs, or you can go to Sambuca and appreciate it. You can go to a Café 290 or you can even hit up a club and you could appreciate it; one of my songs would definitely fit into any of those types of scenes. I definitely think I’m bringing something kind of new to the table, one, me being African American, and two, with me being so diverse, I mean, literally, the album is not just one-sided.

TRA: On your album “Switch Lanes” what type of experience do you intend for the audience to have?

I want them to just feel good. I want them to be like ‘real music is back.’ Not ‘real music’ but I want them to be like ‘music’ is back, you know? I mean, some of the songs are so simple that it’s so simple, you know? (giggling) To the point where you’re like, ‘for real?’ And I want [the audience] to really appreciate what I’m bringing to the table and hopefully everybody’ll like it. Sometimes you’re not going to get everybody that likes your music, but I think that because it’s so diverse they’re going to find something on the album that they like.

TRA: What producers did you work with?

On this album I worked with MFN, who just did “Who Dat” for the Saints, which ranked #4 on ITunes. They won all these beat battles all across the nation. I worked with a gentleman named Mike Sal; he is an awesome engineer. He’s worked on Drake, he’s worked on Asher Roth’s mixtape, and he’s an up and coming producer. I worked with Atlanta’s own Monsta, who’s an up and coming producer. And I worked with B.C. aka Lunaman out of Belgium. Now he works with a lot of artists, like Felix the Housecat who’s big in house music, he’s like Grammy status and has worked with a lot of different people.

TRA: What producers would you like to work with?

I’m willing to work with anyone that has quality music and is diverse with their sound. Naturally I would love to work with Timbaland; I like his whole style. I like Darkchild. I like Swiss Beatz. I like Kanye. But there are so many other people that are just as big even though they may not have had their break yet. So I’m always open to working with people. I don’t think you should judge somebody because they might be that next “big one” and what you create with them might be that sound that is needed right now.

TRA: Where is “Switch Lanes” available for purchase?

On my website, www.buttabrocka.com. It’s on ITunes and on Amazon.

TRA: Who distributed the album?

My own company called Brass Knuckles Records.

TRA: What would you like to accomplish as an artist in your lifetime?

There are so many things I want to accomplish! (laughing) I’m serious! I want to win tons of Grammy’s. I want to be able to travel the world. I have an offer to go over to Dubai right now and I’m so ready to go! I want to eventually end up in TV and film, not only writing for TV and film but also [acting]. One of my songs just got placed in a new TV show called My Mother Agent, and I have another one that I just did the theme song for called Chocolate Cupcake.

TRA: Do you have a personal mantra or words you live by that motivate you when you’re down, or just in life, period?

I always say to myself “I am whatever I think I am.” I’m real big on self-help, and affirmations, and ‘you can do anything you put your mind to,’ and I really believe that. From the vision boards to the whole nine yards; you’ve gotta think yourself into that. You act according to how you believe you are supposed to be.

TRA: OK. Lastly, as we wrap up this interview, do you have any advice for young artists who wish to enter into the music industry?

Keep going and just be yourself. So often we try to do what others want us to do or sing what others want us to sing, to appease what other people think you should be. And you have to be true to yourself.

***

So that concluded that portion of the interview, but I didn’t want to let Butta B-Rocka leave before entertaining me (and hopefully you, the reading public) with a little random word association game. I just wanted to see where her head was regarding certain public people, social phenomena and other trivialities. Let’s see what she had to say; her responses are in bold letters.

Justin Bieber (because everyday he is a trending topic on Twitter): Cutie

American Idol: Great Avenue

Social Media/Networking Sites: Good Outlet

Atlanta: Hot

Beautiful: I am

Progress: Always

Family Guy: Funny as Hell

Tyler Perry: Love him

Legendary: Michael Jackson

Visit her website: www.buttabrocka.com

Check her out on Myspace: www.myspace.com/theprincessofrnb

Watch  Butta B-Rocka’s latest video “Switch Lanes” here directly on our website:

There is a new kind of music seeping into the streets of Atlanta. It is new, but familiar. It is simultaneously rebellious, emotional, and sexual; something that grabs onto your collar, pulling you into what feels like a music video and leaving you wanting more.

It comes from an Atlanta based, unsigned, 4-piece band named FishHawk. The music created by this band is reminiscent of 80’s synthpop, with electro beats and vocals that reach notes that most bands cannot. When I hear their music, I think of an abstract painting. The strokes of the brush are a random compilation of colors and textures. When done correctly it elicits emotions unique to the listener – no two people will interpret this music in the same way.

…simultaneously rebellious, emotional, and sexual…

I was able to see them perform live at The Star Community Bar – and they exceeded my expectations. The live performance is by far the best thing they offer. A close second would be the recorded tracks available on their two albums.

The music was loud, rough and dripping wet from the intensity that is usually only found from more seasoned professionals. FishHawk provided everything you could want in a live show, plus a bit of comedy which came as they dedicated a song to H1N1. Very original.

Each member of this band brings something important to the table. Andy Slagle and Nick Nickerson are the two original members- creating the first album. Andy handles production and plays the guitar, with Nick as the lead vocalist and writer. They later added Matt Williams to the group, who also works in production and during the live performance was on both the guitar and keyboard. Most recently added member is Ryan Ross, who is the drummer of Teddy and the Bears. When they come together, the show is powerful.

…strokes of the brush are a random compilation of colors and textures. When done correctly it elicits emotions unique to the listener – no two people will interpret this music in the same way…

I spent the past week familiarizing myself with the music of this band. If you don’t get the chance to listen to all the songs – let me recommend two songs from each of the albums that will provide you with an overview of what you will find.

On the self-titled first album I recommend the song ‘Corner Store’. It is an interesting mix of acoustic and electronica, adding a tinge of Spanish influences in the background at around 45 seconds. Secondly check out ‘Go Heels Boy’, later being remixed into ‘Go Heels Dance Meoff Mix’. Both are dance songs that will get your feet moving in the “right direction”.

The second album, Bells Underwater, can be summarized with the song ‘Shake Your Dime’. The vibe is more hardcore rock, which you will see more of in this album. It is a great illustration of what the music sounds like during the live performance. Also on the second album is ‘Into the Sunset’ which is my favorite from both albums. It has an emotional edginess with a contagious beat. It is a prime example of the vocal aptitude of Nick Nickerson.

The first album is volatile and dark. There are many similarities between the style of this album and the popular Nine Inch Nails song ‘Closer’ which many argue was their most famous song. The second album brought some additional production value that I believe they needed. Beats are a little faster, similar to the bands MGMT and Phoenix , with a style that is more retro.
If you are ready to get a taste of what FishHawk has to offer, then check out their website at www.fishhawkmusic.com. Here you can listen to some of their best songs, free of charge. Also look for their upcoming shows so you can go out and support this local band. You won’t regret it.

Trust me, 5 out of 5 doctors recommend FishHawk to help liven up that boring play list you have had on repeat. They will get you on your feet and moving in no time!

529 in East Atlanta hosted our own Subsonics last Saturday. I’d been personally counting down the days until this show when I found out it was happening. Subsonics seem to have been playing in Atlanta for an eternity, their first release dating back to a seven inch from back in 1993. Clay Reed, brains behind the outfit, has been romping around Atlanta, spitting out twangy surf punk on vinyl ever since compact discs were the cutting edge.

This guy’s durability alone is enough to make the Subsonics worthy of recognition. The fact that he’s downright cool, sporting a look and attitude that could brand him a title such as Atlanta’s Iggy Pop doesn’t hurt him either, so seeing them play is not only like witnessing a little snippet of Atlanta history, it’s a great way to spend a night snapping fingers and shaking shoulders.  These guys rarely play out at all anymore, making this show all the more anticipated. The Subsonics don’t have much of a reputation for playing many shows, though. In fact the Subsonics’ main criticism is their lack of touring. Many fans of the group will tell you that the band could have really taken off with some more time on the road, but are the Subsonics a case of a missed opportunity? Well, in the eyes of an Atlantan such as myself, I say that’s not the case at all. The band has stayed true to its stomping grounds, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but maybe I’m just being possessive.

Also on the bill on Saturday, and excitedly so, were Atlanta newbies (compared to Reed’s veterans) The North Trolls, and Balkans. The North Trolls were admittedly psyched to be involved in the occasion. For them, the excitement for the night’s show began immediately after showing up, when they learned that the Balkans were all under-age, earning the rest of the bands more drink tickets, as the young Balkans would not be allowed to consume alcohol. Excellent.

After the North Trolls’ quick set of fast, southern style pop punk, the Balkans took the stage. Young age is not taken into consideration in this case. These guys play a low-fi style of hyper rock-n-roll, the singer’s Strokes-like voice putting them in the same category of a band like The Walkmen. It’s impressive.

And so then came the Subsonics, playing their music for a crowd mostly half their age, for musicians and fans who are being passed the torch lit by the band on stage. There was a feeling of respect in the room, made obvious when alluring Buffi Aguero (who plays drums standing up) asked if someone would bring her a vodka tonic, and multiple men handed her her drinks just moments later.

Needless to say the show was a success. Having moved to Atlanta only nine years ago, when Subsonics had already been around for a long, long time, I consider myself lucky to have been able to see them still. I recommend that we all look into the good music coming from Balkans and The North Trolls soon, as it shouldn’t be expected for many other bands to last as long as Subsonics have.