While attending college at Tucker University, Res wanted to do more than just work a summer job. She wanted to create music that would express what she was experiencing in life as a young adult. So on weekends, she would travel to New York to write songs and record in a studio. She eventually signed a record deal with MCA and released her critically acclaimed debut, How I Do. Res discusses dealing with record label politics and the release of her new album, Black.Girls.Rock! –a.r.
The song “Golden Boys” was a big hit off of your debut album. What inspired you to write it?
Some people come to college and they get to leave their past behind and they get the opportunity to become a new person. They’re pretty much the same, but they attempt to develop a whole new identity and they front like they were Mr. Popular in high school. That’s a common thread with entertainers, athletes or someone who works for the city portraying something that they aren’t.
A long period of time went by between your debut album and your new album. Why was there such a big gap between releases?
Black.Girls.Rock! should’ve come out a while ago. I did the second album with Geffen when MCA folded. For whatever reason, they would not release the album so I took those songs and repackaged them. The album is available for download and you can get a CD for free if you purchase a poster from my Web site, the1res.com.
Why did Geffen decide not to release the album?
The president of the label felt like it was a release that he did not want people to hear. [There is] a lot of politics with record labels and everyone has an agenda. It wasn’t as much of a surprise for that album not to get released. When you sign a record deal with a major label, it’s a gamble and there is always a risk.
What are your thoughts on being independent artist versus being signed to a major?
I would love to be on a major label. Right now, the trend is to be an independent artist. If you’re on a major, the pros are that you automatically get a booking agent and you have a team of people working with you. The negative side is that you may not be a priority at that label. If you love being on the computer all day long and you love being on Facebook, Twitter and on your blog, then being an indie artist is awesome. But in 2010, it’s all about doing for yourself whether you are on a major label or independent. You control your own destiny when it comes to your music.
Res will perform live at 595 in Atlanta on Sept. 18 and at Brooklyn Bowl on Sept. 28.
