They say there are no more good guys; that nice guys finish last. Soul singer, songwriter and actor-producer Bradd Marquis lays these myths to rest with the release of his third independent album release, Thank You. Enchanting audiences with his 2007 album debut, the critically acclaimed Finding My Way and its 2011 follow-up, Authentic, Marquis projects the kind of clean-cut, old-school charm not seen since the days of Sam Cooke.
How did you choose the name of the album?
Thank you is a “thank you” to my friends, fans and family and everybody who suck with me as I was trying to figure out how to do this independent artist thing. This album is much closer to the quality and material that people expected from me as I evolved as a writer and musician. It’s a “thank you” for sticking by me until I was able to put this type of project together.
Do you most often actively seek inspiration or does it find you? Or is it a combination of the two?
Nine times out of ten it finds me. Inspiration is all around, if you look and pay attention. Most of the things I talk about or write about in my music are experience that I’ve gone through or seen other people go through. My albums mark time, a time in my life.
What led you to music in general and to your music form in particular?
I grew up in a family of musicians. My grandmother had 10 kids and they all sang. I’m a hybrid of all of them. They had me listening to everything from Sam Cooke to Anita Baker, Luther and Glen Jones. They also had a gospel group. When we weren’t singing in the church, we were traveling up and down the East Coast to different churches performing Kirk Franklin style. I grew up singing. I was addicted to this stuff before I even knew what it was.
Who do you consider to be your peers in your field? Who do you see or use as examples to emulate?
I’m still brand new. I would consider Shaliek Rivers and John Michael as my peers. On the good side of things, I would say R. Kelly pre-Black Panties. Jodeci, Luther Vandross and Tank inspire me as well as Mary J.
Name two of your top role models; one in the music world and one from outside of it.
Gordon Chambers in the music world. He’s been a real mentor to me and really helped me navigate as a musician and show me the ropes and what it takes to be a good musician. He’s there whenever I need advice. Outside, my mother. She allows me to be a musician. She allowed me to continue to dream no matter if the money wasn’t coming in and I wasn’t seeing the response I wanted to see. She always stayed positive and encouraged me to get to this point and hopefully beyond.
