Canadian writer Tiffany Ford interviewed 20 Year Music Industry Veteran Billy Evans of Richmond, Virginia about his opinions on the state of the music industry today, and lyrical content.
TF: Billy Evans in
your music, what are the subjects in your songs you like to write about?
BE: I write about love, peace, war, spirituality, dreams and some of my own personal experiences. For example my song entitled "Let's be Close Tonight" was personal.
TF: When you have an idea for a song, do you stop everything you are
doing to start writing on it?
BE: The most challenging part of writing is the beginning. I have gotten out of bed on several
occasions to record an idea that I had for a new song. I've learned the hard way that if you
wait until the morning, it will be history.
TF: Do you listen to rap music?
BE: No! I don't listen to rap and not because I don't think that it is a legitimate art. There
are some very talented and gifted rappers in the business that have invested a lot of
blood sweat and tears perfecting the craft. Kudos to the rappers. Personally for me,
I enjoy melodies, colors and excellent musicianship when I listen to music.
TF. Do you feel like music today doesn't emphasis on lyrical content or
is it more about a beat?
BE: Not necessarily. There is lyrical content in the music of today. The question
is whether or not the content is positive, poetic, risque, overly seductive, meaningful
abusive, vulgar, or just down right stupid.
TF: Does music have to have meaningful lyrics to be meaningful?
BE: No! it's sort of like 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. What may be meaningful
to one person may not be meaningful to another. What's important to me may not
be important to you. Someone that grew up in the hood, surrounded by drugs, drive by's
and gang banging, would appreciate listening to a song about that more than I would.
TF: What’s the difference in today's music compared with the music you
heard when you were growing up?
BE: The music that I heard when I was growing up was cleaner, more melodic and poetic. It was characterized by a completely different value system. The opposite sex was respected and not called bitches and whores. The black family, though still in impoverished circumstances still believed in spirituality, modesty, hard work and love. There are several reasons why substance in mainstream music has taken a back seat. Capitalism, lack of free speech, censorship in our constitution. Internet, and the deterioration of the family.
TF: Did lyrics in music influence you as you were growing up?
BE: I didn't become a lyricist until I began writing music. What influenced
me was the way that I
was raised by my parents, and the church background that I received
from day one. I was however very intrigued by writers like Hal David, who
collaborated with Burt Bacharach and wrote splendid music for Dione Warwick,
and Cole Porter.
TF: Do you feel a lot of people confused sex with love in music?
BE: That question would have to be broken down into which genre of music you are referring to. I have absolutely no problems with sexual overtones or themes in music as long as it is done with taste and class. As long as there is a courting going on, as long as it's not offensive, and as long as it still respects the man or women. I was a big fan of Marvin Gaye and "Let's Get it On", was lyrically brilliant and funky. There is no confusion in today's music because there is nothing left for the imagination.
TF: What makes a good song writer?
BE: What makes a good song writer or musician is natural ability,study, practice, discipline, and being eclectic.
TF: Does lyrics make a song, or
does a good sound make the song?
BE: In today's music market, monetary backing and publicity makes a song. "Lolly Pop", by Lil Wayne is a perfect example of that. However, it's my professional opinion that for mainstream Pop, R&B, and Rap, a simple beat can take precedence over lyrics. It's still important that a song is well produced with regard to sound regardless of the lyrics.
To learn more about Billy Evans please visit his website: www.billyevans.net
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