Big Easy does it

>> R&B heavy N'Dea Davenport hits the hat-rack

by GERARD DEE

It's been over three years since the solo debut by former Brand New Heavies vocalist N'Dea Davenport hit the scene with a bang. These days, she's laying down tracks for a new album and maintaining a busy touring schedule. The Mirror caught up with her at her New Orleans digs to talk about the life of a solo artist.



Mirror: We've spoken before, around '98, and you said you were in the process of fixing up your house in New Orleans.

N'Dea Davenport: That's right, I was restoring this 100-year-old house.

M: You went to New Orleans because you said it had this musical vibe. It seemed like you were going through this whole period of transformation. So where are you today?

ND: Well, I'm still transforming. I'm always evolving. I have grown so much. I think I'm still a very free spirit, still looking for adventurous moments, days and nights, and still keeping it fresh.

M: Since then, your debut album came out. What has that whole experience been like?

ND: It was beautiful and it was challenging. It has so many different types of connotations that came along with it. Having to wear so many different hats for the first time, as musical director, as producer, as singer, as writer. Having so many different things to give to so many different people at one time. But I think that all those experiences build in order to prepare you for whatever is your next phase.

M: What kinds of audiences do your shows attract?

ND: They are so many different types of people, in the respect that they're from various backgrounds, different ages, a little bit of everywhere. It's almost like some sort of community, but they exist all over the world.

M: You're working on a few projects right now, including some work with Everlast.

ND: Actually, I'm featured on his recent album.

M: How did that whole hook-up happen?

ND: When I lived in Los Angeles--we knew each other from years ago, when he was more involved with Ice-T and Rhyme Syndicate, and we kinda came outta this L.A. warehouse art-and-culture scene.

M: So are there other people that you want to collaborate with?

ND: I'd love to do a collaboration with Erykah Badu or Jill Scott. I just would kinda like to do collaborations with artists who are very conscious with themselves, with the community and with the musical public.

M: You've toured with Guru before, right?

ND: Uh-huh, and I will be this summer, all over Europe. I've known him for a very long time as well.

M: Who's on your turntable these days?

ND: I'd be listening to Nina Simone and, believe it or not--I never got into him in my life--I just got a Bob Dylan greatest-hits CD. Maybe I was too young, it was kinda over my head before. And also, I'm checking out a contemporary artist I was on Lilith Fair with, her name is India.Arie. She's fantastic.

With Soulfish at Swimming on Saturday, June 16, 10pm, $10