Posts Tagged ‘Soul’
David Mcalmont-soulful ‘GLARE’
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
When the opportunity arose for Kirk Originals to catch up with David Mcalmont we jumped at the chance. We wanted to get to know the man behind the voice.
“…that voice- sweet, but never sickly, and purer than Himalayan melt-water. Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield and Philip Bailey spring to mind: David Mcalmont is really that good.”
(The Daily Telegraph).
David talks to us about style, soul and what it means to be slightly different.
Lets start at the beginning. When did you discover you could sing?
DM: I would say that it was at church in the West Indies. I sang a song called El Shaddai, originally recorded by Amy Grant and I became known for my version of that song.
After discovering your love and talent for music were there any artists that inspired you to write and perform?
DM: I lived in Guyana from most of the 80s and there was lot of great American Soul music doing the rounds. I loved the atmosphere of Earth Wind & Fire, the playfulness of Michael Jackson and the Spirituality of Stevie Wonder.
Your early involvement with music was with a band called the Thieves. The Thieves fused elements of soul and funk with post-punk and textural arrangements. Would you say that was an accurate description?
DM: I call that music my artistically adventurous phase. That music was compared to The Associates and the Cocteaus and I was encouraged by Saul Freeman to be melodically eccentric.
After going solo and a stint supporting Morrissey you were approached by ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. The sound of Mcalmont and Butler was born! This must have been very exciting and a pinnacle point in your career?
DM:I was delighted. I love what Bernard did as a guitarist and his ability as a songwriter and producer was a welcome surprise. Great collaborator.
You have worked with some great artists over the last decade such as Gabrielle, Sharleen Spiteri and Duffy. How was that?
DM: I enjoyed being trusted by Bernard and the Boilerhouse Boys to create unique backing vocal textures for these artists.
Most recently you have collaborated with classical composer Michael Nyman to produce the album “The Glare’. The album received critical acclaim from the press. Can you tell us more about this?
DM: A very, very happy point in my creative career; I love Michael’s music. I think it’s really rock and roll and I can’t keep still when I’m at his gigs. I’m thrilled that we discovered a common ground and developed a spirited collaboration.
You have a very unique style do you feel that your music influences your style?
DM: I allow myself to impersonate other singers, especially female, but I don’t sound like them but their phrasing influences my singing and keeps me unique. I think that Luther Vandross took a similar approach by emulating Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Diana Ross.
Eyewear it seems, has been an important part of your look. Would you agree? Was it the passion Kirk Originals has that you liked when you discovered Kirk Originals?
DM: I have always loved glasses and always wanted to wear them but it has been difficult to find eyewear that rises to the occasion of my sartorial flamboyance. Kirk Originals walk it.
We have to ask you! If you were shipwrecked on a dessert Island what 3 items would you take?
DM: A crate of sparkling water, a supply of lip-balm and Kirk Originals with transitions lenses.
So what does the future hold for David Mcalmont?
DM: More music adventure and “Kirkies” as I now call them.
