Artist Name: Ellis Uniques (pronounced U-neek-us)
Group Members: E. Maria and Richie Skye
Richie Skye and Ellis Uniques, as a group, really celebrates diversity – being unapologetically unique and original. Our music really reflects a wide range of influences from Soul and R&B, to Hip Hop and Pop, all while adding elements of African rhythms and drums with a lot of heavy bass. Lyrically, our topics reflect situations that the average person can relate to; and it’s not all about love, although we do touch on that subject as well. However, the everyday person deals with work issues, family problems, financial woes and unfulfilled dreams – and we really wanted to cater to those situations, but in a fun way! Our album, 35 Miles, is really about our journey through life, but told in a way that makes listeners nod their heads and think “They’re really talking about my life right now!”
More after the jump...
Who would you sign with tomorrow?
Richie Skye: That’s a good question – it really depends on if it was the right deal or not. We definitely respect labels like Def Jam, Jive and Geffen. All of them have quite a phenomenal roster of artists, however, the smaller labels like TVT are really attractive, because they really put a lot into their artists with the expectation that its sometimes a slow and steady climb to building an artist’s or group’s career. It really does come down to the best deal offered though, because right now, we’re pretty much running our own label – financing the project, marketing, publicity, etc, so we’re fine without a major (label) in the short-run. Both of us studied Mass Communications at Virginia Tech, so we both have a lot of experience with mass media, so that really helps as well!
What is the process of writing for you, what are you most inspired by?
Richie Skye: Our writing process is crazy, because it’s always different. Sometimes someone will come to us with an idea and together we’ll totally chop it up and make it our own. Usually, I’ll present a beat to Elmira and she’ll come up with a crazy melody, and then I’ll go home and write the lyrics. Then we’ll come together and she’ll put some stank on it…and it all just comes together. Most of our inspiration comes from our own lives – whether it was stress from our day jobs, feelings of insecurity or a bad breakup – we’d write about it to purge ourselves.
E. Maria: I completely agree. The process is definitely crazy. We write about the unpredictability of life - “what If” situations, and other people’s trauma and drama inspire us. Writing is a completely collaborative event.
What is the style of your records?
Richie Skye: We like to call it Alternative R&B and Hip Pop. There are the basic elements of R&B, Hip Hop with a little bit of Pop – but you’ll also hear a little bit of DC-inspired Go-Go, Dancehall and Trip Hop.
E. Maria: Our records have an eclectic, international flair. They are fun yet serious with a combination of hard hitting rhythms and smooth classic melodies. With the variety of tastes that Richie Skye and I have, we produce a sound that is the best of both worlds.
Can you tell me more about the messages embedded in your songs?
Richie Skye: The entire album is inspirational in terms of the messages. Self-confidence is the theme on tracks like Get Sexy and Charisma, especially for the ladies. It’s important for the ladies to feel sexy and know that they don’t have to take off all their clothes. Sometimes, you just want to forget about the stresses of work and you just want to get loose and have a good time, which is the subject of Monkey, our first single. People also need to know that its okay to feel sad and lonely, as illustrated on tracks like Broken and our second single, Fade Away.
E. Maria: Yes, the songs reveal something about our daily life. Whether its sadness, regret, lost love, desire, excitement. 35 Miles is the big message. The song demonstrates how life can pass you by quickly. That is why it is crucial to take every moment as an opportunity to achieve greatness; a chance to reach higher. 35 Miles is about our journey and we hope that our listeners are ready for the ride.
What is your favorite song on the album, why?
Richie Skye: It really changes from week to week! I can narrow it down to three – Monkey, Fade Away and Stop. Monkey is just a fun track and it really hits you hard when you hear it; as soon as people hear the first couple of measures of the song, they’re bouncing around to it. Fade Away is mostly acoustic guitar and it really just has a lot of feeling to it, and it was just well written. Stop, was a song I wrote about 8 years ago after a bad breakup, and Elmira really just conveyed every emotion I felt as I was writing it. It’s really stripped down, just her and a piano, and it’s a song that we know a lot of people will relate to.
E. Maria: My favorite song on the album is by far is Stop. The lyrics are meaningful and speak to those who can’t release that unhealthy love. It’s naked…simply piano and vocals. The song is something that I’ve always wanted to record. My favorite types of songs growing up were ballads and when Richie Skye introduced this one to me I was sold. Being able to record it with the live instrumentation on the piano was a dream come true. I was able to capture the emotion behind the lyrics that Richie Skye wrote.
What is the story behind your album?
Richie Skye: It’s been literally four years in the making! We’ve had some of these songs for years now, and the fact that they’re still relevant today makes these songs timeless. The concept of the title of the album, 35 Miles, really illustrates how life seems to pass really quickly, but sometimes it seems like you’re moving in slow motion in regards to reaching your dreams or finding love – so you’re going at what some people call “Life Speed”, which for us is 35 miles per hour.
Is it possible to look at music and style separately?
E. Maria: It is definitely possible to look at music and style differently. Even though they both reveal something about your personality, your taste in music can be wild and daring while you take a more conservative approach to style. Music and style are separate entities. Like two pieces of a puzzle that when joined together create the masterpiece that is that individual.
What is it about “performing” that satisfies you?
Richie Skye: I think it’s really connecting with the audience, seeing their heads bob and repeating the lyrics. It really gives you the sense that they’ve been where you’ve been and can relate to the words.
E, Maria: I echo that – it’s the energy from the crowd that satisfies me. I also like the opportunity that performing gives to reinvent the songs. Another aspect is improvisation and getting to see the reaction to the spontaneity.
Who would you like to work with?
Richie Skye: As far as producers, my wish list includes Timbaland, Swizz Beats and Polow Da Don. They often incorporate some of the heavy drums and bass elements that we like in our music. As a producer myself, I just know that I can learn so much from them.
As far as artists go, I’d really love to do some work with Amy Winehouse.
E. Maria: Amy Winehouse…what a voice! I can see us creating music with her. I would also like to perform with Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, and Lyfe Jennings.
What artist and or/ genre of music influenced you growing up?
Richie Skye: Definitely Prince, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and Salt-N-Pepa. I love old school Hip Hop and really miss that element of fun. We definitely hope to bring some of the fun back to music, but still keep it meaningful.
E. Maria: Definitely Rhythms and Blues. I especially was drawn to groups like High 5, En Vogue, Boyz II Men, Shai, TLC. Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Tevin Campbell, Monica and Brandy are other favorites. I’m a lover of ballads and heartwarming melodies.
What projects are you currently working on?
Richie Skye: Well, right now we’re gearing up for the release of the album, interviewing band members and dancers to hit the road in January throughout the summer of 2008. Our song, Shoulda Never, is being used as the kick off single for the release of a novel by Stephanie Deniese Brown called Sable’s Karma...The Secret’s OUT. I also serve as Artistic Director for the Bodyshakers, a Maryland-based dance organization, as well as, Audra (a Hip Hop artist) and MD Management. You can also catch me rockin’ the runway at DC Fashion Week events this fall.
E. Maria: Yes, we are making preparations for the album release. I am excited about arranging the music and getting all the players in place for live performances. We are formalizing dates for 2008.
How do you want to be remembered in the music industry?
E. Maria: We desire to be truthful innovators. We pride ourselves on creating trends, not following them. We also want to be renowned for not relinquishing our rugged individualism for fame. We want to be artists that always evolve.
When and where can your music be purchased?
Richie Skye: Our music is available via our website www.ellisuniques.com and our Myspace page www.myspace.com/ellisuniques.Once our album drops in November, it will be available via CD Baby, Amazon.com, iTunes and other select online retailers.
"On Me" by Ellis Uniques
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"Fade Away" (Clip) by Ellis Uniques
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