By John Frazier Senior Entertainment Correspondent & Editor
When SoulGreg befriended me on “My Space”, I was pleasantly surprised by the soul of this talented, sexy, handsome, humble and grounded producer, singer, songwriter.
I was able to listen to some of his music on his “my space and knew right away that we had to interview him.
Watch world out, make room for SoulGreg.
INTERVIEW
John: First of all, I would like to say, I love your music. Thank you for taking the time to be interviewed by GBMNews. You have such an unique and soulful sound, who were some of your inspirations, who inspired you as a child?
Greg: Thanks to you as well. My beginnings in music originate in my early childhood, having been only indirectly related to what I am doing today.
I have had a versatile music experience which began with classical music and went on with rock, jazz, pop and nowadays r&b and soul.
Being a guitar player originally, my childhood was marked by guitar music; guitar players like Al Di Meola, Steve Vai, Scott Henderson, John McLaughlin, etc…
John: How old were you when you discovered that you had/have your musical gift?
Greg: I was six. I can still see the scene when I saw someone playing the guitar. I knew right then that I would become a musician.
John: You are the complete package, you sing, you write, you are a producer and you just happen to have movie-star looks, if you had a crystal ball, where do you see yourself in about 5 years?
Greg: Thank you. I can see my future somewhere in a big studio, creating new world hits with other top musicians.
John: A lot of performers also dance, like Usher, Justin Timberlake, can you, do you dance?
Greg: No, I can't dance, neither did I ever imagine myself as a dancer. But I really admire the entertainers who master this art.
John: R&B recording artist R. Kelly likes to record after 12:00 midnight, while other artist like to record during the day, like a 9 to 5 gig. What is your ideal time to record or to go into the studio and why?
Greg: Well, I also do most of the work at night till the early morning hours. I feel that there is the most chemistry in the air at that time.
John: What is your fan base in regard to your musical audience? Is it the teenyboppers, the young adults, or an older crowd? Is it gay or straight? Black or White? And why?
Greg: I wish to create music which would attract a wide circle of audience. As I possess a wide spectrum of musical knowledge, I will try to make my songs surprising in the sense that they will be stylistically versatile. In this way I expect to keep a wide scope of audience. I have a lot of ideas that I have not yet brought to life.
John: Stevie Wonder, among others have influenced you. Who would be your ideal person to work/record/perform with?
Greg: Yes.Stevie Wonder is a Wonder indeed. He is a musical wonder and his creations cannot be described by words. His talent is immeasurable. He is everything. I would mostly like to cooperate with top quality r&b performers who are also successful and who have already left their mark with the music industry. Their names are too numerous to be mentioned here.
John: You are a married man, do you find it difficult to manage a musical career and at the same time, devote time to your personal life?
Greg: Yes, this is very difficult. Not many musicians manage to combine these two sides of life. I believe that my wife and I have succeeded in combining them.
John: What is your favorite food?
Greg: Pizza, McDonalds (he's smiling, it's like you can feel his inner child)
John: What is your favorite color?
Greg: Blue.
John: What is your favorite sound?
Greg: (Smiling again) Great R&B music.
John: What's your favorite word?
Greg: Success.
John: What word do you hate?
Greg: Industry.
John: What I like about your music is that its current, at the same time it has the old school flavor and lastly you don't sound like anyone else. Do you write all of your own music?
Greg: Thank you. Yes, I write all my own music. In the music broadcast on the radio I really miss the "real songs". I understand that the music of today is concentrated primarily on "beat", but it should not lose its musicality for this reason.
In spite of what is being manufactured by music industry nowadays, I believe in good music. I also believe that only good songs can become real hits, so I will carry on with my philosophy and hope for the best.
John: Have you been to the United States?
Greg: Yes. I have been to Los Angeles, where I visited Grammy-awarded writers and producers, "The Underdogs". They heard my creations which brought about our meeting.
John: Now-a-days, many singing artist are being discovered on "My Space" like Grammy Award Winner, Adele. I noticed that your music can be purchased on your "my space" page, are you hoping that you might be discovered much like Adele? Or are you going in a different direction, career-wise?
Greg: Considering the fact that I come from Slovenia, a small country in the middle of Europe where R&B music is not esteemed, "my space" is at the moment a very useful tool for me. But I am also active in other ways. I have made the acquaintance of many people in the world music industry and I cooperate with them directly.
John: Have you met any famous recording artist? If so, who? What was that experience like?
Greg: In the course of my career I have met an enormous number of top quality producers, writers and performers, and I have also cooperated with them. With many of them their personal and musical greatness can be noticed.
John: Even though you are married, our readers, gay and straight may want to fantasize about you, so here's my shocker question, do you sleep in the nude?
Greg: (Smiling) No.
John: Can you cook? If so, what's your favorite food to prepare?
Greg: I don't really cook but I would like to learn when I get older.
John: Are you a pet lover? Do you have any pets?
Greg: I like pets but at the moment I don't really have time to take proper care of them. That's why I don't have any right now.
John: To your fans and new fans what message do you have for them?
Greg: Everybody who loves what I do, please spread out the word and buy my CD when it comes out. That's the best way to support the artist. Visit me also at www.myspace.com/soulgregmusic. Thank you all.
John: When the audience leaves your concert, what is it that you want them to take away with them?
Greg: They have to been impressed when they leave a concert. If they are not, the performer hasn't done his thing.
John: What would your fans be surprised to know about you?
Greg:: That I am very shy.
John: What part of the industry do you dislike?
Greg: Being that I am primarily an artist and I don't feel I could be a businessman, I must admit that music industry represents nothing but the necessary next step in my career. This industry means a lot of drawbacks for many musicians.
When one really enters into it, one realizes how impersonal and how ruthless it is. A musician must bear in mind that he or she is just another number or just another product for the ones who will want to sell him/her. Nothing else.
John: And what do you enjoy most about being an entertainer?
Greg: What I enjoy most is creating new songs and making people feel good with my vibes.
John: For concert dates, where can this information be found?
Greg: At the moment I am concentrating on making an album, so I am not planning any concerts. Thank you for your comments and your questions, John.
John: And thank you Mr. SoulGreg. This interview was my pleasure.
Dear Reader, please check out his "my space" website, his music is out the hook, in order words, his music is Grammy material.
Great interview! I checked out his music, it is gooood. And he is hot :-) Wish him all the best!!!!