An Interview With Soul Singer, KELVIN FRAZIER On New Music and More!

Thanks for your time! So where does this interview find you? What’s on tap for the rest of your day?

Thanks for featuring me! Right now my single “Marked and Scarred” is approaching the top 30 at mediabase/billboard and I am on the brink of getting a patent for developing a technology that determines the quality of water as well. 

Overall, how do you think 2017 was for you and your career? What are you most excited about for this year? What is one big goal you have for 2018?

2017 was crazy! I had 4 different jobs (Technology Consulting Position, Post-Doctoral Research Position, Adjunct Chemistry Faculty Position at the College/University Level, and R&D Electrochemist). This wasn’t done on purpose, but during this time I was trying to find myself. What helped me through it all was music. Completing my EP made everything worthwhile for me in 2017 because it took me 29 years to get to that point. I am most excited about how well my single is charting for it to be my first ever single as an independent artist. My goal for 2018 is to start touring both nationally and internationally.

Growing up, did you ever think that this would be the kind of life that you would have? Has music always been a big part of your life? Can you recall your first ever musical experience?

I knew I would be doing music growing up. Music has always been my first love. What I didn’t expect was to have a second love of science and having the ability to balance the two. My first musical experience was at my church in Clyo, GA where my grandmother was the director of the choir. Seeing her ability to lead and sing lead as a self taught musician gave me the courage to go after my passion of music. I knew music was in my blood. I just needed to tap into it.

How do you think growing up in your hometown has influenced your sound and who you are as a musician?

Down south we have a strong influence of traditional gospel music. I have been singing that style all my life. In my music, people have asked me if I grew up singing in the church because they could hear it. I love singing songs that speaks to the soul, which makes my gospel influence fit nicely with my style.

Let’ s talk about your newest track, “Marked + Scarred.” What was the inspiration for this song? How do you think it shows how you have grown and developed as an artist over the years? What about your track “Conquer All”? How did that come together?

“Marked and Scarred” was inspired by the death of my grandmother. It’s a song that general speaks about love loss which happens in various ways and encourages people to remember the good times as you look back on your love experience. Writing this song was difficult, but the topic was something everyone deals with and made a foundation of the type of artist I want to be. I want to speak to the soul of my listeners and give a word of encouragement. “Conquer All” speaks the same message. No matter what you may be encountering, with love we will conquer all. That is the mind set I have with everything I do. Your love could be a significant other or one of your passions for your career. The song “Conquer All” was written by my friend, Crystal Glover. We have been best friends for over 25 years, so she knows what type of message best represents me. 

Generally, how do you go about putting songs together these days? Are you constantly being inspired by life around you?

I listen to a song and think back to my life experiences where the song takes me. Then I start writing like poetry to describe those memories and go back to my team to start thinking about melodies to go with the lyrics. Life is so much like a roller coaster, not knowing where your path will take with unexpected turns, drops and lifts. All of those moments constantly inspires me to share them with the world with my music.  

I am curious to know more about what really got you to take a detour on your musical path by pursuing your doctorate? Was it difficult to make that huge step? Do you ever have any regrets in the timing of it all?

The detour came from financial stability, plus making music cost money. I knew if I wanted to put out professional quality work, I needed the money to support it. Yes, it was difficult at first; however when I thought about it that way and promised myself to stay involved with music by singing in the choir, I finally felt like I was making the right decision. One thing I know I have is patience. My time will come. No, I don’t regret the decision. I learned so much about myself while getting my doctorate. Going through a rigorous program like MIT empowered me to feel like a survivor where I can achieve anything I put my mind to. 

Do you find that after everything is said and done, that you enjoy spending time doing one thing over the other the most today?

It’s all about balance and time management. I think I do this pretty well and enjoy myself during the day. I maybe tired at times, but I am still having a blast.

Where do you find that you sing the most these days, in the shower, in the car, in the studio or elsewhere?

I sing mostly between my church choir at California Worship Center and the studio.

Where can fans see you perform next? What do you think makes for an ideal concert for you?

I will be performing two gigs in Los Angeles at Bar 20 on Sunset Blvd March 16th and at Molly Malone’s on S. Fairfax Ave March 31st. All of my latest performance announcements can be found on my website as well http://www.kelvinfrazier.com/.

We are living through a very trying and politically charged time right now so I am curious how you think being a musician gives you the most joy in life today? How do you think that music is going to reflect these challenging times?

We express these changes in the lyrics of our music. That is exactly what I did in the track “Conquer All” as well. It speaks about the world being divide where it seems like there is no one willing to fight. The innocent are dying yet the corrupt are still breathing. However, remember to show love to one another and with that we will conquer all these injustice.

Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? What musicians would you absolutely still love to work with in the future?

John Legend, Luke James, Stevie Wonder, Fantasia Barrino, and Mary Mary are some of my favorite artists. I would love to work with John Legend or Fantasia Barrino.

What do you hope your fans take away from your music?

I hope they learn who Kelvin is and to take my life experiences to be of encouragement.

Would you like to share anything else with our readers?

Thank you for spending the time reading to learn about me. I have both music and scientific projects in progress, so stay tuned to see what else is to come.