YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SOUL SINGER

OKAY SO WE ALL AGREE THAT THE MUSIC BUSINESS IS REALLY SUFFERING IN THE CURRENT ECONOMY AND AFTER HAVING LIKE NINE DIFFERENT MAJOR RECORD COMPANIES THERE ARE NOW FOUR. MANY OF YOUR FAVORITE ARTISTS ( EVEN THOSE WITH HIT SONGS) HAVE GONE INDEPENDENT. THE DAYS OF MYSTIQUE AND GRANDOUR AROUND ENTERTAINERS IS NO MORE. MILLION DOLLAR VIDEOS, HISTORY. INFLATED WARDROBE BUDGETS, FORGET ABOUT IT. THE LIFE OF A RECORDING ARTIST IS SLOWLY BUT SURLEY LOOKING LESS LIKE AN APPOINTMENT FROM THE HEAVENS AND MORE LIKE, WELL, A JOB.

FOR MANY YEARS ARTISTS HAVE TRIED TO SHIELD THEIR REGULAR FROM THE WORLD, DEPENDING ON THE CREATIVITY OF A TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE THEIR CELEBRITY LOOK EFFORTLESS BUT TOO OVER THE TOP FOR ANY ONE ELSE TO RECREATE. TODAY'S INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRY INSIDERS ARE MORE ACCESSABLE THAN EVER AND MUCH TO THE CHAGRIN OF MANY ARTISTS JUST ABOUT ANYONE CAN CLAIM THE PRIZE (OR CREATE THE ILLUSION). FACTOR IN THE INTERNET, PUT A FEW ZILLION PEOPLE IN THE GAME AND IT CHANGES FROM ELITE CHESS TO THREE CARD MONTY HUSTLE. AND WITH LESS CHEESE TO THROW AROUND SETTING ONE APART FROM THE OTHER YOUR LIKELY TO START JUDGING ARTISTS BASED ON ....WAIT FOR IT....TALENT. YOU MIGHT ALSO BE LIKELY TO FIND THEM WORKING EVERY DAY. TOILING AWAY FROM THEIR HOME OR OFFICE. TENDING A WEBSITE OR DESIGNING ALBUM COVERS. NOT IN SOME GATED COMMUNITY OR SEASIDE COMPOUND BUT RIGHT ON YOUR BLOCK. NEXT DOOR TO HENRY THE CONTRACTER AND ACROSS THE STREET FROM ERIC THE TEACHER IS THE LYRICIST THAT TOUCHES YOU THE DEEPEST. MAYBE YOU EVEN APPRICIATE IT MORE THIS WAY.. MAYBE KNOWING YOUR FAVORITE SINGER DOESN'T FASHION HIS OR HER IMAGE AROUND MAKING YOU FEEL LESS THAN APPEALS TO YOU. PERHAPS IN THESE DAYS OPPULANCE FEELS EVEN MORE UNRELATABLE AND TRITE TO YOU. MAYBE A DEEPER CONNECTION IS NEEDED FOR YOU TO HAVE A MORE VESTED INTEREST IN THE PRODUCT YOU SUPPORT.

OKAY SO MAYBE BEYONCE AINT MOVIN IN ON 59TH AND CHESTNUT, BUT SOME SONGBIRD WHO CAN BELT IT OUT WITH THE BEST OF EM JUST FINISHED CUTTING HER ALBUM IN HER BASEMENT STUDIO AND IS WAITING FOR YOU TO BUY THE SINGLE ON I-TUNES OR HIT HER UP ON FACEBOOK. SHE'S DOING CLUB DATES, NOT ARENAS. SHE MIGHT NOT BE PLATNUM BUT SHE OWNS HER OWN PUBLISHING. SHE'S NOT A POP ICON BUT HER VIDEOS ARE CLEVER AND FUN. ITS A BRAVE NEW WORLD OUT THERE MUSIC FANS AND YOU NEED NOT LOOK FURTHER THAN YOUR BACKYARD TO DISCOVER IT..

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO ALL INDEPENDENT ARTISTS AND THE KIDS AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY HOUSE THAT CALL ME "MISS KINDRED".

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Comment by Todd E. Thompson on February 11, 2011 at 2:35am: We around the same age so since I'm not quite for the "Mr. Thompson" tag yet I won't go there with the "Ms. Kindred" but I will say this. What you and Fatin shows all of us who are independent artist is that it starts with the LOVE OF MUSIC FIRST AND FOREMOST!!!!!! Of course you want people to hear your music, feel your music, want your muisc, but if the love is not there, then yeah, it becomes a grind. I know you guys are in a unique position of being "working musicians", but it's good to know that you haven't forgot "the grind" it can and could become if the love isn't there. Thanks for your genuine love for the music, each other, and us.......the fans & "starving artists" LOL. Grace and Peace and see you on the 20th of this month. I'll be the big, bald headed dude with the black cool cap and sexy wife rocking a "Kindred and the Family Soul" T-shirt. Hope to take a picture with you guys too. West Philly stand up!!!!!!!

Comment by Rochelle Jenkins on August 2, 2010 at 9:35am: Well said miss kindred!, Speak that true life 2 ppl!

Comment by Angel on July 31, 2010 at 12:51am: You are so right Ms. Aja aka miss kindred! I love that you and your husband have real talent... I know what I want for my birthday a bowling party and a new Kindred and the Family Soul CD .... Love you all so much ....

Comment by Camille LaTesha Cotton on July 26, 2010 at 4:38pm: This needs to be the topic of a major magazine and YOUR POST needs to be the main focus! This is awesome. I feel like you are in my brain and taking my thoughts. Keep on keepin it real and current Miss Aja!!!!! In the mean time I will continue to put on rempeat "Far away from here" due to the fact that Im @ work and thats how Im currently feeling lol. God bless.

Comment by Darrell Horne on July 26, 2010 at 3:54pm: I really enjoyed this information Ms. Kindred (smile)

Comment by Thornell Jones on July 23, 2010 at 12:39pm: fyi - my sister Denise went to the Fort Dupont show and had a wonderful time. Heard it was a "diverse" crowd to say the least. :)

Comment by Thornell Jones on July 23, 2010 at 12:36pm: I am so touched by this, Aja - "Miss Kindred." What insight - from the inside out.

Comment by Shawn on July 21, 2010 at 6:28pm: I love it! I love your style and your genuiness;that's what sells records oh, yeah and talent. Long gone are the days when and artist can saaang. And too far gone when they can saang and be real. Kindred is MUSIC. Keep making it and I'll keep buying it.

Comment by Victoria on July 21, 2010 at 11:42am: I love it!

Comment by Marie Chanté Flowers on July 20, 2010 at 8:34pm: Chile, I swear fo' goodness when I meet "Miss KIndred" I'm gonna squeeze her like she Auntie Oprah! She is a *musicsoundsbestwhenit'sbeltedfromthesoulatabackyardBBQanyway* sangin' mama and I swear fo' goodness, her and Mr. Kindred are coming with me if I ever am deserted on an island and can only take 5 albums! watch!