New School Southern Crooner

R & B fans out there, if you have the taste for the likes of Jimmy Cozier and Calvin Richardson, then you will appreciate the sounds of LeVar Thomas. A South Carolina crooner, who not only sings, but also writes, records and mixes his own tracks as well. He’s a triple threat! Of course, I stumbled upon him via Twitter (I’m addicted to twitter, by the way) and clicked on his Myspace link. What a great voice!!

With inspirational influences such as Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, and Luther Vandross, along with gospel music, LeVar belts out such tunes as "Missing You", "Ain’t So Bad", and my favorite, "Come See About Me." Through these songs, you can hear the passion for the craft he loves so much. As of now, LeVar is an unsigned artist, but in my opinion, that will change with his continuous output of similar tracks as the aforementioned.

Don’t take my word for it, check out a few of his music/profile links and take some time to read our interview below. Feel free to leave your thoughts in the “comments” area. I’m sure LeVar would be glad to get your feedback.

1. Hello LeVar, I want to thank you for granting me this interview. How is everything going?

Everything is going wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to chat with me.

2. So, I’m going to jump right in. Through my digging, I found that you are a southern man. First, elaborate on growing up in the south and southern living as a whole. Secondly, I’m interested in knowing how growing up in the south shaped your sound. Has living in NYC influenced a change in your sound?

Yes. I am born and raised in South Carolina. Life is like anywhere else but laid back and you know people in your community more personally. I spent most of my time at my grandmother’s house while my parents worked. I have a huge, loving family and when I needed to be alone, music was my refuge. There was plenty of it around.

Growing up in the south taught me humility and hospitality. I now live in NYC and strangers are pleasantly surprised when you ask them about their day or hold the door open after you. Not saying people are rude in NYC, life is just fast and you don’t think of things like that when you’re so busy. Back home, it’s just second nature to do that for people.

My sound is influenced by a lot of things, I think my accent might play into it somehow (lol) but I’m most influenced by gospel and those balladeers like Otis Redding, Luther Vandross and Freddie Jackson. Since moving to NYC, my songwriting output has increased but I think my sound and the subjects I sing about stay true.

3. Did you always have a passion for music? If so, at what point did you realize that you wanted to be a singer/songwriter? Do you prefer one to the other; which do you like best, the performance side or the songwriting?

I’ve always had a passion for music. My mom says I’d kick to the beat of my dad’s stereo before I was born and I’ve always been involved in music one way or another. I’ve sang in an R&B group, at church since 7, chorus in middle and high school and still love doing it to this day.

In 2002, when I moved to Atlanta, I started collaborating with local artists and found that I was a good songwriter as well. I started writing songs for myself but then others started showing interest in my writing skills. I would be satisfied being a singer or a songwriter I love doing both. As a writer, it’s exciting to see an idea become a finished song. As a singer, I just love to stack the harmonies and think up different ways to sing a song for maximum impact. I just want to leave my imprint in music like so many that have inspired me.

4. Along with singing and songwriting, do you play any instruments at all? What are some of your other hidden talents? Are you a secret bid whist champ? Are you a black belt in karate? *Laughs*

LOL! No I don’t play any instruments, which I know is a virtual requirement for a songwriter. I have picked up a guitar and piano to learn before, but my hand is mostly drawn to the pen and pad so I write.

I don’t have any outstanding hidden talents to mention but I dabble in lots of things! I do pretty well at trivia, and I do web editing for myself. Most of the day though, I am creating music.

5. If you had to pick a genre(s) that represents your music/style, what would it be? What other genres do you enjoy or influence you?

The style that represents me best is R&B and Soul but I’m no one-trick pony. I try them all but I feel more in my element singing and writing R&B.

I can’t pinpoint one genre that influences me more because I enjoy music from all genres. There basically just has to be a great song there and a great song can transcend genres.

"I’ve always had a passion for music...I’ve always been involved in music one way or another."

6. Speaking of music and genres, you said on your Myspace bio, “I believe music needs reform.” Please elaborate further. Also, how will you personally aide in reforming music?

When I said music in this case, I meant the music industry. There is a disconnect between what the fans want and what they are being given.

People go to the web to buy singles and listen to songs free because who wants to invest in 2 good songs per album. More focus should be put into finding truly talented artists who can deliver a great CD from top to bottom. Reforming music is a tall order and I can’t do it alone. I just put the energy back into creating the kind of music that has inspired me.

7. I’ve listened to a few of your tracks and I really love, “Come See About Me.” What was the inspiration for that song in particular and what inspires you overall? In addition, out of all of your tracks, what are/is your personal favorite(s)?

"Come See About Me" is the first song I wrote after moving to New York. I was missing my own family and friends, I knew of some friends leaving for college and some family that was going overseas in the armed services. I just put myself in their shoes and a great song came from it.

My overall inspiration comes from my ambition. I’ve been working at music for a while and I can’t stop now! In my quest I get better and better. I just want to make good at my lifelong dream and I have a crazy love for the art of music. I love to hear what other’s create and just want to be a link in the chain that keeps great music coming.

I have a large catalog of music and a lot has yet to be heard. It’s very hard to pick from the songs I’ve written because I put a lot of thought and effort into each one. I’ve even recorded and mixed them myself so each of them gave their pain and I see growth in myself from song to song. I am most proud of the first song I wrote called Ain’t So Bad. It really sums up my love for my family and music and I was really proud after it was all done. On Myspace, I rotate my songs quite often but this one remains on the list because of what it means to me!

8. As I said, I’ve listened to a few tracks and you remind me of singers such as Calvin Richardson, Avant, and Jimmy Cozier. What artists have influenced you and your musical style? By the way, who are some of your favorite artists to date; who’s in your cd player/ipod?

Thanks (Virgo27/Homebody Blogger). The guys you’ve mentioned above are great vocalists and songwriters and good company to be in.

The artists’ who have most inspired me is Luther Vandross and Stevie Wonder. My mom was a big Luther fan and played his music all throughout my childhood and when I left home, I purchased all of his CDs for myself. He had the best male vocals and ballads around that inspire me to create the level of music and artistry he created.

Stevie Wonder is also a huge inspiration for me. As I began to choose music for myself, I bought more and more Stevie records. Beyond being blind he plays harmonica, piano, drums, writes, sings and has 26 + Grammys to his name. He’s a philanthropist and his music to heals and teaches and that’s definitely something I aspire to.

On my iPod right now is a crazy mix of things but it’s all music I love; Kanye, Beyonce, Pink Floyd, Erykah Badu, Tom Petty, Jazmine Sullivan, Chicago, & Common to name a few. I don’t know who isn’t on there. (lol)

"Reforming music is a tall order and I can’t do it alone. I just put the energy back into creating the kind of music that has inspired me."

9. What are 3 unique qualities, in your opinion, that set you apart from other artists out here today? Why should people indulge in the sounds of LeVar Thomas?

My drive, my humility and sincerity! I do my own singing, songwriting, recording, mixing, and web promoting. When I write songs I stay authentic to who I am and create music I feel will last and stay with people for years to come.

10. So, as of right now, what is in the works? Any album releases? Any collabos? Any performances in the Washington, DC metro area?

Right now I’m working with some other songwriters at a major studio creating songs that I’m confident that will be placed with signed artists. I can’t mention names, but hopefully 2009 will be my year!

I’m featured on several mixtapes right now. On the Ears & Voices mixtape with Asian rapper extraordinaire Kato (Myspace.com/katohiphop and iTunes) and on rapper Starr Nyce’s (Myspace.com/StarrNyce) latest mixtape, Allow Me to Re-Introduce Myself 2.0. I hadn’t compiled an album for myself yet but I release songs pretty often. You can hear and download them on Myspace, iTunes or LeVarThomas.com.

11. In the next, say, 3-5 years, where do you see your music career?

I hope to be a sought after writer with a few awards and/or to have released my first major album. I feel these are very attainable goals for me. I’m in the right place, with the right people and I go hard!

Take a moment to enjoy other tracks by LeVar:

LeVar Thomas Playlist