As you kick off your new year getting rid of the old to make way for the new, don’t forget to add new music to your iPod. Looking for a 2012 anthem, start with I Just Wanna Dance the new single from Funk/Soul AVJ Recording artist, Space Capone. Space Capone is the perfect blend of 70s funk with a new school twist. The Nashville native who has performed at the CMJ Music Marathon in 2009 and Bonnaroo in 2010 is now releasing his self-titled album on January 24, 2012. His horn heavy sound mixed with his falsetto voice and spunky lyrics, will have you dancing in the streets.

Space Capone took time out during his busy tour schedule to chat with JohnSimonDaily.com.

To release 8 albums on your own independent record label is a huge accomplishment.  Such is the case for two-time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Eric Roberson, who will release Mister Nice Guy on November 8th. Inspired by his role as husband and new father, Mister Nice Guy is a 15 track collection of masterful storytelling that will not disappoint current fans and will impress new fans. Eric Roberson has and endless track record of great collaborations such at Jill Scott, Vivian Green, and Marsha Ambrosius and doesn’t fall short on his current project collaborating with artists such as Chubb Rock, Phonte, and Jean Baylor, to name a few.

Eric Roberson took time between hosting SoBs Sol Village during CMJ Music Marathon to talk to JohnSimonDaily about the creative process for Mister Nice Guy.

Check out Eric Roberson in action…
Part 1

Part 2

Flipping through the CMJ guide, it’s often hard to decide who to see perform. Sometimes you have to rely on recommendations from fellow CMJ attendees and sometimes you just have to go on a gut feeling that the show is going to be awesome. There are also times when a name jumps out at you that you can’t resist! For me that name was Nikki Jean.

I had seen Nikki Jean perform several times in 2008 as Lupe Fiasco promoted his second album The Cool. Nikki Jean created a buzz around her sultry voice featured on Lupe’s single Hip Hop Saved My Life. After the success of that song, I assumed Nikki Jean would soon follow-up with a solo project. As quickly as Lupe Fiasco moved on to other things, I almost forgot Nikki Jean’s name, until I came across The Nikki Jean Project video blog. Fans witnessed how much of a rollercoaster ride the music business can be from seeing Nikki perform, sign her first record contract, to finally releasing her debut album Pennies in a Jar on July 12, 2011. Although it was three year creation, Pennies in a Jar, proves how truly talented of a singer/songwriter Nikki Jean is.

Prior to Nikki Jean’s CMJ performance at SOBs Sol Village, the Minnesota native, talked exclusively with JohnSimonDaily about her album and  her social media experience.

Check out Nikki jean in action at SOBs

In the revolving door of hip hop, the door has been slow moving for female MCs. Nikci Minaj is currently dominating the female MC genre and Kreayshawn is making a buzz. Audra the Rapper, signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach Music, is ready for everyone to know her name.  At a very young age, Audra knew music was her calling and has been working on her craft ever since. With several mixtapes including  The Mis Education of Audra in her arsenal, Audra the Rapper is excitedly awaiting to drop a full length album.

Audra the Rapper took time out of her hectic CMJ schedule to sit down with JohnSimonDaily.com and give us the 411.

It’s that time of the year when New York City is taken over by the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival. It’s a time to hop from showcase to showcase  in the hopes of being the first to hear the next future superstar. Three years ago on the stage of South Paw in Brooklyn, we witnessed the lyrical flow of a young rapper from Pittsburgh, who went by the name of Wiz Kalifah. We were blown away by the energy of his show and instantly became fans.  Most recently with the song Black and Yellow, Wiz Khalifa has become a house hold name.

Prior to his performance at South Paw, JSD got up close and personal with Sean to find out more about the man behind the beard and most importantly the best place to get a Philly Cheesesteak!

Interview

Performance

JohnSimonDaily: Who is Peter Baldwin?

Peter Baldwin: What I can tell you is that a long series of trial and error landed me here in this interview. I’ve managed to avoid any official diagnosis other than displaying every human characteristic at the same time, all the time. Nicki-Minajosis?

JSD: What is “Alternative Soul”?

PB: I am Alternative Soul, rooted in a Gospel/Soul upbringing, but with an ear to do strange things to it. Having an alternative soul means allowing my music to flow freely and my conscience to haunt me.

JSD: What inspired you the most w/Peter Baldwin in Vodville?

PB: My high school sweetheart, this career that I’m figuring out, my family, and my suicide attempts all make up most of the subject matter for the EP. The most inspiring thing is illegal, I mean, love.

JSD: What was your creative process for writing the songs on your EP?

PB: The songs on Peter Baldwin in Vodville were written and performed over and over again for years in more styles than I can remember. I get an idea, put it in Garage Band, show it to my guys, and play it out. Then I go back and change the format. Hardly any of the lyrics are ever written down, and some of the lyrics don’t show up until the vocal recording sessions. This process, as chaotic as it seems, helps me know my songs forward and back and how to bring out the songs’ best qualities.

JSD: Do you have a favorite song?

PB: Suicide Girl

JSD: You have performed all over the country and have opened for many well respected artists in the industry. What have you learned from those experiences and how has that influenced your music?

PB: When I was 20, I got to open for Joss Stone, and I thought to myself,”Shoot, I’m probably going to be famous and get play all the time.” When I was 21, I got to open for Aloe Blacc, and I thought, “I can do better.” At 22, I was direct support for Earth, Wind, and Fire. I sat far away from the stage while they played (it was magical) and realized that I don’t want their career. Whether or not I am ever right in my thinking, being around successful artists helps me define success for myself. No disrespect intended.

JSD: Who were a few of the musical influences in your life?

PB: Amy Winehouse, Danger Mouse, Marvin Gaye, Feist, Kirk Franklin, Lobi Traore, Kanye West, Pharrell, Hova, John Jacob Niles, James Brown, R.E.M., Lenny Kravitz, Thom Yorke, Otis Redding, and MJ to name a few.

JSD: Who would you like to collaborate with? What would the song be about?

PB: It would be a real game changer to work with Pharrell, and I’m almost certain we’d make some sad, druggy thing about feeling misunderstood or a more upbeat thing about womanizing.

JSD: Is there a message in your music?

PB: The message is that each transition I go through, no matter how bright or dark, is part of one beautiful life and that it all leads to perfection. I hope that whoever listens to me can see himself.

JSD: Radio, Internet Radio, or Satellite Radio?

PB: I hardly ever listen to or search for music unless I’m using a smart phone or computer. Internet Radio Nation!

JSD: What’s next?

PB: I always think years ahead about my life (kids, travel, my estate), but I don’t think you’re asking that. So right now I’m jumpstarting all my career interests at the same time, writing pop songs to sell, going to electronic shows, creating blogging ideas, and reading. The next album is in the works too.