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For singer/songwriter Deonna Martin, “Vertical Soul” fuels who she is
and what she does. The soul songstress talks about her debut CD,
“Beauty Mark,” and the vibe that comes with it.
Soul music gives birth to the artistry of Deonna Martin. You may not
readily recognize her name, but you’ve likely experienced her work.
Martin has been a longtime force in the music industry. Her songwriting talents have earned her the opportunity to write for and with a host of noted writers, producers and artists in Pop, R&B, Soul and Contemporary Gospel genres. Martin co-wrote “Come Fill My Heart,” which in 2003, landed on the “Throne Room” album of Grammy Award-winning Gospel icon Ce Ce Winans. She has opened up for sister duo Mary Mary and has shared the stage with such major artists as Keite Young, Joann Rosario, Virtue and others.
Now, with the recent launch of her debut CD, “Beauty Mark,” it’s Martin’s time to take center stage. The project features production from a team of award-winning and credited writers/producers/musicians, such as Chuck Harmony who lends his talents to Grammy-winning artists Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige and Celine Deon. “Beauty Mark” also features the work of other heavyweights including Jamie Portee, Debra Killings, Brandon Thomas, “Natstar,” and INOJ.
It's More Than a Groove...
Talking with Deonna Martin felt kind of like kicking it with a new-found friend who not only shares my taste in music, my love for food, and other simple pleasures of life, but also totally connects with me in this Vertical movement to ignite positive change in the mainstream music industry. With "Beauty Mark," she took values like integrity, responsibility and honesty and lyrically laced them throughout a mix of soulfully smooth tracks. The power of her intentional messages line up just right with her progressive soul sound to create the refreshingly compelling Deonna Martin experience.
Martin's CD is a pot of pure lyrical goodness supported by distinct beats and magnetic melodies. Her soothing, almost angelic vocals bring it all together with a buttery tone that seals the deal on every track. Some VERTICAL FIX favorites are "Heaven's Sake," "Bottle Up," "In the Morning" and "Measure Up." The last track on the CD, "Swerve," is definitely the hip-hop roof-raiser delivering an appeal for praise that's sure to move anyone with a bone in his body. Standout lyrics on the CD go to the title track, "Beauty Mark," which is the perfect pick for pressing "play" after facing defeat, failure or rejection.
Overall, I'd say Martin's sound is nu-soul flavored R&B anchored by the inspirational lyrics that she pens. But Deonna Martin has a better term to describe her vibe. It’s called “Vertical Soul,” and it’s more than a groove…
Tell me, exactly what is “Vertical Soul”?
I came up with the concept because I wanted people to be able to experience good music with a good message. The idea is to elevate people, to elevate their thoughts and do so without being coined as a commercial, pop or mainstream message that, quite frankly, can sometimes be shallow. I wanted to give them a message of hope, a real message of love and get some truth in there too.
Yes, people are hungry for positive life and grooves...we are definitely on the same page. How do people respond to Deonna Martin and the whole “Vertical Soul” concept? What kind of feedback do you get after performances?
Most people are intrigued by the term initially. It causes them to think about it. When they experience my delivery, then they get it. They say it’s refreshing; it’s what we need in the industry. People say it’s pure and it’s touching. Some people come to me after a show in tears. When that happens, I feel so humbled. And it makes me grateful to be in a position to pioneer this concept and be in the fold with others that are pioneering the whole move to more positive messages in music.
When and how did the songwriting and singing all start for you?
I’ve been in the industry since about 17, just forging my way. At that young age, you’re immature and you look at what’s out there and say “I wanna do that.” You’re kind of lured by the whole idea of commercialism. After I got married, it was more of a heart fix and God really challenged me, in terms of “what are you truly going to be about? Can I trust you out there?” And He really kind of changed my direction and perspective. People don’t need another pop star. I want my kind of music to be something that people can eat off of—and I don’t want to feed them junk.”
Is it Gospel music?
For a long time I did Christian music, and I’ve been very influenced by all gamuts of the Christian Gospel market, but we also don’t need any more Gospel music in the way we have Gospel now. That was the other piece that fed into the (“Vertical Soul”) concept. I want to really get people focused on what is true without turning them away because there are a lot of people who get turned off by Gospel.
Which do you prefer, singing or songwriting?
I’ve been doing both for about the same length of time. I’ve been able to make a lot of strong progress around the writing end of my career for the last 10 years. Songwriting is a passion. But the bottom line is, I don’t care who sings it, I just want to offer lyrics and messages that can feed people truth and a perspective that will help shift their mindsets onto the right things.
For example…?
I am unashamedly Christian. I’m not the type of artist to hide it. But at the same time, I’m going to write music that appeals to the person that doesn’t know Jesus Christ, wouldn’t care to hear about it, and wouldn’t step foot in the church, but I’m going to give them a song and write music that represents what God would endorse. Not songs or messages that send us in the wrong direction, like, “it’s ok to cheat on your husband or wife” or “it’s ok…” even if it’s inferred slyly in a song, “…to have sex before marriage.” Those types of things are important to me. So I think I have more power as a writer, even though I trust that my artistry will give me some room and a platform to carry that cause as well as other artists who sing my songs.
What artists and music does Deonna Martin listen to these days?
I’m just so thrilled with Alicia Keys’ new album. It is probably my favorite of hers. I’ve grown to really admire her as an artist because she truly is an all-around phenomenal musician, writer, and she has definitely stepped it up vocally. I am a diehard Brian McKnight fan; he is a timeless balladeer. I love Stevie Wonder for sure, and I love Gwen Stefani. I love who she is because she is very different, she stands out and she is married and is a mommy. I have every Mary J. album there is. I also listen to Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin and JoAnn Rosario. And I’m a 90s girl, so I like the girl and guy groups like SWV and Guy. I also listen to some classical music here and there.
Who would you like to work with?
I’d love to work with Common, Alicia Keyes, Mary J. Blige, John Legend…. I also want to work with independent artists who are unsigned and in their garages or basements working on their own songs and sound.
Deonna, what are some of your ultimate goals in this business and in life?
I want to be a light and add to the positive movement in music. That’s key for an artist to be in that vein of changing the game of what we’re putting out there for people to hear and feel and experience.
I want to be one of the few artists and songwriters out there that keeps my family together and be able to say “it’s worth it.” Too many of the generations coming up now really look to the music game and the people in the industry as icons, and they pattern their lives behind them. And I just want to be an example for people in that way so they can aspire to the right things. For me, it’s not about selling a whole lot of albums anymore. It’s really about the power of influence.
What do you hope to accomplish through your music?
I look at “Vertical Soul” as a reflection of who I am. It’s out of who I am that the music flows and reflects my experiences. As an artist, I really go after that young lady—who is in college, or about to go to college or graduate from college—who hears my music or even sees me and is inspired and would even dare to aspire to be married and be a mom and think it’s cool. And I go after that young man, hoping to inspire him to look at that young lady and think it’s cool that she has that perspective. I even want to go after the troubled couple that’s having challenges, and hopefully they would be empowered and inspired to make things work. And one thing that’s taboo, I want that Christian woman to hear my music or see me and say, “I can be sexy and saved, without compromise, and it’s ok… and actually be good at it!”
Deonna, this is the month for love. Do you write love songs?
Absolutely. There is one song on the album, it’s called “Funny Habit.” It talks about when you really love someone, but they don’t seem to love you like you love them. You only get the phone calls or that person only comes around or only wants to deal with you when they need you. It’s totally conditional. This song is written from God’s perspective, but most people don’t pick up on that. And that’s the essence of “Vertical Soul.” It has the ability to relate in life in a natural relationship and there’s also the message in there of the spiritual relationship between God and His children. Basically, the lyric is, “you’ve got a funny habit of only calling on me when you’re broke and tied up in a bind / You got a funny habit of only loving on me when you need something / You got a funny habit.” People don’t think of God that way, but it’s true.
If you could teach the world one thing about love, what would it be?
“Love is unconditional…and it’s limitless when you do it right.”
by Vertical FixTM
VERTICAL FIXTM is an online magazine and internet radio experience created to empower readers while giving listeners a 24/7, constantly evolving stream of soulful grooves anchored by lyrical content that is honest and inspiring. www.verticalfix.com .
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