Phatmag interviews

Brian Harvey

IT’S TIME TO HEAR WHAT HE HAS TO OFFER!

By Joanna Chaundy

K-Ci Hailey of Jodeci: “He’s definitely got potential!”

Wyclef Jean: “When I first heard him sing, I thought he was a black kid. The kid’s got soul.”

When you look at today’s British male rnb singers… there is one that could realistically eat them all for breakfast vocally. Yes, finally the Americans have discovered ex East 17 frontman, Brian Harvey. At last!
Wyclef heard him sing and instantly wanted to work on his debut album as well as other big producers such as, Sprague (former producer for Blackstreet).
Now managed by Big boss, Danny Sims, (former manager to Bob Marley), could it be that Brian is finally getting the recognition he deserves?
I caught up with London’s cheeky bad boy in New York, where he has been recording his debut album.

So, how does Mr Harvey want to be perceived in the States?
“As a serious artist, a good musician, a singer.”
Brian has been constantly working on new material and enjoying doing what he does best. His enthusiasm really shines through as he tells me about the work he’s been doing.
“Oi, I’ve got a track to play you, that I’ve just finished recording, It’s bad!” (bad in the good sense!). Brian plays me a track, eager to hear opinions. I was very impressed with the level of maturity that you can now clearly identify in his personality AND his voice. We discuss why it is that not many British Artists have broken the States. “They’re doing it wrong,” he laughs. Naturally we get onto Craig David, as he seems to be the only one who has really cracked it, so far.
“Craig is opening doors, he’s going about it the right way. He’s got a sound and a movement behind him, which is the garage thing.” So, do you think Craig will last out there? “Craig’s not following, he’s creating and that’s what’s gonna keep him there. All he needed was a start and he’s got that now, plus he’s young and seems to really love his job. I ain’t got a bad word to say about him, he’s UK’s top boy.”
Brian always gives credit and continually compliments artists who have done well in the industry. It’s only then that I realise, how long Brian has been in the game and how much knowledge he has gained over the years. So what advice would you give to Craig? “I just hope you’ve got your own lawyer and accountant.” He laughs but is obviously very serious. “Honestly, there are a lot of sharks out there.”
Brian has definitely had his fair share of backstabbing in the business, which may have done him a favour, in the sense that he is now fully aware and much more independent.
We chat about manufactured groups who are trying to do rnb. “Dance routines aren’t credible and watered down rnb isn’t credible and if you’ve got both in your song, you’re fucked. That’s the difference between the English and Americans.”
Despite being in a “boy band”, Brian never really was one to be manufactured. He looks back on East 17 and cringes, but at the same time never forgets how successful they were. “I don’t think I even knew how big we were at the time. It was mad. I gained a lot through East 17 and I’m grateful for being able to have that experience.”

Now, as a solo performer, Brian is freer to use the influences from his favourite artists. You can tell by the way he speaks that he is very into his soul/rnb music and constantly praises different musicians such as Jon B. So is this the type of singer you would like to be compared to? “I love artists like Jon B, but I don’t wanna be compared to anybody. I’m just doing my interpretation of rnb and how someone like me should be doing it.”

So does this mean that you have to start drinking “Cristal in the back of a Benz,” to blend in with the yanks? I joke. “Nah, instead of that, I’ll be drinking Vodka and Red Bull in the back of a Ford Fiesta!” I can’t help but laugh at Brian’s bubbly and jokey personality. “I’m not gonna be false! Just because I do a couple of American tracks doesn’t mean I have to start talking like Westwood!” He refers back to Wyclef, who appears to have given him a lot of insight. “I can get accepted by someone like Wyclef, by being myself and letting my voice do the talking.”
Being someone who has grown up listening to artists such as, Jodeci, Guy and R Kelly, I ask how he feel rnb has changed since the early 90’s? “Rnb constantly moves in different directions. Take Alicia Keys for instance, she’s bringing some originality to it.”

I agree, but ask him if he thinks the whole Rodney Jerkins, Missy/Timbaland thing is getting played out now? “Missy keeps having her time, cause she keeps creating good tunes. As long as you’ve got that beat behind a song that gets people moving, it doesn’t matter what you’re singing about.” We chat about which artists stand out in certain groups, (seeing as he used to be one of them). “That girl from Spooks has a great voice.

I also like Jagged Edge’s sound. Look at what the lead singer does to a track, and when they all come together it has that classic 94/95 vocal.” So, which rnb groups do you think will always be credible? “Jodeci, without a doubt, Boyz II Men too.” Are there any rappers you would love to collaborate with? “I’ve always liked Method.” Not surprisingly, Brian mentions Eminem, mainly, I think cause they both have that “Don’t give a fuck” attitude. “He is another person that tells it how it is and can’t be bothered to lie about things and has actually marketed in on it!”

After working with a few top U.S producers, I ask Brian who he rates the most today? “Neptunes are good and definitely Wyclef. He’s brought a completely different angle to my album. His lyrics are very spur of the moment and he has his own boundaries, which he stays within. He’s not far short of a musical genius.”

Not forgetting his homeland, Brian mentions UK producers such as Ignorants as people he has worked with in the past. “Ignorants are rough man! I’d like to work with them more in the future.”

Brian’s attitude has suddenly become very levelheaded and eager to show off a talent that has been hidden for far too long. “I’ve been doing this a long time. In my head I’m at a point where I’ve got to get a happy medium within the workload in order for me to stay interested. Otherwise, I’ll just get pissed off and that isn’t good for me anymore. I’m ready for ‘em mate!”
So, what would be the one thing you would say to the UK media when you break the States? “All I needed was the chance.”

At the end of the day, Brian Harvey may have been media Public Enemy no. 1 for saying one or two stupid things in the past. But it’s time now for the UK to realise that, behind the cocky exterior, we have (and always did have) another talented singer representing us. Good Luck to him.
Be on the look out for the single “Loving You” out Oct 15th!
Watch this space for the album.