Interview
Conya
Doss
F
our albums deep, almond-
eyed soul singing beauty
Conya Doss presents her
latest offering: Still… Whilst the
intentions of this album are, in Conya’s
words, to ‘tell a little bit more about what’s through
my lens,’ many people will have missed the first three
flashes. Without attention-grabbing factors such as
the widely compelling self-destructive streak (and
Grammy Awards) of Amy Winehouse, the hip-hop
co-signs Dwele gained from collaborations with Slum
Village, Common and Kanye West, and the mixtape
hustle of Raheem Devaughn, Conya Doss is probably
still… below your radar.
If this frustrates her, you can’t tell from her smile.
The success, acknowledgement and nomination of
her peers inspires Conya with confidence that soul
music as a whole will enjoy a resurgence, rather than
a mere token few; ‘I think it’s an evolution/revolution.
We’re not going anywhere but I think people are
gradually becoming more accepting - those who
normally had tunnel vision exposing the public to over
saturated commercialised music… I think it’s coming
around and we just have to keep grinding on it.’
The Cleveland, Ohio native grinds away minus the
support of a thriving local soul scene. Eyes sparkling,
she laughs and confesses, ‘Cleveland does not have
a lot of [soul] outlets. I grew up there and I have family
there, but if I didn’t travel, I don’t know what I’d do.
It’s a nice place to raise kids or settle down. As far
as the music scene - they’re trying but it’s just not to be a young lady. We take for granted that they
happening. There are so many talented musicians should know these things... I think we’re in such a
there, but a lot of them… leave. But I’m not leaving; I misogynistic society and the girls come to school
know that I can make this happen without leaving.’ looking like they’re in a video. It’s not cute! They
Currently making it happen with the support of UK don’t understand they can’t wear that. They just don’t
label Dome Records – also home to the soulful talents know. It’s amazing that things we take for granted
of Eric Roberson, Donnie and Anthony David – Conya that they should know, they have no idea. I see it
tells Flavour, ‘With a company like Dome, you know every day… that group [aged] 12-15 - they have no
you have a company that believes in what you’re idea.’
doing – and to me that’s important. There are a lot of ‘I think they’re being raised by [internet and TV]
people who have major label deals whose projects while their parents are not at home like they should
will never see the light of day, or they don’t believe be, and some of the parents are young too so I
in the artist enough – ‘oh, there’s not a key producer definitely think it’s a reflection of that. I always have
on there’ – as opposed to looking at a producer who to correct my five year old niece; she wants to look
has substance. That, to me, is not appealing. They do like that... That’s not what she’s being taught but
have a machine behind them, as far as tours and all evidently she’s influenced by these images that this is
that, but for me if I have to balance it between giving the standard of beauty, this is what you need to look
up my creativity and my freedom versus that… no, I’ll like, you need to be this thin. I’ve never seen a little
stick to what I’m doing any day over that.’ five year old girl that’s so concerned about weight.
Eliciting what may be the first recorded sincere Something’s wrong with that… I definitely think that
use of the phrase ‘don’t give up your day job,’ Conya that needs to be changed.’
Doss spends her sunlit hours as a special needs Championing health and personifying humility, the
teacher in the Cleveland public school system. ingredients of Conya Doss sound like a good recipe
Ms. Doss by day, sultry singer by night? Admirable for real soul. I suggest you start with album number
work, a nurturing spirit, and a conscientious attitude four and eat your way backwards.
to imagery as a figure of influence, have all fuelled
Conya with a desire to effect change. She explains, Still is out now on Dome Records.
‘In Cleveland they have a lot of programs for all the
boys - they’re at risk - and for Special Ed kids, but I www.conyadoss.com or www.myspace.com/
wanna focus on young ladies… teaching them how conyadoss for more info.
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