Black History Month: Roland Clark

Black History Month: Roland Clark

7 February, 2011 | 9.34AM

• Written by: Justin Jack
• Filed under: Music News: black history month, jesus jackson, roland clark

Listeners the world over are familiar with Roland Clark’s voice, even if they don’t know it, thanks to his guest appearances on tracks like Fatboy Slim’s “Song for Shelter” and Armand Van Helden’s “Flowerz.” And his track “Running on Sunshine,” recorded as Jesus Jackson, even graced the opening of the third season of Grey’s Anatomy. He’s a household voice, if not yet a household name—and given his talents as a DJ, producer, remixer, and songwriter, the latter can’t be far behind.

Read on for an interview with the Atlanta-based musician and would-be president of the house nation.

Where do your roots lie—geographically and also musically speaking?

I was born in Newark, New Jersey but soon after moved to a small town in Virginia called Farmville. It was there, growing up, that I listened to more than my share of country music and light rock, which told the best stories in the lyrics. My family listened mainly to soul music, as did I, but it was the light rock that captured my ear the most.

In recognition of Black History Month, who are your mentors or heroes within black culture, and how have they impacted your own music and career?

I would have to say artists like Stevie Wonder—and while that may be clichéd, in a sense, his lyrics came to life when I closed my ears and listened to his music. I can almost see each line playing out in my head as if I was watching a film.

For you, what are the important links between house/electronic music and African-American culture?

The drums, hands down. It’s the foundation of what we do.

As electronic music has become more global, do you ever worry that it has lost contact with its roots?

Not at all—the more the better, but as far as artists and genres go, I see a decline in the recognition of deep house and soulful house, for instance at dance-music awards, etc.

Who have been your primary inspirations?

My past inspirations are varied; I am inspired not so much by people as by places and sounds. South Beach Miami, always made me create more in an upbeat fashion, whereas New York City takes me to a darker place in my creativity. As for the future my sound is forever evolving, in 2011 you will hear a more pop progressive sound coming from me.

Did you have any help or mentors getting into the studio and learning the ropes?

Yes, there are few, Calvin Gaines mainly; I was there when he did the beat for “Milk Is Chillin,” a classic hip hop record,” and he also taught me how to write a song. And then there are the others, like Paul Simpson, Merlin Bobb, and Winston Jones, who showed the bigger picture and how to carry the music forward.

At what point did you feel your career started to take off?

I would have to say when “Who Keeps Changing Your Mind” (as South Street Player) dropped. I was in between genres, between R&B and house, but that was the record that tilted the scales for me.

But there are so many others that kept me going as well: Urban Soul’s “Alright,” Fatboy Slim’s “Star 69,” Todd Terry’s “Something Goin’ On,” and many more—I have been truly blessed.

What’s up next for you?

Most recently, I’ve worked with Joachim Garraud on the first single from his latest album, a song called “Stop.” I have four on there, and as always I’m working with my boy Todd Terry and, soon, Armand Pena; I just dropped him a vocal in which he loves. As far as my label, we are still going strong with Delete Global Records/Strictly Rhythm and Delete Records. The latter has two tracks I just put out on a limited release, “Sparrow” and “Outside In The Rain feat. Q.”

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