Michelle David and The Gospel Sessions: already 3 volumes and a powerful and admirable female voice. Her music made us vibrate during the Eurockéennes 2018 and we have the pleasure to meet her.
We had asked for it in an interview, but having not had any feedback, we thought it was compromised. Until this message just 2 hours before the appointment to warn us that a slot was freed! Suffice to say that we jumped for joy.
It was in her dressing room that we were able to interview Michelle David, the incredible voice of The Gospel Sessions, as she was getting ready to go on stage. Between the application of false eyelashes and mascara, we asked him a few questions.
Can you tell us how the band was born?
Michelle David: The project started 3 years ago. It was the brainchild of Paul Willemsen and Onno Smit with whom I had already worked in a funk band.When I joined them, it confirmed what they had wanted to do for a long time, to make gospel music, and when they heard me sing, they were like, "Ok, we found it."They took time to propose it to me, after several years of collaboration, I do not know how much … One day they gave me an appointment at the studio; I was thinking of coming to work on the funk album and they talked to me about doing gospel. At that moment, I didn't want to; I found it hard to do gospel music in Holland. I told them, "I'm quitting gospel." But the way they talked about it with a lot of passion was so beautiful that I ended up saying to them: "Ok, why not, let's give this project a chance! "At that time, they didn't know if they were going to have concerts, if someone was going to buy our album… "Let's just try! ". No sooner had we said it was gone. And the welcome was very warm from the beginning… And here I am at the Eurockéennes, starting with a third album. It's great!
The current trend in music is more Hip Hop, Rap and Pop-electro. But we also feel a return of Rhythm and Blues. What do you think?
I don't think that style has really disappeared. It just became more underground for a while, less noticed, but it's still there.We just had to get people to come back with certain sounds, with fresher new stuff for people to think, "Oh! Is that RnB? Oh yeah! It's cool."Like Donald Glover… Childish Gambino. I love it! I love his RnB songs, less the Rap ones. He was one of the people who brought a new spark, but gospel has never disappeared.
I'm from New York, the gospel genre is huge in the United States. But he's still in the same places and doesn't really go to meet the different genres. You see artists doing their concerts from time to time in their corner, but they are not going to mingle with festivals like we do now.
We do Rock, Blues and even Metal festivals and it's a bit like "Oh my God, what's going on ?! " But I love it, because the way we make music allows us to play everywhere, which is actually our message. And it doesn't matter if you don't believe it… I believe in it!
It's music that speaks to everyone!
The source of my words is love, just love. I live my life like music, with its highs, its lows, its triumphs, its failures. This last album, I wrote it when my mother died last year… So I'm just living life, we're all connected to that. I'm very happy that it's passing!
You are sometimes compared to Aretha Franklin…
Really? Don't do that (laughs). Not! I'm flattered but I find it scary.
Is she one of your influences?
When I was a kid, there was an album, the name of which I could never remember… But there were 3 that my mother had and that I loved above all: Amazing grace, my favorite forever, Sparkle who comes from a movie, and the last one, I think it's called Managery (not sure)… She wears an ermine coat and looks a lot like my mother. So I've always gravitated around these albums. But then, in terms of musical influence, I will say that I have more references man than woman and it shows in my performances which are rather… Raw! But I love the power of Aretha Franklin, and her voice… Thank you everyone for comparing me with her.
What's the process of creating a powerful song for you?
The truth! Just the truth! Just be purely yourself and this, whatever that entails!
Now people look more at the numbers: you must have so many fans, so many followers… Have the largest audience. I'm always surprised that people come to my concerts, and that makes me happy… Even if there are only two people.Just be true to yourself and not worry about anything else. In any case, for me, it works!
What do you think of the place of women in the world of music?
I do not think they are being given the credit they should have. Even if, when I think about it now – I do not know statistically – we must favor women's songs more, but we give more credit to men's. Women are praised for their sensuality, their sex appeal, but not for the sound that comes out of their mouths. Where for guys: "Oh yes he's beautiful! Ooooh his voice! ". We don't get the interest we deserve, unless we're Beyoncé. And again, we do not notice her for her voice, but especially for the performance that is around. We should be given more, without the need to expose as much, if you know what I mean!
Which artists would you like to meet during the Eurockéennes?
There are 3 in particular: Nine Inch Nails, I'd love to meet them; Leon Bridges; and I'd like to meet Rick Ross. I follow him a little bit on Instagram and I don't know…I feel a bit like, "Oh this guy is a bad guy! " But you know not mean in a negative sense… I do not know if that will happen. I think I met Leon once, at a big Open Mic a few years ago. I'd like to see him again and say, "Hi, do you remember me? (laughs) "
Is there one of those you'd like to play with?
Oooh! I never thought about it. But I'd love to think outside the box. Probably with Nine Inch Nails !
Well, it reminds me of Zeal And Ardor playing this Sunday. They mix Blues and Black Metal.
Oh yes, I've heard about it. I like to merge things that don't necessarily go together. There is nothing really new if you think about it. When you see someone trying something different… I tried a few years ago with a project where Classical Music met Gospel. And before Gospel, in our traditional set, we had Negro Spiritual, which had a more 'classical' meaning. But bringing it closer to the way people sing gospel now, it makes something a little different. I think it's fabulous! But we leave tomorrow, we will not have the opportunity to see Zeal and Ardor unfortunately.
Michelle David is a radiant woman, full of life, joie de vivre, a good communicative mood and who has an incredible catch on stage.
To discover urgently during the MAma Event in Paris from 17 to 19 October
Find the story of Michelle David And The Gospel Sessions' concert
