Music Review and Interview with A.D. Weighs – Crows Feet & Reading Glasses
It’s always a positive effect when a track starts in some fresh and unexpected manner, it gets your attention, draws you in, and makes you feel involved right from the moment you press play. Those colliding opening vocals are so deep and powerful, they express something without the aid of a wall of music behind them, so it makes you want to listen. The song swiftly mutates into something immensely rhythmic and soulful, as the beat kicks in – a great beat as well, a really smooth and stylish kind of groove.
The vocal flow throughout is absolutely captivating, you miss a couple of words occasionally, but you go back, rather than dismissing it; it’s not the kind of lyricism you’re ok with missing out on. The title of the song alone sets this track miles apart from most other R&B or Hip-Hop tracks. The lyrics throughout do not disappoint either, as mentioned, you can’t accept missing out on any of it – the storytelling and the word play are on form. Nothing is included just for the sake of it, there’s no filler, there’s nothing boring or repetitive. It’s quality song writing.
The soul at the heart of this is brilliant, that melody, that low vocal again – it’s hugely compelling and appealing on a number of levels. The production as well, enhances this effect. The vocal sounds tired, intoxicated even, but intentionally so – it’s emotional, it’s real, and it gives the music so much personality. I’m genuinely quite addicted to this track after just a couple of listens. There’s a classic vibe throughout that makes you feel comfortable and calm, but there’s also this huge element of freshness, of now – it feels very recent, very relevant, like you’re right there in the moment with the artists involved.
By Rebecca Cullen
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
A.D. Weighs: I grew up in Detroit, Michigan. The Reagan era – during the kick-off of what would later become known as the “crack epidemic”. The 1980s were very interesting times. I saw how powerful hip-hop was. I noticed how it was beginning to change the way we dressed, the slang we used and the way we related to one another. In the mid-to-late 80s, I was listening to LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, Beastie Boys, Ice T, Steady B, Run DMC, NWA and Whodini. I was just amazed at how the music influenced me and my peers. I wanted to rap, so I started writing. A few years later, I started making beats because, as a rapper, I needed something to rap to, and It was hard to get a hold of instrumentals in those days. I made beats and later (around 1997), I bought a mic and a multi-track recorder and started recording at home. Years would pass before I finally got to the point where I felt my recordings were worth sharing.
Exposed Vocals: How did you come up with that name? What was your inspiration behind it?
A.D. Weighs: “Asharah” is a name given to me by a very wise man whom I love and respect immensely. “Weighs” is sort of an inside joke. It came from a comic I drew years ago. I remember it offended a lot of people, and that’s what I tend to do with my words, so it just fits perfectly. You’ll notice I didn’t explain what the “D” in A.D. Weighs stands for. Well…..For now, let’s just say the “D” stands for DON’T ASK!
Exposed Vocals: What do you think about online music sharing? Do you ever give your music away for free? Why?
A.D. Weighs: Online music sharing, in my opinion, is a double-edged sword. I love the potential to expand the fan base and reach new listeners who might not ever have been exposed to your music, but on the other hand, it takes money out of the artists pockets, which sucks for me. I don’t like performing, and that’s really where the money comes from. People aren’t buying many CDs (in case you hadn’t noticed), so the big paychecks come from merch and touring. I, personally, don’t care to tour or sell merch. I’m in it for the love of creating, so I’ll either have to find a new angle or accept the fact that I’m probably not going to get rich from this artform. Either way, it’s fine with me. I have definitely given away my music for free. I’ve never hesitated to do so. I despise the music business, but I love creating the music. I encourage my fans to reach out to me and ask for the songs they want. I just email an mp3 and thank them for their support. Why? Because, in this day and age, where everyone has an attention span of 0.5 seconds, if someone takes the time to compose an email and ask for my music, it leads me to believe they must really feel it. That makes me want to share it, knowing my music is going to play a part in their lives. Priceless!
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
A.D. Weighs: I’d advise them to try to learn as much about music and the music business as possible. The more you learn to do for yourself, the less you’ll have to deal with snakes in the industry. Also, find your own sound. Create your own style. Don’t fashion yourself after the hot artist on the radio. Figure out what makes you unique. Ask yourself, “What can my audience get from my music that they can’t find anywhere else?”
Exposed Vocals: Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? What is your usual songwriting process?
A.D. Weighs: The inspiration is always there. I’m inspired all the time. Sometimes it’s just looking at a beautiful woman that inspires me. Sometimes I’m thinking about my dearest friends and I want to write about that. Sometimes it’s just as simple as me wanting to have some new music to listen to while I’m driving, so I’ll record a new song. It’s never been hard to find inspiration for music. However, finding the time to actually record the music…..well, that’s a different story.
Exposed Vocals: Do you have a band website? What online platforms do you use to share your music?
A.D. Weighs: adweighs.com but don’t laugh at my website. I haven’t had time to customize it and keep it up to date. I’m a busy man. I need to hire someone to handle all that website/social media stuff for me. It’s really not my thing. I also have a profile on soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/a-d-weighs and reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/adweighs Also, facebook: www.facebook.com/AdWeighs and twitter: www.twitter.com/AD_Weighs
Exposed Vocals: If you were given half a million dollars and a year off, what would you do? How would you spend it?
A.D. Weighs: I’d record two of the dopest albums in hip-hop history. If I didn’t have to worry about a day job and I could have all my bills paid while I just sit home and create, that would be awesome. I would probably spend $50,000 on keeping the bills paid. I don’t need anybody’s studio. I have my own. I don’t need to pay for production. I’ve been making beats since 1993. All I need is the time to create without worry or concern, and that’s exactly what I’d do. I’d save the rest of the money for marketing and promotion.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
A.D. Weighs: I don’t promote anything. I hate the entire process of promoting. I am, however, open to the possibility of hiring someone else to promote the music while I continue creating.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
A.D. Weighs: Well, I own a video production company, so I am looking forward to shooting more music videos for myself. I am also working with a few other artists. a couple weeks ago, we released a music video for Asheville, NC-based, nerd-core hip-hop artists – The Last Wordbenders. I shot and edited the video and I was also featured on the song (and in the video). I have to say……IT’S DOPE!!!! Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ_sbqNJTRM I plan to do more fun projects like this. We had a blast.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
A.D. Weighs: I’d be making movies, which is what I’m doing now while I should be working on music. It’s all related, in my opinion. I love to create and I love to tell stories, and it’s always a pleasure whether it be music or film.
Exposed Vocals: How do you juggle the rest of your responsibilities while trying to stay ahead in your music life?
A.D. Weighs: Poorly!
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in 2016?
A.D. Weighs: My fans should look forward to some politically-charged, ground-breaking singles accompanied by stunning, thought-provoking visuals
