A Conversation with Carl Thomas – HuffPost 12.5.11

Mike Ragogna: Carl, thanks for talking with us today.

Carl Thomas: Thanks for having me, Mike.

MR: What inspired you to record your new album, Conquer?

CT: It really started as a conversation between me and my friends about what kind of album I wanted to do. From there, it just kind of took on its own legs. So, when I took the meeting with Verve Records and realized that we kind of wanted the same things and the same music, I was excited to get back in the studio and to get back to making music for my fans as well.

MR: Can you tell us a little about this album?

CT: Well, the record itself was something that I was searching for…I consider it a modern day throwback. It’s something that makes you feel a certain sense of nostalgia when you hear it. It feels like something that you’ve heard before, but really it’s not. That was really my goal with the record.

MR: You worked with some great artists on this record including Heavy D who co-wrote “It Is What It Is.”

CT: Well, Heavy D actually co-produced the record. A lot of people really didn’t know exactly how deep in soul music Heavy was, but he was a man who was studied and well versed in that kind of music. He made sure that he knew his craft. Heavy was responsible for “Summer Rain” and “Hey Now” on my Emotional album, and a lot of people really don’t know that. So, things come full circle and I thank God that we were able to get into the studio together again. You know, he had an album out called Love Opus that he just released and he and I did a single on it called “Still Missing You.” He was a really special guy, we’re gonna miss him a lot.

MR: We sure will. You were also a protégé of Diddy’s, right?

CT: Yeah.

MR: That’s great. What is the story behind your signing?

CT: Well, I was in a couple of other recording situations before I even met Puff. Those situations didn’t work out for one reason or another, and I decided that I was going to be an artist without a record deal and just concentrate on being the best that I could be. One night, I was doing an open mic at a club in Manhattan and Puff saw me singing. After the show, we had a conversation and exchanged numbers and we just started talking from there.

MR: You’ve worked with some other pretty stellar artists such as Faith Evans. What are your thoughts on those collaborations? Is it very much a team effort putting together the song?

CT: Well, I never approach it as if anyone is my subordinate or anything like that. It has to be a team effort and it’s got to be something that you collectively come by. When you’re creating music, it’s very dangerous to do it with selfish ambitions, you know? You have to be very careful to make your ambitions collective, whether you’re working with someone or not. There really is no special formula as long as I am enjoying myself.

MR: You explore a few different styles on this album like ballads, which include the song, “I Do.” It’s bound to be a wedding perennial, so was that the intention?

CT: Well, yeah. In the ’80s r&b artists explored all the parts of love in their music, so if we’re gonna be r&b artists and talk about everything, why not talk about what most people are aiming for in their relationships, you know? We talk about the problems and the breakups, but we never talk about the good hookups.

MR: Are there any songs on this album that have a particularly cool story behind them?

CT: Yeah, actually. The song, “Running.” That was written by one of my best friends, DJ Roger Jr. He was going through a situation where he was extremely tormented and I was just an ear of support as a friend or brother. That song was written as a testament of faith as he was going through that mess. I told him when I heard it that he had to let me record it because people needed to hear it. I told him that people needed to be reminded of certain things, and that song reminded them. So, we recorded it and it sticks out to me because of that.

MR: Did you consider Conquer to be a concept album when you were putting it together?

CT: No, I didn’t really approach it that way. I just went into the studio asking myself what it was that I thought my fans wanted to hear from me. Those were the records that I went after. It all worked out because everyone working on the project had a real desire to make everything sound cohesive. We kept our egos to a minimum.

MR: Do you feel that there has been a significant growth between this and the last album?

CT: Absolutely. I feel that the appeal is broader and I’m poised to reach beyond where we’ve gotten in the past.

MR: Carl, are you happy with the state of r&b these days?

CT: Yeah, I think there’s some really great stuff out there.

MR: Are there any artists that you are particularly fond of?

CT: Well, I listen to Trey Songs and Chris Brown…all of them. I think they’re great and I respect the difference in their styles. That being said, while I think there are a lot of great artists, I don’t think there are a lot of great, classic voices, and I think a lot of times, people seem to get the two confused. A great voice and great records don’t always go hand in hand. It’s just nice when they do.

MR: Right. Carl, considering you album’s title is “Conquer“, what would you say you were conquering on this project?

CT: What I was talking about was allowing love to conquer your situation–just laying back, relaxing, and allowing love to do what it is going to do. I think it’s cool that you can take dual meanings from something; it’s one of the coolest things about language. But my main goal with this album was to make a soundtrack for people’s lives. People use music to mark their memories, so the ultimate honor for me is to have people look back on my music and say they remember what they were doing at a certain point in their lives because they were listening to my music.

MR: Beautiful. Does love conquer all in your case?

CT: Eventually it will. It hasn’t yet. (laughs)

MR: (laughs) Carl, on a more personal note, I know you took some time off because of your brother’s passing. How are you doing now?

CT: You know, I’m doing pretty well. The things I do these days are pretty much in his memory. I am trying my best to be a person who upholds the memory of his brother’s life. I just really appreciate the time that I had with him. I’m just trying to enjoy spending time doing what I’m supposed to be doing.

MR: Beautiful. Are you going to be going out on tour with Conquer?

CT: Yes, I am. Right now, I’m in negotiations with other artists, so I don’t quite have all of the details. But rest assured, you will see me performing in a city near you.

MR: Nice. What advice would you give to new artists?

CT: I would say that before you go out and try to make someone else believe in what you’re doing, you’ve got to believe in it. If you don’t believe in it, everyone else will know. Trust me. They’ll see the emperor has no clothes on. (laughs)

MR: Any parting words of wisdom?

CT: Sure. Talk lightly and carry a big stick. (laughs)

MR: (laughs) Always good advice, thanks Carl.

CT: Mike, thanks for having me.

Transcribed by Evan Martin