Shemekia Copeland

by Alex Teitz

In terms of rising stars in Blues vocalists, Shemekia Copeland is one to watch. The daughter of Johnny Clyde Copeland, Shemekia has been making a name for herself with her debut release Turn the Heat Up on Alligator Records. Copeland has a blues style that reflects growing up in Harlem. Her voice is strong and powerful and can not be ignored.

The night FEMMUSIC interviewed Copeland, Paris of Sonia Dada was opening with an acoustic set. Later he joined Copeland on stage for a night rarely seen anywhere. Copeland is touring with a group of musicians who can play off her, and follow every subtle cue. A follow-up to Turn the Heat Up may be out this Spring. 

FEMMUSIC: How has growing up in a musical family influenced your style of music?

SC: It was great. I think I was really blessed to have my father be into music, because I grew up in Harlem, and if my father hadn’t been Johnny Clyde Copeland and been who he was, I would have never have gotten into this music. So I feel very grateful and I just think my music has a different thing because it’s just a little different because…I grew up in a different area. My dad he always said he sang “Texas Blues.” I grew up in Harlem so maybe I sing “Harlem Blues.” I don’t know.

It totally influenced my music. It was just an amazing influence you know. Having it in my house and all kinds of different music. It was great.

FEMMUSIC: What would you like to change most about your own music?

SC: I wouldn’t want to change anything. The first album, Turn the Heat Up, was very interesting and a lot of fun, and we had a great time doing it. And now we’re throwing in a little bit of diverse things into the next album, and I’m excited about them both.

FEMMUSIC: Diverse things? Can you elaborate?

SC: Well you know I’m doing some things with just me and an acoustic guitar instead of the whole live band. Doing some more of a little bit different.

FEMMUSIC: What was your best experience making the CD?

SC: It was just like being in there with family because everybody there had some experience playing with my father. It was just like a big family going into the studio. That right there made it great. It was a whole new thing for me.

FEMMUSIC: How long did it take to put together?

SC: Over about a span of two months we finished the whole thing but we did it over an eight month period because we stopped for a while. I did the first four songs three weeks before my father died so we didn’t go into the studio and finish it until much after that. So that was why it was over a much longer period of time.

FEMMUSIC: Were there other things you listened to as well that have influenced your style?

SC: First of all, gospel music. My father was very big into that. So I grew up on a lot of that. Then I am just totally into male voices. Male vocals, soul music like Al Green, Sam Cook and Otis Reading. I listened to all that type of music.

One of the best compliments I ever got was someone said, “You sound just like Otis Reading.” I said, “Yes!” I know it’s not true. That sort of stuff is on the new album. A lot of funky old soul. Funky Old Soul beat’s happening. So I’m really excited.

FEMMUSIC: What has been your best experience with this tour so far?

SC: We’ve been on the road for 18 months pretty much straight. Touring the first album. It’s great. We’re having a great time. We’re going all over the world. We’ve been to the Northeast, Southwest. We’ve been all over Europe. We’re having a great time. I’m just enjoying it. My favorite part is just meeting people. Going to different places.

FEMMUSIC: Can you tell me about who everyone is with the touring band?

SC: On guitar with his funky shirt going on over here is Arthur Neilson from New York City. Been playing for the last 30 years. On bass Eric King. Call him the “Lollipop” King also from New York City been playing since before I was born. On keyboards, a woman named Donya Oxford she’s been playing New York City for a long time too. On drums, we have the longest history together. He played with my father. His name is Barry Harrison. He played drums with my father.  Now he’s playing with me.

FEMMUSIC: The song “Ghetto Child” on the CD.

SC: Daddy wrote that song. My father Johnny Copeland he wrote that song in probably the Sixties. He wrote that about some kids that were growing up in the neighborhood at that particular time. He used to pick them up, and take them to school in his van. He used to do that all the time. He just wrote that song them because it was growing up in the ghetto. He wrote about things that he saw, and that’s the way it was.

FEMMUSIC: As a women performer have you faced any discrimination since you’ve been playing out?

SC: You know I haven’t. I think I’ve been very blessed that way. I think Koko Taylor and Ruth Brown and Etta James and Bonnie Raitt and all those women. Not just the women, but the men as well. My father, Albert Collins, Albert King. I just think everybody they all paved the way. They made it a lot easier for me me now. I say the women in general because they went through pure hell when they were performing back in the Fifties and Sixties. They pretty much paved the way. Women get a lot more respect these days because of them. Of course there’s going to be discrimination. There’s always going to be discrimination. I’ve never had any problem getting my money, and I always get respected. And when I feel that I’m not I set a person straight really good. I very rarely have any problems. I’m really blessed. I have good people working around me and for me. You’ve seen how big Eric is. Nobody bothers me anyway. (laugh)

FEMMUSIC: What would you like to see changed most about the music industry?

SC: You know I always say that if I could just sing, forget all about the business end of it. Just throw all of that in the water and just perform. I think business in general, in everything, would be a lot better if money never existed. Unfortunately you need it to survive. I wish it never existed that way. People could just do what they love to do and you wouldn’t have the green attached to it. The whole business end of it to me just kills me. I just want to sing and make people happy. That’s all I want, but unfortunately that’s not how this world is set up.

FEMMUSIC: With the second album in process now, what are your plans for the future?

SC: When that one comes out, probably in the Spring, we’ll probably tour that one just like we did this first one. See what comes out of it. Some great things came out of the first one so we’ll see what comes out of the second one. They’re always talking about that sophomore slump in everything. You’re always nervous about that. All I can do is do what I love and try to make people happy like I said before.

FEMMUSIC: Any chance of a break in-between?

SC: No (laugh) No. Not at all.

FEMMUSIC: What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

SC: I always say listen. 90% of everything I’ve learned has come from listening. Listening to Paris (from Sonia Dada who opened that night). Somebody who’s been out there for years and experienced life. I listen. Be strong and believe. You gotta know that there’s a higher power. I believe. I’m blessed. I have a good family, and I’m happy.