Shaun Anthony is pop-soul's great white hope for 2008. And that's not just loose talk – Lemar from Fame Academy thinks so too.
Inspired by a precise formula of influences to make girls scream and credible music fans sit up and take notice, 20-year-old Shaun Anthony is working on an album for next year. We caught up with him for a chat about music, life, and to quite brazenly flirt with him for a little bit at the end…
Who and where are you?
Hi, my name is Shaun Anthony and I am based in Ilford.
Where are you now?
Oh now, I am at home, I had a show last night so I am resting up today.
Oh, how did that go?
Yeah very well, really well actually. My voice is quite hoarse today from the gig. It was at a really nice venue called the Bedford in Balham. There was lots of people there. The likes of James Morrison and Amy Winehouse have played there.
Where did you start out?
Erm, started singing seriously when I was about 16, when I studied performing arts at college and I was at college till last year and I had been doing open mic jam sessions and stuff like that really, just trying to make a name for myself.
Who inspires you?
Well, The two artists are Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight, but any musician that can touch me in a certain way, any musician that can show emotion and convey a situation that someone can relate to.
You’ve worked with Lemar and your song sounds very similar. Are you happy about that?
Yeah. Well, the single was written by Lemar so that’s why it sounds like him. Some have said my voice sounds like Lemar, so that’s a compliment to me. I can't be unhappy about that, He is a great singer and one of the most respectable solo artists in the country so I’m happy.
What has Lemar taught you?
Well, when we was on tour he taught me how to be professional and warm up the crowd and just to work hard. He is a very hard worker and that’s rubbed off on me a lot.
Can you honestly say that you liked Lemar’s music before you met him?
(Laughs) Yeah I did, I had all his albums. I was actually quite jealous of him because he got to work with Brian McKnight on his second album. I was like "Wow, I'd love to work with him."
(At this point his dad interrupts the interview and mutters something)
What will your album sound like?
It will contain a mixture of stuff really. People try to label it soul but with the album Soulful Pop, the pop part of it does not mean bubblegum pop. We mean popular music. It has a lot of Motown and modern soul and some up-tempo tracks, it doesn’t matter what colour you are or how old you are it tries to reach everybody.
What makes you different to other artists around at present?
Erm, I am just trying to bring back classic soul. It can be compared to Amy Winehouse’s style of music. I am bringing back classic soul, there are not a lot of guys out there doing that right now. There’s a lot of indie music out there too and I am trying to bring back a different kinda genre that appeals to everyone.
What do you think of Amy Winehouse? She has a lot of problems at the moment.
I'd definitely like to meet her, she is really really talented. Yeah, she has a lot of problems but sometimes that can happen, but she is very talented you cant take that away from her.
What do you aim to achieve in the next year?
I want to be signed and release the album and get the music out there. I want it to reach a wide range of people and for them to enjoy what I have to offer.
Will you succeed?
Yeah, I got great songs! Hopefully my album will reach everyone. I have great support – my management, family and friends are all right behind me and very supportive. I live at home still so they all keep me grounded.
Which writers have you worked with?
Craig Hardy, he did some stuff with Blue and McFly, also Sticky studios and a man called Fitzgerald Scott who wrote the single. I am co-writing some songs as well which is very important to me it gives me the opportunity to propel myself, I love the co-writing.
What are some of your favourite songs of all time?
Stevie Wonder- Ribbon In The Sky , Brian McKnight – Back At One, Donny Hathaway – A Song For You. Those are my three favourites.
Sum yourself up in three words?
(Laughs, pauses, sighs and laughs again) Crazy, ermmm, humble, (and after a four-second pause) creative. (Laughs)
Where do like to hang out? Do you go clubbing?
Erm, nah I don’t rave, I’m not into that. I prefer bars, I like to go and see the other talent coming through and to chill with my friends and I like to talk, and when you're in the clubs you can't really do that with the pumping music. Then when you get home you get a (makes a loud buzzing noise) in your ear that’s not my thing really. I prefer socialising and talking to people.
Now, just from hearing my voice some my up in three words?
(Laughs) Erm, bubbly, inquisitive (mutters something cheeky that we didn’t quite catch) and I think you will be quite shy as well.
Encourage the female readers to buy your songs?
I have a very seductive voice and I hope my songs will draw you in.
And the male readers?
Well, if you want to hear good music and stuff that you can play to your loved ones, there’s a lot of romantic songs on the album, so anyone who wants to give out some Valentine's gifts… the album will hopefully be out in February, so just in time for Valentine's.
Do you have a girlfriend, and what do you look for in a partner?
No, I don’t have a girlfriend and I don’t really have a type, anyone I can have a laugh with and have deep conversations, also someone bubbly and someone nice, someone who is not too in your face but someone to laugh with.
Is there anything you want to add?
Look out for me in 2008 and my album Soulful Pop and thank you.
[interview by Louise Causon]