BabyStone – the soulful mash-up of Ms. Novena Carmel and Itai- croon the stage with a gathering of beautiful eccentricity. The sound captures a Jazz, Afro-Funk, Caribbean sensation that caters to cultural enthusiasts. Marcus Brock had the chance to sit down with lead singer, Ms. Novena Carmel. This retro-fitted chanteuse is no stranger to the grittiness of the soul and funk being that her father is Sly, of the revered band Sly and the Family Stone. But, even without the distinction she’s a show stopper! BabyStone’s syncopated rhythms and intuitive - yet fun- lyrical dynamics need be positioned on anyone’s playlist.

If you’re in the Los Angeles area, don’t forget to check out the Record Release Show at Temple Bar tonight. For more info, click here

Trace: How did you and Itai start working together?

Novena Carmel: Itai and I started working together a couple of years ago. He had a track he was producing and when I sang for him, we vibed. Eventually, we had enough material for a show. We didn’t even have a band yet, but I was like – let’s book a date! We then got a band together, booked a date, and rehearsed about five times before our first show.

T: Was the use of live musicians in your band on purpose or a routed intention?

NC: The band was on purpose because we like a BIG sound. I like a real sound, there’s a lot of “fake jewelry” out there so to speak, but BabyStone won’t turn your neck green! We are influenced by funk, soul, and Afro-Beat. So, the use of live sounds and music is very important to us. We are now looking to performing an acoustic set as well in future shows and albums. Itai loves Brazilian music and I have family there so we want to incorporate more of those sounds into our music, like in “Can I Be.”

Me, personally, my vocals will always be soulful but I have a yearning to do some wild, electronic beats. Our live album is many live instruments, similar to a live show but I also want to perform to synthetic sounds like keyboards and talk boxes. Just weirdness, not only sincere heart-to-heart beats. Our next recording will probably have those types of sounds, not completely out there, but different.

T: Some artists try and shy away from their parents’ music – does some of that sound/feel resonate in your music? How has that inspired BabyStone?

NC: As an artist I’m inspired by a lot of modern artists and those that have come before me. One of my favorite genres is the funk/soul of the time period when Sly & the Family Stone was writing their biggest hits. The sound is so influential and amazing to me that there’s no way I could shy away from it. It’s funky, it’s in your face and it’s timeless. That’s a lot of what BabyStone is or at least hopes to be.

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But at the same time we’re not trying to be only a nostalgic funk band. By incorporating many other sounds that influence us (like Brazilian music, afro funk, jazz, neo soul, rock, and so on) and create a modern sound with a retro vibe.

T: “1, 2 Late” and “Hello” are songs that speak about relationships. Do social real-life issues drive your music in any way?

NC: As a writer I feel like I try to talk about situations that have happened to me where I have a constant feeling and I ask myself – how can I make this bigger? “1, 2 Late” came from me being in relationships and situations where I’ve tried to tell a guy that I want to do you a favor and let you know because later on you’re going to be sorry! The song starts, “Look into my crystal ball – I see the future coming.” I deal with people in a sassy way, so the song is somewhat factual and expresses that side of me.

T: How do you go from sassy to being so romantic in “In My Dreams?”

NC: I really have different sides of me and that sassy side is a way for me to protect myself, but sometimes I am vulnerable. I wrote that song on the piano by myself when I was in a long distance relationship. I won’t name where the guy was from though!

T: If you could perform a melody, who’d be alongside BabyStone?

NC: The thought of that makes me nervous and intimidated, but I think performing with Cee-Leo would be so much fun. I would like to go back in time and perform with George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic like the space ship in the Mothership Connection. Also, I would have to think Erykah Badu along with me and Itai could create that situation and it would be so trippy!

T: Your character is very lively and fun – how does that help you on stage or does it? How does it play a role in what you’re singing about?

NC: I’m a jokester and I enjoy entertaining people. I love to bring that on stage so it feels natural talking to people on stage. I’m like that in daily life, I want everyone around to just have fun and be like, “That Novena girl is cool - invite her out more!”

T: What do you want people to walk away with a sense of at the end of your shows?

NC: I want them to have a good time. Second - When I write things lyrically I feel like it’s something that I have been through. Not only am I creating a story a story that is cathartic for myself, but I want my listeners to relate to my music as I relate to other artists. It’s my way to tell people how I feel about things. For instance, in “Ask Me” I want to bring social consciousness to people and tell my thought process, but I have this fear of coming off corny. When you do something you never know how it’s coming across to people. I know what I’m intending and I never know how people are going to take it.

T: Like with your “Cookie Dance Song?”

NC: [Laughs] Yes, like that. I like to make fresh baked cookies for my band and that song just came out of the bandmates eating cookies. Next thing you know there was a beat, so we used it in the show and had fun with it.

T: I noticed you’ve worn a Barack Obama shirt during a performance? What do you think you would’ve talked about/sung about if you had been in Will.I.Am’s “Yes We Can” video?

I would have wanted to speak about something that resonates on an international level. I’ve traveled many places around the world and it bothers me internationally what the US has become. While I was living in Japan, some residents said, “Before I met you we did not like Americans.” I wanted them to understand that not all Americans necessarily support the choices that their President is making.

T: Tell me about your upcoming album? What can we expect to hear on the debut EP?

NC: This debut EP will be much like a live show with live instruments. It will have some new material, including “Ask Me,” where Sly Stone lends his talent to the track. The album will be on sale at the live show and will be digitally available for download soon. Please add BabyStone on MySpace Music for updates on album availability.

T: So…afros or fades?

NC: How about a Half-Fro?