Divine Magazine is pleased to bring you an interview with Eye’z. Radiating out of the San Francisco Bay is Eye’z, a dynamic singer, pianist and actress with versatility, flair and finesse.
Tell us a bit about your company and why you do what you do.
I am a singer Pianist and Actress. I write and produce my own music with my piano voice and lyrics. I am currently touring northern California Performing in Oakland with Cut It Up Entertainment award shows and the Annual Cowapigloosa! Live performances at outdoor events are a different type of happy place for a live music performer
As a public figure, how do you think being hailed as a role model impacts on others and what pressure does it put on you?
Yes, being a role model makes you work harder and you start focusing on the wrong things. It’s a lot to handle.
Can you tell me one favorite humorous story from your career?
My Uncle Greg, He was an opera singer who inadvertently continues to inspire me to this day although he is no longer here.
Once, I was trying to learn a Bach invention on the piano and he was in town and he asked me why I wanted to play it so badly. I said I can play my own stuff and I started singing and playing my song lovey and he kept interrupting me over exaggerated my lyrics talking about “we going to walk to the store and eat cookies and apple juice” lol but this lasted longer than 5 min then he said he would help me with the bach invention and he said he never heard it be before but he didnt feel like getting up so i passed him the loose leaf sheet music and he sight read it. The Whole Thing None Stop Perfectly in His Operatic Voice. I mean accent marks and all! And everyone was just sitting there in shock! and those who weren’t shocked were happy or impressed that he did that!
Can you tell us about a time when you almost gave up, how you felt about that, and what you did instead of giving up?
You know, I gave up on the acting part of my career but with acting it calls you regardless of what you’re doing. I also gave up on being an artist till i met someone who merely assumed I was a singer and forced me to perform! I didn’t know him at the time. His name is TomCat from the Oakland Metro. He revitalized my career just by doing that! Thank you TomCat and the Oakland metro!
I think sometimes giving up is just you needing a break. I have given up quite a few times as you can see it didn’t work out.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
When people actively seek you out to book you, that always touches my heart a little bit.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
The 5th annual My Music Block TV Awards!
What would be a good theme song for your life?
The Twilight Zone Theme song! I guess you would have to have watched the show to get it but, you know it’s still true though!
What historical Figure would you love to see in 21st century life?
Madame Ah Toy, I had the honour of portraying her in the Barbary Coast Revue a few years ago, though it was a fictional comedy and she portrayed slightly villainess, she was amazing and so were a lot of women that I would like to meet today. I guess I would also have to add Mammy Pleasant and Marie Lavue (louisiana)
What makes you nostalgic?
When I meet other child performers, I see a bit of myself in them and want to help them or encourage them in some type of way. Child performers are special. I tend to help them achieve things that were missed for me. My Mentor Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and the teenagers does that to me as well sometimes too.
If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?
What do you want me to do differently now to make you happier today? Both financially and emotionally/spiritually
What was the last TV series you watched on TV?
The Simpsons… last week
Which is cooler? Dinosaurs or Dragons?
Dragons considering, they are less real than dinosaurs and you can hide from them inside of a building. A Dino would accidently walk on top of the building lol
Do you have any superstitions?
I have so many superstitions as a performer!
But to be honest it’s others who consider them superstitions!
For example, all actors know not to eat broccoli before you go on camera, I did a filming one day and they had nothing but broccoli and the production asked why I wasn’t eating it and I said “It’s bad luck to eat broccoli before you go on camera” And then they were all like “Yeah you actors and your crazy superstitions” then the producer starts eating the broccoli then come to find out noe of the other actors came and he had to go on camera with broccoli in his teeth. Now see they “Say” it’s “superstition” but you have to respect your craft. However, I would like to say there is sometimes an element of sticking to what works.
Do you shout out the answers at the TV whilst watching quiz shows?
Yes, I do, I take it a bit further than that and argue with the TV As well!
I watch a lot of YouTube videos on TV. There’s a lot to argue when it comes to music docs!
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
You know When I was young it took me a very long time to mail my demo to a record company, I would encourage my younger self to continue to do it. and send my demos into companies that I didn’t even like. (I literally had a list) I had the mentality to send it to the very best only, and it was so hard to do, the key is doing it often. Consistency is key.
