Wes Felton is not shy about speaking his truth. Whether creating music–like his 2010 CD Land of Sheep, Ruled By Pigs, Ran By Wolves that artfully and unapologetically speaks out against mediocrity in art and vapid consumerism of society, to his current holiday release ‘Tis The Seething, a unique seasonal offering that includes a track dedicated to military parents overseas who are not able to spend the holidays with their children–Felton, it seems, is always approaching his art from an angle unlike everyone else.
“I try to expose the realities of my life with hopes of the listener or viewers seeing their reflections in my art”, he candidly shares when asked how he would describe his sound.
Since the 1990s the Washington, D.C.-based artist has been making music that has attracted a following of music lovers who always anticipate that Felton will leave them experiencing a song that is not conventionally constructed. Whether solo or teaming up with such familiar acts as Eric Roberson or Raheem Devaughn, Wes Felton is usually pushing the sonic envelope in a way that stretches the soul genre to fit his unique energy and creative machinations. With such an eclectic approach to music making, it is not surprising to find that an interview with such a personality is as equally hard-hitting as his music. Soul Train had the opportunity to meet-up with the artist known as Wes Felton—and sometimes W. Ellington Felton—to find out a few things that influence the man and his music.
We ask everything from what he has new in his musical pipeline to what he hopes to impact with his music. While he didn’t have a particular episode of Soul Train to name as his favorite, we learn that the man behind the music is thoroughly inspired by both those he has worked with in the studio to an assortment of legendary performers who have inspired him from afar. Read this edition of Sound Check to find out what Wes Felton says is his favorite project to date, what he has in common with artists like N’Dea Davenport from the Brand New Heavies, Dionne Farris, and Caron Wheeler, and what he thinks about today’s music industry in this very candid Q & A.
SoulTrain.com: Hello! Thank you so much for sharing with SoulTrain.com today. Let me know first off– what do you prefer to be called, Wes Felton, DUB ELL or W. Ellington Felton? I’ve seen you presented as both on projects. Are there any other aliases you perform under we should be aware of?
Wes Felton: I prefer to be called W.Ellington Felton but, sometimes that’s a mouth full for people to get out. While studying theatre at Carnegie Melon a few friends of mine started calling me “DUB ELL” and it stayed with me. A few years ago I got a crappy distribution deal and they threatened me by claiming that they would take legal actions if I performed any of the songs from the record. I decided to start performing under Wes Felton. Let them have those songs and the “W.Ellington Felton” name for a few years.
SoulTrain.com: The word is that you have some new holiday music coming out for the season. Can you tell us a little bit about what your holiday project?
Wes Felton: Yes. I am very excited about my new holiday project. It’s called ‘Tis The Seething. I wanted to put out a holiday record that spoke from the perspective of the guy who tries to satisfy the loved ones in their life while trying to keep the “optimistic” spirit of the season. There are songs about missing my father, materialism, and a few new spins on old classics. This project features a new vocalist from the D.C. area named Danni Deville. Keep your eyes and ears open for this young lady. She is an awesome talent. Great vocalist and actor.
SoulTrain.com: Sounds like a very unique twist on the traditional holiday album. You are known for your eclectic approach to music. Your most recent release, Land of Sheep, Ruled By Pigs, Ran By Wolves was an epic assortment of songs that fused funk and soul into a mix that can not be easily categorized. Tell us about that project. How did you come up with that title?
Wes Felton: This project is one of my favorite records. During the time of recording that record there was a lot of attention being drawn towards The Tea Party and musical artists who clearly have zero concern about the effects of their music on others. I wanted to create a new description for the United States that would hit home for a lot of citizens and also offend others. The main intent was to also show that I could create a great record and it wouldn’t matter because the majority of music people support will always be what the TV or radio tells them to consume.
SoulTrain.com: Futuristic. Neosoul. Afrofunk. Electronic. All of these terms could apply to one of your songs, but, yet, not another. You are constantly switching it up. How do you describe your overall sound?
Wes Felton: I would describe my sound as Art Soul. Human beings are a diverse species, so I try to sonically tap into vibes of as many of them as possible. Instead of telling them what to feel or think, I prefer for the listener to create their own meaning or description of the sound. My music is very content-driven, so I purposely avoid over-producing the music.
SoulTrain.com: Your name comes up often when other artists are asked who they most enjoyed working with or who do they wish to work with. Who have been some of the artists who have pushed you in your craft or inspired you to be an out-of-the-box creator?
Wes Felton: I really enjoy working with Sy Smith. She is a creative muse for me. I try to keep that a secret because we are friends and work with each other a lot. I admire her overall grind and ability to balance talent with humility. Like myself, I often hear and see a lot of other artist who have clearly been influenced by or in some cases “bit” her style. She knows it. I know it! A lot of the world knows it, but she doesn’t let that motivate or deter her career and passion. We recently premiered our new super duo “Wes-Sy Story” in D.C. a few months ago.
SoulTrain.com: Yes, Sy Smith is an artist you are often collaborating with. She appeared on Land of Sheep, Ruled By Pigs, Ran By Wolves on one of the more popular tunes from the album, “Tell a Vision”. What some folks don’t realize is that you are affiliated with several groups at the current moment– from the group collaboration with JLaine and TFox under the name Antithesis, to the arts collaborative Soul of Earth that includes some music luminaries we know and love, including Dionne Farris, N’Dea Davenport of the Brand New Heavies, UK artist Omar, Caron Wheeler formerly of Soul II Soul, and others. Tell us about these groups and what sustains your work with other artists.
Wes Felton: The Antithesis came about one day when drummer/producer Jon Laine handed me a CD of beats by him and his good friend Travis Fox, aka T.Fox. When I got home and listened, I was instantly inspired and couldn’t stop writing or recording. A few days later I returned the CD to Jon Laine with vocals on it. We circulated it amongst a few DJs and tastemakers. A few months later a small record company called Tastefullicks gave The Antithesis a deal. We have recorded and released two records. Currently Jon Laine and I have been working on a series called “FOR”. This is a collection of projects celebrating female artists who inspire us as men and artists. The first one was released in the summer “For MeShell [Ndegeocello]”. The Antithesis is definitely a proud group, which initially was only imagined to be another one of my aliases.
Jason Orr, the founder/creator of Funk Jazz Kafé, has pushed me further out the box. He and I have created four videos and five songs in a 48-hour time frame before. Along with Craig Love, Jason makes up the production crew Soul of Earth. In 2007 I was awarded The Heineken Indie Artist Award. While visiting L.A. for the award ceremony, Jason and I got a chance hang out. Hanging out with me usually means you’re going to have to make some kind of art with me or be able to entertain yourself (laughs). Jason ended up helping me shoot a short film I created starring Raheem Devaughn. I think we realized that we were both actual real creative types. He returned to Atlanta and began to share my art with EVERYONE. A few of them were also artists.
N’dea Davenport became a Wes Felton supporter by sharing my videos and mentioning me in interviews. I just had a show with N’dea here in D.C. Dionne Farris and I hit it off immediately. We recorded two songs on my future release Ellington International. Her recording process was very dope to experience.
Omar from London has always been my favorite soul artist. I had a chance to open up for him in New York, D.C., and a few other cities. Jason Orr and Craig Love are the dots who connect us all together through Soul of Earth. We have all recorded tunes with them with the mission to make good and honest music that makes you want to move! I recorded a tune with Carl Macintosh. I can’t wait to work with Caron Wheeler. I am just excited and humbled to be deemed worthy to be part of a dope crew of artists.
SoulTrain.com: It must be amazing to have the opportunity to work with such artists who have been in the game for a while, transforming the genre into an eclectic mix of music. And, you fit the mix perfectly. Tell us a bit more of your other interests. You are an artist who acts, writes poetry, sings, directs, creates film– your creative muse seems to exist in every medium possible. Which art form is it easiest to work through for you?
Wes Felton: I have always been inspired by artists like Sammy Davis Jr., Gregory Hines, Prince, Spike Lee, Clint Eastwood, Paul Roberson, and The Fresh Prince [Will Smith]. They all had the ability to flow in and out of their various crafts while avoiding a box or label. They are known by their names. So, I will answer this question the way I feel one of them would—it’s all the easiest (laughs).
SoulTrain.com: Those who follow you through social media are aware that you have some blunt criticisms of today’s mainstream music scene. What are some ways you think the industry can be best served for both the artist and the audience?
Wes Felton: Plain and simple: offer more diversity in music. I can’t even form the words to describe how out of control I feel the music industry is currently. The business of art is out of control. I think black male artists need to support each other more. Work towards showing diversity amongst us as men. I think female artists need to make smarter music that doesn’t limit them to “eye candy” or “I don’t need nobody” jingles.
SoulTrain.com: As a soulful artist, you are aware of the power of music and how it can change the world. How would you like to see your music impact the world?
Wes Felton: I really just want my art and life to inspire people to be individuals and recognize that we are all works in progress who will only reach our fullest potential by discovering our own methods of getting there. It’s okay to be you.
Follow Wes Felton on Twitter @wesfelton, and on check out ‘Tis the Seethings on Bandcamp!
–Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman is an arts writer and playwright based in the Washington DC metro area. Visit her online at KhadijahOnline.com.
Thanks for sharing parts of my Art and Story… It means a lot to me.