I officially have a new favorite female artist. Her soulful voice has a hint of sweet innocence and the lyrics speak to your soul. Before reading a bit about her musical experience and hair journey, please watch her latest video, “You Are the One,” from her 2011 album Madam Palindrome.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COf1syOkZLg[/youtube]
“My musical experience so far has been really adventurous, hard work, and lots of learning and continuous growth. Its been very exciting. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many artists [of which] I’m inspired by, that I look up to, and learn from. I’ve collaborated with great people so far. Excited I have my second national video on television and it’s being supported on satellite radio. It’s a lot of work, ever changing, and humbling. It’s a good road.”
“Time management is probably one of my challenges when it comes to being an artist, dealing with my personal and music life. Lately I’ve been working on incorporating more calendars into my life, like my iPad and my laptop which have the necessary applications. I like having things laid out for me so I don’t miss anything and I’m on point. It’s tiring. Many days I don’t know how I balance the things I have going on. I guess it’s the passion I have for what I’m doing, I just try to make it happen. I continuously try to, slowly but surely, get more organized. Thank God for the iCal and things like that!”
“My journey with my hair has been pretty interesting. I always had natural hair up until probably about 18 years old. I wanted to get perms when I was growing up, but honestly my mom wouldn’t allow me to. I had to deal with not having the ‘Salt N Pepa’ haircuts and all of the cute cuts the girls were doing with their perms. At that time in my life I felt like I was missing out by not having chemicals in my hair; I got my hair pressed but as an athlete I didn’t have the most fly girl hair, or so I thought.”
“In college, I moved away, did my own thing, and got a perm. It wasn’t a good experience from the beginning. I react bad to any kind of chemicals. I can’t even dye my hair. I’ve broken out in rashes and my scalp would be burnt. But I still was determined to do my own thing in college. I still got perms. I had my hair fall out two or three different times from homegirls telling me they could do my hair cheaper than the salons. I still consistently got perms because I thought I needed that for my hair to look nice. I had an interesting frame of mind back then.”
“Seeing family members go natural and loc their hair, I saw how strong it was and how fast it would grow. I was always adventurous with my hair with braids or I’d cut it really short. Around that time when I cut it, I knew I could do anyting drastic. Stopping the perms was the best decision I ever made. It’s the longest and strongest it’s ever been. I started my locs from very tiny twists. I was still attached to the perm look because I didn’t want people to see my hair. So I wore headwraps. After a while, the more it grew and the more attached I grew to it…it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. There are so many women who I wish knew how beautiful their hair would be if they’d keep the chemicals out of it. I do miss short hair and at times I miss bangs, but I love my locs.”
“I love to see more and more men and women embrace natural hair. I’ve been growing my locs for 11 years. Having a very hands-on personality, I try to do it myself (not to mention I don’t want to spend the money to get it done). I’m pretty well-known for wearing my hair in a high bun and I’ve been experimenting with wearing them in a high ponytail ever since I could put them in one. People tend to know me from those types of hairstyles. I love using all natural products: olive oil, grapeseed oil, aloe vera gel, and other natural oils. I don’t use heavily saturated products like beeswax. I stick with the essential oils. I don’t know if I’ll ever cut them but I recommend to all my friends who are considering going natural who are afraid, just do it. It’ll be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made!”
Here's a video from her cd Day After in 2003.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-be3RTMWSLU[/youtube]
"Nothing Matters" is from her most recent album.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DElmufiVxr0[/youtube]
Listen to her cd, Madam Palindrome here:
Strathmore Presents
DEBORAH BOND
After standing ovation at Howard Theatre, D.C. soul singer debuts new work at Strathmore
NORTH BETHESDA, MD – Soul diva Deborah Bond is stepping out of the production booth at SiriusXM Radio and on stage at the Mansion at Strathmore to debut a new work and explore her growing repertoire during her Artist in Residence (AIR) concerts on Wednesdays, January 16 and 30, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. The new composition features her band, Third Logic, and musical collaborations with her AIR peers, and will be included on her forthcoming 2013 album. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
In addition to being a production assistant at SiriusXM, Bond has released three studio albums, DayAfter, AfterDay and, most recently, Madam Palindrome. Her latest disc is a range of psychedelic funk, soul and R&B tracks, grabbing the #1 spot on the UK Soul Chart for three consecutive weeks. The music video for the album’s debut single “You Are the One” is currently featured on VH1Soul and MTV.com.uk. Bond has shared the stage with noted soul stars Kem and The Foreign Exchange, Eric Roberson, Floetry, Kindred the Family Soul, Raheem DeVaughn, Mint Condition, Ledisi, Lalah Hathaway, YahZarah, Frank McComb and Sy Smith. In 2010, Bond was featured on the famed Capital Jazz SuperCruise’s Underground Soul Lounge, where she parlayed her interview skills from SiriusXM to interview Nnenna Freelon, The Brand New Heavies and Three Mo’ Tenors. She is a newly-inducted Governor on the Washington, D.C. Grammy Chapter Board and has been tapped to provide content for the organization’s web series 5 Questions With, interviewing producer Benny Blanco and Eric Benet.
Bond just had the honor of opening for fellow R&B and soul singer Leela James in November at The Howard Theatre to a standing ovation. She has also performed at The Blue Note, Blues Alley, The Warner Theater and Carter Barron Amphitheater, as well as Brooklyn Academy of Music and BB King Blues Club and Grille in New York. In July 2012, Bond and Third Logic headlined the legendary Jazz Café in London during the opening night of the Olympics.
Her new Strathmore commission, “Constant,” is a lyrics driven venture, a new creative process for Bond who typically composes lyrics in response to music. The song muses on staying in touch with humanity in a rapidly changing, technology driven world—cutting through the static and distraction to reconnect with what’s organic. The piece will feature collaborations with AIR artists electric cellist Wytold, jazz singer Integriti Reeves, Gypsy jazz violinist Daisy Castro and AIR alum, violinist Chelsey Green.
Created to foster the point of transition from amateur to professional musician, Strathmore’s Artists in Residence (AIR) program provides performance, composition, teaching and networking opportunities for upcoming musicians. Through a competitive selection process, six musicians/singers/songwriters take up one-month residencies at Strathmore. Each AIR artist benefits greatly from the professional mentoring and support provided by participating musicians and the career development workshops offered. AIR graduates include Grammy nominated hip hop artist Christylez Bacon, celebrity jazz harmonicist Frédéric Yonnet, Saddle Creek recording artist Laura Burhenn and her band, the mynabirds, and ukulele chanteuse Victoria Vox.
About Strathmore
Strathmore presents and produces exemplary visual and performing arts programs for diverse audiences; creates dynamic arts education experiences; and nurtures creative ideas and conversations that advance the future of the arts. The Mansion at Strathmore is located at 10701 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, MD, one half-mile north of the Capital Beltway and immediately adjacent to the Grosvenor-Strathmore station on Metro’s Red Line. For further information or tickets, call (301) 581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.
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Strathmore is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. An agency of the Department of Business & Economic Development, MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities. Strathmore is also supported in part by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County.
Strathmore Presents
Deborah Bond
Wednesdays, January 16 and 30, 2013
7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15 (Stars Price $13.50)
Mansion at Strathmore
10701 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852
For additional information or to purchase tickets visit www.strathmore.org or call (301) 581-5100.