Back To Basics: A Special Artist Spotlight Chat w/ Billboard Toppin' R&B Artist Noel Gourdin

Kandidly Kristin Hey, podcast nation. It is your girl Kandidly, Kristin, and this is the Kandid shop. You're number one destination for Kandid conversations. If you're new here, welcome. If you're a regular listener, welcome back. And thanks for your support today. I am super duper excited to be sitting down with Billboard top in R&B crooner, Noel Gourdin. You probably know him for his 2008 billboard. Number one, adult R&B hit “The River” and he's recently released new singles, “Get to You” and “Getcha.” So it is with immense pleasure and a little bit of fangirl that I welcome Noel Gourdin to the Kandid Shop. Welcome, welcome, welcome, Noel.

Noel Gourdin How you doing? Thank you so much for having me. I'm flattered and I appreciate you.

Kandidly KristinOh, thank you for taking time out of your, I'm sure, busy schedule to sit down for this chat with me, which I've been looking forward to having like forever. So let's get to it. And my first question for you is, what inspired you to pursue a career in R&B and who were or are your musical influences and inspirations?

Noel Gourdin My inspiration, it really rooted from just hanging out with my pops when I was little, because he was always playing all the old soul greats, you know, Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Brooke Burke, Brooke Benton, you know, a lot of the greats from back in the day. When I came of age, I always said I wanted to try to sing. So I went, you know, I'm a perfectionist. I'm a Virgo. My birthday, September 16th, just passed. Okay. And I'm a perfectionist. So I kind of went into hiding and started practicing and getting my craft right and all that kind of stuff. So I always thought about that old soul music. And that's what I use as my training. You know what I'm saying? Trying to emulate old great voices and tones and such. So that was my inspiration. That's the way I started. And, you know, it's thanks to my pops. I lost him in 2020. So it's become even more. I don't know, more of a bright spot in my life and in how I was inspired by music and what he used to play for me when I was little. So yeah, so it kind of goes back to that and hanging out with my pops and listening to old soul music, and that's where I got my inspiration from. And I always said I wanted to try to bring a smile to folks' face the way that music brought a smile to my face when I first heard it when I was little. So, you know, trying to share stories and such, and that's where it's come from, and that's what I'm trying to carry on.

Kandidly Kristin Well, happy belated birthday and sorry for your loss at the same time. So the river. Yeah. That song was and quite honestly, still is like in heavy rotation on my playlist. There's just something about it, the storytelling of it. So can you share with me and my listeners the story if there was one behind the song and what it meant to you as an artist to make it?

Noel Gourdin Absolutely. We were in the studio in the Poconos Mountains, and we were all sitting around and just talking. It was myself, I'm Rama Brown, Balaibu Muhammad, CK. And we would just talk because either all of us was from the South or spent time in the South, our family from the South. So, you know, we all had a lot of time in the South and we were just talking through things and you know how it made you feel when you were there in the south when you were younger and how it is now and you know because my family from Mississippi and I spent lots of time down there with my grandmama and my aunts uncles all of that my mom's So we just started talking about stories and we kind of fused all of our stories together. And, uh, we put all of the PC stuff in the song because it was a lot of stuff that hit the cutting room floor that wasn't exactly PC. But, um, but yeah, we just started talking about stories and started putting it together. I think we, we went from concept to putting ideas down to recording and finishing that probably in about four hours. And we knew that we had something special. Yeah. Yeah, it was it was just like one of those type of records that just kept flowing and flowing and flowing. And it was weird when I went into the booth, I was just supposed to be laying down certain ideas. And it's just, we just started cutting it for real. You know what I mean? And when we were done, we was like, that's it. That's a wrap. You know what I mean? So it was a special record and it still is. And I appreciate the love on that because I still, I still get love on that record and people thanking me and all of that, you know, for that record. But it is a very special one to my family as well.

Kandidly Kristin Yes. So after the river, you just disappeared from the scene for a minute. So if you could talk to me about what prompted that hiatus and what brought you back to us, your fans.

Noel Gourdin It was the business side of things. It was kind of weird something happened, you know, transpired with, I think, I believe with a member of my team and in the higher ups at Sony. So that was unfortunate. And it was something that wasn't of my doing. You know what I mean? So it was it was kind of frustrating in that way. But um, yeah, and really, when I went into my hiatus, I was went into a little depression and all that kind of stuff. And, you know, we just had a number one record. I don't understand. Right, right. How this could even happen. Right. So, um, but yeah, that was that was tough to deal with. But, um, you know, came back a little bit a little bit after that, and got with another company and, and kept it kept it kept on trucking, you know,

Kandidly Kristin Good. Well, I'm certainly glad you did. Because I was like, I was I did a look. I was it was I was like, wait, wait, where'd he go? And then I did a little stint on a digital radio show. When I first heard your new single get to you. Right. Coming back. And I was like, wow, like, you know, I was happy. I listened to it. I loved it. That's in my playlist now. Thank you. So I'm glad you're back. Whatever happened, I'm glad that you were able to, you know, get with a new tribe and make some new music.

Noel Gourdin Yeah, I appreciate it because, you know, it's it's a lot of people don't know, you know, it's a big misconception about artists that's in the industry and all that kind of stuff and have been in the industry and kind of slip out and then come back. You know, they don't know what's going on. But yeah, it was it was some real deep stuff that was happening. And it's good to be back. It's good to be back.

Kandidly Kristin Oh, we are so glad to have you back. So like The River, your songs are like musical stories. So how important is the storytelling to you in your songs and songwriting?

Noel Gourdin Oh, tremendously important. I mean, it's everything to me because that's, like I said earlier, it's what inspired me to start making music. The storytelling aspect is something that I think, well, that's what keeps the music timeless to me. Because stories is what links us, you know, look at movies, look at books, look at, you know what I mean? all that kind of stuff, plays and all of that. So it's very, it's emotional and we are connected by that. You know, that's one thing that it gets down to, it cuts right through race, cuts through, you know, gender, it cuts through status level, all of that kind of stuff. It's emotion. So I try to have that in every record that I make. And it's very important to me. And I go around to, you know, when after I make a record, I kind of put it through the quality tests and folks that I trust their ears in the industry that I've been working with throughout the years. And if they give me a thumbs up, you know, and it upholds the quality level and the story and, you know, giving people something not just you know, on what the record is about. But some of me, some of Noel and every record that I make, then it's then it's a go.

Kandidly Kristin Then it's a go. All right. So when you're making a record, what's your creative process like? Is it music first and then words to it or words first and then music or some combination?

Noel Gourdin It can go either way. Sometimes when I hear a record and I kind of try to live with it. This is my term. I live with it for a little bit and see what it says. You know, if it's something that's supposed to be vibey and supposed to feel good, which is what, you know, Get To You and Getcha are about. Shout out to Lorenzo Johnson, who produced those and produced some other records that's going to be on the EP that I'm going to be releasing. But yeah, it can go both ways. I heard those certain records, those tracks, and that's where it pushes me. You know, I try to figure out exactly what the track is saying to me, if I could do that and relay my words and make it, you know, kind of complete it because it's halfway done when you get to trap. So I try to get the right lyrics to say and the right melody to kind of you know, realize the whole thing and complete it. And sometimes I'll have a melody in my head and I'll start it. And you know, I used to make tracks and all that kind of stuff. So I can sometimes I even beat box out or play some keys and give an idea what I can hear and kind of relay it to my to my musicians and have them play it out and try to get it to where I can memorize, not memorize, but visualize it and bring it to life. So it could go either way. I have some very strong records that have started both ways. So, you know, it's fun to do it that way. It's almost like a, you know, it's a, it's a, it's a canvas and it starts blank either way, you know, with the music that, you know, maybe the foreground is done. But when I just start with the lyrics, it's like a empty canvas and it's kind of fun in that respect.

Kandidly Kristin Okay, so talk to me about your new singles get to you and getcha. They are both really kind of giving me old school R&B but contemporary and fresh.

Noel Gourdin Yes, you know, and that was the aim. And they're kind of like, it's almost like a part one and a part two as well. Because get to you was almost like a, you know, vibey kind of clubbish could be but a lounge type of a feel. And if I was able to, if we had the budget to do a video, I always told folks, you know, I'm kind of silly. So I like, you know, I have a sense of humor. So it was always like, you know, I could see her across the room, but I can't quite get there. You know what I'm saying? And when I get to the spot where I saw she was, she's in a whole different spot. So it's like, I'm trying to get to her and then get you. is possibly the continuation to that whole story. It was just fun. It has a vibe to them. They can be danced to, but it's not super dancey. It's not super up-tempo, but it's just really groovy and vibey. I had fun making those records. Lorenzo is dope. Lorenzo Johnson and I co-wrote those with Kanita Rogers out of Huntsville, Alabama and Marquise Green. So we had a lot of fun vibing with those. And I think, yeah, I think when you hear that, you'll kind of envision and see where that whole EP is going. So it's, it's just about done. And it's going to be out really, really soon.

Kandidly Kristin Yay, before the end of the year, you think?

Noel Gourdin Oh, absolutely. Yeah, yeah. Very, very much sooner than that.

Kandidly Kristin Okay. Well, I love both of them, so. Thank you. All right, so the music industry has evolved, is evolving, streaming, social media. How do you think the digital age affects how you create and share your music?

Noel Gourdin As far as sharing and all of that, it's almost instantaneous. They have so many apps and all of that kind of stuff now. But I think it's lost a little bit of something as well. It's kind of lost since you can do it so fast and get it out to the peoples and out to the masses. That's a great thing. But on the other side, it's like, you know, sometimes things are rushed and sometimes things don't have as much integrity put into them. Um, you know, I think they're not baked and cooked to the, to the level in which they, they should sometimes, but then again, the consumer kind of speaks, you know, if the consumer picks it up and they go out there and get it, I guess that says if it's, if it's a success, it's a success. So it's like, who's to say, you know, uh, what's, I don't know what's good and what's bad. Because if it's based on success, then that's just what it is. Because there's a lot of music out there that I think, you know, I just started working on it. I hear artists say that. I just started working on just felt it just needed to get out right away. And I, sometimes I don't particularly like it, but it doesn't, you know, that's what's so beautiful about music. You know, it's, it's subjective, you know what I mean? To each person's ear. So, um, but yeah, I think, I think it's great because it can get out to the masses like in a snap. But then again, I think, I think it's lost some integrity and, uh, some quality control that some, sometimes there's no quality control, you know, with folks. That's why I take such pride in that. And that's the reason why this EP is taking so long to get out, because I wanted to make sure me getting back out there, this is pretty much my fourth project that's going to be released. So I want it to be right. And I wanted to uphold that quality in which I've kind of tried to uphold throughout my career.

Kandidly KristinNice. And I agree. Like, I've always believed that social media is a blessing and a curse in so many ways. So I wholeheartedly agree with that. So are there any artists, producers that you dream of working with? Or have you already worked with them?

Noel Gourdin Not all of them. You know, I work with Vidal André, I work with Salaam Remy, I work with Raphael Sadiq. I was fortunate enough to work with those fellas early in my career when I, my first album. I work with KG, you know, Kia Gys. I work with a lot of, a lot of folks, but yeah, I mean, there's really nobody right now per se that I'm looking to work with. I want to work with each and everybody that, that is willing to work with me. Um, if I reach out to them, you know, that's because I really want to work out, work with them. Um, you know, Calvin Richardson is a, is a, is a dope artist. I want to work with him. Um, Raheem Devon, you know, so there's a, there's, there's a lot of artists that are really Jasmine Sullivan. I really love her voice, her tone. Um, you know, I'll always love, I always love Faith Evans. Um, you know, as far as producers right now, I'm good because it's really, you know, the industry is really clicky unless you meet some people that are real cool. You know what I mean? And I'm all about the character first. If I can't vibe with your character, I don't care how many records you sold. It's just. It's just me as a regular man. You know what I mean? I don't deal with ego. I don't like to deal with that. So I got enough going on in my life to deal with somebody else's ego. But I just have fun. Because the fun of the music is gone when you have to deal with that first and foremost. So I have fun making music and I love doing it. And I want to have a good time doing it. And I want to work with folks that are that are kind of compatible in that sense. So, but yeah, I love to I take, you know, anybody that's willing to work with me, I'm also willing to work with them. You know, I just like to see if it's easy or if it's hard. If it's hard, I don't have the time for that.

Kandidly Kristin Right. Yeah. I agree. Energy is important. Absolutely. Right. Clicking and nodding the “clique-y” kind of way.

Noel Gourdin Exactly. That was eloquently put.

Kandidly Kristin Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. What advice do you have for those those folks that are out there sitting in a little studio with the egg crates on the wall, trying to make a record, particularly R&B artists who are trying to get into the industry.

Noel Gourdin I always just say, practice your craft. Don't try to sound like anybody else because everybody else is taken. Be you. you know, be you. That's what somebody said to the to the great and Al Green, because he was trying to sound like other artists and at the beginning stages of his career, and then somebody said, Hey, man, just see you, you know what I mean? And now we got, as we all know, yes, you know what I mean? So yeah, just be yourself. And don't quit, you know, because all of those knows, are wiped away, they're voided with one yes. So yes, you know, one yes can change your life. So just just keep that in mind.

Kandidly Kristin That is great advice, whatever you aspire to do, honestly, right. So as an artist, Noel, when you make a record and put it out there, what is it that you hope that we the listeners take away from it?

Noel Gourdin I just want you to, listeners, to know that I put my everything into every record that I make. Even records that I'm featured on, I write on. I just want you to know that it's genuine. It's always gonna be a big piece of me and how I grew up. And whatever I say is something that I was taught by my moms or my pops, family. Um, you know, and values and all of that kind of stuff. So it's, it's a, it's a big piece of me, whatever I'm on and just know that you're trying, you're getting the best of me. Um, and whatever I actually put out is I love it. And I hope that you love it as well. You know what I mean? So, um, and it's got a piece of a lot of greats that I studied on and you know, tried to emulate to get my voice to where it is. And, you know, it's got a whole bunch of them behind me. So, you know, I'm trying to carry on a legacy of the greats, all of those that I kind of emulated and practiced and try to get my voice to where it is now. And yeah, just know that it's not just me, it's a whole bunch of folk. that I appreciate and I spent a lot of time studying and practicing to try to aspire to reach that level.

Kandidly Kristin Nice. It's funny you said legacy because my next question was, what do you want Noel, excuse me, Gourdin's legacy to be in the world of R&B or music theory?

Noel Gourdin Quality. Just good records, you know. Yeah, I say it all the time because I listen, we listen to a lot of my mom's is here from Alabama now, but she from Mississippi, like I said, my family and we listen to a lot of Southern soul. and all of that kind of stuff. And, you know, people always say, man, we don't know this person as a AAA artist and all of that kind of stuff, but they made great records. And you love to hear those records. You never turn it off. You turn it down when it comes on. You know what I mean? I want to be one of those artists. When my music comes on, people listen to it and they buy into it and it feels good. It makes you smile, makes you cry, you know, makes you call somebody and be like, you know, send a link. uh and and and listen to this or or this is my song we got married to this record or you know what i mean all that kind of stuff means the most to me um so when people hit me up on social media you know and they're like uh you know i love this record it got me out of a tough time i just lost my you know, whoever, a family member or whatever. And this meant a lot to me. It got me through. You know, I got married to this. And could you come and sing at my wedding? And that kind of stuff means the most to me because it's really touched somebody on another level.

Kandidly Kristin Nice. Awesome. So Give me a glimpse into what's next for Noel Gourdin. New projects, tours, your EP is coming. I heard that. But what's on the horizon that we can be on the lookout for?

Noel Gourdin I'm just opening up to more stuff. I'm doing voiceover stuff and trying to get more work on that kind of stuff. I'm open to acting and all of that kind of stuff. So I'm trying to get into that area of professionalism and trying to pick up my game in that area. Um, and more music. I'm always writing music like that'll never, never stop. So, um, I'm always trying to better myself as an artist, um, as a writer, you know, all of that kind of stuff. So I'm also writing, writing, started writing a video game and coming up with a concept of that and something that, and, and, you know, it's just, just fun to do, um, and, and downtime and just jot it away. And before I knew it, I had. probably 10, 12 pages of a, you know, of a treatment and all that kind of stuff, characters. And yeah, so it's, it's fun to write and really just, um, that's what it is for me. It's a, it's a fun, it's a playground in writing and, and I love movies and all that kind of stuff. So, you know, I take a lot of inspiration from that and stories and, and where they bring me as far as, um, you know, creativity and, and, You know, it means a lot to me. So it's what I do. I'm an artist. I write, I sing, I do this and that. And I hope that you like it.

Kandidly Kristin So far, so good, sir. And listen, I hope you get the budget for a video for both of your new singles.

Noel GourdinYeah, I think that would be dope. Yeah, I think it would be fun, you know, because I think a lot of times music today and videos and stuff are too serious. You know, people are having fun. So I know. Yeah, because the world is too crazy right now. A lot of folks ain't having fun, you know, so we got to get back to having some fun.

Kandidly Kristin Yes, yes, yes. I agree. So that is the end of my formal chat with you, sir. I would love it if you could sing a little something, but if not, we're going to play 10 Kandid Questions. Or both. So what you want to do?

Noel Singing Every time I look your way, you seem to want to play. The way you throw your sexy every which way, oh yeah. You wear that spotlight like a halo, baby. It's looking like my mission's changing now. You got me marching like a soldier, baby. It's John Glove. Now I'm prowling like a panther with my eyes on my prey. She moves as if she's the only one here. So tough. She'll have you in love, in love.

She exudes that sex appeal you can find in the dark. Now I'm fighting through this crowd. Just want to be where you are. just gotta get to you. Just gotta get to you. I just gotta get to you. Just gotta get to you

Kandidly Kristin . I was hoping you'd sing something from that song.  I love that song. Oh, Noel, this has been an amazing chat.

Noel GourdinYes, it has.

Kandidly Kristin I can't tell you how honored I am that you came on my little show. So thank you very much.

Noel Gourdin  My pleasure. I appreciate you.

Kandidly Kristin  I sincerely really wish you ridiculous, ridiculous, over the top success in any and everything you do in the future. And that is sincere.

Noel Gourdin Oh, we got to do it again when I release my EP.

Kandidly KristinOh, absolutely. And at this time, I might have to, you know, beat my face a little bit and do a video with you.

Noel GourdinYou know, it's all good. We can go track to track. Talk it out.

Kandidly KristinThat'll be cool. Yeah. Oh, yes. That would be awesome. And listen, I would love a tour it. I live in the Philadelphia area in South Jersey and the City Winery in Philly. I can just see you there. It's the perfect, like intimate vibe that is just tailor made for your voice.

Noel Gourdin  I'm with it all. I have somebody that's that's kind of checking out all the city wineries across the country. So yeah, hopefully that'll happen soon. If you got to end if you got to end fit me in.

Kandidly Kristin Listen, I go there enough I should have an end to get all my money. If you come I'm there front row. Cool. We are out of time. But guys, all of Noel's contact info, his socials, links to his music will be in the website. So check out his new singles. Keep your eye and your ear out for the new EP, which I will be letting you know when it drops because I hope he lets me know.

Noel GourdinYes, absolutely. Awesome. It'll be called “Back to Basics.”

Kandidly KristinI like that a lot. Oh, I can't wait. I can't wait. Guys, don't forget to visit my website, www.theKandidshop.com. Kandid with a K. Listen to an episode, drop me a review, share the show with your friends. And until next time, I want everyone listening to my voice to keep it safe, keep it healthy, and keep it Kandid.