Seed Is is a musical collective from Norfolk Virginia, U.S.A that combines soul, jazz, reggae and rock to their musical recipe book. Their crowds have been compared to Carlos Santana fans to Dave Matthews fans...and it keeps getting bigger each time. As they say, they're known to sprinkle a little "seedlings"(fans) in every city...and that is their goal in Toronto....and I had a chance to chat with some of the members.

Anwei Kilgore (Vocals)	Dawg (Drums/Percussion)
Mike Peace (Spoken Word/Rap)	Nikki Kilgore (Bass/Vocals)

Band Members:
Nikki Kilgore (Bass/Vocals)
Alexis Brown (Vocals)
Anwei Kilgore (Vocals)
Mike Peace (Spoken Word/Rap)
Biggs (Guitar/Vocals)
Big Tom (Trumpet)
Zeke (Trombone)
Big Daddy Rich (Saxophone)
Dawg (Drums/Percussion)

http://www.myspace.com/seedis + http://www.seedis.com


Big Tom

Tanya: Tell me a bit about Seed Is? (Where you’re from? How did you all meet? The full names of all the members, are you all ol' child-hood friends?)

Tom Smith: Seed Is . . . Is a collective of many different sounds, grooves and cultures. I’m from Boston, MS and in November 1997 moved to VA in December 1997.

Tanya: How long have you been together?

Tom Smith: I auditioned for a then 5 piece jazz band named Seed. I am the only member left from that group and it has developed into this sound.

Tanya: Would you say that you all received fan appeal because of your constant touring?

Tom Smith: I think it is our versatility that has so much mass appeal.

Tanya: What’s your group’s target audience (your fan base).

Tom Smith: 8 yrs old to 80 yrs old.

Tanya: Before Seed Is....what were you all doing?

Tom Smith: I had been in two jazz groups in Boston.

Tanya: Where has the band been so far....in regards to touring? Has it only been in the States?

Tom Smith: Up and down the east coast for now.

Tanya: When did you start to play your first instrument?

Tom Smith: Well when I was 4 yrs old I sang with my father’s band and 12 yrs old when I started to play trumpet.

Tanya: In regards to your style of music (the band)...it is very diverse..why?

Tom Smith: We really worked hard at not sounding like an R&B group playing reggae or a jazz group playing rock. We just try to sound good doing all styles of music.

Tanya: Who are some of your musical influences and why?

Tom Smith: Everyone who has something to say. I mean everybody.

Tanya: What is the band hoping to accomplish in the future?

Tom Smith: To set the future musicians on the right path. Listen and learn from everybody and give back.

Tanya: Are you excited to be coming to Toronto, Canada? What do you expect?

Tom Smith: Yes! The Toronto Experience.

Tanya: If there could be one thing that comes out of your trip to Toronto in August...what would it be?

Tom Smith: I would like to plant some seedlings.

Tanya: To get a bit personal...do you all have families of your own?

Tom Smith: An ex-wife and four sons, Rashad, Miles, Solomon, Isiah. Big Ups.

Tanya: Your recent album....how did that come together?

Tom Smith: Live joint, the fans asked for it and we gave it to them.

Tanya: Is there plans for a new album soon?

Tom Smith: We are planning to hit the studio when we get back.

Tanya: If you could do a cover of any song (as a band)...what song would it be and why?

Tom Smith: A night in Tunisia . . . My favorite Dizzy tune.

Tanya: Any side projects?

Tom Smith: I lay down tracks for various artists in jazz, reggae, and hip hop.

Biggs

Tanya: Tell me a bit about Seed Is? (Where you're from? How did you all meet? The full names of all the members, are you all ol' child-hood friends?)

Biggs: Vincent James (Biggs) I am from South Carolina but I grew up in Maryland outside of Washington, DC.
How did I meet Seed IS… Hmmmmmmmmmm well
Big Daddy Rich use to work at a gas station and I use to tour with The Bottom Lion (Reggae Band) with Tuff Lion from Bambu Station. So I told Rich I use to play guitar but I stop playing for about 6 years and picked up keyboards. A couple months later Rich invited me out to a practice, I stood him up. (lol)
I just got out of a band, I was like no more bands for me.
But I finally went to a practice and I fell in love with Seed Is… from day one.

Tanya: How long have you been together?

Biggs: 8 1/2 years I think

Tanya: Would you say that you all received fan appeal because of your constant touring?

Biggs: Yes, to listen to CD is one thing, but to see us live is a different world. When you come to a Seed Is…show get ready for an experience. Leave your stress at home. It’s time to have fun.

Tanya: Whats your groups target audience.

Biggs: Everyone.

Tanya: Before Seed Is....what were you all doing?

Biggs: I was recording & producing reggae music.

Tanya: Where has the band been so far....in regards to touring? Has it only been in the states?

Biggs: New York, Washington, DC, Boston, North Carolina, & Virginia.

Tanya: When did you start to play your first instrument?

Biggs: 1979 the Flute.

Tanya: In regards to your style of music (the band)...it is very diverse..why?

Biggs: We are a reflection of today's generation, everyone likes everything. If you pick a random person walking with an iPod look at there play list and you will see Bob Marley, A Tribe Called Quest & U2. Just like the iPod we all have different taste and it reflects in our song writing.

Tanya: Who are some of your musical influences and why?

Biggs: Parliament –The FUNK that’s why I fell in love with music.
Jimi Hendrix – He was ahead of his time plain & simple.
Bad Brains – The PUNK that rocks with fury & pride.
Fishbone - SKA Funk energy makes you feel good & think.
24-7 Spyz – Guitars, guitars, guitars & lyrics, lyrics, lyrics
Aswad – beautiful reagge music with sweet harmonies.

Tanya: What is the band hoping to accomplish in the future?
Biggs: To touch the world with Seed Is…music!

Tanya: Are you excited to be coming to Toronto, Canada? What do you expect?

Biggs: Hell yeah we are excited about coming to Canada. (lol)
Not sure what to expect!

Tanya: If there could be one thing that comes out of your trip to Toronto in August...what would it be?

Biggs: A return trip back in September. (lol)

Tanya: To get a bit personal...do you all have families of your own?

Biggs: Single

Tanya: Your recent album....how did that come together?

Biggs: Well our Seedlings(fans) kept requesting for a live CD, because they love the live energy we bring and we love our fans for real. This is for the old & new Seedlings to come.

Tanya: Is there plans for a new album soon?

Biggs: Yes, Yes,Yes. Before the end of the year it will be recorded.
We are looking at a 2007 release. We are taking our time on this one and treating it like wine! Well as a Seed Is & Nottz Collaberaton CD 2007. Nottz has produced beats for Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg and many more.

Tanya: If you could do a cover of any song (as a band)...what song would it be and why?

Biggs: We Are The Champions by Queen. Very powerful and uplifting song that makes you feel good, makes you feel like a champion as a person.

Tanya: Any side projects?

Biggs: Session Rockers.
Session Rockers is me Biggs on Keyboards & Guitar, Jah Boo – Drums, Dub 1 – Bass.
Started out with us jamming on the weekend in the studio when I was in town. So now we are looking to drop a CD sometime this year. With guest vocalist & players (friends).

Please catch the band doing there thang on Friday August 18th @ 9:30 pm at the Trane Studio on 964 Bathurst St.