KRESGE FELLOW BRITNEY STONEY PERFORMS ORIGINAL PLAY SAVE YOURSELF AT ARTXDETROIT
KRESGE FELLOW BRITNEY STONEY PERFORMS ORIGINAL PLAY SAVE YOURSELF AT ARTXDETROIT
Britney Stoney is a singer, songwriter and guitarist and recipient of a 2014 Kresge Artist Fellowship. Her performance career began at open mic nights throughout Detroit, leading to festivals and opening for Ziggy Marley. ArtXDetroit is a celebration of the Kresge Arts Fellowship program in Detroit; fellows from this year and last present projects during two weeks in April held in various venues.
What event are you working on for ArtXDetroit?
My performance, “Save Yourself!” at the Garden Theater is an original musical about the journey a creative person takes to find oneself. I’ll be working alongside other artists such as Manner who acts in the play, in addition to helping write and produce the music. Topher Horn is another person I have previously collaborated with also helping with music production.
Tell us about winning the Kresge Fellowship Award.
Winning the Kresge Artist Fellowship last year has made a really positive impact on my music career. After three years of paying dues performing and a lot of hard work, its the type of recognition that an emerging artist like myself could only hope for. Music has always been a part of my life, during my time in college I realized doing anything besides being creative felt like torture. Nothing else felt as natural to me. I feel extremely grateful and humbled by this experience. I’m learning studio programs, expanding my knowledge of the music business and entrepreneurship.
I have been focusing on new music and other projects that have sat on the shelf for too long. I will be releasing two EPs in the near future. There are two because I just wanted to give people something to dance to that’s more fun and something stripped down, featuring my acoustic stuff. It feels right to separate the two concepts.
Who have you collaborated with?
I’ve collaborated with Detroit artist Mic Phelps a lot. Eddie Logix and I just released a single that premiered on PopMatters. Most of my collaborations come about from being involved in the social scene and supporting other local artists. I’m always down to collaborate with like-minded people.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
To name a few…Whitney Houston, Marvin Gaye, Queen, Rachelle Ferrel Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Gwen Stefani. Lately I’m not listening to much new work, but I do enjoy artist Jessie Ware, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Jazmine Sullivan, and Kelela.
What’s your favorite thing about Detroit?
The people. I’ve always felt Detroit has some of the nicest and polite people. I enjoy the small population- living in an uncrowded city has spoiled me a bit, because everything is more relaxed.
Favorite spot to eat?
I just found a pretty good Jamaican spot called Jamaican Pot on West 8 Mile. They make everything fresh. I also like Harmonie Park- they do a Sunday buffet that’s awesome. OH! I can’t forget about PJ’s Lager House Sunday brunch!
Local musicians that you currently love?
The music scene here is vibrant! My favorites right now include Bevlove, Mic Phelps, Lokye, Jade Lathan, Tunde, Little Animal, Gosh Pith, Flint Eastwood, and most recently Mackinac from Ann Arbor.
Where do you see Detroit in 10 years?
It’s hard to say because there’s so much development going on right now in a really short amount of time. I’m pretty sure there will be a bigger population and more opportunities. I can only hope and do my part to make sure that some of those opportunities include assisting the youth of Detroit.
Don’t miss Britney Stoney! April 12th, 2015 // 6:30 pm-7:30 pm
“Save Yourself!” Music Performance, Garden Theater, Detroit, MI
2014 Kresge Artist Fellow Britney Stoney presents Save Yourself!, an original musical that looks into one creative person’s journey to discover the “Self.” Combining audio and visual, the audience explores the perspective of an emerging artist. Relatable to both young, and old, it delves into life lessons that reach beyond art, touching on the experience shared by all human beings.
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