It hasn’t been long since we last caught up with Washington DC-based singer-songwriter and producer R. Nelson, following the release of his last full-length album, Vol. 1: Grown Man Energy. However, he’s already back on our radar, having released a new EP recently called the Cup of Tea EP. His music is truly fantastic, so I decided to sit down and have a chat with Nelson about the new EP, his rapid creative output (I’m genuinely not sure how he does it!) and what’s driving his soulful r&b sound right now. See how we got on below!

By Jane Howkins

It’s only been a couple of months since we last spoke to you! How has your summer been? Did you get up to anything special?

Jane! How goes it? How are you feeling? Did you enjoy your holiday? I really need to take one of those myself… possibly next year!

But my summer? What a summer it was! It was… (singing in my best Love Boat voice) ‘Exciting and new!’ Lol!

Between the music and the overall business, I was BUSY! There was always something going on, something being created, something being planned or another idea popping into my head. Needless to say, there wasn’t much downtime, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I had a great summer thanks, I went to Rome and had an amazing time! The Cup of Tea EP has now been released. We spoke about the record a little last time. How has the reception been so far? Is there anything more you’d like to add about the EP?

Wait a minute, Jane! We spoke about the record?! YOU spoke about the record lol! I still don’t understand how you knew Cup of Tea was coming out when I hadn’t even announced it yet! I’m starting to think you have some inside sources lol!

But seriously, the reception has been good, and I’m really pleased with that. It seems like people understood what I was trying to do with the EP.

The biggest surprise for me was the positive reaction to You’re My Cup of Tea. I was actually nervous about that song, because I wrote it from a woman’s perspective as an answer to Cup of Tea. And even though I love all my songs, I personally felt that You’re My Cup of Tea was the weakest track on the EP.

Well, the listeners certainly proved me wrong haha! And I’m glad they did. Sometimes, as a songwriter, you’re not necessarily the best judge of how people will connect with something you’ve created.

The EP also gave people a chance to experience another side of me through my other persona, Geese Da Goon. I’m glad I included I Didn’t Change, I Expanded and Geese’s Outside EP on the project. Those songs helped introduce a different dimension of my creativity.

So overall, I’m happy with how it’s been received, and even happier that people seem to understand what I was doing musically.

When we spoke about the EP last time around, it hadn’t been physically created yet. How was the recording process? Was there anything that surprised you whilst you were making the Cup of Tea EP?

Jane, Jane, Jane… you were here when I was putting it together, weren’t you?! Lol, I’m kidding, I’m kidding!

Seriously though, all the pieces were already there. I just needed to form Voltron with them! LOL!

For example, everyone heard Cup of Tea on the album, but what people may not realise is that there are at least eight other versions of that song! The Def Alt version was actually the second runner-up when I was deciding which version would make the album. And let me tell you, it was a VERY close second!

Then there’s Early Draft, which is exactly what the title says. It’s an early draft of the song. I wanted people to hear how the music developed and how different versions of the same idea could take on lives of their own.

Now, You’re My Cup of Tea was already there, along with Perfectly Steeped. Man, am I glad I had those two together! They really complemented what I was trying to accomplish with the project.

But something was still missing. I wanted a song that connected the project to who I am as an artist, something that brought the different sides of my creativity together.

That’s when I added I Didn’t Change, I Expanded.

And once I did that, it was like… okay, this works!

Sometimes creating a project isn’t about making something entirely new. Sometimes it’s about recognising what you already have and figuring out how all those pieces fit together. That’s exactly what happened with Cup of Tea.

You mentioned earlier that you use your Geese Da Goon alter-ego on the song I Didn’t Change, I Expanded. Can you tell me a little more about that decision?

You know, Jane, that song is actually rather personal to me.

It’s directed towards the skating community. For a while, there was this back-and-forth between me and certain DJs, skaters, promoters and others within that community. I’ve never been one to shy away from speaking my mind, and I made it very clear that I wasn’t particularly fond of house music lol!

Well, some people would say, “Since you talk about music so much, why don’t you DJ?”

My response was basically, “I’m a whole music producer! So here, let me give you some songs to skate to!”

And that’s exactly what I did.

But then the music started coming, and it wasn’t getting played. From my perspective, some of that was personal. It felt like certain people were deliberately trying to get under my skin. Okay, cool.

So instead of continuing that back-and-forth, I started focusing more on writing songs as R. Nelson. Then I thought, you know what? Let me start writing as Geese Da Goon, too.

And here’s the funny part. I deliberately kept my music outside the skating community, even though I’d created an entire anti-house-music house album and thrown it right at that same community and a few DJs! LOL!

That’s where I Didn’t Change, I Expanded came from.

The message was simple: I’m not the same person I was in 2013. I’ve grown, I’ve learned and I’ve expanded creatively.

And most importantly, you are not my ceiling.

I don’t have to limit myself to one community, one genre or one artistic identity. Geese Da Goon is still part of who I am, but R. Nelson allows me to express other dimensions of my creativity.

I didn’t abandon anything. I simply expanded beyond what some people expected me to be.

Hence the title, I Didn’t Change, I Expanded.

I love that attitude to music! You’re fairly prolific as a songwriter. Have you started writing for your next release or is it too soon yet?

Thanks, Jane! I certainly hope a few of the awards I’ve submitted my music for think so as well! LOL!

And yes, I’ve already got another song completed! In fact, I was listening to it before Grown Man Energy was even released!

But I’m definitely still writing. There’s always another idea, another story or another musical direction I want to explore.

And let’s just say I’ve got a few other things going on outside of songwriting, too.

So no, it’s definitely not too soon. If anything, the creative wheels are still turning!

Am I right in thinking you have your own record label titled Ashy Knuckles Productions? What can you tell us about the company and are there any upcoming releases you’d like to tell us about?

Yes, Jane, you are absolutely correct! Ashy Knuckles Productions is my record label.

But here’s the thing. I don’t want Ashy Knuckles to be just a vanity label where I’m only releasing my own music. I’m actually looking for artists to work WITH! I want to collaborate, develop ideas and create opportunities for other artists as well.

Ashy Knuckles Productions is part of something bigger called Nelson Creative Group.

Think of Nelson Creative Group as the umbrella organisation. Under that umbrella, you have Ashy Knuckles Productions, which is the record label; Team Mumbo Sauce, which is my apparel brand and something I’m currently putting a lot of focus into; and Sound Off Media, which is my vision for radio stations – although that one is much further down the road.

Each has its own identity and purpose, but they’re all connected through Nelson Creative Group.

Ultimately, I want to expand my reach beyond just being a songwriter or recording artist. I have ideas that extend into fashion, media and other creative spaces, and I’m working toward bringing those ideas to life.

Now, as far as upcoming releases go… Geese Da Goon has something coming!

And R. Nelson? Let’s just say something cold is on the way. Bundle up! LOL!

Do you have any other side projects on the go?

Side projects? Of course! LOL!

I’ve actually written and recorded the music for a song intended for another artist. Now I’m just waiting for her to come in and record her part!

And let me tell you, she’s frustrating me! Not because of anything bad, but because I’m really looking forward to putting my producer chops to work on someone else’s song for a change!

I love writing and producing my own material, but there’s something exciting about taking another artist’s voice, personality and interpretation, and bringing all those elements together into a finished record. That’s something I really want to explore more.

And then, of course, there’s the aforementioned Team Mumbo Sauce apparel brand. That’s another creative outlet I’ve been putting a lot of energy into.

So between the music, producing for other artists and building the apparel brand, there’s definitely no shortage of things keeping me occupied!

Who/what would you say are your main influences as an artist?

Jane, I’m from Washington, DC! We have an incredibly rich musical legacy here!

Naturally, go-go music is a major influence. In fact, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of go-go this year! But DC’s musical history goes well beyond go-go. Marvin Gaye came from here. The Blackbyrds were formed here. There’s so much musical history connected to this city, and growing up around that kind of legacy definitely leaves an impression on you.

Now, outside of DC? My favorite singer of ALL TIME is CHAKA KHAN!!!! I absolutely LOVE that woman!

Then there’s Earth, Wind & Fire. Man, I love their music! One of my personal musical goals is to create a song that captures the kind of magic they created with Fantasy. That’s one of those records that takes you somewhere else entirely.

The Beatles, America, Seals & Crofts… the list goes on and on!

I listen to so many different artists and styles of music that we’d probably be sitting here all day if I tried to name everybody! LOL! And I think that’s reflected in my own songwriting. I don’t want to be confined to one particular sound or genre. If something moves me musically, I’m interested in exploring it.

I don’t suppose you’ve changed your mind about those tour dates have you? We’d love to see you perform! What is an R. Nelson show like?

Nope! Haven’t changed my mind, Jane, haha!

And as far as what an R. Nelson show would look like?

Very empty! Because it wouldn’t happen lol!

Is there anything else special you have coming up this year or next that you’d like to mention?

Well, Jane, we already know a world tour isn’t happening haha!

But seriously, there are two things I’m really looking forward to.

First is the relaunch of my apparel brand, Team Mumbo Sauce. I’ve been putting a lot of thought and work into that, and I’m excited about bringing it back and showing people what I’ve been creating.

And then there’s the sophomore R. Nelson album!

Yes, another album is on the way! I’m continuing to write and develop new material, and I’m looking forward to sharing the next chapter of my musical journey.

So between the music and the apparel brand, there’s plenty to keep me busy!

Just don’t go looking for those tour dates lol!

Social media: Facebook, Spotify, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram, Linktree