Five Point Plan
by funkygirl

For starters, I would like you to introduce the members of Five Point Plan and tell us where you’re coming from? ("From left to right and back to front on the photo below : Tim, Jordan, Latrice David & Mike")

Latrice Barnett (vocals) - San Francisco Bay Area via Ohio
Latrice began singing quite by accident while living in France in 1996. "I was at a party and my friend told these guys that I was a singer," she recounts. She ended up touring France with that band, and shared several appearances on radio and TV.

Michael Cruz (bass) – Chicago, IL
Mike grew up listening to the Beatles, Steely Dan, and John Coltrane. His first instrument was saxophone and he later switched to the bass. Mike is one of the primary song writers for Five Point plan.

Tim Carter (drums) – Walnut Creek, CA
Tim is the only drummer we know with perfect pitch! He can also play all of the instruments in the group just as good, if not better, than their usual players. On Rare, he plays a mean electric sitar part on the song Love Divine. Tim and Jordan met in 1993 while studying music at UC Santa Cruz.

Jordan Glasgow (keyboards) – Portland, OR
I began studying classical piano at age 8. Like any kid, I grew to hate practising and eventually quit. In the 7th grade my music teacher brought in a sampler and played Stairway to Heaven backwards. I think that was when I realized that I wanted to get back into music.

David Metzner (guitar) – Los Angeles, CA
Dave studied classical and jazz guitar at University of Miami and originally hooked up with Jordan, Mike, and Tim when he joined their band Supersauce in 1997. He had auditioned for the group several months prior, but didn't get the call until the regular guitarist got sick the morning of a gig up in Lake Tahoe. We woke him up around 9:00 in the morning and said, "You want to play in Tahoe tonight?" We picked him up a few hours later and taught him the tunes on the four hour drive to the gig. He didn't miss a beat.

Myself, Mike, and Tim all met at college in Santa Cruz where we used to have a band called Supersauce. Dave later joined that group when we moved up to San Francisco in 1995.

Why did you choose Five Point Plan as the Band’s name? What’s the meaning, the idea behind that?

Its from one of our favorite movies, Fast Times at Ridgemont High (a movie of Cameron Crowe from 1982 with Sean Penn and Jennifer Jason Leigh). Mike Damon is this totally greasy character…its his plan for getting women.

Could you explain your musical tastes because when I’ve heard your second album “Rare” I thought immediately it was a sort of Acid Jazz Revival (and I love that too much ;o) Extremely Groovy but Soul in the same time… Are you agree with that definition?

We definitely are all huge fans of the acid jazz tradition, especially the Brand New Heavies, but we all listen to some pretty eclectic stuff and all of it probably influences our sound in one way or another.

Let’s talk about our favourite music… because Wegofunk ;o) For you, which are the undeniable artists in Funk/Soul, the ones that have marked the musical history or that you admire the most musically? And why?

This could take a while…
Stevie Wonder because of his sense of harmony, and unique playing style on each of the instruments. Also the way that any of his albums from the 70’s was recorded is like no other. Sly Stone because of his absolutely raw funkiness. James Brown (no explanation needed). George Clinton, Marvin Gaye, Prince, Al Green, and a million others.

Present day there’s Me’Shell N’Degeocello, D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, India Arie, Sade, Jamiroquai, Jill Scott, etc.

How do you explain your love for those kind of Black music ? What is irresistible in it for you ?

Every artist brings something unique to the table whether its their talent as a song writer, instrumentalist, front person…the best artists combine all of the above. The common theme is the undeniable groove. The way that it makes you NEED to move.

In the review I made of this album (in French for the moment but soon in English…), I present you as a mix between Brand New Heavies (cause your groove is near theirs, you’re five too and Latrice really remind me of N’Dea Davenport) and Incognito? Are you flattered by this comparison?

Absolutely!

We love good music and real musicians and Funk is the best for us… so we choose to talk only about bands who create something today… How do you explain that Funk or Soul or Acid Jazz are now less popular? It must be very difficult for you to live of your musical talent today… Are we wrong?

In the States it’s definitely less popular within the industry, and because they’re not playing it on the radio and on MTV, people aren’t buying it as much. That said, it gives us hope that great artists like Norah Jones are winning Grammies. I think the phrase Acid Jazz is a bit played out, but the neo-soul thing is very much alive and happening with artists like Jill Scott, Sade, and India Arie getting lots of play. Europe and Japan are definitely where its at for our sound right now.

In the bios I have read on your site, something really interested me… Latrice was living in France for some years (and you know we are French ;o). She explains how all started for her in 1996… and even says that she has touring our country with a band and appeared in our national television… We are curious to know more about that period… What was that band and where she used to go when she wanted to party ?

(From Latrice…)

In 1996, i moved to Lyon to study at Lyon II. Shortly thereafter I joined a band called Mo' Jazz Beats. We played many venues in Lyon and the south of France (le Bartholdi, Meribel, and a boat club in Lyon - I've forgotten the name of it). Mo' Jazz Beats performed original acid jazz, and was comprised of 9 members: keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, saxophones, flutes, turntables, trumpet, and lead vocals. We were showcased on a holiday special on Canal+, shot at Club Oxxo and televised in December of 1996. I moved back to the US at the beginning of 1997.

Where did I go to party: Meribel, and Lyonnais clubs called "le chantilly," and "le bartholdi".

Did she have still contact with France ? Is she able to name some French artists of today she love ?

(From Latrice…)

I still have very close friends in France, and I try to visit every other year. I hope to be there this summer! French artists that I love: Tahiti 80 is my current favorite band.

“Rare” was produced and arranged by Dave Lebolt? What did he change to the Five Point Plan’s sound of your debut album?

First off, Dave helped us with a lot of preproduction, tightening and refining the songs before we even got into the studio. He introduced us to working with loops on songs like Why and Feed Your Soul which brings more of a hip hop feel, while still retaining our live sound because all of the drums are still live. He also pushed us to fuse different styles, like the Brazilian feel blended with strings on Sign Your Name. He got us playing our best and really brought the sonic quality to the next level.

You’re preparing currently your next album. Could you tell more about it ? Like when will it be released ? Who will produce it ? In which way it’ll be different from your last 2 releases?

We’re producing this one ourselves and taking our time. One of the downsides to working with a producer is that you lose some artistic freedom to do and experiment as you like. With this album, our mission is really just to have fun and do whatever the hell we feel like. The new tunes are great, you’ll definitely recognize them as ours, but there’s a lot of growth since Rare. Mike and myself are recording everything ourselves. It’ll be released when its done…no deadlines.

How about the composition of the tracks? I saw that all members are able to write tunes? All is ready before you go on the recording studio or it’s more like a Live band creation in it?

Most of our tunes are written by one member, and then Latrice will put down lyrics and often times the melody. At that point, the tune is usually about 75% done. The rest comes from the band playing it live, everyone adding parts, until it evolves into something we’re all happy with.

How became to you the idea of using soft scratches in your music ? I like it a lot cause it really gives an other dimension to your sound ;o) It’s traditional by the spirit and modern by the sound…

We’re all just in love with that sound and have been fortunate enough to work with DJ Pause, one the baddest turntablists around. He’s better on his instrument than most players I know…he’s been doing it for a few decades. Adding turntable is like adding instant funk!

I discovered that Latrice is becoming a sort of House diva currently (She's on vocals on the great "Keep on Rising" of Jay J and "This Life Is My Own" of the English Simon Pearson (aka just "Simon") : Can you tell us more about those collaborations 'cause i'm not a real House music lover but "Keep on Rising" is Off the Hook... It's perfect for dance floor !!!

Latrice : I've been writing and singing house music for close to 2 years now, working primarily with Jay-J/Moulton Studios. It's very easy since house is also a part of the "San Francisco Sound" so it is a logical
collaboration. I've also sung and written with various other dj's/producers, like Simon (Future Dreams), Gregory del Piero (from France also), Chris Lum (Moulton Studios), and more recently, Loveslap and High Spies. I enjoy working in both the instrumental and electronic music veins because they both have such amazing possibilities, and the constant change is challenging.

listen to a sample of "keep on risin"

Is it a direction you could follow for the next album of Five Point Plan ?

Latrice : I don't know - I guess not. I don't see us making a transition to house anytime soon - I really enjoy the live instrumentation that is often very tough to pull off in house.

We love your beautiful internet site (www.fivepointplan.com) : it’s at the same time very class and simple… just like your music ;o) Did you go to visit ours and how do you see those kind of information media… Made by music lovers for others music lovers with only one goal… Help the artists (and most of all the independent one) who deserve it ?

Thanks, yours looks great too! We’re very fortunate to have a talented web designer in the band…Latrice did the whole site! The internet is a great tool for independent artists. Without it, no one would know who we are outside of The States.

More and more artists have decided to work without major labels and the Internet has
become an unlimited playground… What’s your opinion about this new way of
distributing music ?

I’m all for it. I download stuff all the time, and I still buy the CD’s for the stuff I like. The answer isn’t to close down Napster, its to make CD’s cheaper.

We think Cd Baby is now one of the best place to have the opportunity to spread good music all over the world? Did you go to see the comments on it about your last Cd? A lot of 5 stars… It’s Rare ;o) Will you expected such an unanimously?

Yeah, CDBaby is a great thing. They treat their artists well, and they consistently make money themselves which gives you confidence that they’ll be in business for a long time. I just took a look at some of the reviews on our page. Its great to receive positive feedback. Reminds me why we’re doing this.

Among new talents, emerging now, who are the artists you think will have a great career? Who are the ones best defending the Black Music Tradition?

Its hard to say who will withstand the industry ‘cause a lot bands go away after an album or two because they’re sick of dealing with all the bullshit. Look at Lauryn Hill. She is an amazing talent, but she had to take a break. She waited many years to release a follow up to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and when she did, she put out an all acoustic album. I like it, but I hope she does another hip hop thing when she’s ready. India Arie has an absolutely beautiful voice. I’ve been listening to a lot of Jurassic Five lately, those guys are great.

Your band seem to have more and more gratitude from the music business then and we are happy because we love too much what you do (you’re already one of the revelation of my year ;o). You have toured with Sade (who I admire a lot too) and India Arie ? Some anecdotes to share with us ?

I wish I could say it was a whole tour, but we only did one show with them. It was a blast.

2 tracks of “Rare” have been chosen too to be included in the 3rd volume of the UK Indie label Café de Soul compilation… Things seem to grow around you, did you have any contact in Europe to come and play Live?

I think its actually their Volume 2 disc. We’ve been talking to them for a while now and they’ve got a great thing going. We’re hoping to get over to Europe soon.

The Last one and Special Wegofunk’s Question: which are the 10 albums of all time you couldn’t stand to live without? The ones you can’t take out of your Sound system? ;-))

Not speaking for the whole band, but here are mine in no particular order. I think Tim would have to have at least one Van Halen album in there…

D’Angelo – Voodoo
Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
John Coltrane – A Love Supreme
The Beatles – tie between Abby Road & Sgt. Pepper’s
Stevie Wonder – Talking Book
Brand New Heavies – Brother Sister
Los Lobos – Kiko
Michael Jackson – Off The Wall
Steely Dan – Aja
Me’shell Ndegeocello – Peace Beyond Passion

Thanks to have take time to answered theses questions… Hope to have the pleasure to see you Live in France soon… We really appreciate your music and we are sure the best is in front of you… Don’t change anything, it’s Perfect !!! ;o))

Thanks!

Funkygirl 20march2003

An other comment from Jordan (a few days later) : Also, I don't think I told you yet, but we just signed a deal with Japanese record label Blues Interactions/P-Vine to release "Rare" in Japan!
There'll be some news about it on our website soon and the CD should come out later this Spring. Feel free to mention this on your site if you like. We're very excited!

photos credits :
1 photo by rich marchewka
2 photo by todd levine/vanessa portillo
3 copyright © 2002 Five Point Plan
4 photo by rich marchewka

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