I had the opportunity to speak to the very talented new group that is CL6 in order to find out about their debut release; ‘Maxi Part: 01’ and their unique sound.
Amanda: How did you all come together?
Cal-i: Six months after Dean joined church we all then met at a talent competition.
Miikz: That’s really how CL6 was born and we’ve been together for now twelve years. When our song writing started we would take secular tracks and reword them.
Amanda: When did you realise that you had the ability to sing?
Dean: I would sing regularly at a talent show called Sunday Selection at Hackney Empire.
Mark: Initially me and Dean couldn’t really sing; whenever Miikz tried to give us a note we’d be there forever, we’d be there for like five hours trying to get this one note. In the six weeks holiday of school we’d practice like everyday.
Amanda: Where do feel God’s leading you in your ministry?
Cali-i: How cliché is this going sound; bigger and greater things really. This is our first CD and we’re now looking to work on another one and hopefully the album as well. Musically I think He wants to take us places that take us in different directions. We’ve always been very diverse with our music and in being diverse we’ve been able to reach alot of people and sing to different types of crowds.
Amanda: What’s been the feedback on you music from Christians and non-Christians?
Francis: Where I work the other members of staff have really liked it, the kind of response I’ve received from them is that it’s uplifting. Other people that had been in the church when they were younger have said that they really like it because they like the angle that it’s coming from, knowing that we’re a gospel group they had preconceived ideas of what it would be like but when they heard it they thought it was really good; they liked the style of music.
Christians that have heard it have been very supportive.
Amanda: When you’ve sang at a functional events such as weddings in which the people aren’t Christians how do find that?
Cali-i: If we were in a function where we felt that we were compromising what we believe we would stand for what we believe in.
Amanda: You guys harmonise really well, how often do you practice?
Miikz: We practice together once a week.
Francis: We’re very used to singing together. Literally from the beginning we’ve always harmonised so every song will pretty much have a harmony or some harmonies on it.
Amanda: Are there any artistes that you’re particularly inspired by?
Miikz, Francis, Dean, Mark & Cal-i: Commissioned, Winan’s, Fred Hammond.
Amanda: How would you describe your sound?
Miikz: Eclectic is a good word.
Amanda: What particular aspects do you enjoy about your ministry?
Mark: Going round meeting people at different venues and singing at different churches.
Cali-i: Seeing how it affects other people lives.
Amanda: Why do you sing what you sing about?
Dean: We will sing songs that relate to our experiences, a bit like how Jesus told stories in parables we’re telling a story. We’re telling a message of hope and salvation.
Interviewed By Amanda Hemmings - April 2008
