Before the Show: Everybody Loves the Sunshine

For the past couple years, Atlanta singer-songwriter-pianist Avery Sunshine has working on an R&B masterpiece and now that it’s time for release, the world isn’t ready. Her talent goes all the way back to the church but catching a crowd with her voice and songs about love, family and relationships is a true skill. Being a mother, performer and hard-working individual, she’s here to show every woman that there is still sunshine and a smile in every situation. And everybody loves it.

MSD: How was your birthday?

AS: My b-day was off the chain. Joyce Little from V-103 had an event in her hometown Athens, Ga. I opened for Ken Ford. I finally got my band together and it was wonderful.  I can’t wait to go back to Athens.

                                      

MSD: Who are some of you inspirations and comparisons:

AS: I think my favorite singer who ever lived was Luther Vandross. He was very natural but very particular. I don’t care where he is, he is always on. Gladys Knight, Mary J. Blige, Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, Patti Labelle. Donny Hathaway, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson. I always get compared to Jill Scott and Chaka Khan. It’s such an honor to even be put in the same list as them because I look up to them so much.

MSD: Who do you feel you represent?

AS: The young, single parent, thick girl. The girl that is trying to go after her dreams. The working mom. I represent those women. The pioneer mommies. It can be done.

MSD: What do you do to gain new supporters and fans?

AS: Gigging.  And as for facebook and twitter at first I didn’t want to do it but I see it really makes sense. It’s so weird to call people fans, but that’s how I can be in touch with the people who like my music. People don’t have to support you but when they do I like to try to thank them. I want to make sure I touch the people who spend their hard earn dollars towards my dream.

MSD: What exactly is Pinin?

AS: I have never heard the word pinin’ until I moved to Georgia. We were gossiping at church and my friend said “You know she still pinin’ over that man.” The idea of the song? Well, the hook says “Can’t get you out of my head/ Can’t get you out of my system/  I’m still wanting you/ I don’t care who know it/ 20 long years have passed and I’m still pinin over over.” That’s one of my favorite songs on the album.

MSD: What else can we expect from the Sunshine album?

AS: The Roy Ayers is on the album. Yes! [sings] Everybody loves the sunshineee. He’s on the album and he allowed me to do a snippet of the album. He’s also on a song called “The Most” that me and my music partner Dana wrote about our children. It’s kind of a lullaby to our children. I got some Philly stuff on it so you can put your hat on backwards and kinda bump with that! I have a contemporary arrangement of “The Lord is Blessing Me” on there cause you know I came out the church. I think it’s a great album and I guess I say that because it’s mine and I feel I can say that because God gave us this material. We can’t take credit for it. I thank God for letting me be a vessel.

MSD: How do you have sunshine?

AS: Clearly I have my days but it’s so interesting that the moments that I am the lowest, I am reminded by fans or someone on twitter about my songs. What you put out is what you get back. I try my best to put it out and at those low points I tend to get it back.

MSD: Upcoming projects:

AS: I’m featured on I-Tunes with my latest single “Pinin”. I am gearing up for this contemporary opera called “I Dream” at the Alliance Theatre. It is MLK’s I Have A Dream speech done from a different perspective and it is of The Color Purple caliber. This is my first time doing something like this and the world is gonna be fascinated by this production. The album comes out June 21^st. It will be available on Amazon and Itunes.