Billy “Bushwalla” Galewood, native of Cleveland, started to perform musical theatre at the tender age of nine. 15 years later, and after finishing his theatre studies at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy of New York, he would arrive at Los Angeles with an original blend of funk, rock, freestyle, acoustic hip-hop and bags of feel-good vibes.
After co-writing Jason Mraz’s debut platinum album, Waiting For My Rocket to Come and sophomore release Mr. A-Z, Bushwalla would release his debut EP, Ghetto Blaster, produced by Spooner Oldham, which received rave reviews and consolidated his ever-growing base of worldwide fans.
With The Man Who Invented the Sky, the often self-proclaimed Original Gangster from Cleveland continues to carve his well-deserved space in the music scene and in our hearts.
Eclectic, eccentric, cheeky, fun-tastic and outrageously talented, we can see Billy leaving town this 2011 for long periods of touring rendezvous, and if you're lucky, you may catch one of his stardust-filled live gigs.
MDM: Bringing humor into your fantastic live music events is one of your greatest and distinct qualities as a top performer and your fans adore you to the point that they’ve even flown you to different continents so they can see you live. In your opinion, could Love and Generosity be the only tools to survive any changes within the music industry? Could be these changes the wake-up call that may allow us to enjoy again of what truly is good music and honest performance?
BUSHWALLA:Love and generosity are a given, but belief is where it’s at. To Believe in yourself, and your imagination, this can change anything. Consider the music industry is perfect. It is YOU that needs the life lift. What YOU can do to be the change Earth would be receptive to.
MDM: Those are very wise words. You are also known for your phenomenal freestyle skills. Would you be able to recall your best improvisation moments, so far in your career? What topics have you always felt more comfortable and inspired with in improvising?
BUSHWALLA: Both really. creation is creation. To be out of creation is unnatural for all of us. When I get with someone and we connect and a song or script comes out...It just feels right because it’s an organic natural cause.
MDM: Your latest album, ‘The Man Who Invented the Sky’, is beautifully contrasted in itself. Who is the ‘Man’ and how do you get to each of the very diverse pieces that the album contains?
BUSHWALLA: Well in this full-length album I started with just a few songs, and a concept. I went in to day one of recording with binders for everyone that included how I wanted it sonically to sound, what the premise was for the album (this being an album loosely based off my dad's U.F.O. experiences).
As the album started forming we wrote, and re-wrote tunes for it. Recorded and re-recorded. The album was always there we just had to find it. I also work with a great producer Andre DeSantanna, and a great adviser/pianist Daniel “Magalapapa” Mandelmin. These righteous brothers really put the shine on it all.
MDM: In your opinion, what are the most radical beliefs one can have in today’s society: that we are not alone in the universe or that Love is the remedy to all of our ills? Can you think of anything even more radical than these?
MDM: Billy, thank you very much for accepting our invitation, we are delighted to interview you on this occasion. Your sound combines, with a unique style and a content of positivism, an eclectic mix of soul, funk, rock, hip-hop and folk. Which of these genres did you most often listen to at home? And what was your first passion at that time, theatre or music?
BUSHWALLA: Thank you for having me. I always have had music in my life. My father was a big listener of music from the 50’s, and My sisters would have me dance to their recital songs. But when music really hit me is when I walked in to the theater for the first time when I was 9, and saw a young soprano (boy) belting his ass off. I said: “I want to do that!”.
But at home it ranged from Rock, to Folk. From Operettas to Hip-hop. I just always have loved music.
MDM: But, for years you had a clown business, which also shows your profound love for performing. Who are the most difficult to steal a laugh from: adults or children?
BUSHWALLA: Both…kids will eat you alive if you’re not on point. They have no problem booing you. Adults will just eat through your set, and not pay much attention.
BUSHWALLA: I love to improvise. What better metaphor is there to life? We are doing it constantly. As you read this you are improvising how you interpret, scratch your nose, and dance to the bathroom when no one is around. The world is a stage. I love to improvise and freestyle on the topics of love, magic, and belief. My best moments are when it goes so out of the box, and we are walking the line of “what am I even watching right now?” to a resolution of radness. My girlfriend has a great quote “Jump Mother F’r!”. I love this. I jump, sometimes literally into the audience with no idea of what I’m going to do. Walk on chairs, rub my butt on someone, or just make a connection.
One time I freestyled for 45 minutes one song. Not sure how the audience felt but I loved it.
MDM: They probably loved it as much if not more, that's a bad ass freestyle we're talking about. You've have collaborated with Jason Mraz many times as well as other fine musicians and songwriters. Where do you find the most magic in your collaborative projects: bringing visions into reality or coming up with totally unexpected pieces?
BUSHWALLA:Belief in one’s self is the most radical, outlandish, tricky, and beautiful thing I have ever experienced in my life. From seeing others and their beliefs to my own struggles. Believe in yourself when there is no evidence of amazing things happening, that’s magic. To believe in yourself, and imagine yourself as a powerhouse of radness even when life just kicked you in the melons.
Also, the power of the two most amazing words “I” and “Am”. Put these two words together and you have experienced god. I am, therefore I am.
Neville says everything that comes after these two words is just a concept of one's self, but not the true 'I am'. Whether you say, “I am a winner” or “I am a loser” anything after “I AM” is the concept. So what do you want your concept about yourself to be?
And love is great, arnica works well too.
MDM: You've got it all figured out, nice. What makes a naturally positive guy absolutely mad, like breathing-fire mad, in today’s world? What does Bushwalla ‘Raise Up’ for?
BUSHWALLA: Who you talk’n bout …me? Positive is another state of “I Am”. A Concept. I am negative as much as the next guy. It’s what I do with that negativity, that’s where the action offers itself worth. Life will always deliver, and the universe has a great sense of humor. It should be called the HUMORverse. Allow negativity to pass through you like the weather. Allow it to happen as an observer and not a reactor. Negative thoughts have no residence in this body…. But they visit and have lunch sometimes. Fire breathing is just cool, and I recommend it to no one.
Also, I raise up for the sake of the option of it. It’s there, and I can choose it. I’m going with what sounds good to me.
MDM: In your creative process, what comes first to your mind, the poetry or the sound?
BUSHWALLA: Don’t know. However creativity shows up I welcome it. Last night I wrote a song and started with a thought. My imagination happened. Then the guitar showed up. Followed by a few words, then a beat. It could happen in any combination of ways. Some people are set to their formula. My formula is get out of the way, and let creation happen.
MDM: Billy, what are your touring plans with ‘The Man Who Invented the Sky’? And will you be doing more LRCs (Living Room Concerts) at some point?
BUSHWALLA: As of right now I have plans to tour the whole beginning of the year through the states including Hawaii. I would love to be the “man who invented the tour bus.”. LRCs are great, and for now I will keep doing them for the sheer enjoyment and the unique experience that they are.
MDM: It’s been an absolute pleasure for us to feature your wonderful and energizing art in this special issue, Billy. We’re including, at the end of this interview, the links to your official sites so even more fans can keep up to date with your news. All the very best from this team!
BUSHWALLA: It’s been fun. Thank you for such insightful questions. I had a blast answering them.
| 
| 
| 
|
