SURYIL

- Update: 10.21.07 -
Welcome to the all new official Suryil MySpace Music Site, where you can check out the latest music, news, information, downloads, and more from your new favorite R&B artist. Suryil is currently in the studio working on her up and coming mix-tape. If you have any questions, feel free to message Suryil and she will reply to your messages. We thank you for visiting Suryil's new official MySpace profile. Stay tuned for more coming your way! The Suryil Life by ~* Ams the VIXEN *~ There I sat, sifting through the latest issue of VIBE magazine. Hypnotized by “That’s the Way Love Goes” sexily oozing from Suite 62 on XM, I was in my zone: ready to interview R&B’s newest unsigned hype: Suryil. Ready.....to dig up some info on this relatively unknown singer/songwriter who is captivating audiences from the Bay to L.A. with her smooth and sultry sound.She's the light and sexy voice that graces the Traxamillion/Big Rich, San Quinn and Boo Banga track, "Frisco Anthem". And with seductive and sensual tracks of her own like “I Can Love You”, "Into This" and “Call on Me”, Suryil is bringing the authentic and original “sexy back” into Rhythm & Blues and is sure to rival club-banger hits with her new up-tempo track “Turn the Lights Off”, and will be featured on the new all-female mix tape The Bay’s Best Kept Secrets - Ladies of the Bay, Vol. 1. Comin' soon!!!With a jam-packed resume that includes producers Traxamillion, Westside Bugg, Jose of 17 Hertz, Al Perkins, Lex Lutha, Silkscanners, Chocolate formerly of Death Row Records, Apeal, and Peb Rocks, Suryil is letting the R&B world know that she is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She has had the pleasure of collaborating with some of rap and R&B’s most well-known artists, including laying down vocals on Infamous/G-Unit recording artist 40 Glocc’s debut album, “The Jackal”, produced by Battlecat, which featured guest appearances by Bad Azz, Daz Dillinger, Mr. Kane a.k.a Kokane, Suga Free, Tray Deee and Kurupt. Suryil is also featured on Mr. Kane's funk-inspired album entitled "Pain Killer'z", where artists like George Clinton, Jayo Felony, Suga Free and Xzibit also made appearances. Additional artist collabos include Marc Tabb who wrote the hit smash “You Make Me Sick” for punk-princess Pink, MySpace.com phenoms Royalty and Mr. Capone-e, Dogghouse Records recording artist Mr. Kane,, Blurred Entities, Karma, Espy, AJ & RJ, and Baby Swift, just to name a few.As a native of the Northern California Bay Area that has also produced such R&B crooners as Tony,Toni,Tone, Goapele and Keyshia Cole, the Latina-born songstress, Laura Green, a.k.a. “Suryil”, began singing around the age of 8 and grew up being heavily influenced by artists like Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Monica, SWV, En Vogue, Total and later as a teenager was awe-struck by the legendary Etta James.So, let’s find out what inspires this R&B Bay beauty in the studioand……..in a life that you could call Suryil.

Ams: Why the name “Suryil”? And how is she different from Laura?
Suryil: Basically, I chose Suryil because its meaning is how I’m gonna feel when your girl blows up: Shocking, unreal, so unbelievable. And I just feel like when I make it, it’s gonna be a real surreal moment, ‘cause I’ve been going through some trials and tribulations to get this far, so I know that when I make it, that’s how I’m gonna feel.
Ams: And do you feel like, how Beyonce has her alter-ego “Sasha” when she’s onstage, she kinda transforms into this other person. Do you feel like it’s the same thing with you?
Suryil: Ummmmm, not really....well, I took on the name Suryil in 2002. Actually I just feel Suryil 24-7…...I’m getting more used to it now as my artist name, and it’s like I don’t wanna be called Laura anymore, I just wanna take on the name Suryil full-time. I don’t think I’ve discovered an alter-ego for myself yet, though.
Ams: At what point did you know that singing/songwriting was your passion?
Suryil: Well, actually the singing came first around 9 or 10 years old, you know, hearing the music: Mary J., Mariah and that’s when I was like, hooked, like “This is what I wanna do!”, especially when I started singing along with them, and realized “I can do this! I can sing! My young ass can sing over here.”
*she laughs*
Suryil: And then the writing came later on when I was getting older because for me to get on the mic, everyone wasn’t gonna sit down and write for me, it was like “you gonna get on the mic, you’re gonna write for yourself”, so that’s when I started writing, doing a little bit of poetry and writing down diary-style stuff and just made it into a song once I got the track, and then just put the lyrics over it, so that’s really how it came about: it was like if you wanna get on the mic, you’re gonna have to write your own shit, no one’s gonna be here, writing for you, holding your hand, ya know, you’re not in the majors yet where you’re gonna have someone write you a single right off the bat. So that’s basically how I got the itch for writing…I kinda got forced into doing it, and then it just came out…so I rolled with it.
Ams: How much of your lyrics can you attribute to true life experiences?
Suryil: Pretty much all of it, actually. Every song you hear, “Call on Me”, “I Can Love You”…. “Dont Mind Waiting”…I was obviously in a flirty mood that day I wrote the song, "Call on Me" ya know..no hard feelings towards anything, just cool…writin’ about what this guy made me feel like. And “I Can Love You” and "Dont Mind Waiting" was actually inspired from my son's daddy. So basically, 100% of my lyrics come from my life. I don’t write about things that don’t exist, ya know....or if I have a friend who’s going through something too, I’ll write about that, but usually my songs will come from me or something I’m going through, or what I feel I want to get off my chest, so whether it’s good or club, happy or sad, it’s pretty much all on me.
Ams: And that’s good because not everyone is writing their own stuff..
Suryil: Yeah, exactly…when I go to producers and tell them I write, they’re like “That’s half the battle right there”…I mainly was loving the idea of writing too because I know that’s a lot of what counts during publishing, ya know, if you’re really not writing your own stuff, if everyone is making you and putting that project together from scratch, including the talent to do that, then that’s where you’re not gonna last that long…so, it’s like they’re making you in the shop and you’re being built…nothing lasts forever that’s built….it’s gonna break down eventually, so…you know, I may not be the best writer or the best songstress, but at least I know it all comes from me, so …that’s where Suryil comes in.
Ams: Right, right and I think that’s probably a lot of the problem that Kelly Clarkson was having with Clive Davis too, was that he was trying to make her do something that wasn’t her and it was almost like she had no creative voice…
Suryil: YEAH! I mean, it was like, she had some BALLS because…..that’s like going against…..I mean Clive Davis, she must have been having a good day, to step up to someone like that who’s molded so many careers…Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, ya know, to just kinda go up against him and have beef with Clive Davis? I really respected her for that because it’s HER image out there...and there could be so many people behind the scenes telling you to do this and do that but it’s YOUR ass that’s out there so if you’re not gonna be true, then that’s when it is all going to eventually collapse on you, so…I’m happy she did that…and I LOVE the album ( “My December”)..that one single she did was pretty hott…so…I like Kelly Clarkson…..and I like her because she looks real! She’s thick, she’s got some meat on her ass…it makes you feel like “Hey! You’re a real person”, and I like that, you know?
Ams: Yeah, and I think that’s why so many people younger AND older can relate to her, because she’s not a stick figure, she DOES look like your average American.
Suryil: Yeah, and I like that! Cause, it’s like, if skinny is not your body type, why struggle with it? Just be fit and look your best. And I love that she sends that example to younger crowds and her younger fans, it’s like hey you know, you don’t need to be starving out there. And it’s so sad but that’s where everything is going right now man, everything’s just about looks and there are even times that I have to check MYself not to get sucked up into that game ya know, and be like “Hey, fuck it” they don’t like it….just move on, so..
Ams: How would you describe your sound?
Suryil: My sound……ummmm, I feel my versatile sound switches up. At times I can be very soulful if the track pulls me in that direction, and then very soft and breathy. I kinda just run with the track because I can’t compose music. It’s always the track that’s been given to me, I just create off of it. Sometimes if I get a high-tempo club track, then I write to that. I feel my sound. I feel like I have a tone that you’ll recognize and when you hear me, you won’t get me confused with anybody else…you’ll be like “A, that’s Suryil..” I just try to upgrade myself on the daily and work on my craft. I mean, and that’s what I’ve heard, is that when people hear me, they can tell it’s me so I like that a lot…that I don’t sound like anyone else, so…but a lot of other people DO influence me..
Ams: Yeah, that’s like Mariah and Snoop…you’ll never confuse them with anyone else because their sound is so distinct..
Suryil: Yeah! And I get people telling me “Yeah, I recognized your voice on this or that and you sounded like so-n-so ….and sometimes all that will work against me…I don’t know…maybe I DO have an alter-ego…I don’t think she’s my friend though
*She lets loose a nervous laugh*
Suryil: Sometimes when I hear MY stuff, I get a little insecure like, I don’t sound as good as all those artists…..but I just gotta realize that I gotta do me, and all I can do is be Suryil the best way I know how to..
Ams: Fa sho, that’s why they say “do you”....
Suryil: Yep, do meee….
Ams: That works!
Ams: You mentioned Mary J. Blige, Total, Monica and SWV as influential artists early in your career. What is it about those artists that drew you to them?
Suryil: First, it was Mary J. Blige with “What’s the 411?”..I remember buying the cassette actually, and hiding it under my pillow, because my mom was so strict at that time. And it’d be hella funny when she would turn off the lights, and after she was in bed, I would flip it from under my pillow and pop it in and just be listening to “What’s the 411?”, so it was the sound, the realness in her voice, I was just hooked. And then as I was getting older in high school and stuff, that’s when Total, SWV, Jade, all the groups started coming out. So it was the R&B flavor, the sound, the vibe. It was solely R&B for me, especially after I heard Mariah Carey’s first album with Vision of Love on it?
Ams: Right..
Suryil: Ever since then, it’s just been like “Wow”. The licks that they come up with, especially Mariah Carey, I could just listen to it all day. I have such a passion for it. Even in high school people got sick of me always with the radio, always with the music…
*we share a laugh*
Suryil: For real! I remember going over my friend Janelle’s house, and Janelle was the only friend I had that would be able to put up with it because she listened to it just as much, and she’s the one, actually, Janelle is the one who kept me in tuned because my mom wouldn’t let me listen to what I wanted, so I’d have to wait to go to Janelle’s to listen to the cool shit, so….thanks Janelle!
Ams: When you and I were 13, we were always belting out lyrics from the female trio, Jade’s hit single “Don’t Walk Away”.
*she laughs*
Suryil: That makes me laugh, girl! That goes way back!
Ams: We thought we were fresh!
Suryil: We thought we were the two missing girls from Jade…the undiscovered ones you never knew about…
*we both share a laugh*
Ams: What key elements do you think it takes to make a hit song?
Suryil: Material, material, material! Let’s see….first my thing, is the beat. I LOVE getting CD’s….people e-mail me tracks. I LOOOOVE hearing the tracks and once I hear that track that’s just BANGIN, it just comes out. For me what helps me write better is I’ll hear the beat and just be in a relaxing mode, hear the beat and just start vibin…..ad libs, ad libs like crazy. So once I ad lib and get the melody, because I go for melody first, then I go for lyrics. That’s how I’ve been doing my thing, so it’s been working out okay for me. I think the elements for a hit are definitely a good track, a good beat, good material, ya know a good story on what you want to talk about, whether it’s gonna be club, whether it’s gonna be a slow song. You always wanna keep up with the lingo because you wanna make sure you’re connecting with the young crowd or whichever crowd you’re trying to appeal to. And then lastly, just being real to yourself. If fans like your stuff and they know you’re not phony, they’re gonna follow and they’re gonna be right there. If it feels good to you, do it, ya know?I don’t like to change my shit for anybody. Just because one person doesn’t like it doesn’t mean that thirty more people won’t love it. So, those are the elements: stay true to yourself, get a sic producer, get a sic beat, sic licks and you’ll have a sic song. That’s it.
Ams: You credit Stevie Wonder and Slick Rick as some of your influences. Though these two seem like they’re from two totally different ends of the music spectrum, what do you take from each of them that inspires you?
Suryil: Slick Rick, he’s just amazing. I loved how he told a story in “Bedtime Stories”. No one can top his style. No one can mimic him. Often imitated, never duplicated. His tone is off the hook. When he dropped “The Art of the Storyteller”, he won me over with his unique style and delivery. He’s on Chamillionaire’s new stuff and I just wanna see more of him.
Stevie Wonder. His licks are original and the longevity that he's had is inspiring. He’s helped a lot of the younger artists of today with their licks, from Beyonce to Brandy. It seems like they’re (Stevie and Slick) from two different worlds, but they both have the passion, and they’re both very unique in their own right.
Ams: MySpace.com has catapulted the careers of artists like Tila Tequila, Royalty, and Sean Kingston. What is your take on people being labeled “MySpace Celebrities”?
Suryil: I’ve just been noticing how powerful it is, lately actually, with Tila Tequila getting her own show on MTV, but I guess they obviously look at the fan base. I think she’s got like 2 mil on her page, so I wouldn’t say that without MySpace you’re not gonna make it, but I do think Tom and his crew came up with a great idea because it IS a powerful, powerful tool. But I wouldn’t necessarily want to lay it all on MySpace 100%, you know? I’d want to get my side websites going, and other things. But I’m definitely grateful that it IS here because I’ve had most of my opportunities through MySpace, so. I hella rely on it on a daily basis to hear from people that like my music and keep me updated with feedback from fans that like my stuff. So, I think it’s cool…..There’s other outlets to network from: radio, T.V.,…but it’s really helped me out so…shout out to MySpace!
Ams: What is your take on entertainers like Britney Spears and Amy Winehouse?
Suryil: Ohhh, Britney Spears…umm, I actually like Britney Spears, I’m not gonna lie, I like her, I think she was on top of the world…and honestly, I don’t know WHAT happened..I know sometimes you get love-blind and it just seems like her shit went to hell when K-Fed came in the picture. I think she can come out on top, but I just think she needs to want it and get serious, ya know…that girl clocks in almost a mil a month so it’s like do what you do…but I don’t know…everything with her kids and her life…I don’t know, it just seems like a different Britney….but you know I have faith in her, she’s a strong entertainer and I believe she can come back….hopefully she’ll get it together. As far as Amy Winehouse, I mean…I like her music and I liked her look when she first came out..but now she’s on this whole thing where she's skin and bones, but I don’t know her personal biz, maybe I better shut-up...hahaha! No, but that Winehouse is talented, I gots to give her that.
Ams: Well, clearly from a media standpoint, she’s going through some drug rehabilitation issues. How is that something that you steer away from, you know, the hard drugs and all that, as far as trying to pursue your music career?
Suryil: Honestly, I’m not gonna lie…I have my little habits, nothing major, you know what I’m sayin? I just feel like I’m a small part of the 70% of the world that gets their “herb” on but, you know, everyone has their own life that leads them to do certain things and some people get held hostage by the things they do. Me? I don’t like to feel numb. I just like to do my music and you know if I feel the need to vibe off a blunt and get that crackin’, then I definitely will…but, anything else like drinking, I’m not really into drinking…..I’m not into the clubs and going out unless I’m promoting or networking, I’m just like... blessed to be alive and take care of my little boy and be home when I can and that’s pretty much it..
Ams: What are your turn-on’s?
Suryil: Ummmm, in guys?
Ams: Yeah...
Suryil: Confidence, someone who cares about their self, someone who makes me laugh. Ya girl likes to laugh…and everyone that knows me knows that I have a crazy, unique laugh. Umm, and I’m not gonna lie, looks do matter, because as humans, that’s the first thing we see. And also someone who has the same passion I do for grinding in this business and wanting to make it happen…someone who shares the same interests…that’s always a turn-on.
Ams: Turn-off’s?
Suryil: My biggest turn-off BY FAR is a man who hates on a woman for what she wants to do, is independent and has cheese in her pocket. I don’t like aggressiveness, someone who’s pushy, and is over the top with self love....
*she chuckles*
Suryil: You know, all the time I, ME, instead of you and I.
Ams: What words of wisdom would you give to your young fans who want to pursue the same dream?
Suryil: I would say to make sure that this is really what you want to do. Do it because it’s your passion, not because of TRL or 106th and Park or other things you may see. If it’s in you, push hard and don’t let anybody make you feel like you’re not good enough. Don’t give up. It’s hard dedicating your life to this, and you’ll be tired…..but you gotta keep pushin.
Ams: What are you in the lab working on now, aside from the mix-tape?
Suryil: Well, I’m currently in motion with this all- female mix-tape, and aside from that I’m working on more of a demo project. So this is the main project that we’re focusing on for the moment…just getting the graphics done by the infamous mix-tape mobb heavy-hitter DjRah2k, so stay tuned for that…But other than that my next project is gonna be Volume 2, and on that mix-tape it will be me, featuring hella guys…with some hard-hitters from the Bay on it. I already have the folks in mind that I want on it, but it’s on the hush for right now.
Okay, okay, I'll tell you. If I could put it together right now, these are the fellas I'd want on it: Trax, Big Rich, Clyde Carson, San Quin, J. Holiday, Dev Mason..etc.......I can't give too much away, but hopefully your girl can pull it off…. I think I can.....but wouldn't that be hot?
Ams: Yeah, you need to get that poppin. I would cop that.
Suryil: I’m excited… guess we have to wait and see...
Suryil: Much love to you, thank you for makin’ this interview fun!!!! Thanks, Ams....muah!

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Contact: Suryil E-Mail: [email protected] Web: www.MySpace.com/Suryil