Exclusive Interview With L.A. Christian Crossover Artist, MR.THUNDDER

Mr.Thundder is a love styled, crossover Rock artist from the City of Angels. He cites his influences as James Brown and Chuck Berry. Mr.Thundder started creating music at the age of eight utilizing his unique ability to produce music. Mr.Thundder’s passion to entertain grew with time and he developed a knack for production as well as a unique style and sound, which brought him into the game at the tender age of seventeen. An Urban, Rock, and Hip-Hop sounding mix, infused with Gospel inspired lyrics makes for a very individual and personal experience when listening to this artist. Mr.Thundder is probably like nothing you have heard previously, or ever imagined as vehicle for Christian orientated music.

Bold, brash and unrelenting in his personal quest to conquer the music universe and deliver the Lord’s word to as far as he can get it to go, Mr.Thundder is ready to invade digital download platforms like iTunes and Amazon with his debut album, “With The Love”. Mr.Thundder growls, raps, sings and does just about anything you thought possible (and even impossible!) to create a musical expression that is truly one-of-a-kind. And like any new discovery, it will leave you frozen in your tracks, on the first hearing. Mr.Thundder’s music requires an open mind and an acute pair of ears to break down your stereotyped misconceptions of Christian music and uncover the positive messages he proposes throughout his tracks.

His passion for music, connecting with fans, glorifying the Lord and showing sweet love, is what drives him on today. We recently had an exclusive interview with Mr. Thundder, to get an inside glimpse of what makes his Christian heart beat inside the mundane world of popular music.

1. How long have you been in the music game and how did you get started in the first place?

MR.THUNDDER: I have seriously been in the music game since I was 17 years old. I have been studying music since I was an infant. When I was 17 I started to write songs at that point it was just a feeling out process I did not know how good I would be. It was just for fun. Then the same year I had a reawakening and became a born again believer who started to make music with a God centered theme.

2. Who were your first musical influences that you can remember?

MR.THUNDDER: It’s been a minute but way back I used to listen to Rock and Rap equally. the same like Hendrix when I became spiritual I listened to music with the spirit in it.

3. Which artists are you currently listening to? And is there anyone of these that you’d like to collaborate with?

MR.THUNDDER: I’ve been concentrating on my music and my first official release “With The Love” so I haven’t been listening to anything lately. As my music is being composed for the Almighty, I shouldn’t collaborate with music that’s going in a totally different route and that goes against God’s scripture.

4. How did a black kid who glorifies the Lord, choose Rock music as his preferred genre? And how else would you describe your style and sound?

MR.THUNDDER: Growing up Haitian I don’t look at people by their race. Who are you to say that you’re better because of your race? African Americans invented Rock & Roll and were the first ones to do Rock songs in the late 40’s and early 50’s it stems from Blues and R&B. I choose Rock & Roll because the guitar is my favorite instrument. I also rap a lot in my songs my style is a mixture of Rock & Roll, Rap and Jazz.

5. Do you think video is an important vehicle for your music? And how do you go about producing your videos as indie artist?

MR.THUNDDER: I do. I love video because you get to appeal to the vision. I write all my videos and hire a production company to do the filming.

6. Studio work or performing live, which of these do you prefer most and why?

MR.THUNDDER: I can’t say that I prefer one over the other I love them both, and both are important. I like going to the studio because I have a chance to record some new music and work on new material. I like doing shows because I can then perform my music live.

7. Tell us something about the beats and music production on your releases. How do you create them and which software and hardware do use more often than others?

MR.THUNDDER: I try and create beats that don’t sound like other artist. I sit down roll my sleeves up and work for hours and hours to come up with zesty new music. I use Ableton to make all of my beats on a laptop and some monitors.

8. On which of your songs do you think you delivered your personal best performance so far, from an emotional and technical point of view?

MR.THUNDDER: I can’t say that about one song, I put all my effort on every song I do, so every song I do is high standard. I won’t ever release a song that doesn’t sound good or you know is iffy.

9. Do you principally use your music as a vehicle to glorify the Lord? And which ingredient do you think makes your sound and style special or unique?

MR.THUNDDER: I use my music yes, to glorify the good Lord and also to give to the fans. What makes my music unique is the electricity and musicianship.

10. If you were forced to choose only one, which emotion, more than any other drives you to stay in this tough business. Is it joy, anger, desire, passion or pride and why?

MR.THUNDDER: Passion.

11. Which aspect of being an independent artist and the music making process excites you most and which aspect discourages you most?

MR.THUNDDER: Working with likeminded music people to get that music out there. Not being able to just focus on the creative content of the music and just make music.

12. Tell us something about your songwriting process. What usually comes first the lyrics or the beats? And are your lyrics mainly from everyday life experiences or from your vivid imagination?

MR.THUNDDER: Either the beat comes first then the lyrics or the lyrics then the beat. I get my lyrics from my life experiences from rough times, and getting through that to clearer days.

13. How involved are you in any or all of the recording, producing, mastering, and marketing processes of your music. Do you outsource any of these processes?

MR.THUNDDER: I record and produce all of my music and do some mastering. So far I’ve done my own marketing but will outsource that in the near future.

14. The best piece of advice in this business you actually followed so far, and one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have?

MR.THUNDDER: To just be real and about the business and have no regrets.

15. What is your involvement with Qadash Records?

MR.THUNDDER: Qadash Records is the indie label I do music under.

16. Do you consider Internet and all the social media websites, as fundamental to your career, and indie music in general, or do you think it has only produced a mass of mediocre “copy-and-paste” artists, who flood the web, making it difficult for real talent to emerge?

MR.THUNDDER: The internet is a good place to showcase your music and to stay engaged with fans. If you’re a good artist you’ll shine through mediocrity as the cream rises to the top. As an indie artist you should always find ways to get yourself out there in the public.

17. Could you tell us something about your album “WITH THE LOVE” , its message, and where fans can find it?

MR.THUNDDER: “With The Love” is an album about hope, strength and peace with the true love of Christ. When you’re with Christ, you’re in lovely places. You may find the album on iTunes or Amazon mp3.

18. Where exactly would you like to see MR.THUNDDER 5 years from now?

MR.THUNDDER: In 5 years I want to sit back rest from my work and have my music spread worldwide. Everyday every second, as a man, I think about how big of, and clean of, a person Christ is. You may slip but the Lord will bring you up!

19. What do you think is the biggest barrier you have to face and overcome as an indie artist and Christian performer, in your quest to achieve your goals and wider spread success?

MR.THUNDDER: There is nothing that the power of Lord cannot overcome, set goals then dig deep down inside to achieve them. With the faith of a mustard seed I can move mountains.

20. What is the ONE thing you are NOT willing or prepared to do, EVER, in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?

MR.THUNDDER: Stray away from the Christian theme because I live Rock & Roll to the fullest!