Rising Star Chaquis Maliq Shares Fave Moments from the International Soul Music Summit

Liberated Muse: What were highlights for you from the International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA?

CM: The first day of the Summit was great because, the panel was all women! I loved the War stories from Chinah Blac, Keshia Jackson, and Lady Alma. These women really opened up allowed me to not feel alone with my struggle being an indie artist without a team. Also, with their stories I still find that Women have to work harder in this industry and often have to act like we have something to prove to get noticed. Learning that a lot of them having been struggling since teenagers in this industry and they are still here grinding, lets me know that I'm doing the right thing and gives me more motivation.

Liberated Muse: What was something you learned that you didn't know already?

CM: I did not know the full details about the Performance Rights Act Bill. Sean Glover of SoundExchange.com, really broke it down to us artist, and in no way does passing this bill to become a law interfere with radio stations losing money or being shut down. Passing the Performance Rights Act Bill will help recording artist to make a living to keep providing "The People" and the Radio with music. Dionne Farris made it plain by stating that "The radio and recording artist need one another to make the marraige work. The Radio needs music or else it will be Talk Radio."

Liberated Muse: Who were some folks you enjoyed meeting and why?

CM: I enjoyed Meeting Darrly of Moods Music. Great Brother that supports great music from great artists! I also enjoyed meeting Promoters from Japan and the UK, and other artists that hustle and stay motivated.

Liberated Muse: Was performing in ATL any different than perfoming in DC?

CM: Performing in ATL was a lil different then the performances that I have done in DC and surrounding cities. I plead the "Fifth" on giving details :)

Liberated Muse: What did you learn and pick up on that you will probably incorporate into your artist life? What can we expect from you in the next year?

CM: I am now taking "Brand Your Self" more seriously after hearing the great Eric Roberson, whom I think is the #1 indie hustler in the industry. So look forward to My album, "Veracity" in December 2006 @ Cdbaby.com and some merchandise in 2010!

Thanks Liberated Muse, where would Chaquis Maliq, be without you!?

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Chaquis Maliq is a singer, songwriting and producer originally from California and now based in Baltimore, Md. Visit her Liberated Muse page HERE to hear some of her music.

Seen But Not Heard, the documentary by Cyrille Phipps

On Sunday, October 4 at Jojo's on U Street, 'Ol Soul Project presents a benefit concert to fund the upcoming documentary "Seen But Not Heard" by New York-based director Cyrille Phipps. The documentary addresses the illness' ravaging effect on Black women across the country. Liberated Muse members Colie Williams, LOVE the poet and Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman are among the performers.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, blacks have accounted for 397,548 (42%) of the estimated 952,629 AIDS cases diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The DC area has the highest rate in the country of AIDS cases proportionate to its size and population. Of all black women living with HIV/AIDS, the primary transmission category was high-risk heterosexual contact, followed by injection drug use

Click here to read more and see a clip from the film

Colie Williams Dishes on her experience at the International Soul Music Summit

Liberated Muse was happy to be a sponsor of the 2009 International Soul Music Summit which was in September. Four of our members registered to participate and wound up being asked to perform. We asked them a few questions regarding their experience there.

Here is a Q & A with songstress Colie Williams.

Liberated Muse: What were highlights for you from the International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA?

Colie Williams: My highlights were listening to the artists speak on the panels, meeting and interviewing with radio folks, meeting a brother who will most likely assist me with management, and listening to performances by artists and meeting other artists.

Liberated Muse: What was something you learned that you didn't know already?

Colie Williams: There was a lot of confirmation on things. I learned about a lot of sites that I can use for assistance, and just a reminder about the mind/body connection while singing-sometimes I allow my mind to affect my singing, and it doesn't have to. Had to psych myself in last night-I was exhausted, and I just focused on the task at hand- and my singing was fine. Believe me I'm pretty critical of myself, so if I say I pulled it off-I DID! Most folks were friendly, open, and ready to offer assistance. You just had to make yourself accessible.

Liberated Muse: Was performing in ATL any different than perfoming in DC?

Colie Williams: It was only different, because I am use to performing in venues where people know me. It's good to get a critique from folks who have no idea who you are. It's humbling, and it keeps you on top of your game.

Liberated Muse: What did you learn and pick up on that you will probably incorporate into your artist life? What can we expect from you in the next year?

Colie Williams: So many things-right now making sure I have the right folks around me which I was already working on. You have to have folks around you who share your vision-that was confirmation for me. Next year-My CD release and touring! I Believe! Ashe!

Colie performs on Wednesdays at Jojo's on U Street in Washington DC and is a singer and songwriter.

Teisha Marie on the International Soul Music Summit

Liberated Muse was happy to be a sponsor of the 2009 International Soul Music Summit which was in September. Four of our members registered to participate and wound up being asked to perform. We asked them 5 questions regarding their experience there. Here is a Q & A with songstress Teisha Marie.

Liberated Muse:What were highlights for you from the International Soul Music Summit in Atlanta, GA?

Teisha Marie: The variety of people that were at the conference. Also, those addressing the current state of the music/radio industry.

Liberated Muse: What was something you learned that you didn't know already?

Teisha Marie: I learned of a free resource online called Generation Y Rocker.

Liberated Muse: Who were some folks you enjoyed meeting and why?

Teisha Marie: Subliminal - a "soul-hop" artist from Toronto. His approach to music and performing was refreshing.

Liberated Muse: Was performing in ATL any different than perfoming in DC?

Teisha Marie: I would say it's about the same. You really have to work to get (and keep) an audience's attention. It appears that occasionally people take live performance for granted because it's done often in DC and Atlanta.

Liberated Muse: What did you learn and pick up on that you will probably incorporate into your artist life? What can we expect from you in the next year?

Teisha Marie: I am just going to be more aggressive in terms of my marketing and already unorthodox ways. So, I'll be increasing everything that I already do with just a little more force. I am in the process of gearing up for the next album. So maybe in the next year, that's what you'll see.

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Visit Teisha Marie's page on http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ to hear her music. Her CD "Addicted to Life" is on sale now.

Visit the website for the International Soul Music Summit HERE

Keisha Carroll, Artist Extraordinaire Featured in Liberated Muse Art Exhibit @ the Potter's House

Art imitates life imitates art”.

This is the philosophy that inspires me as I conceptualize my next painting.

I am inspired by my community, my culture, and people that I admire.

While life experiences serve as inspiration, my style, technique, and skill are a result of natural talent, university-level training, and spiritual revelations.

A former professor would comment that I have the ability to capture the spirit of a posing subject. I attribute this to a willingness to go beneath the surface level to learn about my subject. Focusing on the “why” instead of the “what” is, in my opinion, the shortcut to harmony, understanding, and brotherhood. It was around middle school when I discovered a passion for creating art.

After graduating from high school, I went on to study Art Management and Art History at Howard University. My style flows from abstract, through surrealism, and into realism. I do not believe in limiting nor categorizing who I am and what I do as an artist. My influences are the variety of communities I have lived in -New York, Michigan, D.C. My work is a melting pot of Midwestern, Southern and East Coast experiences. Growing up as a daughter of a seamstress, I am often inclined to mimic the appearance of fabric in my work through patterning, folding and dimension. I also incorporate symbolism in most of my work.

I often use West African Adinkra symbols, but sometimes I will develop my own symbols.

-Keisha Carroll

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Visit Keisha on http://www.liberatedmuse.com/ to view more photos and read more about her by clicking HERE

Visit her work in the current Liberated Muse art exhibit at the Potter's House in Washington, DC @

The Potter's House

1658 Columbia Rd NW

Washington, DC

The art exhibit is curated by Sharon Burton of Authentic Contemporary Art. The artwork is from artists from the book Liberated Muse Volume I: How I Freed My Soul and the network www.LiberatedMuse.com.

Liberated Muse Walks for Lupus in Baltimore

Liberated Muse member Ben Dawson is team leader for our Liberated Muse team ForOurMoms which will walk in tomorrow's Walk for Lupus in Baltimore. Please donate or come out to support. You can click here for details.