Emerging Talents in Bay Area Music, Pt. 1: Bass-playing Pioneer James Wiley and VibeMuzik’s Quest for the Hollywood Bowl
OAKLAND, CALIF. — Emerging and progressing multi-instrumentalist James Wiley, born 1993 in Funktown (Oaktown as it is mostly known) takes time from his rigorous practice routine to talk about his endeavors in his personal and professional life as a human being and as a musician. His budding career has already included noticeable talents having played alongside Dwayne Wiggins, Faye Carol, and Mistah F.A.B.
Wiley talks with me about his membership with VibeMuzik, a group spearheaded by Mandela Mssani that is currently entered in a competition hosted by Audacy to play in the 100-year-old Hollywood Bowl where Billie Holliday, The Beatles, Herbie Hancock, Los Angeles Azules, Gustavo Dudamel, and many, many more both greats contemporary and historic have played.
James and I talked ranges in what ticks in his musicianship, the fascinating “whiskered cats” he’s met over the past year, to what he enjoys in food and cooks.
VibeMuzik, also known as Ghetto Gospel released a four-track EP on April 20th of this year available on music media platforms, it might pair well with the reading.
Q: What is an event are you looking forward to in the month of July in the year 2022
A: Being the best version of myself, I mean just mostly, I do have some main goals, being diligent at my instrument, the one I’m playing right now, and becoming me. What I want to do specifically in July, only time will tell.
Q: Can you tell me about the Opening Act event for the Hollywood Bowl and who you will be performing with?
A:” It started in 2018 for underground artists to make their own break. I saw this advertisement on Instagram as a way for the band I’m with, VibeMuzik, to elevate our own craft on the road. I believe we have the content and the people in the band to provide that firepower. I just really want to get out there so I was like “hey guys, let’s try this idea of competing in the Hollywood Bowl and see where this takes us”.
How long have you been with VibeMuzik?
Q: I’ve been with them for 6 years. It started out at this place that’s still here to this day by the name of Spats. The owner, Orlando, is a great DJ, and overall… an intelligent human being in the town of Berkeley. He knows people like Xavier, a.k.a. Fantastic Negrito, and other artists who came up from the Bay. I met this dude that looked like Kenny Kravitz, and I was like “who’s this Lenny Kravitz motherfu**er out here.. Oh you’re named Mandela” and he was like “I’m tryna start this band, you sound nice on bass, you tryna join”. Ever since then, we’ve been jamming together and making music.
What is your role in the band, and what is the role of the other band members?
A: We call ourselves Ghetto Gospel, it’s a way of us saying we’re fusing different genres of music into a pot that is a pot that we feel is unique. It’s like gumbo, you know, we’re infusing these different styles. It comes from the hardcore roots of our ancestors that gave us the ability to be here and the music we’re playing. In terms of roles, myself, people call me Luther because I play nice on bass. It’s a funny story, I dressed up as Luther Vandross, cus I was wearing a stripy-colorful shirt and they said “wassup Luther” and everybody laughed. I didn’t really appreciate the name so much, but as time went by, I started growing into it little by little. Professionally, I go by James Wiley but sometimes my stage name is Luther. We have two different drummers, the main drummer that is part of the album, Superdrummer, his name is Ronell, very great drummer, playing with us since day one. I really do appreciate his feel on the drums. We also have Danielle, who is a fantastic drummer as well, just to provide certain touches. Myself on bass, this guy by the name of Manny on keys, a great organist and pianist, and last but not least Mandela Mssani. We do have some additional players as well, their names as well Danielle and Shanell, Shanell plays guitar.
For Vibemuzik, what are some venues throughout the Bay Area and around where you have performed? Top spots and great atmospheres, memorable moments?
Q: One of the most memorable moments that we had was at Negrito’s Farmer’s Market. He brings different artists and chefs from around the bay to collaborate and share within the community. If you know Negrito, he is the most genuine person you will ever meet. He keeps it real at all times, he is super funny. We were at his market, we performed, and I remember when negrito came up to me and said “yo man, you sound nice on that bass, got a really nice sound”. He came up to me, he didn’t have to say that, that was a very memorable moment.
Another memorable moment not too long ago was at the Chapel, was my first time with the whole band, calibrating everyone, and doing the songs. We played everywhere in the Bay, it just matters where the vibes are. I always give my hundred percent on that stage, it’s hard for me to tell which vibe or venue is my favorite, The Chapel and the Negrito were my favorite.
Opening Act is a sponsored platform that grants musicians from around the world the opportunity to perform at the 100-year-old Hollywood Bowl. The competition starts with a top 20 with each week following five less (top 15, top ten, top 5). In the first week of the competition, VibeMuzik came out on top with 1st place, and should they continue to do so, they could very well win their tickets to the Hollywood Bowl.
In order for VibeMuzik to get its chance at the spotlight, it will need to break through all the way until September. The winner will receive 10,000 dollars. “We’re giving half of the money toward younger artists trying to perform,” James said ready to strum the strings on his upright bass.
When asked about who their competitors are, Wiley states that the competition is set up in a way where competitors are anonymous. In anonymity, there is a greater opportunity for groups to focus on showcasing their talents.
VibeMuzik is on all social media platforms: iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, etc., and is (now) competing in the third round of the competition having gotten 1st place in the first round and fourth place in the 2nd round.
