Soul singer makes a pair of local stops on current national tour
By EMILY SKEHAN Special to the Daily Press
SANTA MONICA Soul returns to Santa Monica this week, as R&B singer/song-writer Van Hunt stops in at local hideouts Temple Bar and Zanzibar. Club goers with a penchant for Prince, Rick James or Neil Young — during his soul phase — should be sure not to miss performances by this multi-instrumentalist and sultry singer tonight as well as later in the week.
“I do what I want to do,” said Hunt of his career. “It gets no simpler and no more pleasant for me than that.”
The Grammy-winner will play sets at the Wilshire Boulevard Temple Bar tonight, and at Zanzibar — located on Fifth and Arizona streets — this Sunday. Doors for both locations open at 9 p.m. The shows are sponsored by local radio station KCRW.
Hunt, an Ohio native who attended Morehouse College, lists Richard Pryor, Thelonious Monk, and Sly Stone as some of his primary influences.
“For my new record in particular,” he said, “I focused more on channeling classical composers.”
“Popular” is the title of his upcoming full-length album, which was preceded by an EP that came out earlier this month.
While in college, Hunt began producing demos for Atlanta rappers to make ends meet. In doing so, he became connected with big names in the music industry and artists like TLC and Jermaine Dupri. His career in songwriting jump-started when he joined forces with Dionne Farris of Arrested Development.
Hunt soon was signed to Capitol Records and went on to release a solo album in 2004, and again in 2006. He has performed with the likes of Alicia Keys, Coldplay, The Roots and Kanye West.
Both his self-titled album and a collaboration song with Joss Stone for a Sly & the Family Stone tribute album were nominated for Grammys, and he took home the award for the cover of Sly’s “Family Affair.”
Temple Bar is the site of Hunt’s first performance in Los Angeles, and he looks forward to returning.
“There’s something really attractive and cool about performing just outside of that Hollywood core of Los Angeles,” he said.
Plus, Hunt added, the owner is “supercool.” However, Zanzibar hasn’t always provided the same laid back atmosphere for the artist.
“I went there once to see a DJ spinning and ended up in an argument with some crazy guy and leaving,” laughed Hunt.
“It wasn’t the best experience.” However, he isn’t worried about further mishaps.
As far as the theme of the performances, the neo-soul crooner isn’t set on a routine.
“I’m going for the anti-vibe,” said Hunt. “It’s definitely going to be a spontaneous thing.”
While the artist assures that concert goers will groove out to his brand of R&B, he says it’s up to them to make the most of the show.
“They’re responsible for their own enjoyment, not me!” he laughed.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2007. Read the original PDF.