Darling Nicky Writing and Publicity Services

 

 

 

Re: Interview with Lil’Bitts (Trinidad)

For: Darling Nicky and darlingnicky.ca| darlingnicky999.com

Date: Jan. 9^th, 2011

Date of birth: October 31, 1984

Place of birth: Trinidad

Genre: Soca, R&B, Hip-Hop

Don’t let the petite frame fool you!  Miss. Shivonne Churche may be known musically as Lil’Bitts, but her size is the only thing little about her.  Her BIG vocals can be heard on songs like her 2004 breakthrough hit “In My Country”, 2009′s “Hold Meh” and now for 2011, her sizzling new track “Sweetness” on the Honey Riddim; just one of her installments for Soca 2011.   Lil’Bitts and I took some time out earlier this week to reflect a “lil” on her life and her music.

Nicky: Greetings from Toronto! It’s been a few months since you’ve visited us.  I believe the last time was in October 2010 for Dr. Jay’s BFF – Best Fete Forever.  How have you been keeping since then?

Lil’Bitts: I have been good, very busy preparing myself for Trinidad’s Carnival in March 2011.

Nicky: Your legal name is Shivonne Liesl-Anne Churche.  How did you become known as Lil`Bitts?

Lil’Bitts: Lil’ Bitts was given to me by one of my first producers Jason Lee.  I didn’t like it first but the name definitely suits me because of my small stature.

Nicky: What a fantastic start to the New Year you’ve had.  You’re current 2011 song “Sweetness” on the HONEY RIDDIM (produced by Kernal Roberts) is being very well received.  How did that song come about?

Lil’Bitts: Initially that song was set to release in 2010 but we held it back for 2011.  It was written by my brother Sherrard Churche and the original name was Honeycomb.  Because he changed so much of the lyrics in the song, it was changed to “Sweetness”.

Nicky: Your fans have also enjoyed a 2^nd run on your 2010 song “Careful” due to a remix with a certain 2010 Vincy Soca Monarch (Skinny Fabulous).  Tell us how that collaboration came to be?

Lil’Bitts: Both Talib Robinson and Dr. Jay (of Toronto) approached me to do an official remix for “Careful” but they had not yet informed me that Skinny Fabulous would be featured on the track.  When I was emailed the track and heard the production and Skinny’s voice,  I totally freaked out and loved the song even more.

Nicky: Choosing a music career over a more traditional line of work requires great dedication and discipline.  When did you decide that you wanted to pursue a career in music?

Lil’Bitts: I knew that I wanted to be an entertainer since I was about 5 and I started singing when I was about 9 social commentary and I took it to another level when I began recording professionally at age 16.

Nicky: Who or what have been your musical inspirations?

Lil’Bitts: I have a very musical family so it’s in my blood.  Almost every person in my family can either play an instrument or can sing and are even music teachers here in Trinidad.  In terms of artiste, looked up to people like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton and Janet Jackson.  Locally I looked up to Denise Plummer, Singing Sandra, Baron, Sugar Aloes and David Rudder.

Nicky: What upcoming projects do you have in the works?

Lil’Bitts: I am set to release my last contribution for Trinidad’s Carnival 2011.  It’s called “Parade of De Bandz”.  It was written by Sherrard Churche, co-written by Kernal Roberts and produced by Kernal Roberts of Rama Studios.  I am set to do some more material after Carnival with Kernal Roberts, Sherrard Churche and Talib Robinson.

Nicky: Most artists have a particular song from their catalogue that has significant meaning to them.  Is there a song of yours that stands out for you, and is there a story behind it?

Lil’Bitts: All my songs have great meaning to me because I have worked so hard and diligently on all.  My collaboration with Bunji Garlin “In My Country” meant a lot because he helped me get my foot in the door and also it was one of the first songs that I ever wrote.  “Hold Meh” was my first ever hit song that was written by my brother which made people start looking at him as a great writer. “Sweetness” shows my versatility as an artiste; not only can Bitts sing but she can chant to.

Nicky: Who have been your favourite producers to work with?

Lil’Bitts: Thus far I’ve really liked working with Richard “Char Su” Ahong he produced all my earlier hits and is very easy to work with, Kernal Roberts because he really pushes you in the studio to have not a good track but a great track and Talib Robinson because in hears the entire music production in his head before the track is laid down, at first you’re confused but when you hear the final track it’s amazing.  To me they all have one thing in common; they are young musical geniuses.

Nicky: It is that time of year when plenty new Soca has been released.  Which songs are you listening to in heavy rotation right now?

Lil’Bitts: Too many to mention, I’m enjoying a lot of the new releases thus far.

Nicky: If you could collaborate on a record with anyone in the world, in any category of music, with who would it be?

Lil’Bitts: Wow!  There are so many persons.  In terms of producers though I would love to work with Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Timberland, Swizz Beats.  In terms of artiste, Whitney Houston to do a ballad if that’s still possible, Bruno Mars, Ne-Yo as an artiste and songwriter

Nicky: Trinidad Carnival is coming up in March, which is regarded as the pinnacle of soca performances and competitions.  As an artist, the experience is very different now than it may have been for you growing up.  Do you have a favourite Carnival memory to share?

Lil’Bitts: I have many; being a finalist in the Groovy Soca Monarch on Fantastic Friday on two occasions.  Just the adrenalin rush from racing from fete to fete for performances and there’s nothing like playing mas on the road Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

Nicky: I first met you at an event in Toronto for our annual Scotiabank Caribana Festival; will you be joining us again this year for 2011?

Lil’Bitts: To be more exact I believe I met you Dr. Jay’s “Soca or Die” during Caribana where I performed, hopefully I would be booked again.  (*wink wink* at Dr. Jay, lol)

Nicky: When not in the studio or traveling to perform, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Lil’Bitts: In my spare time I just like going out for drinks my friends, head to the movies or head for some bake and shark up Maracas.

Nicky: Where can people find your music if they want to hear more of you?

Lil’Bitts: Reverbnation: www.reverbnation.com/lilbitts

YouTube: www.youtube.com/bittsy31

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShivonneLilBittsChurche

Twitter: www.twitter.com/lilbitts and if you want to hear more? BOOK ME! LOL.

Nicky: I pride myself on being daring enough to ask the questions that people want to know.  So before we wrap up…on a personal note…does Lil’Bitts have a special someone, and if not, what are you looking for in a man?

Lil’Bitts: At present no, I’m a single girl.  I love a man that can make me laugh and is very understanding to my career.  He being into music is a plus.  Somebody who is very ambitious, driven and hard working is an even bigger plus and definitely I need someone who is very family oriented because one day I would like to get married and start a family of my own.

Nicky: It’s been such a pleasure getting more acquainted with the woman behind the music.  Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me, and I look forward to seeing you again soon!

Lil’Bitts: Yea no problem Nicky, nice speaking with you.  Excellent interview

Interview performed by Darling Nicky for darlingnicky.ca | darlingnicky999.com

© 2011 Darling Nicky Writing and Publicity Services.  All rights reserved.

~ by Darling Nicky on January 10, 2011.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags: Darling Nicky, interview, Lil Bitts, Q&A, soca, soca 2011