The main men are Evan Landes and Parrish Wintersmith, (The Groove Junkies). Despite their hectic schedule, they took time out to talk to us about the label and lots more.

.Where are you from originally?
Evan – New York and Detroit respectively.

·How did you all meet?
Evan - At a club in Santa Monica, California where we both had residencies in 1998.

·When do you first remember getting into music, and in particular, HOUSE?
Parrish – I got into music in the early 70’s and into house in the early 90’s.
Evan – As a kid growing up in NY the late 60’s British Invasion and the Motown Sound got me started but it was the early to mid 70’s music that turned me into a true music junkie. All the soul and funk bands, particularly those that defined the Philadelphia Sound. Groups like Harold Melvin and The BlueNotes, O Jays, Stylistics, Blue Magic, Three Degrees etc.. As for House, I got into the early Chicago stuff but didn’t become a full fledged head until the early to mid 90’s.

·Are there any particular artists or tracks that have inspired you?
Parrish – As far as inspiration goes there are way too many to mention.
Evan – Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, Teddy Pendergrass, Bob Marley, Lauren Hill, Jill Scott and a host of others. Too many songs to mention.

·What were the first records you remember buying?
Parrish – Machine Gun – Commodores, Kung Fu – Curtis Mayfield, Jungle Boogie – Kool and The Gang. I didn’t have to buy much because my dad bought almost everything that came out back in those days.
Evan – Beatles and Stones records (I’ve got Parrish by a few years).
· What’s the most recent CD each of you have bought?
Evan – The new Blaze album
Parrish – The new George Duke album

.Vinyl or CD/MD? Where do you stand on this?
Parrish – I’m a vinyl/CD guy. I don’t even own a MD player.
Evan – Most definetly vinyl because of the warmth and feel, however CD’s will do when the vinyl isn’t available.

·If you had to pick a record to describe yourself, what would it be and why? (Answers from everyone please)
Evan – Hands down the song “Inside My Soul” (the first release on the MoreHouse label). I wrote it at a time when I was literally at the crossroads of my life. The lyric was born from a conversation I had with the man upstairs and has truly helped me (and hopefully others) in my spiritual growth.
Parrish – Probably “Thank You” by Su Su Bobien because it totally encompasses how I feel about God and what He means to me.

·Do you go clubbing for the enjoyment? If so which clubs and which DJs?
Parrish – I mainly get out when I want to hear a good DJ. One of my favorite spots is Deep here in LA. A few of my favorite DJ’s are Frankie Knuckles, Brian Tappert, Louie Vega, Tony Humphries, Teddy Douglas and David Morales. Honestly, any DJ that’s ON (mixing, programming, flow, etc.) I enjoy.
Evan – Absolutely, although I do find myself doing a lot of analysing and can be somewhat critical if the overall experience isn’t on point (I’m my own worst critic to). DJ-wise there are too many to mention but I must agree that I am partial to the same ones that Parrish mentioned.

·What are your interests outside of the music industry?
Evan – I’m a total sports-a-holic and movie buff.
Parrish – I love spending time with my children.

·You’ve previously recorded for Champion records. What made you decide to start up your own label?
Evan – I think that the answer lies in the question (jus’ kidding Mel).

·What are your ambitions for Morehouse?
Evan – To be a respected and respectable label. To put out memorable, quality records that will hopefully lift, enlighten and touch people in a positive way. To get exposure for the MoreHouse family of artists. To make lasting friendships within the community at large.

·How do you find your vocalists?
Evan – Referrals, friends of friends, networking at clubs, etc.

·Have you ever DJ’d outside the US? If so where did you enjoy most? (To Evan)
Evan – Other than some recent mixes that I did both individually and collectively with Parrish which aired on the Slammin’ Show, Deli-G’s The Touch, as well as a new one for Andy Ward’s Show, I haven’t personally played outside the US (nor has Parrish). Would love to have the opportunity to throw down (any promoters listening?) at some of the cool spots around the world in the near future. Parrish too.

·What have been your best and worst moments in the industry to date?
Parrish – The best would be having dinner with Quincy Jones and talking with George Duke. Those guys are walking encyclopedias. The worst was when I DJed an after party for Mariah Carey. She was nominated for 6 Grammy Awards and didn’t win one. There was this grey cloud looming over the party. Needless to say, she was not in the best of moods. Can’t say I blame her.
Evan – The best was hooking up with the Soulfuric family. The worst was hearing about the recent untimely passing of former Virgin Underground A&R head Rick Squillante who signed the first Groove Junkies project back in 1997.

·Any plans to visit the UK in the near future?
Evan – Yes. Been talking with Jamie Scahill from Slammin Boys about hooking up a few dates for early next year (again, any promoters listening?)
Parrish - Ditto

·Given the opportunity to work with anyone you wanted to, who would it be?
Parrish – Quincy Jones, Chaka Khan, Bootsy Collins, Donnie McClurkin & Family, Yolanda Adams, and The Clark Sisters. Oh yes… Dawn Tallman.
Evan – Teddy Pendergrass, Lolleata Holloway, Vince Montana Jr. and a host of others.

·What’s on tap for future MoreHouse releases?
Evan - Be on the lookout for “Gonna Get By” Part2, a new single featuring my wife Leneth on vocals and spoken word artist Raya Beam called “Deeper” (along with a phat remix from Mr. Tappert), as well as follow-ups on Solomon Henderson and Indeya. We’re also working on new songs with yet another amazing newcomer to the house community, a truly gifted singer named Diane Woods Carter. Get ready ya’ll!

Thanks again to both Evan and Parrish for taking time out to speak to us. you can find out much more about them by visiting their own website. select the Link on the directory page or visit www.morehouserecords.com