“The River,” is the type of song we don’t hear often enough in today’s mainstream.  It’s a story about family, faith, and tradition delivered with warm vocals and production that is both a throwback and modern.  In fact it’s one of the best songs released this year.  But don’t tell that to the man behind the song, Noel Gourdin, who remains charmingly modest as critical praise is thrown his way for the debut LP, After My Time.

Sixshot spoke with the rising singer about staying true to himself, why he has yet to mend his relationship with his biological father, crying on his parent’s shoulders, giving back to the children, and more.  

Sixshot.com: As I listened to your music I thought if you had come out 10 years ago you would be classified immediately as neo-soul.  So do you think it’s a blessing that you can come out post neo-sol and stand out in that respect?

Noel Gourdin:  I'm hostile toward it [neo-soul] or anything.  I've heard some artists go crazy about that label.  To me there’s nothing new about soul but I do understand that wave.  I like to stand free of categories and know that my music can touch people from all demographics.  So if it touches people and they can relate to it that’s reaching the masses and being mainstream.  We just make music from the soul and if people g ravitate and love it that’s a beautiful thing.

Sixshot: I read that you were the youngest of three siblings.  Growing up did they treat you as the baby of the family?

Noel Gourdin:  Well, yeah, I was the baby.  My brother and my sister looked out for me all the time.  They would always fight each other and try to get me to hug them harder and all that stuff.  I grew up in a family that’s been so supportive and full of love.  So that’s largely part of the man that I am today and the moral value and fiber that I have.  I’m approachable and a guy that you can come up to and have a drink with—that’s just me.  I'm down-to-earth and humble but I have to be able to sing and get my music out to people.

Sixshot: Has is been hard trying to preserve your sense of self in this industry where you have everyone trying to brand you and build an image for you?

Noel Gourdin: No, it hasn’t been a challenge because I like to say, “I’m me.”  All I can be is me.  There have been a couple of times where the label and people around me have tried to mold me as something that I’m not.  That gives me an uncomfortable feeling.  So I feel much more comfortable in my skin because I'm able to just be me.  I am humble and sometimes my manger says, “You’re too humble man.”  I don’t think there’s a such thing as too humble.  I am confident and humble and an approachable cat.  I stay grounded.  If I get out of hand my mom or grandma will slap me in the back of my head.  So I have to be me and remain to be me and that’s not hard for me.

Sixshot: I read that “The River,” is very personal for you.  We don’t hear too many songs about family, faith, and tradition.  Do you feel those values are lacking emphasis in today’s culture?

Noel Gourdin: I can say that yes, it’s a statement that can be made.  It's something that we can fix.  There are always centers out there that help people with that and therapists and things of that nature.  We do need to fix that.  It’s so vital to a young child’s life that they get love, nurturing, and support.  If we can do a better job with that there will be less people in jail and less people on trial for murder and violence.  So it is lacking but we can fix it.

Sixshot: I read that you absorbed your father’s classic soul records as a kid.  Yet, I also read that you don’t talk to your biological father.  What’s the state of that relationship?

Noel Gourdin: It’s still on the rocks but I’m getting to the point where I’m mature enough to say you are my biological [father].  I want to try and mend some of that relationship, but I was denied at birth by him.  So it’s really hard.  I am a mature person in mind and I will try and make amends with that relationship, but that will have to be when I’m ready.  It was a very abusive relationship with my mom as well and hearing those stories doesn’t make it easier.  I have my pops and he’s been there all my life—he’s the only father that I know.  So I’ve gotten all the love I need.  I have no hostility towards my biological [father].  It’s just that when I’m ready to mend that relationship I will do so.

Sixshot: What do you think it will take for you to get to that point where you’re ready to mend that relationship?

Noel Gourdin: It's just gonna take me time that’s all, but I know I will be able to muster up the will.

Sixshot: It sounds like you’ve taken that experience and flipped it so that you’ve learned from your father’s mistakes to become a better person.

Noel Gourdin: Right, and again it comes from learning to be a man and admiring my stepfather.  My pops—he’s been such a role model for me.  My mom tells me my mannerisms and everything is a carbon copy of him.  He taught me to be the man that I am with my moral fiber, being respectful, and giving out love and getting love back.  He’s always instilled those morals.  He never hit a woman.  So I'm trying to be the best man that I can be.

Sixshot: I hear that with this album you really wanted to let your emotions run free and show the emotional side of a man. 

Noel Gourdin:  There’s nothing wrong with being vulnerable and crying and being in touch with your emotional side.  Many men are preoccupied with being so hard and their manhood.  It's okay to cry over a relationship or family member—there’s nothing wrong with it.

Sixshot: Were you always that open as a man with your emotions or was that something you had to learn?

Noel Gourdin: It came natural for me.  There’s nothing wrong with it.  There have been many nights and days that I've cried on my parent’s shoulders.  I'm a sentimental person.  I'm very family oriented.  You can’t get through life all by yourself.  It’s very hard and almost undoable.  I've had support from my team and my family and friends and things of that nature.  So it’s just inherent in me.

Sixshot: You worked at a group home for battered kids.  What inspired you to become part of that cause?

Noel Gourdin: Coming out of school I needed to pay the bills and helping kids was something I felt strongly about.  I enjoy being able to be there and help these kids that are less fortunate and have gone through some rough times.  I was able to touch their life a little bit and share some encouragement.  When I left every night I would feel good and I slept easier knowing that I was making money helping these kids.

Sixshot: What did you learn from working with those children that helped you in your own life?

Noel Gourdin: To never give up.  They were there saying that I’ve been down and I’ve been low but I’m still here.  You have to show up to be in the race.  So that’s what helped me.  They did help me to know that you don’t ever give up.  You’ve got to be persistent and stay at it and work hard cause nothing comes easy.  To do something that takes hard work and dedication and sacrifice is tough, but it makes it that much sweeter when you accomplish what you want.

Sixshot:  Where does Noel Gourdin want to be in five to ten years?

Noel Gourdin: I can see myself still making music because I am a creative person.  I’ve always had this vision of making a building for the arts for kids.  A lot of the times these families can’t afford to put their kids in the arts.  So I want to start a building for the arts for kids that can’t afford it.  I want to start it in New England and set up some scholarship fund for college.  So I want to set up something like that. That’s my vision that I have.  I want to use my success to help others.

For more information please visit:
www.myspace.com/noelgourdin
www.noelmusic.com