With a Song In His Heart: An Interview With Singer Jovans Lorquet

Jovans Lorquet has a mesmerizing voice. It’s so soulful, you’d swear he’s done vocal internships with some of the best lead singers from the most successful 1990s and early 2000s R&B groups. “Mwen Bezwen’w” [I Need You], a ballad duet with with starlet Vanessa Cueto, is one of many tracks on which his considerable talents are showcased. On this track, the singer pleads, cajoles, his voice bearing lullaby layers. Lorquet truly is a musical jack of all trades, switching it up for bouncier fare with the song “SVP” (Plz). That song is a stir fry of sorts with French Caribbean beats, a sprig of R&B and konpa. A little bit of U.S. pop can also be felt in there.

Lorquet is one of those talents who really command a listen. From idyllic tracks like the soft-core “Brilliant”, produced by Bacheler Jean-Pierre, to “Demen” [Tomorrow], a syrupy ballad that gives an insight to the singer’s idealism, it’s more than apparent that Lorquet is a huge talent.

You had an interesting upbringing. You were born in Miami and then was sent to Haiti by your parents.

Yes indeed, I was born in Miami, but I actually was raised in Haiti with my parents for [the first] seventeen years of my life until the 2010 earthquake forced me to come to the US in order to continue my education. I am really grateful to God that I had this opportunity. Many people do not.

How did you get started singing?

Well, my dad is a gospel singer. He’s been singing even before I was born. I am following his footsteps. He also encouraged me and my siblings to learn an instrument, which is why I play piano.

What do you recall of your first ever public performance?

I was about eleven, and it was at a Christmas event at a church I think called Bolos, and there was a pretty good amount of people. I remember singing “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful”, the fact that people enjoyed it made me realize that I had a few skills at singing for my age.

Tell us about some of your songs, and how they came to be recorded and produced?

Me and my siblings we had an album in 2009 called Les Lorquet Juniors, after which I took a break from music. I decided to go back to singing and recording about two years ago with my song called “Demen” [Tomorrow]. Most of my music is homemade, I also go to my good friend Joseph Lissade Jr. for recording, mixing, mastering and good ideas.

Do you write your own songs?

I do write my own songs.

How does a song by Jovans Lorquet come together…lyrics first, melody after?

I have a really diverse creative process. I would come up with a song at any random time or place. Usually, I come up with the melody first I must say, and then when I am inspired by a story or an issue I often come up with lyrics without melody. The last part of the process consists of putting everything together.

If you could name one person as being the most instrumental in encouraging you in your career, and helping you push yourself…who would you say that person is?

My father would be one of many people who’ve encouraged me in my career. He was the one who introduced me to music and helped me develop every musical skill I would need to push [myself] in my career.

You are also known for singing gospel. When one examines the history of gospel-singing, one sees that in practically almost all instances where a vocalist goes from singing gospel to singing “worldly music”, there’s always this mini-backlash of sorts…one sees it in examining the careers of talents such as Sam Cooke, Amy Grant, and Katy Perry.

I believe that singing “worldly music” is a choice based on the type of inspiration that comes to someone’s mind. I would never sing anything inappropriate, at the same time I also still do sing Gospel music. Many gospel singers sing for themselves and not for the Glory of God how it should be —not pointing fingers. If I am going to make more gospel songs I will make sure it comes from my heart, and I would not want to make profit with a gospel album unless it would be to help men, women and children in need. I would like to distinguish myself from Haitian gospel singers especially in this case. I am currently planning a social album which is why I am focusing a lot on world music.

Now, in the music business there are all sorts of temptations. The temptation to sell one’s soul, and to, as industry observers at times call it, sell-out. How do you stay true to yourself?

I just try to be as independent with my music as possible, with the distribution, the producing. I stay independent because I do not want to have anything to do with people that are doing funny business. I would never sell my soul because I believe it belongs to God.

Michael Jackson named Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and Jackie Wilson among his most dominant influences. Who would you say has been your musical influences? What do you like about them?

Early in my life, my dad was one of my influences, and then came a great number of people such as Whitney Houston, R. Kelly, Donnie McClurkin, Bebe Winans, Ray Charles and for the kompa influence, Michael Benjamin and Stanley Toussaint.

How have your parents reacted about the career path you’ve chosen for yourself? Are they like, “Jovans, mwen di ou non, Jovans. Mwen di ou non!”

Not at all. They know I will eventually do gospel music, but they also understand my social/evangelical approach to music because I am trying to target a greater crowd in order to help them reflect on their lives and all the different social issues in the country.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

I have never been to Haiti since the day I left in January 2010—after the earthquake.

If you had a bulleted list of things you’d like to accomplish over the course of your career, what would you say they are?

Reach as many people as possible by spreading my music everywhere. Make a greater difference with my gospel music. Change the image of Haiti in the world. Help less affluent populations in Haiti as much as possible. Be an example for younger generations.

What are you working on right now?

I am currently working on my first solo album which should be out by the end of the year.

Connect with the singer on Twitter. Be sure to visit his YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.

All photos provided by the subject.