By Ariel Worthy
Many people know her as Fee-Fee, but everyone knows her from her passionate and emotion-filled life music.
Latrisha Redmon has traveled all over the world, ministering to people through her talent. Redmon wears many hats of talent, but her love of drumming is what stays. In addition to drumming, Redmon also sings and mimes. She is currently in the band Heels and Chucks, and can be seen with them every Thursday night at Steel Lounge on 1st and 23rd.
Redmon, whose aunt gave her the nickname Fee-Fee, grew up in her parents’ church and would watch her brother play the drums.
“Around [age] five-ish I started banging on the drums, getting on people’s nerves, and I loved it.” She said.
Redmon has traveled to Japan, South America and India spreading her talent of mime.
Redmon has made sure that local talent in the city has an outlet to show off their talent. She has hosted events, “Girls Can Play Drums, Too,” Birmingham Jams, and Ink Slinga.
Redmon did what many people want to do, but few have done: she quit her day job and started focusing on her music full-time.
In 2009 Fee-nomenal Music was born.
“One day I was in a meeting and I was just like ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ I really stepped out on faith.” Redmon said.
What is Fee-nomenal Music?- It’s from my nickname, Fee-Fee. It’s the base space for rehearsals, recordings, and things alike. I have an engineer I work with, Keith, and he’s a big help. We do songwriting. There are plenty in Birmingham, but we extend that hand to people. We do event coordinating. We are that umbrella for entertainment.
Of all the many places you have traveled to, where do you feel had the greatest impact on the audience?: Japan. I’ve been nine times, and when I first started going (2001) I was with a choir, TPW, and I played the drums, as well as mimed. Someone in the audience asked if I could come back and do a workshop. Japan only has a one percent Christianity base. So, I have done mime with them, and from that, they have formed their own groups.
What genres did you include in Birmingham Jams, Ink Slinga and all of your events around the city?: All kinds. I really want to connect with not just us, but our Caucasian brothers and sisters as well, that’s why I chose to have the events at Bottletree. I want to have something that reached out to the entire community. Bottletree really extended their hand to me. I want all genres; country, hip-hop, gospel… whatever you’ve got just bring it.
What would you say your inspiration comes from?: So much goes on in life. So much goes on daily, my goal is to uplift and encourage. Also, ups and downs in my life. I see why I have gone through things that I’ve gone through to so I can be a messenger. The music today doesn’t have any substance and I want to go back to substance. I want these teenagers to go to substance over what is going on now. I just want to build and tear down all the other stuff. When I first heard Blame It by Jamie Foxx I wrote a poem about it.
How have you tried to reach teenagers around Birmingham?: I’ve always wanted to do something in the schools, and I’ve planned, but not yet. Soon, though!
How would you describe your musical sound?: I would describe it as life music. I may be spiritual one day, the next day I might be about love. I have a song about domestic violence from the perspective of a girl who died from domestic violence. It was called “Listen to Me.” But I don’t want to get stuck in a box.
How would you describe Birmingham’s music scene?: We have a sea of great talent in Birmingham. The downfall is that people don’t know about it or support it. I think Birmingham has been slept on for a long time because people have all of these stigmas in their head. I think it would really fly more if we had that hometown support. As far as the artistry we don’t lack that at all. One of my desires is to have a billboard that shows our faces. Let us ride down by the Sheraton and see a billboard with my face. It will help keep us motivated, too.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Birmingham doesn’t really pay attention to an artist if they don’t know their names. How do you think these local artists can get attention and support?: That’s a tough question. I don’t know if it has to be that “WOW” factor or what. Maybe doing free promotions or opening acts. It’s a tough question to answer, but maybe small stuff here or there.
Who are some of the local people you’ve worked with?: Jacob Duran, Jas’Mine, Sherri Brown, Club Monster, GI, it’s been a lot of local people.
Besides the drums, what’s an instrument you can’t live without?: My guitar. It’s my comfort zone with singing. It gives me more confidence.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?: I’d probably just be working. Maybe public speaking or poetry.
How are the drums and singing similar and different?: The drums give you that rhythm that moves you, and singing does the same. The difference? Drums can keep you limited. With singing you can be free, especially if it is done acapella. You can let the expression of it all flow through your voice.
What’s next for Fee-Fee?: Professionally recording my sounds and maybe releasing an EP. Really focusing on getting my music together.
What would you say is your favorite song you’ve done?: Fearless.
Have you ever had a personal experience with how people were effected by your music?: I was at Jazz Underground and Frank McComb was there. I took a chance to sing My Eyes. I sang it and tried to take a picture with him. He asked what I was doing tomorrow and he told me that he wanted me to open up for him. I was like “What?! Frank McComb wants me to open for him?” So I went the next day and sang “My Eyes.” It’s about knowing and grabbing hold to your beauty. What you see as a flaw or insecurity I see as beautiful. This lady came up to me and just bawled. She expressed how the song ministered to her. I just sat there stunned. Then I went my friend’s church and the lady was there. She was so excited, she told my friend I was a blessing. The impact the music had on her blew me away.
Redmon will be on stage at Olivia’s Bar and Lounge tomorrow, with Ashley Sankey and Hishonda Wilson. To hear music by Latrisha Redmon, go to her Soundcloud.
